Backcountry
Conditions Report
With temperatures approaching 55F at the 7,800ft base of Kirkwood expectations were extremely low for finding decent winter snow. Given the lackluster snow this season, coverage is actually quite good on the mountain. Areas such as Oops n Poops, Chamoix, Thunder Saddle, Hells along slackcountry zones of Corner Zone, Broadway and Boulevard all held onto a hint of winter even in the searing temps.
Skiing with a 5 and 2 year old at the same time isn’t easy, but I know I’ll cherish these moments in a few years. However, as soon as my wife took over after spending most of my day bent over in a snowplow training a 2 year old, I straightlined to maximization of vertical and snow quality…and was blown away on what I encountered.
On our arrival the night before, I took a minute to get a tan…in March…in Tahoe.
Did I mention it was warm?
My 2 year old was killing it until we tried to cross naptime at 1pm…
On my break, Len and I headed beyond the ropes to find the winter season…
We started with a Corner Zone lap…
The snow had a hint of chalk which was actually more than expected so I was stoked…
Aaron Miller showed up and then threw up some wintery spray…
We might as well ski Broadway Chute…
Len Holmgren in his happy place…
I grabbed the kids from the grill over at chair 4 and we headed up chair 3…
Back on the front side, I dropped off the kids and explored off chair 6…
Apres Ski included a little SUP action on the lake…
The view of Heavenly from a SUP in March 2014…
The next morning, Parker and I worked on racing each other…look at that smile!
On my free laps, Aaron Miller and I hit up the Wall…
And headed over to Norm’s Nose…
From there we headed out to check out Broadway Chute beyond Fawn Ridge…
The snow was wintery that’s for sure…
Highlight of the weekend? I’d say so…
Aaron carves his way to Emigrant Lake…
Success!
All that’s left is a shoulder ride back to the car…
…more pics and longer report here:
http://www.slaythegnar.com/2014/03/winter-lurks-amid-searing-sun-kirkwoodmtn-031614/
Seba!!!!
I enjoy your posts. Was a longtime Kirkwood pass holder and still get down that way occasionally. Brings back some good memories.