Skibowl Scraping By

Skibowl has had a challenging season, and today they opened after a period of low snow had forced unplanned closures. Thankfully this weekend looks like it will keep them running for some time to come. Although the low snowpack required that many runs were roped off, there was enough to groom all of the Multorpor side, which was in pretty good shape. I enjoyed cruising for a couple of hours, and sampled all the groomed trails before calling it a day. It was a fun trip to Skibowl, but I do hope they get a good late season to make up for the shortage of snow so far.

Hoodoo sans Hodag

Today was a wet and wild day at Hoodoo. Eight inches of heavy, wet, untracked snow covered the off-groom with a tempting but dangerous surface that I could not resist cutting to pieces. It was hard work on the wet, heavy snow, but there was no competition on the hill, in the soaking rain that was falling from top to bottom, which to be fair was slushy higher up.

Mystery at Willamette Pass

I belong to the Mountain High Snowsports Club, and so far have enjoyed only one actual club trip (I am also a second year PACRAT), which was a trip to White Pass a couple of years ago.

This year, my unusual job situation has made club trips less attractive for me, so I have gone back to solo travel. Today my plan changed in an unexpected and fun way. The trip to White Pass was one where the trip leaders didn't share the destination with the attendees until the bus was underway. A "Mystery Trip" in the club vernacular.

As I was donning my boots in the lodge this morning, I solved this year's mystery. Mountain High had come in force to Willamette Pass. Of course, with five inches of fresh snow, I would not be waiting for them to catch up. I got ahead of the masses and lapped the backside six times, making the most of a powder day, and carving big arcs in wide open fields of snow. No friends on a powder day is true to a point, but after getting a few laps under my belt, I decided to tag along with the mystery trippers and see where they might lead me.

We had some great runs down the trails and in the trees, and it was interesting to be part of a mass of skiers and riders descending a hill together. The snow was great, and we all managed to find plenty of new lines through the day. I had companions to ride with, to dine with, and later there was even some filming of some human slalom and spins.