Bloated Skiing

Jan. 25, Silver Peak Slog

Granite Mountain in the sunshine

It's been a little wet lately. Today started out very moist and gray. Keeping an eye on the weather forecast, made a break for the great outdoors at 1pm, as the skies were clearing. Threw on some lightweight skis and headed for Silver Peak, Made it most of the way into the upper basin. The final pitch had snow pinwheels on both sides, so turned around just short of the top knoll in the basin. Skiing was pretty lousy and worked on my french fry technique. Another beautiful day in the backyard.

Large Pinwheels on gully leading up to
Silver Peak

Jan 18, End of the Cycle - Alpental Valley

Seth Davis elevates above the snowpack

After a week of cold weather and six feet plus of snow, the weather has started to warm. It's been some good lift skiing, but it was nice to get out for a ski tour on this busy Saturday. Hooked up with Seth and Holly and a couple of their friends for two quick laps in the Alpy backcountry. Snow was thick and heavy. It was quite the change from the day before, and I was glad for a short day.

Seth

Holly

Dec 19/20 West lift laps

Thursday started with 4-5 inches of 28 degree snow. Ended up skiing till 4:00 due to steadily increasing powder. Francine even crept out of the office and wasable to hit Wild Side on it's first day open. Went to bed with snow piling up greatly. Unfortunately over night temps warmed up and snow switched to rain. Manage 2 hours in the rain on okay groomers with poor vis. Hoping for good conditions on Sunday.

Skis getting buried during my ten minute car break. Almost lot one, skiing the old Thunderbird liftline.
Luckily spotted my bright orange bindings.

Dec 12 @ 14, Season gets started at Snoqualmie Pass

Day one, did one quick lap at Summit West. Managed to only hit on rock, but it was a big one.

Day two hooked up with Francine, Kelly, and Jen. With more snow skiing was actually pretty good. Did 3 laps at Summit West. Lifts ran for the first time on Sunday. Francine and I had a nice morning with lift served cascade powder. Forecast looks good for later in the week. Hoping to get more untracked soon!

MAUI Escape to the warmth, Nov 28th

With temps below freezing and no snow in sight, we made a last minute decision to escape to Hawaii. With temps between 72 and 82 the weather was perfect. Instead of our normally hyperactive vacations, we actually relaxed a little bit. Our hotel deck had a great ocean view to watch sunrise and sunsets. Yoga on the lawn got us stretched out for the day. Nice way to get a break from the NW grey weather. Unfortunately when we got home, we still had no new snow. Stay tuned for ski reports. Hopefully, they will start soon.

Deck had a great view of the ocean

Did the scenic drive North of Kaanapalai up to the "blowholes"

Stopped at the Burger Shack for a great lunch, although a little pricey.
Did I mention Francine's sister Sally came with?

I did hit the beach for one day of windsurfing

No pictures from Aloha Mixed Plate. Great restaurant in Lahina with a good happy hour!

Park City, Utah - Awesome trails

What a great trip...

Tom and Francine with Deer Valley Ski Resort in background

Francine and Kevin

We started our first day, at altitude,
by riding the Park City chairlift.

Nice dirt, thanks to recent rain

View of Park City, Crescent Express chairlift

Tom, riding the Specialized Stumpjumper

Day 2, used Deer Valley chairlifts to get high.

Took Monday easy and rode ebikes to The Canyons resort
with Lori.

Quaking Aspens

It was a little wet on Pincone trail,
but what a fun downhill.

WOW trail. Paid 15 bucks each for the 8 mile shuttle

Mountain high alter. We were celebrating
22 years of marriage this week.

Getting a little tougher on our last day

Hood River

Kevin sailing at The Hook

We missed Hood River last year due to our trip to Italy, but we found some time in June this year to make it back. Just to make it a little more interesting, Kevin ordered a bike from one of the local shops to avoid paying sales tax in our home state of Washington. So far have hit Post Canyon, and the 44 trails area. Also got one day in for windsurfing.