The conditions were awesome today, highlighting the amazing snowfall we received this month. From the pow stashes on the hikes to the wind filled in the bowls to the smooth velvety groomers, the conditions around Palisades were a wintery fun vibe today.
This blog was written by Ryan Williams.
KT22
Today’s lunch session was a classic mountain tour around the horn, hitting the peaks: from KT to Headwall, to Palisades, to Granite Peak, and then home. Walking to lift at 12:30pm the sun was out, the snow was looking awesome, temps were staying cool, however, the ridges up top had some big winds blowing the snow around. As we got to the top of KT we noticed the wind was filling the East Facing slopes, like Headwall, really well with amazing windfall snow. The big plumes from turns were looking sweet. It was go time.
On our tour to Headwall from KT, Enchanted Forest was looking great, holding some awesome-looking pow stashes. We jammed across the Saddle and ventured out to this favorite zone. At the top, we found some great untracked spots that had some wonderful wintery pow from the recent storm this week.
The turns were incredible, full-on blower pow, in the sun. The lower section of Enchanted was just as fun. A bit tracked, but the cold powdery snow was fast and rippable, with slashes galore.
Headwall
The lift-up was a blast with everyone chatting about how great the wind-filled snow was on Headwall. Watching everyone rip down the face, the snow looked amazing, full of wintery conditions, with refresh wind fill each run. Such a treat.
At the top, it was awesome to check out The Palisades and see how filled in the terrain after the last storm. It was great to see all the hikes open today, from the Palisades and Mainline, to Granite Peak and Broken Arrow. Our schedule today provided time for one of the hikes, and we opted to save it for Granite Chief.
Heading over to the main bowl, the wind was howling at the top, full on winter vibe, even in the sun. The snow along the ridge was great, super soft, and edible, with incredible lake views today. At the top of the bowl, the conditions were a little icy from the wind ripping the snow down into the bowl.
By the second turn, the snow was incredibly wind-filled pow top to bottom. It was amazing, the cheers all around the slopes were just awesome. The vibe was awesome, just like the conditions. The snow was so good in this zone today, it was tempting to stay the rest of the session, however, Granite Chief was calling.
Granite Chief
From Headwall, we jammed over to Big Blue to enjoy a fun lap down Solitude bowl, scoring more wind-filled pow. The snow was similar to Headwall, but more filled in. It was ripping top to bottom. The lift lines were amazing today, minimal, and almost rode right on. And Granite Chief was just that. On the ride up, it was wild to watch the massive plumes of snow flying from the ridges. The wind was howling, and the blue skies made the plumes look incredible.
At the top of Granite, it was awesome to see the hike open. On the hike up the conditions were looking prime. It is amazing to see how filled in all the classic lines and drops have become this season. Along the hike, we paused to soak in the great views and the cool wind-filled pow, making the terrain and conditions awesome. We found a fun cornice drop to send into the bowl. The drop was awesome, the landing soft and the turns in the bowl were full-on wintery blower pow. So hyped to score these amazing conditions and features.
The conditions down from the peak to the base of Granite were an absolute blast today. It was the most variety of conditions on the mountain today. From the wintery pow up top on the peak to the sun-baked south-facing snow, to cold pow in the shade. Granite had it all today. A total blast.
Belmont Park, Groomers, and School Yard
Heading back home from Granite, we enjoyed an awesome mountain run down through Belmont Park and through the School Yard. The park crew crushed it by building out the park this week with a variety of jump lines and rail features (small to medium). The Gold Coast park was looking good too across the way, with the bigger jump line and rail features.
The School Yard is so filled in this season, making for some fun waves and features all throughout the zone. The new groomers in the zone are wild to see. Super fun and zippy.
It was awesome shredding down Mountain Run, looking back at the peaks and the amazing lunch session mountain tour we had today. The wind-filled pow and open hikes were a total score. This weekend is going to be a blast out there.