Descending During the NorCal Drought @ Kirkwood – 01/18/14

Wow what a year eh? Not much has changed since my last update but the bottom line is that there is definitely some fun to be had in the Sierra Nevada Range. On January 11th, it actually snowed. Yes, those 4 inches made things steep and…well…a bit better than expected.

Arrival at Kirkwood blessed us with a glimpse of winter. With temperatures in the 30s, a cool breeze, snow on the trees and crisp blue skies, it was shaping up to be a great late November, er January day.

Given the lack of gnar on the slopes, I have been taking this opportunity to get my kids on the slopes. Parker, age 2, is pretty enthusiastic about wearing the gear, riding lifts, and testing out her new Moment skis.

Back over on Chair 6, conditions were much better than expected. The new snow combined with the wind provided some yahoo turns…between the rocks.

The North facing runs that have had some skier compaction are still skiing well all things considered.

One of the deepest days of the year…so far.

With a little traversing around the low tide obstacles, you can make it to runs like this. Given the yearly snow totals, consider this a heli run.

Skiing down through Oops and Poops beyond Olympic run has been my deepest lap of the season. Yes, I just did say that.

A family that skis together stays together right?

Last Sunday I decided to spend another day on the hill but this time without the offspring. With slalom skis in one arm, and rock skis in the other, I was going to be entertained on or off-piste.

Kirkwood has continued snow-making and winch-grooming Upper Zachary. Their efforts are definitely paying off as each day I arrive, its groomed wider and more consistent.

The groomers have been impeccable for early morning sessions on the race carvers.

The traverse across Chamoix has seen better days, but decent snow under Jims and in Sentinel Bowl awaits. Got to love that low sun angle!

Big Bill was super stoked on the coverage in Chamoix. I know because he told me.

Chamoix has not changed much, but the landing on the exit is getting a bit boilerplate.

Skiing patches of snow between rocks is always a good time.

Kirkwood is a fun mountain. Imagine how well it skis on a normal year!

Bill and I ventured over to the opposite side of the cave below Sentinel. Although untracked, the sun, mixed with facets in the snowpack did not yield the best results.

Still, the most fun was route finding near Oops and Poops. With a little rock hopping on the rock skis, it gave us some sense of adventure.

Best run of the day…skied it 4 times!

Hopefully this weather pattern changes ASAP, but if it does not, you can guarantee I’ll still be smiling while cruising the groomers with my kids.

A few more pics and thoughts here:

http://www.slaythegnar.com/2014/01/descending-the-drought-kirkwood-011814/