That Time of Year Again…

Snow is starting to fall and avalanches have already ripped in many place across the west.  That means that even though I haven’t been out yet it is time to start the weather charts.  Charts allow me to get a good idea of snow development without actually digging pits.  Nothing replaces on site reporting, but this is a tremendous help for watching patterns and identifying weak layers in the snowpack.  Feel free to comment or email me if you want some info on making/updating charts.

Back From Sunny San Diego

Had a great trip to San Diego, played some golf and spent some time with the family.  My brother came down from UCLA, yeah he’s gonna be making the big bucks, and we got to hang out which was cool.

Dad enjoying the view

The weather was perfect as usual, but it felt great to get back into the chilly fall weather here in Montana.  Gonna brush the cobwebs off the skis this week, trip report coming after this weekend.

Snow Update From Altoona

On Sunday Brett and Jason toured around while I continued laying floorboards in the bunkhouse.  Brett took some good photos of Racetrack, which is looking amazing with all this new snow.  Take a look at the broad shoulder in the foreground, pretty mellow but looks like it could offer some great pow runs.  I can’t wait to get up and ski this winter, still lacking a big line this season.

I’m off to Cali later this week, when I get back ski season will start.  I’ve been itching for a while, check back next week for some of the first turns of the season!

Early Turns

Just got this photo from a friend who made it out for his first turns of the season.  I’ve been holding off, trying to finish the semester, telling myself there is low coverage and an undeveloped snow pack.  This is photo is going to make it very tough to stay focused and keep the boards in the closet.  Either way, it’s coming, and I for one and more than ready…

This is what we like to see…

Weather report for Altoona this week, courtesy of NOAA.  By late fall skiers are antsy and chasing every bit of snow that falls.  Well, it appears that winter is bearing down us.  So tune up the big boards, cause it won’t be long now!

Heading up

We are in prep mode at the lodge, and I am going up the next couple weekends to work.  I’ll be spending my time finishing the interior of the bunkhouse, or “Bear Den.”  I’ll also be filling the woodshed with a seasons worth of dry firewood.  It is a small but important detail of winter adventures to have a surplus of dry wood on hand.  None the less, there is a lot of work to do, but it makes it worth it to have your coffee here…

Winter approaches at Altoona Lodge

On 10/17, Will and myself made quick hike up to the top of Altoona Ridge.  This simple hike offers great views of the available ski terrain, especially Goat Mt and Racetrack Peak.  Racetrack is full of big, fall line couloirs that are starting to look awesome!  Check it out below:

There was almost two feet of snow in some places on the upper ridge, so we were soaked by the time we got back from the hike.  It was great to see Racetrack coming into its winter self, and of course to have the warm lodge and a great sunset to come back to.