Thursday Report for Dec 19, 2013

It is starting to get a little busier on the mountains especially on the weekends. Last Saturday Joe and myself helped open the new Harmony 6 chair. It was also Santa Claus day. If you wore a Santa Claus suit you got a free lift ticket and got to ride first up the new lift. I think there were over 160 Santas and I am pretty sure one of them riding the first chair was the real thing. They had a one minor problem with the lift but it was fixed and it is running great now. A very roomy chair especially when there are less then 6 on it. They also opened Seventh Heaven the same day.
Monday I went backcountry to the Blackcomb Glacier with Ed, Mike, Don M. and Ross. It was fun trying out the new split snowboard. It will go up steeper hills, turn sharper corners easier, and of course the board goes downhill better in the breakable crust we had. It is not as good on a slippery side hill.
Today they opened the Horstman T-bar, part way, and the Showcase T-bar. The Blackcomb Glacier is now open as well. Only the Symphony Chair is left now to open. Runs are slick especially later in the day. Just relax and let the skis slide.
Still not a lot of snow and not a lot in the forecast. It will come as it always does. Just be patient. It sure looks like it should be snowing now as we have the right cloud cover. They are moving the snowguns around now to cover as many runs as possible for the Christmas rush.
Skating rink at the Olympic Plaza is open again so bring up your skates.

Merry Christmas to everyone and ask Santa for lots of snow.

First chair waiting for the gate to open. I think the Santa 2nd from the left with the candy cane skis is the real one.

Joe in a blizzard at the top of the Harmony 6. Nice powder in Burnt Stew. The top of the chair is a little higher now and there is more room as well to unload and congregate.

Me, Ed, Don M, and Ross skinning into the Blackcomb Glacier from the top of the Horstman Glacier. We had to skin up part of the Horstman as well. 

That's me at the top of the Blackcomb Glacier.

Mike and Ed approaching the crevasses at the top. Never seen them before like this year.

Looking down into a crevasse.

Mike enjoying watching the guys trying to ski the breakable crust.

Don M. and Ross at the bottom of the Glacier. Note the lack of snow behind them. If you are skiing the Glacier stay on the right side coming down or you will end up in that mine field you see behind them.

The bench just past the Bottom of Ruby Bowl. See where it was placed at the end of last season. About 5 ft higher.