I expected A-Basin to still be mostly winter snow. This was true on the steeper runs but there had been some degree of melt/freeze on most of the groomers. I probably was sensitive to this because I demoed another AT boot, the Black Diamond Method. This was my 4th day on the Verdict skis, and they are not a fan of hard snow. I felt somewhat out of control on hardpacked groomers, and oddly felt more comfortable on the ungroomed West Wall, even though it was somewhat firm also.
Wind was moderate only at the very top of Lenawee and Pali, but Zuma was closed so it must have been strong over there. We did get to ski the East Wall which had been closed Tuesday for avy control. East Wall and Lenawee lift.
East Wall viewed from top of Pali.
Group skiing East Wall area.
View of the lower mountain and road up Loveland Pass.
This was the last day of the group trip, so a couple of parking spots were reserved on the A-Basin Beach and a grill set up for lunch. There was a good variety of food including some steaks on that grill. I brought one of the wines from my 2007 Chile trip for those.
A couple from Tahoe drove and brought their dog Ziggy, a mix of chocolate lab and Jack Russell terrier.
Warning to A-Basin skiers. Do not leave your helmet on the ground on the Beach. :lol: Ziggy peed in this one. :shock:
Some people wore retro gear at the Beach. This was the hands-down winner, 1970's racer, head to toe.
Those GS racing skis have the exploding spring Rotomat rear bindings that were on the Mt. Baldy rentals in 1976 when I blew an ACL.
We finished lunch around 1:30 and most of us took around 4 Pali runs before returning to the Beach at 3PM. I skied 17,000 and I was pretty beat by then.
Epic Ski Forum women with Pali runs in background.
More A-Basin Beach scene.
Wind was moderate only at the very top of Lenawee and Pali, but Zuma was closed so it must have been strong over there. We did get to ski the East Wall which had been closed Tuesday for avy control. East Wall and Lenawee lift.
East Wall viewed from top of Pali.
Group skiing East Wall area.
View of the lower mountain and road up Loveland Pass.
This was the last day of the group trip, so a couple of parking spots were reserved on the A-Basin Beach and a grill set up for lunch. There was a good variety of food including some steaks on that grill. I brought one of the wines from my 2007 Chile trip for those.
A couple from Tahoe drove and brought their dog Ziggy, a mix of chocolate lab and Jack Russell terrier.
Warning to A-Basin skiers. Do not leave your helmet on the ground on the Beach. :lol: Ziggy peed in this one. :shock:
Some people wore retro gear at the Beach. This was the hands-down winner, 1970's racer, head to toe.
Those GS racing skis have the exploding spring Rotomat rear bindings that were on the Mt. Baldy rentals in 1976 when I blew an ACL.
We finished lunch around 1:30 and most of us took around 4 Pali runs before returning to the Beach at 3PM. I skied 17,000 and I was pretty beat by then.
Epic Ski Forum women with Pali runs in background.
More A-Basin Beach scene.