EMSC
Well-known member
Spring at the Basin.
After a cool week with another ~10" of snow at Abasin, things warmed up just enough on Saturday, the day before, to have melted much of the area. SO early start was not necessary and we arrived ~9:30a and top of Lenewee about 10a. It was interesting in that off groomers were refrozen, but groomers were an interesting mix of refrozen (but at least not chunky), and softer/chalkier winter snow. After letting my son figure out, twice, what not to ski (off groomers on long chute in Zuma bowl for example), I forced a run showing him how to follow the sun on spring ski days (experiential learning does wonders). We hit all the way around to End Zone in Zuma bowl, which facing to the east, and out of the stiff breeze (which was coming from the N) had already softened just enough and skied great.
After our first 4 or so Zuma laps we headed to the North Pole hike. His first ever hike to that terrain. He didn't have the greatest experience as I think the altitude got to him. No issues with the pitch or entry or etc.. but feeling light headed and off. Snow in North Pole was firm but chalky with some soft fluff still in there. We went to the bottom and then to the mid Black Mtn lodge for an early lunch.
After lunch we lapped Pali multiple times with chalky softness on the upper half transitioning to just softening spring snow roughly half way down the pitch. Very nice snow by then. I was then hoping to hit Castor or East woods into the Beavers, but Steep Gullies and that whole western facing side of Beavers terrain was closed. So instead we did Davis with a big bare spot from over-grooming half way down, with several laps though chalky Beaver bowl/Digger, etc...
Eventually heading out Zuma cornice to Schauffler in by then much softer mushy snow and a couple final laps under Lenawee chair itself as desired by my son before heading out by ~3p (we had some stuff to do back home where it was at least 70F).
Finally soft in E facing Zuma. Note the icy glints over toward the lift.
North Pole and Narrow North pole are pretty easy really. 1st notch both steeper and narrow, 2nd notch requires a down hike with permanent rope then putting skis on on the pitch while in a narrow steep chute.
After the initial pitch, hook left and keep going...
I had hoped to come back for a 2nd hike and hit this one, but my son wasn't going to try after the initial hike went south for him.
Narrow North pole options can be all over the map depending on the year and avi/wind/etc.. affects. This year a fair bit of options and open areas.
The Willies Wide hike is way more brutal and takes much longer. Especially if you go to the very top and through the Snorkel Door.
Remote weather transmitter at top of Pali face so they know when to shut it down due to risk of wet slides in the spring...
Chalky and soft for a decent chunk of the way
Davis and Loafer are officially blue (and the easiest trails in Beavers), but more like Jacksons blue/black rated stuff. As such, they groom them so intermediates can ski the lift. However they really pushed the snow off this rollover during the season.
Beaver Bowl area (also chalky snow here)
After a cool week with another ~10" of snow at Abasin, things warmed up just enough on Saturday, the day before, to have melted much of the area. SO early start was not necessary and we arrived ~9:30a and top of Lenewee about 10a. It was interesting in that off groomers were refrozen, but groomers were an interesting mix of refrozen (but at least not chunky), and softer/chalkier winter snow. After letting my son figure out, twice, what not to ski (off groomers on long chute in Zuma bowl for example), I forced a run showing him how to follow the sun on spring ski days (experiential learning does wonders). We hit all the way around to End Zone in Zuma bowl, which facing to the east, and out of the stiff breeze (which was coming from the N) had already softened just enough and skied great.
After our first 4 or so Zuma laps we headed to the North Pole hike. His first ever hike to that terrain. He didn't have the greatest experience as I think the altitude got to him. No issues with the pitch or entry or etc.. but feeling light headed and off. Snow in North Pole was firm but chalky with some soft fluff still in there. We went to the bottom and then to the mid Black Mtn lodge for an early lunch.
After lunch we lapped Pali multiple times with chalky softness on the upper half transitioning to just softening spring snow roughly half way down the pitch. Very nice snow by then. I was then hoping to hit Castor or East woods into the Beavers, but Steep Gullies and that whole western facing side of Beavers terrain was closed. So instead we did Davis with a big bare spot from over-grooming half way down, with several laps though chalky Beaver bowl/Digger, etc...
Eventually heading out Zuma cornice to Schauffler in by then much softer mushy snow and a couple final laps under Lenawee chair itself as desired by my son before heading out by ~3p (we had some stuff to do back home where it was at least 70F).
Finally soft in E facing Zuma. Note the icy glints over toward the lift.
North Pole and Narrow North pole are pretty easy really. 1st notch both steeper and narrow, 2nd notch requires a down hike with permanent rope then putting skis on on the pitch while in a narrow steep chute.
After the initial pitch, hook left and keep going...
I had hoped to come back for a 2nd hike and hit this one, but my son wasn't going to try after the initial hike went south for him.
Narrow North pole options can be all over the map depending on the year and avi/wind/etc.. affects. This year a fair bit of options and open areas.
The Willies Wide hike is way more brutal and takes much longer. Especially if you go to the very top and through the Snorkel Door.
Remote weather transmitter at top of Pali face so they know when to shut it down due to risk of wet slides in the spring...
Chalky and soft for a decent chunk of the way
Davis and Loafer are officially blue (and the easiest trails in Beavers), but more like Jacksons blue/black rated stuff. As such, they groom them so intermediates can ski the lift. However they really pushed the snow off this rollover during the season.
Beaver Bowl area (also chalky snow here)