Keystone 3-12-08

[mikesathome]

A chilly day compared to Breckenridge the day before.
Started off about 10am and everything groomed was solid, tress were skiing a little better.
took the summit express lift to mozart trail. Back on to the Santiago express hung out in last alamo ambush and star fire for a while, everything was still hard as a rock with a little snow dust blowing around on top.

Headed over to the outback express via spill way to fox trot. Tree skiing was good in he Wildwoods area, found some good snow in between pika/wildfire and porcupine runs.

About 1pm we took the snow cat ($5 ride cash only) up to north bowl. Traversed north bowl to outer limits and dropped in around goalpost gully. Everything was windblown at the top, no good snow until you got in the tress.

Took the wayback lift to north peak, had a snack, then took the outpost gondola back to dercum MT, and skied flying dutchman run back to the base.
By 2pm it was snowing lightly and it warmed up enough that flying dutchman run was skiing good.

Took today off, they are calling for a decent snow storm tonight. I am hoping to get one good 1/2 snow day before I fly out late Friday night.

Great views of Breckenridge (i think)

The snow cat

The wife taking a rest after the long Traverse on north bowl to outer limits

Me taking some turns near the base of keystone MT

 

[dank]

Great views of Breckenridge (i think)

Yes that is Breck from the outback, that is a great view.

What did you think of the $5 cat ride. We talked about doing it the week we were out there but of the 2 days it was just the guys it wasn't running or we went to A-Basin. Was it worth the $5 for how far they took you? How bad was the flat runout at the bottom? That side of the outback dumps into a really long flat section. If you don't have enough speed at the bottom it can really ruin a good run with a long skate or hike out.

 

[mikesathome]

Great views of Breckenridge (i think)

Yes that is Breck from the outback, that is a great view.

What did you think of the $5 cat ride. We talked about doing it the week we were out there but of the 2 days it was just the guys it wasn't running or we went to A-Basin. Was it worth the $5 for how far they took you? How bad was the flat runout at the bottom? That side of the outback dumps into a really long flat section. If you don't have enough speed at the bottom it can really ruin a good run with a long skate or hike out.

If the snow was better, it would have been fantastic. It was our first cat ride ever, so just to experience it was awesome.
I would pay $5 not to hike anytime
It was about a 8min ride total.
My wife did fine on her snowboard in the flat section, as you know it's much more work on a board then skis in those flat areas.