ChrisC
Well-known member
This was my first trip to the Sierra this season. Long overdue.
However, the Sierra only received about 6" for the month of January - why bother?
This situation was resolved with a 4-day storm - that was unfortunately very warm. Snow levels were generally 7500+ until Saturday night when they lowered to almost lake level 6200. Since Kirkwood is the highest and sits on the Sierra Crest - it was the natural place to ski.
Kirkwood was excellent today! But there was A LOT of pent-up demand.....
The drive on 88 to Kirkwood was awful - everyone and their 2nd and 3rd cousins was on it. Some snow removal stoppage. Furthermore, parking at Kirkwood continues to get worse as condos take over spaces. Almost Northstar-like in awfulness.
Kirkwood reported 22-38" of new in 24 hours. However, temps were about 28F and it skied like 10" of cream cheese. I'll take it. But no matter how much it snows in California, I have yet to sink knee deep. I have skied after 100" storm cycles - and I would rather have 18" in Telluride or Utah.
Crowding was agravated by the backside being close. I'm not sure why? Maybe the Cirque could slide and kill people? Who knows? The backside really is not that steep, but the stuff on top of it is....
Took a few runs off "The Wall" lift - but the terrain is not really that steep after the first 300ft or so. And gets killed quickly. Mostly skied "Cornice" all day -- and kept traversing for fresh. I really love this terrain! You have cliffs, rocks, trees, openings and low density. Excellent! You can traverse for almost a mile? to the north and just peel off when you see fit.
Winter is finally here in California.
However, the Sierra only received about 6" for the month of January - why bother?
This situation was resolved with a 4-day storm - that was unfortunately very warm. Snow levels were generally 7500+ until Saturday night when they lowered to almost lake level 6200. Since Kirkwood is the highest and sits on the Sierra Crest - it was the natural place to ski.
Kirkwood was excellent today! But there was A LOT of pent-up demand.....
The drive on 88 to Kirkwood was awful - everyone and their 2nd and 3rd cousins was on it. Some snow removal stoppage. Furthermore, parking at Kirkwood continues to get worse as condos take over spaces. Almost Northstar-like in awfulness.
Kirkwood reported 22-38" of new in 24 hours. However, temps were about 28F and it skied like 10" of cream cheese. I'll take it. But no matter how much it snows in California, I have yet to sink knee deep. I have skied after 100" storm cycles - and I would rather have 18" in Telluride or Utah.
Crowding was agravated by the backside being close. I'm not sure why? Maybe the Cirque could slide and kill people? Who knows? The backside really is not that steep, but the stuff on top of it is....
Took a few runs off "The Wall" lift - but the terrain is not really that steep after the first 300ft or so. And gets killed quickly. Mostly skied "Cornice" all day -- and kept traversing for fresh. I really love this terrain! You have cliffs, rocks, trees, openings and low density. Excellent! You can traverse for almost a mile? to the north and just peel off when you see fit.
Winter is finally here in California.
