Cliffs notes: creamed corn.
After an easy night on-call I was up for a weekday spring session, and despite the cool temps and wind in the last few days, I figured the south-facing runs to the lot would be in prime condition on such a sunny day. Arrived at the Notch at 10:30 and after a warmup down Roller Coaster, headed to Holcumac.
Bliss.
It was similar to the runs I had there a few weeks ago, and kept getting better and better over the course of the day. Deep, tail-sinking hero corn. I realized that I would spend the whole day lapping Chair 1 to 4 to Holcumac, because there was no way that there were better runs being had anywhere else on the hill. Found a good way to do the runout by cutting across to the east of the run right above the little shack thingy near the bottom, onto the fire road, and down to the east end of the gully. The only doable tight ribbon of snow in the runout ran right next to the creek, making me think it won't last much more than 3-5 days or so, if that. Otherwise, you can take the still well-covered road to the hairpin where you can drop into Sugarpine. I did this once just to try it, and traversed across to lower Nightmare, a combo I haven't done before but really enjoyed.
I checked out Eric's for a few runs as well, which was great, but not as consistently "sinky" as Holcumac. It did make for a nice change of scenery every few runs, and I don't think anyone else was back there today. The runout was still in decent shape, though required much vigilance to avoid barely-buried hazards.
When grabbing a quick bite and brew at the Notch, while loading jalapenos onto my cheese fries, I saw a skier whose season pass said "Garry Klassen," and having seen that name mentioned on this site by Mr. Crocker. I figured I'd say hello, and explained the roundabout way that I recognized his name. Very nice guy.
Finished the day with more of the same. A few others ventured onto Holcumac but I had it to myself most of the day. It's a tad cut up now (sorry!) but should hold up at least another week, maybe two.
First Baldy trip I've ever done when I never touched Thunder, just didn't see a reason to.
The Waterman opening this weekend complicates matters a little- I still think I want to go to support the place, but man, the south-facing on Baldy is in a very tight window of great opportunity right now that I'd love to hit again while it's still doable... I just can't imagine the shaded, north-facing off-piste at Waterman being in the same league as what I got today. It'll be decent, I have little doubt, but I don't know about great.
We shall see.
After an easy night on-call I was up for a weekday spring session, and despite the cool temps and wind in the last few days, I figured the south-facing runs to the lot would be in prime condition on such a sunny day. Arrived at the Notch at 10:30 and after a warmup down Roller Coaster, headed to Holcumac.
Bliss.
It was similar to the runs I had there a few weeks ago, and kept getting better and better over the course of the day. Deep, tail-sinking hero corn. I realized that I would spend the whole day lapping Chair 1 to 4 to Holcumac, because there was no way that there were better runs being had anywhere else on the hill. Found a good way to do the runout by cutting across to the east of the run right above the little shack thingy near the bottom, onto the fire road, and down to the east end of the gully. The only doable tight ribbon of snow in the runout ran right next to the creek, making me think it won't last much more than 3-5 days or so, if that. Otherwise, you can take the still well-covered road to the hairpin where you can drop into Sugarpine. I did this once just to try it, and traversed across to lower Nightmare, a combo I haven't done before but really enjoyed.
I checked out Eric's for a few runs as well, which was great, but not as consistently "sinky" as Holcumac. It did make for a nice change of scenery every few runs, and I don't think anyone else was back there today. The runout was still in decent shape, though required much vigilance to avoid barely-buried hazards.
When grabbing a quick bite and brew at the Notch, while loading jalapenos onto my cheese fries, I saw a skier whose season pass said "Garry Klassen," and having seen that name mentioned on this site by Mr. Crocker. I figured I'd say hello, and explained the roundabout way that I recognized his name. Very nice guy.
Finished the day with more of the same. A few others ventured onto Holcumac but I had it to myself most of the day. It's a tad cut up now (sorry!) but should hold up at least another week, maybe two.
First Baldy trip I've ever done when I never touched Thunder, just didn't see a reason to.
The Waterman opening this weekend complicates matters a little- I still think I want to go to support the place, but man, the south-facing on Baldy is in a very tight window of great opportunity right now that I'd love to hit again while it's still doable... I just can't imagine the shaded, north-facing off-piste at Waterman being in the same league as what I got today. It'll be decent, I have little doubt, but I don't know about great.
We shall see.
