Tahoe isn't done with winter yet!

It appears spring hasn't made its way to Lake Tahoe yet. April has been the best month for skiing all year. If only the mountains looked like this in January... it would be last year. I am getting my final day in Saturday, I might be able to squeak out one more weekend but I think this is it. All is well since the North Pacific High is strong and there should be plenty of 20+ knot days in San Francisco Bay. Hopefully the forecast below holds and I can end the winter season with a bang.

Given what the mountains looked like in the beginning of March it is amazing that the Chimney is open at squaw. Every line is a little scarier right now because of how little snow fell earlier in the season. Got to love that Sierra Cement and how it sticks to the steeps so well.

Most people are still thinking about the awesome days from April Fools weekend. It doesn't line up so perfectly that often. As you can see Squaw is also milking the good shots they got from that weekend for all they are worth.

Big Days at Squaw

The snow that fell last weekend also brought out some serious crowds. When we drove by the entrance to squaw the traffic was backed up past the entrance to the access road. We continued to Alpine where there was no traffic and probably more fresh lines available all day. Squaw always draws a large crowd on powder days with good reason. The extreme terrain that makes Squaw famous needs a lot of snow to make it skiable. As you can tell from this video the really good skiers at Squaw know every cliff, chute, and line they can take on the mountain.

The Tahoe I Know

Later is better than never. At least that is how the winter season around lake tahoe is shaping up. The snow that fell on the mountains this weekend doubled the season total bringing the snow levels up to 80% of Tahoe's average snowfall. When we got to the mountain (Alpine) we could hear the booms of charges exploding above the parking lot and looked up to see an avalanche pouring down from the peaks above. Instantly, we knew it was going to be an epic day. Avalanche safety must have gotten up really early because the mountain opened up on time despite 2+ feet of snow falling the night before. 

Great view while hiking alpine bowl to the keyhole

There was so much snow and fresh tracks to be had you could get the goods anywhere on the mountain. After getting as many fresh tracks as we could in Alpine bowl we ventured to Scott chair, a slow lift near the backcountry. After a few runs in The Promise Land (actual name of the trail) we started eying the snow just past the signs for the ski boundary. The snow looked a little sketchy because it was built up from wind blowing it off a ridge but everything seemed stable so far that day. Little did we know the warm midday weather had weaken the snow and even though our friend Mike made some fresh lines when Elizabeth took her turns a large section released from under her. Luckily she stayed above above the snow and was funneled between a few trees and came to a reasonably safe stop in front of Mike. Needless to say we took more care during the rest of the day. 

Elizabeth taking it in

I also had a scary experience at squaw on Friday when some snow released from under me. It was not nearly as large but there were some rocks I did not want to take a ride down. Elizabeth and I have never had such a close encounter with avalanche conditions and will probably do some homework before next season. There were still plenty of fresh lines off Scott but when we headed to the other side of the mountain most of the far bowls were closed. It was clear from the avalanche crowns we traversed by the far bowls were not safe.

Slab was just under 2ft

Small black crater next to slide

I want some Silverado

While I can't wait for summer and windy conditions on the bay this weekend I can't wait to get the mountains and get back to Silverado. Snow was dumping the past 2 days and even though I didn't get today's fresh tracks I am sure there will be some left at gate 7 tomorrow (Friday).

Epic huck off a Silverado cliff

Pretty empty at Squaw, hopefully it stays that way

From: UnofficialNetworks

Shane McConkey the Legend

Here is an awesome preview of the movie to honor a legend. Here is to pushing the limits and having fun doing it.

The Best of Both Worlds

Last weekend was epic whether you were trying to harness the wind on the bay or conquer the Sierra Mountains. A storm that dropped 6 feet of snow on the mountains led to epic clearing winds in San Francisco Bay. Elizabeth headed up to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the fresh snow while I stayed in the Bay to enjoy the breeze. Even though it took the crew heading to the mountains close to 10 hours to get there due to snow and hi-way closures the snow was worth the wait.

All of the new snow definitely made for some hair raising conditions!

Saturday I sailed a J105 out of St. Francis YC and consider it the first time I sailed in SF bay conditions. The experience was exactly as I imagined it: windsurfers & kiters bombing out of Crissy Field while tight packs of boats rounded a windward mark just before the Golden Gate Bridge all the while you could see the Oracle America's Cup boats practicing. I was able to get a quick session in at Crissy Field Saturday night and Sunday morning before heading to 3rd ave for a long afternoon session. Here is a video of what it was like at Fort Pt. in the afternoon. I was there in the morning and the wind was less consistent but the swell was pumping all day.

Video from Kevin of Sunset Sailboards SF

Snow & NFL Playoffs

Well I guess I spoke too soon when I said the seasons were changing. It appears winter has been very timid and only started to bless the mountains with snow this past week. Its hard to believe over a year ago I came out to Tahoe for a visit and they had 290" of snow by the first weekend in January. I guess all good things come to those who wait. While a large portions of the mountain terrain is still closed it was nice to lay some fresh tracks in the 4 feet of snow that fell over the weekend.

Sunday was nothing short of amazing. We could barely see through all the snow while we skied in the morning then we watched some football playoffs in the mid mountain lodge at squaw. During the pats game we could see snow poor down on the mountain and had to take some laps during half time.

Photo Courtesy of Squaw Valley @ FaceBook

Change in seasons

So you are telling me it doesn't blow like stink here everyday all year round? What am I to do?

Luckily there are killer mountains just around the corner that got a total of 810" of snow last season, that's almost 70 feet. Squaw has already been hit with a couple small winter storms this year; I guess whenever it rains in San Fran it is snowing on the mountains.

Local San Franciscans have been getting themselves stoked for the season by checking out ski movie tours that bring a carnival of skiing and snowboarding to movie theaters everywhere they go. This is a new experience for me that I am starting to fall in love with. My past experience with ski movies was in college where we usually watched a DVD in a dark dank dorm room to get ourselves psyched for a weekend of skiing. Watching a ski movie on the big screen is a different experience all together. The biggest difference is the audience, it is way more exciting to watch a skier head towards an epic cliff when there are 100 other people building louder and louder, "Woahhhh," then erupting in a giant cheer when the skier sticks the landing or erupts into an epic yard sale. No one is more stoked than the kids that are standing in line for autographs, grabbing handfuls of stickers and bragging about there biggest hucks from last season. The feeling is contagious and you can't help but act like a kid while you are there.

Another bonus to the ski movies are the raffles but as my friend Jeremy learned you have to earn it. Congrats on your new pair of skis buddy.

In case you need to get pumped up for this season or just don't know how epic Squaw Valley is this video should do the trick. Just about all of the epic cliffs, steep terrain and tight chutes are accessible by lifts. Ridding a lift at squaw on a powder day is like being in the middle of a ski movie to your right and left you might see a pro skier or snowboarder ride an epic line or launch themselves off a cliff.
Warren Miller's Squaw Video