Heavenly conditions?

Originally Posted by DBtv

Didn't plan to ride today, just a travel day. Got to SLT around 3P.

Well cool men, good luck tomorrow. At least they got a few inches to cover any rough spots. Hope you get some good pictures to share here.

Be safe

My pards got their rentals, I've got my bindings remounted, we'll be in the gangala soon after opening.

An epic day was had on the limited available runs at Heavenly today. We were on the gangala by 9:30 and found lots of pow on Comet, Orion, Big Dipper and Big Dipper Bowl. The terrain park by Tamarak Lift was well populated by some of the SLTHC and I even made it out to Milky Way run, though I dropped in at the absolute worst spot at the top of the run, bouncing through iced over moguls and butt sliding ingloriously about a third of the way. There was great pow at the bottom of the first face, and we dropped in much further rider right the next run and found some kewl pow with just a little crust in those glades.

Some of the most beautiful views from a run you will ever find are on California Run. The view of the lake and surrounding mountains is breathtaking. (Pics to follow.)

The runs remaining open are relatively short but super fun and uncrowded today.

The weather was spectacular with the most beautiful bluebird sky reflecting off of the most beautiful big blue pond. Temps in the high thirties kept the snow firm for the most part and not nearly the yellow patches we endured at Breck last weekend.

I can't wait to get my Epic Pass next year and haul Mrs. DBtv out here from the CO.

I am recharging the bat in my camera and will have pix up as soon as the light turns green..

Tomorrow will be even more epic.

awesome, glad you had a blast, I know you were looking forward for this trip. Can't wait to see the pictures, good luck tomorrow.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...IMG_0644-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...4/IMG_0648.jpg

Wow, takes me back to last month. Wish I was out there now. I loved California, Big Dipper, Ridge Run, Orion's belt, and Cascade trails. .... sigh, now feeling sentimental!!!

That picture looks great, great shoot. But ill tel you something, sierra is looking a bit dry to my eyes. Its been a while since they get one of those huge dumps that they are know for. The will probably close early May the way things are looking. Well have a good time today in the slopes, try to get a few more pics if you can.

Later

next time you're at heavenly, take sky chair, unload left and head down the skyline trail as if you're heading to dipper chair. the trail makes a big left turn just before you enter nevada. you can skip under the rope on your right (it's in bounds so your pass is safe) and hike up the back of monument peak. if you look on the trail map here: Heavenly Mountain Resort - Skiing & Snowboarding, Lake Tahoe - Interactive Trail Map

see the camera symbol on skyline trail at the top of the black diamond called 'pinnacles'? just to the left of it, there's a little kink in skyline trail - start hiking up at that kink and you're aiming for the bit that says "10,067'"

after a short hike - 10-15 mins tops - you'll be at the very top of milky way bowl and you can get it all. surprisingly few people hike this peak and, on a big day, you feel like you own the mountain

alasdair