From my vantage point on the Sultan Express, the faded yellow lift towers punctuate a cerulean sky, a rather stark contrast to the dismal report from the NRCS. Apparently, we’ve achieved a record low for snow water equivalent. A statistic, naturally, I find deeply uninspiring. The grooming crews, bless their meticulous hearts, have managed to coax a semblance of corduroy from the existing cover, but it feels…fragile. A mere illusion of proper skiing conditions. The south winds, reported as “strong,” are a nuisance, scattering mercury-colored clouds and disrupting the quiet that Deer Valley demands.
One observes, with increasing frequency, the uninvited arriving in greater numbers. The Ikon Pass demographic, predictably, seems unconcerned with nuance. They favor the bustle of Empire and the predictability of Silver Lake. The truly discerning skier understands the value of solitude. The forecast suggests a potential reprieve, 12-14 inches predicted for our area. A welcome development, certainly, but it will take more than a single storm to remedy this. One anticipates a brief period of acceptable conditions before the inevitable return of icy patches and the aforementioned…sideways sliders.
Should the storm deliver as promised, proceed directly to Bald Mountain. Take the Sultan Express twice, and then traverse to the far left side of the run – the 'Morning Glory' line. It's steep enough to discourage the less committed and sufficiently remote to provide a few moments of genuine, undisturbed skiing. Do it before they discover it.