Today’s sunrise was a welcome sight after our stormy day yesterday. It was also a true pleasure to see 2+ inches of fresh snow across the mountain.

It was light and powdery (though not as deep as we’d like) thanks to the super cold temperatures overnight.

That cold front freeze-dried most of our slopes, so conditions were dramatically different than our soggy opening day. Visibility was also superb today, which allowed us to soak in several of our favorite sights.

It seems like forever since we’ve last laid eyes on the straight lines of smooth corduroy…

A sparkling sunrise over the Salmon River Mountains…

The Payette Lakes glistening in the distance…

Granite Mountain standing tall behind an army of Snow Ghosts…

Snow-capped peaks stretching West toward Hells Canyon and the Seven Devils…

Aside from the winter scenery we’ve waited so long to view from our favorite vantage point, were some familiar scenes on the slopes themselves.

A little splash of powder kicked up toward the knees…

A string of skiers giving in to gravity’s pull…

Or seeking shelter from the chilly weather.

Generations gathered up before a group adventure…

And the littlest adventure seekers embracing the sensation of snow under their skis for the first time.

These are all sights that become common as the season wears on. But after waiting so long for our season to begin (and since yesterday for the skies to clear)…I, for one, am EXTRA excited to lay my sore eyes on all of it.

– April