An 8" Slice of Heaven

03/13/10

Brundage Mountain Blog

I’ll admit, it’s been a funky winter for snowfall. We haven’t seen the number or intensity of powder days we are accustomed to, and last week’s early splash of spring has really thrown off my sense of how winter is supposed to work.

Last night, I stood outside in the darkness with my head turned toward the sky and let the big, fat snowflakes tickle my face. For the first time in a long time, I had a feeling that things were, indeed, going to get better.

First thing this morning, my suspicions were confirmed when I woke up and saw the bounty of powder filling our base area snow box. Instantly, things began to feel as they should!

I was no longer alone on my drive up to the mountain, instead, a line of cars proved the powderhounds were determined to show up early!

The trees were flocked with snow, there’s no dirt to be seen on the roadside, and even the entrance sign was framed with a little layer of fluff.

Instead of a muddy mess, the parking lot is once again coated in a blanket of white.

Even the snow shovels are standing taller, with a renewed sense of purpose and pride.

Instead of a ghost town at 9:00 am…fanatics are already milling around in the lift line.

By the time the lifts opened, the crowd had grown and the enthusiasm was palpable.

These are the kind of things we are used to seeing in winter, the kind of things that make everything seem like it’s the way it’s supposed to be.

A lucky Ski Patroller “sweeping” The Face as everyone else takes their first lift ride.

The guy who was in the very front of the line, taking his first turns under the chairlift as we watch from above. (Nice turns, Mike)

The fresh lines being devoured as the clouds crack open and reveal a hint of blue sky.

Signs of submersion at the summit.
Just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything that had to be dug out to get things going.

Soft, smooth slopes unrolling at our feet…plunging silently to the valleys below.

And, of course, there was the skiing! The next few photos are from a single run. One loyal local’s first run of the day. I think this experience was mirrored all over the mountain for those who got here bright and early…

Of course, he wasn’t alone when it came to relishing the soft, deep, fluffy, fresh lines…

And just as our bodies began to remember the sensation of floating through powder, when our souls were just starting to recall why it is we love powder days so incredibly much….the sun began to shine even brighter.

Just when we thought Winter was over…

An 8 inch slice of heaven floats down on us…and everything seems right again.

– April

Post Script…you don’t have to take my word for it. Just ask anyone who was here this morning. That includes our friends in the animal kingdom, or in our case, the Brundage Mountain Pet Area.

This first-time powder ‘hound’ was truly enjoying his first shot at ‘steep and deep’…