No one is more excited for opening day than I am. No really, I swear.

I missed out on those amazing late-March and April powder days last spring because I busted my knee. Now, after a summer full of intense rehab and a fall season full of snowfall anticipointment (yes, that’s a made up word), we finally get to ski!

That excitement was reinforced and heightened by everything I saw this morning on my way up to the mountain…

Check out the lakefront view of a snow-flocked Brundage, bathing in the soft morning light.

As I got closer to the mountain, I got even more giddy. Those trees are buffed out with powder!

Reaching the summit, the thrill of some familiar favorites. Delicate snow ghosts illuminated by sunlight.

The Seven Devils Mountain dazzling in the distance.

Payette Lake sparkling below blue skies.

Even the little things, like the comforting symmetry of flawless corduroy, have special meaning when you see them for the first time in MONTHS.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way at the start of the season. We’ve ALL been IMPATIENTLY waiting for this, for months.

So I know when everyone gets up here tomorrow and sees the enticing smooth snow surfaces, that they are going to want to charge and dive right in.

That’s why I need to remind everyone that despite the 31″ of fresh snow we’ve had this week, we do still have ‘early season conditions’ on the slopes. But what does that mean?

On the groomers, the surface is pretty smooth, but the overall pitch of the slope follows the natural undulations of the mountain. Once we get more snow, we can smooth the pitch a little more (I do expect those ridges you see on the left of this photo to be smoothed out by tomorrow, though). There may also be a little bit of brush in a few places. Good idea to check the speed on your first time down.

Off-trail, it looks absolutely INTOXICATING. I know when I look at lines like this, it makes me want to BOMB in between the trees.

But if you slow down and look a little more closely, you’ll see the early-season hazards. A stump that’s covered just enough to conceal its nasty bite…

A fallen tree branch just waiting to hook your tip…

And a tree well that looks fairly covered, but has a big gap underneath because the snow is so fresh and not consolidated. Those tree wells can turn into terrible traps. Learn more about tree well dangers here.

So while our excitement runs wild on Opening Day, let’s not forget that untamed passions can have consequences. Look twice, check where you’re going, take it easy. Why?

Because we want to be making turns like these from now until springtime.

– April

P.S. A few other Opening Day notes to pass along….

Lakeview will not be open this weekend…which means dropping off the ‘backside’ will entail a very, VERY long, hard hike out. We do plan to open Lakeview just as soon as we can.

Main Street WILL be groomed for opening day.

The Bear’s Den and Birds Nest will not open for a couple weeks, but you’ll see some exciting new menu items in the main lodge cafeteria and in Smoky’s Pub.

All other services will be available. Please phone ahead if you need a lesson (634-4151 ext. 100) or need to reserve a spot in Daycare or the Bear’s Program  (ext. 128). Some walk in space may be available, but why take the chance when we’ve waited so long for this day?