It seems like everywhere I go, I hear the same thing. People who love skiing telling me they haven’t spent as many days on the slopes lately as they would like.

Some mention busy work schedules. Others point to competing social commitments. Then there are the people who claim they didn’t come because they didn’t think the snow would be very good.

Well, I have news for you. The snow is FANTASTIC. We’ve had 5″ of fresh snow accumulate this week and cold overnight temperatures to preserve it.

And it’s not just the groomed runs that are in great shape. Off-trail areas are surprisingly satisfying today. What’s more, we’re expecting great conditions to last through the weekend.

But I don’t expect you to take my word for it. At least not without a little proof.

So I headed out today to take some photos, and I think these images might help convince you.

The groomed runs are amazing today. Super smooth and beyond carvable.

Sinking the edges in this morning was pure delight.

Gliding from one turn to the next happened as effortlessly as curving the corners of your mouth into a smile. (A side effect of today’s conditions).

The snow consistency was somewhere between powdered sugar and granulated sugar.

The kind of sweet surface that tempts you to lay into those turns a little deeper.

To dig in for a more ambitious carve.

Try a new maneuver with confidence.

Show off a little for a camera or a crowd.

I admit that I was expecting to indulge in a bit of powdery pleasure as I tracked down a few untouched lines.

What I wasn’t expecting was what I found in the easy-access areas off-trail.

The snow covering the open slopes wasn’t exactly deep, but it was smooth and forgiving, even a little fluffy. And freshies were a lot easier to find than I’d expected.

Before you lament what you missed today, I need to make an important point. The forecast is pointing to excellent snow conditions all weekend long.

Yes, there are some warm afternoon temperatures expected. But don’t make the  mistake of overlooking the overnight lows. Temperatures in the teens ensure a solid freeze/thaw cycle, which means our grooming crews can loosen up and till the slopes back into smooth, carvable corduroy each night.

With the promise of blue skies overhead and our wide open slopes waiting for you..

There’s only one real question: Why wouldn’t you treat yourself this weekend?

We hope you will.

– April

P.S. Don’t forget – this Sunday is Second Sunday, which means Bogus Basin Season Pass Holders can purchase a full-day lift ticket for just $25 AND Brundage Season Pass Holders can bring a friend for just $25. We’ll also have live music in Smoky’s Bar & Grill Sunday. Jay Nelson takes the stage at 2:00 pm.