bigwavedave Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Let's see...Sunday... Temps start out below zero (cold enough to discourage many), but It will sunny. 2-3" new snow on Saturday will refresh slopes, but it's superbowl Sunday so many will not come out and play (it used to be better when they had the game earlier in the day). Races will likely occupy Gandy and Blue Ruin, but that means that Spirit will be less likely to close for the cold weather like they did yesterday and today. That sounds like a recipe for a good Minnesota carving day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 (edited) On 2/2/2018 at 1:33 PM, bigwavedave said: Spirit will be less likely to close for the cold weather like they did yesterday and today. Nevermind! Yup, quoting myself. Spirit reducing hours to 12-5 tomorrow!! The only ski area in the region to routinely shorten hours or close when it's cold? First "normal" winter in years too. Edited February 4, 2018 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted February 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Sunday, February 4 Another day of bitterly cold windchills but the sun was bright, the crowd was sparse, and the groom was firm and grippy and fast. The only downside was the Express Lift’s slower than normal speed (so the Fat Bikes could be unloaded). Ken says he smiled for this photo but you couldn’t prove it by me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruincounselor Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I've been tied up with a new job this year so free time is scarce, but my family is headed over next week for a couple of days (Thursday/Friday). I'd love to connect if anyone will be around. 'Bruin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted February 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 Bruin; As of the first of the year I'm only working 4 days a week and had already scheduled next Friday off so will probably be able to join you then. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 1 minute ago, rwmaron said: Bruin; As of the first of the year I'm only working 4 days a week and had already scheduled next Friday off so will probably be able to join you then. Russ Slacker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted February 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 2 minutes ago, lonbordin said: Slacker! As the saying goes - it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 11, 2018 Report Share Posted February 11, 2018 (edited) Rode with Russ from opening and Ken showed up for a few runs. Another chilly (face masks and hand warmers) day with a bit of wind. We could use some new snow, the ice base has appeared under a surface groom! A little rough on the knees later in the day as things got scraped down, but it was nice early. Some of the first tracks... Edited February 12, 2018 by bigwavedave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruincounselor Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 On 2/8/2018 at 9:18 PM, rwmaron said: Bruin; As of the first of the year I'm only working 4 days a week and had already scheduled next Friday off so will probably be able to join you then. Russ Fantastic. Like the rest of us I'll be easy to spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Wednesday, February 14 Forecast for sun and mild temps was too good to pass up so I took my lunch hour on the hill. Soon hooked up with khoward, then patroller Don, then even the long lost Jolson!!! It don’t get any better than this... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Ahhh, the dreaded "surface groom with an ice base" or just plain crusty hard groom most everywhere. Yet, we had a full complement of carvers on the chair today─4 riders riding mostly 4 pipe where the most carvable snow was found. Sun with a brisk wind. Really need some snow and it looks like it's on it's way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted February 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Left to right (in case you don’t recognize them): bruincounselor khoward bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruincounselor Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 It was a pleasure to ride with such talented and smooth riders. I ride alone 99% of the time, so seeing three hard hoot guys (two goofy like me) is extra special. I have some work to do on my riding now. Thanks guys! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Lonbordin Dave convinced me to come ride Spirit Mountain. I kept saying no, but he persisted. Ok, not really; I just want to check out another hill and ride with some others! I'll be there to ride Mar 15-17, driving home Mar 18. Anyone else around then? If weather turns bad (warm), I can cancel up to 3 days in advance. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) 44 minutes ago, Corey said: Lonbordin Dave convinced me to come ride Spirit Mountain. I kept saying no, but he persisted. I'm an a55h*le. I even insisted on him staying a hotel when he could've stayed with us. @bobble maybe some of those twin city studs can come up? Make Spirit all crowded, LOL! Edited February 21, 2018 by lonbordin I can still call myself names, right? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobble Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 @lonbordin i'll forward the message. is everyone staying in canal park? what's the snow situation in march? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 3 minutes ago, bobble said: @lonbordin i'll forward the message. is everyone staying in canal park? what's the snow situation in march? I'm staying down in a house with my family near the Spirit Lake Marina. If I did this link right it should take you to March of last year... Gratuitous groom photo below. The crowds are murder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) Ha! After seeing your post about crappy snow at your local hill, I was wondering if you might think about coming down here! We've been having an almost "normal" winter with very little thawing and a large dose of cold. We are now in a snowy pattern for the next week and just had a foot of new snow across northern Minnesota. We currently have a better base of snow than recent years. ...And you guys should really consider a mid week excursion over to Indianhead in the U.P. @Algunderfoot's local hill, about 2 hrs east of Duluth. In my opinion the best carving slopes in the midwest and it's in the "lake effect" snow belt, so usually the best snow, and Cory can get his fix of carving wide open steeps there. Heck, Al might even let you demo that Thirst Superconductor! I'm going up to Spirit tomorrow, and Giant's Ridge Friday with @rwmaron . Edited February 21, 2018 by bigwavedave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Wednesday, February 21 Bright sun, generally sweet groom with a few soft spots, and the usual thin mid-week crowd (despite the fact that the local schools are off this week). khoward, Jolson, and patroller Don all made appearances as well. I predict that Thursday will be stellar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 27 minutes ago, rwmaron said: Wednesday, February 21 Bright sun, generally sweet groom with a few soft spots, and the usual thin mid-week crowd (despite the fact that the local schools are off this week). khoward, Jolson, and patroller Don all made appearances as well. I predict that Thursday will be stellar. Man, I was hoping someone got after it today! ...and hopefully we won't see that ice base for a while. Looking forward to tomorrow at Spirit ...and then Thursday night snow to provide some fresh tracks for Friday at G.R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 17 hours ago, bigwavedave said: ...And you guys should really consider a mid week excursion over to Indianhead in the U.P. @Algunderfoot's local hill, about 2 hrs east of Duluth. In my opinion the best carving slopes in the midwest and it's in the "lake effect" snow belt, so usually the best snow, and Cory can get his fix of carving wide open steeps there. Heck, Al might even let you demo that Thirst Superconductor! You're that enabler friend, aren't you? "Sure, that Corvette might be fun but for only $XXXX more you can have this eBay Ferrari with questionable history!" LOL! ;) So of course I looked it over. That would make for a 9-hour drive from home to Indianhead, vs. the 6.5 from home to Spirit. Yeesh. That makes it less appealing, unless Indianhead really is that much better. Still thinking... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 11 hours ago, Corey said: You're that enabler friend, aren't you? "Sure, that Corvette might be fun but for only $XXXX more you can have this eBay Ferrari with questionable history!" LOL! ;) So of course I looked it over. That would make for a 9-hour drive from home to Indianhead, vs. the 6.5 from home to Spirit. Yeesh. That makes it less appealing, unless Indianhead really is that much better. Still thinking... Yea, I was just saying you could do a day trip to Indianhead from wherever your staying in Duluth, although I see that you're just here for a 3 days...so, just an idea if you decide you want to see some different terrain after a day at Spirit. I think it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 (edited) 3rd day groom after a foot of snow rode everywhere today. Gandy Dancer & Blue Ruin2-4" trenches. The first few of many... ...and it's snowing hard now, NE wind producing lake effect in Duluth, 5-9" forecastLooks like it's back to Spirit tomorrow Rode with @khoward for first 2 hours in bright sun and stayed til about 3pm with filtered sun as the next storm approaches. Edited February 23, 2018 by bigwavedave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 (edited) 6-9" deep powder. Runs were groomed overnight during storm. They apparently groom the Gandy side first because the snow was deepest there (about boot high). We ( @rwmaron and I) were the second & 3rd set of tracks on Blue Ruin, riding 180cm Inclines with hardboots. Sky Hooker was pretty deep too. We worked our way back over to the 4pipe side and found @khoward over there. Center of 4pipe was groomed early this morning with about 4" fresh left on the sides. This photo taken there after my first run about ½hr before opening. Rode til about 3pm. Things got pretty tracked out by noon and the going was rough on the legs, but bright sun and warmth made us keep going. Had to keep the board way up on edge with quick transitions to slice through the push piles without getting bounced to death. My legs were cramping on the 2hr drive home, had to stop and walk it out. Edited February 24, 2018 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 24, 2018 Report Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Yippie!!! These storm tracks with lows going just south of us are great for Duluth and the north shore getting E/NE lake effect winds. Might have to come back up to Spirit Sunday if I can dig out. Had to shovel my way in last night when I got home! Edited February 24, 2018 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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