rwmaron

Bright sun, sweet groom, mild temps and sparse mid-week crowd makes for big smiles all around...

Looking for one or two pair to minimize moving bindings from board to board. Thanks! Russ

Plush groom and good company

Patroller Don and I are planning to partake of the soft first day groom for a couple of hours starting at the noon opening tomorrow!

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.

Left to right (in case you don’t recognize them): bruincounselor khoward bigwavedave

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...

Make that we’ll be back!! ?

As the saying goes - it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

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

Text sent to your cell phone. Russ

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.

Alright!!! I’m in southern Arizona right now enjoying bright sunlight and temperatures in the high 70s, but I have a patrol shift Sunday morning and can’t wait to get after it again... Russ

Forecast for this morning was for patchy fog and clouds - but to our benefit they got it wrong - beautiful sunny morning and soft groom made for an idyllic couple of hours even with more fellow riders than normal due to a school holiday of some kind. Big Wave Dave and patroller Don on my old Incline:

Tuesday, January 23 Glad to hear that the cities crew had fun in their 10-12 inches of new snow from the storm - we had less than an inch here in Duluth - but the sun was out today, the groom was firm, and the crowd was thin. For most of the afternoon sun dogs were visible too. I'm starting to get used to this pre-retirement reduced work schedule. Russ

Tuesday, January 16 7F at the noon opening, but only a light westerly breeze; generally firm groom with a few softer spots from yesterday's new snow. I figured the bright sun would bring out more folks but my luck held and that wasn't the case. Best run of the day was Blue Ruin - impeccable firm groom for the full width and no competing traffic. Honorable mention goes to Juggler Joe - a bit softer but carving different lines around the knolls never gets old. Russ

DeeluxeTrack 325s with less than 10 days on them (I switched to 225s) for sale - $250 plus shipping.

Monday, January 8 Got in a few fast turns over the noon hour today - bright sun, firm groom, and a blustery wind out of the west made for quick rides. The only downside was the 25F air temperature that brought out more folks than I expected. I'm thinking that there is just a bit of pent up demand from the last couple of weeks of cold weather.....kinda makes me wish it would get cold again......Rode with patroller Don and also chatted with Ken's wife Jane who is now officially retired and plans to be a weekday fixture on the slopes! Russ

Temp of -15F and wind of 17 mph at the open for a windchill of -39F....but the sun was shining, the crowd was thin, and the groom was chalky goodness! Russ

Out for a couple of hours this afternoon - impeccable, grippy, firm groom. I think our season is on! Russ

I'm probably going to be out early Friday afternoon to get some turns in before the deep freeze settles in and my kids get into town. Regardless of the weather, I'll be out on the 28th, 30th, and 31st for patrol duty. Russ

And now back to our regularly scheduled program..... Both Ken and I were out today getting some turns in. Runs open include Bear Claw, Gandy, Sky Hooker, Bindle Stiff, Sissor Bill, Four Pipe, and Double Jaw. Good light at the 1pm opening that began to deteriorate within an hour or so; generally nice soft groom. I can't speak for Ken but I found some muscles that need a little practice. But hey, we get to hang out with our wintertime homies again! Russ

After an impressive early start to winter that enabled Spirit to open (one run) before Thanksgiving warmer weather has settled in again. The 10 day forecast shows an impressive cold snap starting in about a week. Patience, my friends, patience. Russ

Bump for the new season!

PM sent (on the Track Free 69s).