bigwavedave Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 How was Spirit? I'm heading up to Giants Ridge tomorrow, and may catch some runs at Spirit Saturday morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Did a couple of hours at Spirit today. First chair was at noon and already too warm. Rode on the Gandy side with Ski Patroller Don. After 2PM, the sun started peeking through and got really soft and slow, so called it a day. First chair Friday will be 10AM and may be able to get in a couple of hours before it deteriorates. Forecasts look pretty tough through mid week. Probably will be out Saturday AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Did Spirit today - excellent carving on the Gandy side till about noon, then was too soft and beaten up. Planning first chair again tomorrow (Saturday). Should be okay early, but forecast calls for bright sun and 51F by 1100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted March 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Could be the last day at Spirit for us. Rumor is that they will close for a few days after after Sunday and hope to survive til the return of normal temps later next week. We rode from about 8:30 to 11:30. Had to keep your eye out for a few thin spots, but for the most part pretty fun. Everything was nicely groomed making the first several runs sublime─warm sun and a smooth surfy groom. Not too crowded either, but by late morning, things were pretty chopped up with deep trenches that were rough on the knees. Rode with Russ, Ken and Don. A clutch of Inclines, all with hardboots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted March 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Slarving in soft slushy snow making trenches... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 It was a fun day, even with the slushy ride. Here's a shot from the top of Bindle Stiff from early 1997. C lift is in the backround and Jane in front - no trees between Bindle Stiff and Sky Hooker Yes, we wore rain gear. No such thing as 686,..., etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Just when you thought the season was over, it sucks you back in again... and to think, I almost started putting on the storage wax! Looks like snow is piling up from Indianhead to Giants Ridge. If this forecast becomes reality, I might be up to Spirit Sunday for closing day and then maybe another trip to Indianhead and/or Giants Ridge later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Looks like snow is piling up from Indianhead to Giants Ridge. If this forecast becomes reality, I might be up to Spirit Sunday for closing day and then maybe another trip to Indianhead and/or Giants Ridge later. My advice would be to keep your expectations in check, my friend. I got about 8" of heavy wet snow at my house, but there was less closer to the lake and it fell on top of a heavily water-saturated layer; even walking at Hartley tonight there are lots of deep slush pools in low spots on the trails. Hopefully that under layer will set up by the weekend. I have a patrol shift Saturday afternoon and can give you an update then. I would be interested in either GR or Indianhead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Excellent day at Spirit. Had very low expectations. Got out at 10AM for a couple of hours. Very carvable and only rare brown spots. Great job by the hill of grooming considering the rain this week. Lots of activity with the Fat Bike Race on Jugular Joe and setting up the water skiing in front of the main chalet. Plan to be out tomorrow AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 On snow at 11:15 this morning - hit the conditions window just right. Got in a couple of hours of fast turns before things started getting sloppy. Saw Ken on his way out. Spirit is going with 'Bonus Days': - Wednesday 12p - 7p - Thursday 12p - 7p - Friday 12p - 7p - Saturday 9a - 5p Temps are forecast to stay on the cool side for the next couple of days - so we're not done yet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted March 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) I'll be up tomorrow, Thursday. Maybe Saturday too, if the weather's not too bad. Edited March 23, 2016 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 23, 2016 Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 I was out for a couple of hours. Good snow conditions and light, but 30 MPH winds up the hill were limiting. Stopped cold on Cinder Snapper by one big gust. Plan to be out tomorrow at noon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted March 23, 2016 Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 Sounds like a party - Patroller Don an I will be out too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted March 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 (edited) Pretty nice day sunny and temps just above freezing, 3-4 inches of soft fine granular over an ice base─recipe for careful surfy carves using good form─no hero carving today, except maybe the first run. Good uniform snow coverage, appeared to be about 1-1½ feet, but some brown spots were visible later. One run on the Coiler and then switched to the older Incline, my rock board, just in case. Not a scratch on either board at the end of the day. The usual suspects were assembled... First tracks, just before noon opening today... Last tracks of the day... ...and maybe the last of the season for me at Spirit...unless there's a significant post season snow fall to lure me back for a hike & ride session. Edited March 25, 2016 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Rode Spirit from noon till 2PM. Joined by Ski Patroller Don for a few runs. Could have skipped the last several runs. Surfed through slush the entire final run from the top of Gandy down Sky Hooker to Grand avenue. Plan to be out for first chair Saturday. Might bring a soft boot setup for surfing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) Fact check using USGS topographic maps about elevations at Spirit. Elevation at top of Gandy Lift 1205 feet Elevation at bottom of Gandy Lift 780 feet Elevation at top of Four Pipe Lift 1280 feet Elevation at bottom of Four Pipe Lift 720 feet Total Vertical on Gandy 425 Feet Total Vertical on Four Pipe 560 Feet There technically is 700 feet of vertical at Spirit if you count the wooded knoll on the other side of W. Skyline Parkway (1330 foot elevation) to the bottom of Knowlton Creek at Grand Ave (630 foot elevation) Edited March 30, 2016 by khoward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 There technically is 700 feet of vertical at Spirit if you count the wooded knoll on the other side of W. Skyline Parkway (1330 foot elevation) to the bottom of Knowlton Creek at Grand Ave (630 foot elevation) Is Spirit going to have it's own Bridge Run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 It's analogous to being served a 'pint' of beer in a standard 14 oz beer glass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) Good carving at Copper this year. Three bluebird days with epic amount of sunscreen and having a powder day today. The snow's the best we've ever had for Nationals. Jane chatted with Mimi coaching at GS today. Medal count is a gold in half pipe and silvers at GS and slopestyle. Slalom tomorrow Edited April 5, 2016 by khoward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted April 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 Go Jane! ...and say hi to Mimi. So Ken, does the sunscreen make the board faster in all conditions or just powder? How about some pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 Mountain Dew (not the diet decaf stuff) goes on the base and the sunscreen goes on the top deck for UV protection. Watching an amazing rail jam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted December 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 Looks like winter is finally here! Pulled the boards out of the storage closet. Sounds like Spirit will open a run this weekend, so we expect a firsthand report from the boarder-patrol Everyone is making snow! Buck and Wild should be in good shape by next week. There is a NorAm slalom (psl) race at Buck next weekend (Dec. 16-17-18). I will likely be there if they need volunteers on the course. Otherwise, ½ price Tuesdays at Wild til Spirit gets some terrain open. Giants Ridge might be in good shape since they've had more natural snow. See ya out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted December 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 (edited) Always like the weather graphics this time of year Not so much for Duluth, but should jumpstart da UP Indianhead opens this weekend, so maybe Al will post a conditions report. Love to see a photo... Edited December 8, 2016 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted December 10, 2016 Report Share Posted December 10, 2016 Gettin' it together for Spirit tomorrow...Bindle Stiff aka 'the white ribbon of death' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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