Crystal Statistics for March , 2009

Since March 1st we've received over 12 feet of snow, this is the most snow we've received in March in 15 years! And it's just not stopping, we're expecting even more snow as we head into April! "

Human recorded observations describe the conditions at Crystal Mountain as "soft machine groomed with powder and packed powder off piste. South Country is closed!
Overnight 24 Hr 48 Hr 72 Hr Total Depth
Summit 24° F 10" 10" 11" 24" 130" 21 mph
Base 30° F 8" 8" 9" 22" 90"

Season snowfall total: 425"

March 29 @ Alpental

13" of new..Snowing most of the day. Very good day. Skied solo as all my friends went to Crystal, but it worked out well.
One run down the Elevator Gate ,which was the only BC open for the day.
Crytsal said they got 13" and it was cold. March was the month that saved 2009 for us.

31" At Alpental. Tuesday, March 17.

31".  Tuesday.  Big day, but 20 minute + lines at the top.  No BC open, but what was available was fun.  Big Tuesdays are not a private deal.  I rode Pontoons which are a nice ride on deep days. There sems to be a lot of people with free time on their hands, and powder priority.  In the year of the 2nd depression, it seems that the poor and unemployed join the leisure class on the hill.  Good idea. 

Alpental : 12" new , 3-13-09

Incredible. 

Stan Barners & I went.  So did every bro with a soul patch and a fat ride.  20 to 25 minute waits at the top, and then we found a lot of avalanche patrol work , but the first few rides were good. This photo is the parking lot when we were leaving!  It just snowed all day.  

Crystal 3-16-09:

Crystal goes off again:  Monday the 16th:  6" on top of 12" from Sunday.

It wasn't perfect, it has some funny snow and it was actually very busy for a monday, but Sally, Jeff and I wore ourselves out. Favorite runs of the day were 2 down Exterminator, top to bottom. 

A few on 6, Great run in The Queen, Northway for 2 or 3...

Friday, March 7...Fantastic

Sally and Jeff Fiorini took me skiing to Crystal on Friday, March 7th. We left Mercer Island @ 7..drove fast, and still had a lot of people in front of us.  Everyone who could ski was there, including Warren Miller Films. It was a perfect day.   There was at least 25" this week.

Sunday.....  Made 3 Backcountry laps at Alpental , because it took an hour a lap.  Parking lots were full by 9am!!  It Snowed most of the day.

They had 12" yesterday, it snowed most of the night...Back to 2008 conditions. Great day again.