December 22, 2003
Lifts/Runs
Lifts Open: 9/10
Runs open: 107/107
Snowfall
24 Hour: 0cm (0in)
48 Hour: 0cm (0in)
7 Day: 21cm (8in)
Year to date: 293cm (115in)
Snow Pack: 192cm (76in)
Photos and text by Gerry George
Here we are, just a few days before Christmas and we've had a wonderful opening month to the ski season.
 It hasn't snowed since Tuesday but the snow conditions have been really nice with soft pack in the bowls and killer grooming on the main runs. On Saturday I had one of the most stellar days on my carving snowboard slicing up the corduroy down the Bear and Arrow. The snow was the perfect texture for maximum edge hold while still staying firm enough so that the front of the board didn't collapse in the turn. In other words, hero snow.
That changed a bit overnight to Sunday where the warm temperatures set the snow up making it quite a bit firmer than the day before. Amazing what a few degrees of temperature can do. Ski conditions were not up to the day before so I quickly ditched the alpine gear and suited up with the cross country.
The XC trails at the resort are in amazing shape with regular grooming occurring. Unfortunately my body isn't in quite as good a shape and I am finding it a struggle to get in a full lap without collapsing a lung or two.
 They have begun track setting around town now as well. The trail starts at the golf course and meanders over to the dike and then around town. It is seeing a ton of foot traffic so the track set is getting trashed but if you get it after a grooming it should be good. A bit narrow for skate skiing but it is so flat you could just double pole the whole thing and give that upper body a good workout. Hopefully the weather conditions will allow the grooming to continue. Last year it seemed to rain every time they track set. Lets just forget about last year altogether shall we.
The forecast for the next few days is looking promising with some snow in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. They also show a bit of freezing rain so be careful if you are on the highways as it could get treacherous. Drive defensively. It is better to arrive late than not at all.
Enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas.
Gerry
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