Northstar-at-Tahoe

Looking Real Good!!!

What a beautiful day it turned out to be after we saw 15 fresh inches fall yesterday, the conditions are sweet!  I took lap after lap early this morning; there was a mountain of corduroy and plenty of powder stashes all in between.  It did warm up quick and everyone seemed to catch the snow bug, because after 10:30am, all of Tahoe was filled with eager skiers and riders.  I really hope all of you were able to get in some of those fine blue bird morning runs today!  Get ready for another day of sunshine tomorrow, and then back to snow Tuesday and Wednesday with another foot of powder in the forecast!

 

I recommend getting ready for another, “powder sick day,” one of these week days, the lift lines will be minimal, the snow will be great, and it’ll seem like you have the whole mountain to yourself.  This year has been great so far with 302 inches so far this season and we are only entering the beginning of March, which typically is our best powder month.  Hopefully the March tradition will stay true and we’ll see many picture perfect days like today!

Keep on dancing,

Chris

Fresh Smiles And Turns!!!

15 inches graced The Summit in the last 24 hours, the anticipation is nearly over with 33 inches this last week, and we are talking fresh turns all around!  Trust me; you are sure to have a smile on your face after the first run of the day, that is if you enjoy the freshies.  We are expecting more snow throughout the day today, maybe something like 5 or so more inches with mild winds and a moderate high for the day around 39 degrees.  The snow is really going to be nice out there, I do recommend bringing a face mask of some sort, you’ll thank me later.  What a change in the weather tomorrow with dazzling sunny skies, a high in the low 40’s and light winds.  I’d say there is a very good chance tomorrow could be a picture perfect day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We now are at the 300 inch mark for the season, only 50 more to reach our Annual Snowfall Total.  Thanks for all your season snowfall guesses everyone!  My tip for the day is to head over to Lookout Mountain (if you like fresh powder); they groomed less over there than I’ve seen in the last few years.  There will be plenty of powder stashes over there for a while!  Keep checking back for updates, I’ll hopefully have a video ready by the end of the day.

Hope you get your fresh turns,

 

Chris

We Are Back!!!

Powder days are back here at Northstar® Resort with over 10 fresh inches in the last 24 hours and it is still dumping snow!  We are expecting to see close to 9 more additional inches by this evening, oohh yes gotta love it…..

 

The snow levels did stay relatively high overnight, somewhere around 6,000 feet.  You know, rain in the valleys, dense and heavy snow in the mountains.  The snow levels are supposed to drop later this afternoon, bringing lighter and fluffier powder later and into Friday.  You can expect to see a nice break in the weather tomorrow, the skies will stay mostly cloudy with a helping of powder, a side of corduroy, and for desert; maybe a little sunshine.  Friday is looking like the big day with a 100% chance for snow with expected accumulation totals between 1 to 3 feet, I’m going to go on a limb and say 23 inches.  Snow will fall off and on throughout Saturday, and then if the forecast stays true, we will see those brilliant blue skies Sunday.  A much needed freshening!  I’m sure most of you have been missing those powder lines as much as I?  My tip for you all today; be sure to check out The Camp Glade on Lookout Mountain.  I usually wouldn’t share this information, because I am powder greedy, but you gotta check that terrain out if you like tree skiing.

I’ll be back with another update soon!

Chris

Patience Is A Virtue….

There is good band of precipitation coming in, it is just a matter of how much and when.  The weather patterns keeps shifting and almost leaving us clueless to when and how much snow is going to drop; it is kind of like Mother Nature is playing tricks on us.  As of right now Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be the big days, the possibly of 1 to 2 feet in a twenty four hour period.  As you all know, this could change very rapidly, so I recommend checking into the weather forecast as much as possible.  I’m just stoke that the Storm Door is going to be open for a while with a serious chance of light, cold, and fresh powder days ahead!  If we even see six inches fall with the consistency of temperatures coming in; the corduroy will stay so very smooth and there will be just enough to dip into the trees.  Who am I kidding, we are going have some knee deep powder here really soon!  Who’s with me?

 

I am very anxious to see how all this weather pans out, we should be over the three hundred inch mark for the season.  I just hooked up my helmet cam, if your out on the hill today, be sure to wave and say hello!  I should have a video posted tomorrow.

Come On Snow!!!

Chris

Fun In The Sun!

Last day to catch a few rays before the clouds begin to darken as the ambiance of precipitation fills the Tahoe air.  Flakes of white will begin to fall as most of you are getting off Friday evening, with a much needed freshening Saturday morning.  If the weather forecast is right, we won’t be seeing much sun all next week.  On the Brightside, the variance in the temperatures between night and day next week is incredibly marginal, I’m talking within a ten degree range.  As you all know, temperatures like this make for exceptional snow quality, especially if we see some freshies.  No icy mornings!  If we even see less snow than projected, something like six inches will keep the snow super fresh until the varying spring weather makes its way back in.  Gotta love consistency!

I cruised out yesterday with my buddy and clipped a couple of shots to give you an idea of the weather we’ve been seeing lately.  Keep up to date with the incoming weather with the 5 day forecast, but remember our weatherman, B.A. has had a more accurate forecast than most others this season.  Dance and sing, here comes a nice freshening!

Talk to you soon,

Chris

Such A Beautiful Day!!!

I just took a ride up The Gondola and the sun is smiling with the widest of grins, there is little to no clouds, and we are expecting the high to reach the upper 50’s.  I am in the midst of a Conundrum, should I downhill all day or should I put the snowshoes on and hit the cross country trails?  Have you had a chance to snowshoe or cross country yet?  Another great event to mix things up is the Moonlight Snowshoe Tours; it is amazing how bright and visible the trails are from a full moon.  It is going to be a warm one today!  If you don’t put on that Sun block, I can almost assure you that your exposed skin will be red as a lobster by the end of the day.  I’m not trying to preach too much but, “Drink Plenty of Water,” dehydration and heat strokes are a very common and mis-understood phenomena.

 
 

Don’t forget to cheer on Northstar’s Team Rider, Elena Hight tomorrow as she throws down in theOlympic Halfpipe Event tomorrow!  I’ll keep you up to date with the weather coming in, I am on my way up the hill with my video camera, so throw a trick, cut a huge turn, and check the blog tomorrow.  My tip for the day; ski down to Baxter’s between 2 and 5pm through Sunday the 21st for a $10 shot and a beer, you also get free french fries when you purchase an alcoholic beverage.  Kick up your feet by the fireplace and enjoy the new nice and comfortable patio, a great place for après skiing, there will be a DJ outside as well.

Talk to you soon,

Chris

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yesterday was probably the clearest and most beautiful day of the season.  The sun starting smiling early in the morning and held the biggest grin all day long!  I couldn’t resist a little snowshoeing yesterday; it was such a great day to grab a few rays out on the cross country trails.  Today’s weather is supposed to be nearly the same with vivid blue, sunny skies and the high near 50, what a Valentine’s Day!  Come on out with your Valentine and see who has the skills to win the couples race today.  Make sure to grab your sun block and spring skiing/riding gear, I can almost assure you will be shedding a few clothing articles today or tomorrow.

 
 

As a side note, if you are heading up to Tahoe today or tomorrow and are planning on getting rentals, you may want to pick up your equipment before you head over The Summit.  There are quite a few people visiting and renting, I just want to be sure you get the right equipment for you and don’t have to settle.  The mornings have been pretty fast the last few days, then softening after 10:30 or so, I predict the snow will be getting softer around 9:30 most of next week.  During the next week you’ll notice 3 different snow surfaces throughout the day.  Early in the morning will be hard pack and very fast edgable corduroy, then as the sun starts shining on the Northwest Territory while the top layer begins to soften like spring powder until 12pm or so.  For the rest of the afternoon I would describe the conditions as snow-cone-ish, with a looser top surface, perfect conditions for park riding.

Have a Great President’s Weekend!

Chris

Amazing Snow, What To Know

2 inches fell on The Summit in the last 24 hours, with 21 inches in the last 7 days!  Temperatures are supposed to remain relatively consistent through President’s weekend with the overnight lows in the high 20’s and the daytime highs in the low 40’s.  These ideal ski temperatures really help maintain good snow consistency all day, none of that early morning or late afternoon freezing.  If you are planning on heading up this weekend, grab your sun block because Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be mostly sunny days.  My suggestion for the weekend is get here bright and early, take some fresh morning laps, then head on over to the Cross Country Telemark and Snowshoe Center for some snowshoeing.  If you haven’t taken the trail to Sawmill Lake, this weekend is going to be a great time to do so with ever-so-beautiful days in the forecast.

We had the Burton Am Series and Super Demo Tour this last weekend.  I wanted to congratulate our Northstar Team Coach, James Bromfield for winning his wild card entry slot into the U.S. Open by taking 1st in the Superpipe Event.  Also, an incredible local rider, Bobby Witty took 1st in the Slopestyle Event, nice work guys.  Our professional park, The Straits opened yesterday with 2 monster jumps, and some very big features.  The Straits Park is right under Vista Express, you can literally take the lift, look to your right, and wave to the athlete hitting the jump, and I’m talking up close and personal.  You’ve got to go check out this huge Terrain Park, and the 101 total features in our 8 different parks.

The Storm Is Moving In...

Only a few hours away before we see the ever so fresh powder coming our way!  We could possibly see a few inches today, but more so tonight and tomorrow, something in the range of 1 to 3 feet by Sunday!  A 40% chance of snow is in the forecast for Sunday; we will see snow if this system bumps over the Sierra Crest, but right now it is more favorable to head a little south.  I already did my dance this morning; I want the robust side of this storm to move over the northern section of the crest so we can report more accumulation than forecasted.

We have a ton going on this weekend!  The Burton Super Demo Tour starts tomorrow; yes you can come out and demo the latest and greats Burton Boots, Bindings, and Boards.  In my opinion, demoing your equipment is essential to finding what gear is right for you.  You never know until you try! 

Don’t forget about the Burton Am Series featuring a Slopestyle and Superpipe event on Saturday and Sunday.  This event is open to everyone, of course it is first come, first serve, but the registration is only $10.  If you think you have the skills needed to beat out the other competitors, come on out and throw down.  First place does get a wild card entry into the 2010 U.S. Open in Stratton Vermont!  Whether you are competing or just coming out to watch, there should be some amazing pipe and slopestyle riding. 

Talk to you soon,

Chris