Jackson Avalanche

Gondola Restaurant

The Weather

Yesterday was heavenly at the bowl (see pic of the day), even though E. of East is not yet open. A friend said he got the Hour Glass blast down to just above the traverse.

Should be interesting today. 2nd day of race camp for the kids. All of the coaches and volunteers are great! Rain this AM in the valley. Should be snow on the hill. Gotta love the weather guys passing the buck to the morning shift below!


AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT 345 AM MST SUN DEC 28 2008 .

DISCUSSION...

SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL ACROSS THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF CENTRAL IDAHO AND NORTHWEST MONTANA THIS MORNING AS VALLEY REGIONS SEE A BRIEF BREAK IN PRECIP. BY MID MORNING HOWEVER...ANOTHER BURST OF SNOW IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTHWEST CORRIDOR OF MONTANA AND WILL LAST THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. ONE AREA OF CONCERN DURING THIS TIME WILL BE WARMING TEMPERATURES. SO FAR...TEMPS HAVE BEEN HOLDING STEADY IN THE MID TO UPPER 30S ACROSS REGION. SOME WARMING IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE...AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF WARM AIR ALREADY BEGINNING TO INFILTRATE INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATION...HAVE CONTINUED THE POSSIBILITY OF PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE IN THE VALLEYS FOR THE EARLY PART OF THIS MORNING. WINDS HAVE CONTINUED TO STAY PRETTY GUSTY THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG THROUGH THIS EVENING WHEN THE GRADIENT LOOKS TO RELAX AND ALLOW SPEEDS TO LESSEN. SYNOPTIC LIFT WILL ALSO DECREASE AROUND THIS SAME TIME...LESSENING THE CHANCE FOR PRECIP IN NORTHWEST MONTANA... THOUGH MOISTURE LOOKS TO HANG AROUND CENTRAL IDAHO THROUGH MONDAY AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS COULD PICK UP ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. AT THIS TIME WILL NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO GOING WINTER HEADLINES...HOWEVER THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS AND THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS WINTER HEADLINES TO BE EXTENDED THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. GIVEN SNOW LEVELS WILL PLAY A BIG PART IN THIS DECISION...

HAVE OPTED TO PASS THIS CONCERN ONTO THE DAY SHIFT FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.

Snow at Last - Joyeux Noel!

Joyeux Noel: If you have not seen this movie, you may want to do so.
An Addendum: Took advantage of the new conditions to trek tonight (23rd) to the windsock. Pretty quiet up there.

The Bowl is Family

Made a last minute decision this morning to go to the Bowl even though it was 5 degrees in town. Listening to Radiohead headn' up the famous road, I was wondering if the other three Sheepheads had made the right decision to stay home due to the weather. They also wanted to meet some family flying into Missoula "International" airport from Georgia for the Holiday. They, complements of the elements, spent the night at the airport in Salt Lake. I made the right call. It was cold, but there was not much action on top (read no weekend lift lines).

I had the rock skis today for sure. The legs felt great. It felt a little like skiing in PA on the top as it was a little skied off in areas and icy thanks to the Friday crowd. The Griz lift (above) was empty and the Upper Griz was closed - ok, except to maybe a few poachers and patrollers. The trees surrounding Lavelle chair were most welcome cutting back the wind. There were some folks on top having fun. Many of the ski team coaches were on top skiing with a half dozen or so junior racers. Nice to see that. Free skiing having fun. I think the best snow was under the Lavelle lift. I went into the patroller shack and caught up with some of the ski patrol buds who keep an eye on us! A few hugs followed by "How was your summer?" Good friends who were all commiserating over the UM Griz loss yesterday to the Richmond Spiders in the National Championship in TN. As a UM alum, I was bummed as well. However, I know my friends who went to Richmond (Rod, especially, if you are reading this) are pretty excited that after almost two centuries, they finally got it done. Seems many of the patroller regulars are on board again this year. You guys are great, thanks for what you do. We'll have to hit Garland's bell again before too long!Had to cut out early today. Ringing the Salvation Army bell in front of the mall this afternoon for the Lions Club. A Holiday tradition. It was good timing as everyone seemed to be heading up for some afternoon skiing. The Bowl is Family. Everyone knows everyone. Lots of places, however, to get away from everyone! My release. 2600 feet of vertical in our backyard. Good to be back at the Bowl!

Trekking on old Elans

Decided not to download on the Griz chair today. Went instead up to Pattee on an old pair of Elan XC skis and found some new snow away from the masses.Need to get the rascals out though. So, hope the Bowl gets more runs open soon. Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a cold one! How about those Griz yesterday!

Lolo Sunset Tonight

Way to go today Griz! James Madison next.