While winter still hasn’t kicked into full throttle around Tahoe, the conditions at Squaw have returned to a pleasant wintery chalk which is edgeable, offpistable, and quite frankly rather enjoyable.  A fairly crowded weekend was actually a great benefit to our despondent snow pack, breaking up the crust and mixing in the 1/32 of an inch of snow we received last week.

Shirley looking good and empty

It didn’t take long for the influx of weekend warriors to clear out, as today Squaw was barren.  Crowds were non-existent and you could skate right onto the chair.  A few things such as Mainline Pocket (see below) and the funnel were slow to open, with signs being flipped at about 10:30, but the mountain was open in it’s near entirety.  Granite harbored some chalky moguls off of Rockpile, Funnel was firm but still incredibly grippy, and Sunbowl remains smooth as butter and teetering on the verge of corn.

Speaking of Mainline Pocket opening, the snow within the Pocket was quite wintery and very fun…but not very forgiving.  The above video chronicles skiers right of Pyramid Rock, a straight line splitting the Mystery double, and my failed Banana Chute attempt.  Watch and be amused!

Unfortunately things are still on the lean side at Squaw, the entrance to the Funnel in the photo above is a bit of a minefield, and there are patches opening up all over the mountain.  But there is a dim glimmer of hope, as there is the slightest of rumor of the slightest of snow in the forecast for tomorrow.  Start doing those snow dances ladies and gents!!

At least it was a pow day on Red Dog this morning...

And there was a clear view of the lake!