…and it was pretty damn fun. As we all know, KSL closed Squaw Valley the earliest it’s been closed in recent memory this year (April 29th). But, KSL allowed Squaw Valley’s Alpine Meadows to open this past weekend. Thus, the Squaw crew had no choice but to ski Alpine. You could tell who was from where by clothing color patterns and affiliate gang symbols worn (aka squaw or alpine stickers).
The weather was gorgeous, the wind was crisp, and the snow freaks were happy to be out skiing again. The wind was a bit of an issue on Cinco de Mayo. It was gusting 40mph up top and it kept the snow hard most of the day. That wind provided a healthy rodgering at the top of the Summit Chair.
The crowds were non-existant on Friday, noticeable on Saturday, then mellow on Sunday (Cinco de Drinko hangovers to thank here).
WHAT WAS OPEN:
– Summit Six
– Round House
– All hikes to the North were open.
ALPINE SNOW CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND:
– May 4th – Hot, Sunny, Slushy, & Windy (open 8am-1pm)
– May 5th – Cool, Sunny, Harder, & Really Windy (open 8am- 2pm)
– May 6th – Cool then Hot, Sunny, Slushy in spots, Hardish in sports, Windy (open 8am-1pm)
– Groomers were fast and fun
– Off-piste was smoothish and very fun with a few poppy windlips (when it was soft)
TERRAIN PARK:
– The terrain park was built at too low of an elevation so it was slushy, beat up, and just not good
– They did build one big feature up top for Standard Films that we weren’t allowed to use
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend of skiing at Alpine. A lot of old friends and happy people were observed at every corner.
Squaw Valley’s Alpine Meadows will be open again this weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday …and that’ll be all she wrote.
You comin’ up for closing weekend?