Report #36 Details

Report-ID: 36
Submitted: 12/29/98 11:39:34
Host: ps2.pge.com
Date: 12/28/98
Days: 1
Resort: Squaw Valley USA
Hours: Day
Equipment: Snowboard
Rating: 5
Primary-Surface: Hardpack
Secondary-Surfaces: Granular, Icy
Gender: Male
Age: 33
Ability: Advanced
E-mail: bdg3@pge.com
Loved: christening the funitel, going WAY fast on hard snow
Hated: Foggy drive; HUGE crowds; hard, old, beat-up snow
Closed: Silverado ;-) Everything was open today
Liftline-Waits: varied by lift.Shirley: 10 Granite Chief: 0 Gold Coast: 20?
Moguls: Big. Hard. Everywhere. High Voltage w/ big, icy bumps :-(

Details:

It was a stressful drive up through the thick valley fog, finally hit the
slopes around 11am.
Funitel was "standing room only" (seats up) and packed - but it does move the
bodies up the mountain.  Once up top, lines were LONG!	Gold Coast, Mainline,
East Broadway all had HUGE lines (Emigrant wasn't open yet) - took a Newport
since it was running (and having to side-step up that hill discourages people
and keeps the line a bit shorter).
Headed over towards Shirley - the line was big (probably 15min).  Shot past
and hit Granite Chief - no waiting there!!  It's not just the "expert skiers
only" sign that discourages people from that lift - it's the gnarly
conditions!  I usually LOVE the Chief - but with HUGE bumps in these very FIRM
conditions - it was really difficult.  A day where having four edges is better
than two (but who wants to waste a day on skis? ;-)
Crowds thinned as daylight waned, and I caught a last Shirley right at 4.
Shot down Mt. Run, and much to my amazement found the Funitel still
uploading!!  Took a private car up, and enjoyed it like the good ol' gandola
;-)
Pretty big day, despite the crowds (well avoided) and the late start - rode
about 18,500 vertical.	What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!  This was
more good experience riding in difficult conditions - and I had a blast!
BTW- Lisa Marie (working Solitude yesterday) is CUTE!!

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