Ode to Mother Nature

Today seems like an apt one to pay homage to Mother Nature. Overnight she was kind enough to put a few inches of icing on yesterday's 24" powder cake. Tuesday's snow fell deepest at mid-mountain, so that's where I focused my attentions this morning. I started with a fast carver down Vagabond, groomed overnight with a couple inches blanketed on top. I peeled left onto the cat track Betwixt, which is the way to a fun mogul pitch called Mother Nature.

[Photo: a local mom getting freshies on Mother Nature]

This week's storm has given Steamboat among the deepest snow bases in the state, according to Colorado Ski Country USA. It shows on runs like Mother Nature and the adjacent Concentration where coverage is good and the bumps are soft and forgiving (as large moguls go). The trail called Oops, just off the top of the Gondola, was another black diamond run with happy fluffy bumps. But if you really want to find the deep stashes, you'll have to hunt a little further.

OK, I'll share. Take Vagabond past the turnoff to Surprise. Where Vagabond takes a sharp left turn, you'll see a teepee. Trek into the trees to the right of the teepee and there are serene meadows which, at the time of this writing, still boast hoards of the deep stuff. A note of caution: there are some young trees and shrubs in these meadows that can snag you from under all that powder, so tackle it with care.

[Photo, right: knee-deep stashes still available for the intrepid]

For a balanced report (as balanced as I can manage on my second epic powder day in a row), I tried a groomer for my last run. Upper and Lower Valley View offered a firm, edge-friendly corduroy under two to three inches of fresh Champagne Powder®. This makes for high-speed giant-slalom arcs that kick up roostertails at every turn.

Today is a wonderful day to call your mother and thank her for the gifts she has given you. Or better yet, visit her. She's up there on the mountain, past the sign that says "Mother Nature."

Cheers,

Greg I. Hamilton

powder skier, straight talker

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