Super Snow Monday

Smiles were a plenty this morning with bright blue skies and empty slopes to grace this Monday.  I do believe there has been a slight outbreak of the "brown bottle flu" on the heels of Super Bowl 47 and the Baltimore Raven's hard earned victory over the 49ers.  There was nobody out on the mountain first thing this morning and what a glorious morning it was.   Everything is sparkling in the sunlight as the colder temperatures are holding last week's snowfall right where we want it to.  Soft pillowy bumps are surrounded by pockets of fluffy powder which there is still plenty of to be had in the trees. 

I headed straight to the Storm Peak Express this morning and over to The Ridge and then Flying Z.  I did not see one person until I headed back out onto Buddy's Run.  What a treat!  Soft bumps and wide open spaces, this is one of my favorite runs on the mountain.   Tornado Lane is always groomed and, at the time that I hit it, was outstanding.  The groomers today are like the frosting on a sheet cake, a slight crust with a soft and sweet layer underneath....yumm.  

I found it hard not to take just one more off of the Four Points Chair and thrilled that I did.  Rainbow, skier's right was unbelievable, more of that cake like groomed surface, just delicious.  I headed down Moonlight and up Elkhead to take one last run down Norther to Vagabond.  Lower Concentration was smile provoking, super fun and carvy.  I finished out my morning with a shot down Swinger, a sweet little run at the bottom, not too traveled and beautiful corduroy.

Everyone I encountered this morning was all smiles and happy to be outside on a day like today.  All of my lift companions had a story to tell or a question to ask, general content which is a nice way to start your week.  Heck, a skier called out to me from the trail while I was on the chair, there is a wonderful vibe out there and I suggest you come on up and see for yourself. 

This week will kick off the 100th Winter Carnival here in Steamboat Springs, where local youth throw caution to the wind to participate in myriad events representing our great ski heritage we are all so proud of.  Tonight at 5:00pm join local dance choreographer Renee Fleischer on the stage in Gondola Square to learn the Flash Mob dance for this coming weekend followed by a Torchlight Parade and Fireworks show on the hill. 

It is going to be a great week here in the Valley, I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.  Have fun out there.

Valerie Maddock

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