Whitewater Closes - 5mile Rules
The backcountry conditions have been less than ideal since that bluebird Friday crapped all over the snow. With north aspects, south aspects and east aspects all sun baked that only left one alternative - 5 mile's west facing slopes which are always oh-so-good in the early spring.
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Today 5mile was a nice surprise given every other slope seems to be fully sun baked. The snow was not blower and it was not knee deep but it was like skiing on shag carpeted velour - wall to wall. The top slopes were a little wind blasted and the bottom 300' was a little stiffer but the middle 1000' - now that's the sweet spot. Managed two laps before heading back to Whitewater for some in bounds fun (....and after all it is mid april so we cannot get picky).
Whitewater officially ended 2010/2011 operations today but this does not mean that backcountry touring ends with it - with more snow in the forecast April looks to be shaping up nicely.
(click for a larger view)