Squaw/Alpine (N. Tahoe) Conditions and News- 2011/2012 Season thread - Page 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by shima 

What is a "spring structured ski"? 

just ski where the base has a more coarse base grind (deeper/thicker grooves) so there are more channels for the water to get out.  Or given this season, all the rocks may have already made the extra "structure" and given you plenty of extra grooves. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by raytseng 

 

 

just ski where the base has a more coarse base grind (deeper/thicker grooves) so there are more channels for the water to get out.  Or given this season, all the rocks may have already made the extra "structure" and given you plenty of extra grooves. 

Or more surface area for the slush to grab.  I've had structured graphite bases and unstructured sintered bases, and both will grab in warm conditions.  Any structure pattern that you have would only be good for a very narrow range of snow conditions, so unless you can convince time and weather to stand still right in that range, it won't help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raytseng 

 

 

just ski where the base has a more coarse base grind (deeper/thicker grooves) so there are more channels for the water to get out.  Or given this season, all the rocks may have already made the extra "structure" and given you plenty of extra grooves. 

I thought it was a base structure that has a pattern that disburses the moisture that spring snow tends to have. 

There are lots and lots of base structure patterns a skier may want for a variety of reasons. 

From Racewax.com:

Non-illustrated example:

The general idea is that the structure breaks up the suction that would otherwise exist between a smooth base and the wet snow. Suction = sucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayT 

  Assuming it cools down a bit after this weekend.  How miserable would it be to try without skins?  Coming from Squaw, basically you just have to boot it back up the hill to Alpine?  I'm not entirely clear on where you'd come out after the cat track along the edge of white wolf.

It's been run over by Troy's groomer (or maybe it was Squaw's). Either way, it will be an easy hike either side-stepping or walking with you skis on your shoulder. No more need for skins than when hiking to High Yellow, Estelle or Bernies at Alpine.

It looks like any hint of a cold cycle is a week out. 

Regarding Kirkwood ........ Monday last week (4/16); nice, Tuesday; boiler plate, Wed.; nice (for spring) in Sentinel Bowl in the morning though getting very grabby toward bottom of chair 6 late am.  About 1pm did the Wall, nice for about 2 turns then practically had to pole down the hill.  (And that was with a fresh spring structure, spring wax and a low fluoro paste overlay).  Went to the bar after that experience.  Got to think it's been going down hill through this weekend though plenty of snow if we can just get the right conditions for corn...or something close.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xela 

Saturday and Sunday at Squaw did not suck.  A number of us bears were out and loving it.

Xela, it was great meeting you face to face finally, and a regular stampede of Bears!!

I must say, I'm really happy with the way the snow is shaping up.  Almost a corn cycle, but most definitely more spring like conditions than the fly paper we'd been experiencing earlier in the week. 

I'll be back out to enjoy some more of it, that's for sure. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexzn 

Yes, Squaw didn't suck and especially with good company! The weather was too warm for real corn (for that we need a deep freeze at night), but soft bumps and buttery groomers were aplenty. Pictures to follow.

Agreed! Loved Squaw on Sunday with all of you folks :) Let's do this again next season for sure! 

Nice pics, doesn't look half bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexzn 

 

 

TC, Xela and King Grump having some serious luchtime discussion.
 

That IS my happy face. They don't call me King Grump for nothin. 

 

 

 

My 6-year old is faster than you ...

 

Faster & better. Man, I feel old. Guess I ski like an old man.

 

 

 

 

I'll be here all week. Will see you'all this weekend.   

Oh ... I'm not sure I should have looked at those photos ... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by segbrown 

Oh ... I'm not sure I should have looked at those photos ... 

You still have a place to stay and someone to pick you up at the airport.  Besides.....we'd love to share our closing down the season celebration with you. 

Just saying. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

 

 

You still have a place to stay and someone to pick you up at the airport.  Besides.....we'd love to share our closing down the season celebration with you. 

Just saying. 

I know, but I also have a lot of things to do here. Not the least of which is hosting a bridal shower on Saturday.  So I've been busy polishing silver and finding all the cups for Grandmother's punch bowl. hahaha  (do real men have multiple china patterns?)

OTOH, maybe I could just bail....

Quote:

Originally Posted by segbrown 

 

 

I know, but I also have a lot of things to do here. Not the least of which is hosting a bridal shower on Saturday.  So I've been busy polishing silver and finding all the cups for Grandmother's punch bowl. hahaha  (do real men have multiple china patterns?)

 

OTOH, maybe I could just bail....

On Saturday we'll be skiing Squaw, which has some pretty darn good conditions right now, then having a champagne toast to a great winter which included skiing with a multitude of great friends, a union of two bears and the amazing new friends that we've met along the way. 

But that's okay, enjoy your bridal shower. 

I shall bring my camera. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexzn 

This weekend, Sunday at 1pm Lake Cushing Crossing at Squaw- the best pond skimming contest in the nation. A not-to-miss event for sure and a fitting end to the Squaw 2011-2012 season.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexzn 

This weekend, Sunday at 1pm Lake Cushing Crossing at Squaw- the best pond skimming contest in the nation. A not-to-miss event for sure and a fitting end to the Squaw 2011-2012 season.

 

Holly cow, how big is the pond????  I've seen a couple of these at Kirkwood in the past, but the size of the pond/lake must have been about 20% (if not smaller) of what is in this picture.  Wish I could go to Squaw to witness the event, but can't pass up on free skiing at Kirk tomorrow.

Didn't Ralph Backstrom win that last year?

Considering how warm it's been, the snow at Alpine today was better than I had anticipated - at least until about noon or so, especially off the high traverse.  Wish I could have stuck around for the Squaw pond skimming tomorrow.