Tag: ski

Good morning!

There’s finally something nice to talk about in the forecast, so I’m writing one. Don’t get me wrong, sunshine in the middle of winter is nice, but it’s not snow, it’s not wind, and the below freezing night temperatures wreaked havoc with our mountain biking trails. I’m ready for normality to return.

The jet stream plays a battle with the El Nino high pressure ridge today, and it looks like the jet stream will win out. We’re expecting .5″ water at the mountain overnight, giving us 4-6″ of new snow on the slopes tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, off-piste areas are coated in melt-freeze ice, so the snow isn’t going to stick very well (thanks, Tighe), but we will see new snow on the ground.

Another .25″ by Wednesday, another .25″ on Thursday, and about 1″ by Friday morning will have the slopes in great shape by next weekend. Snow levels look to stay below 5000 feet this week, meaning you won’t be hearing the dreaded R-word on the snowphone or seeing it on the T-line or Meadows websites. No guarantees for Skibowl… but they do still have the best nachos on the planet.

If you’d like to go mountain biking today and would like to respect the trails, go early while they are still frozen. I had a report that PC was rideable yesterday, and went for a lap. I am not recommending it, unless you just want to play in Family Man, where the trail is in great shape. Lower areas are covered in melt-freeze mud slime, and your tires will do a lot of damage if you ride now. Please leave the mud where it belongs: in the forest and not on your bike.

I don’t have a current report for Syncline, but I know that Maui does not handle melt-freeze well. I also don’t know how Hospital Hill is riding after the melt-freeze cycles. It was great 4 days ago, but now… give Mitchell a call at Dirty Fingers, and I am sure he can let you know. =)

Road bikers, the Twin Tunnels trail is slick, but the road to Rowena Crest is almost completely clear of gravel. If you’d like to ride today, that’s my recommendation.

If you’re not in the mood for skiing tomorrow or would like to try for a daily double, there’s a chance of some marginally sailable west winds in the desert from about 10am on. This is frontally driven wind, so it’s only going to last for a couple of hours. I think 21-24 is a reasonable call, but the southerly cant will favor only Avery and Arlington. I am not recommending making the drive unless you are striving for the DD.

That’s about it for now. See you on the mountain for the new snow tomorrow. Have a great day today!

Temira

Good morning!

There hasn’t been much good to say about the weather lately, but as I’m sure you’ve heard, the picture is changing. Yesterday’s sunshine and warmth was nothing short of glorious, and we’ll see the same for another few days. Spring, if not actually here, is making a guest appearance in winter’s territory.

And so, in honor of the sunshine and 50+ degree temps, the wind forecast takes the top of the bill today. Winds start off calm to light west today (there’s your paragliding forecast, Mark), but by tomorrow, if you want to hit the water for some big easterlies, you can. 30ish averages in Stevenson, 35ish at Rooster, less towards Viento and Home Valley (for the kiters, of course… if someone could email me tomorrow about what size kite they were on at Viento, that would be great). The easterlies will hold for almost the entire day tomorrow, although, as you know, the steadiest easterlies will be from 9ish to 2ish.

Friday also looks windy, with 25-28 at Stevenson, a little more at Rooster and a little less east of Stevenson. Winds will back off earlier on Friday, as approaching systems mess with the pressure gradient.

Up on the mountain, it’s going to be all sun, all the time for the next few days. This is your first sane-style chance for a daily double, although it’s going to be reverse daily double since you’ll be on the water first. Actually, if you time it right, you could pull of a daily triple this week: mountain biking (HH was too muddy to ride yesterday, btw, but should be fine by tomorrow… other reports would be appreciated), windsurfing/kiting, skiing/snowboarding. Ah… if I didn’t have to work tomorrow and Friday, I’d make it happen for sure!

I got distracted from the skiing, didn’t I? Should be corn snow, or at least spring slushies and beers at the Mazot in a bikini top, by this afternoon.

Other than that… tonight is Girls’ Night Out in downtown HR. 21 businesses stay open late with specials for girls and groups of girls. Lots of wine samples, free chocolate and snacks, and awesome discounts on… SHOPPING!!!

Also tonight, there’s a free avalanche awareness clinic in Portland at one of the REI stores. I, of course, have forgotten which store.

Finally, thank you to everyone who headed to Meadows for the $10 Haiti ski night. The resort raised somewhere around $20k (the number isn’t for sure yet) for Mercy Corps. And if any of you ever have ideas about how to make our local ski area better for you or for the Gorge, please let me know.

Have a great day today, enjoy the sunshine, and I’ll see you out in the garden this week! Time to plant peas… =)

Temira