Another bluebird

Day 28 of my 2005-06 season was another bluebird day - blue skies, perfect packed powder, no wind and warm for this time of year (forecast maximum of 37 F).

I started out about 9.30 am and was surprised at the length of the gondola line, but once the crowd dispersed at the top it was fine. It was a little more crowded today than during the week but nothing like the holidays.

I started out down Vagabond and then the bumps of Surprise and continued on to the Pony Express. As I suspected there was virtually no-one on Pioneer Ridge. I took Longhorn and Wapati back to Buddy's and Tornado Lane.

If you live in the US odds are you'll have a least one friend called "Skeeter" and today the odds caught up with me. I met Skeeter on the Storm Peak Express and since we were both out solo we decided to ski together. Down to the Morningside Chair and then The Ridge to Big Meadow and Buddy's back to the Storm Peak Express.

From there it was Storm Peak, upper Rainbow and Moonlight to the Sundown Express and High Noon, Two O'Clock and Daybreak. By this time thirst and hunger were beginning to kick in so we took Elkhead Chair to the bumps of Norther and then Blizzard to ride the Four Points Chair to the Four Points Hut and some refreshments.

After refueling it was Cyclone and Tornado Lane to the BC Chair and Norther again before traversing Rudi's to Vagabond, Betwixt and Between to the Bashor Chair. Then a run down the right side of See Me (the left side was closed for the Steamboat Winter Sports Club race training). The Christie Chair and Lower Valley View finished off the day and my legs.

The forecast is for a front to come through tonight and bring more snow. The clouds are beginning to form now so I'm hopeful for a powder day tomorrow. The season's been so good to date I almost feel guilty wishing for more. Almost.