2013 Captain's Log (AKA Rider's Log)

first day.  Freaking out on the drive up because the ground was dry up to about 5,000 ft and only a couple inches of fresh on the roofs at about 6k.  It wasn't even snowing when I got to the resort....but, thankfully, it started about 5 min after.

I was also happy at the natural off-piste coverage, even at base lodge.  Last year, the whole mtn was completely dry up until late Jan, except for the few man made runs.

My first run was about ankle deep.  Started dumping pretty heavy by noon and, by last chair, it was near white out and knee deep.  The trees up top were doable so I still had a blast.  My new Dragon yellow/blue ion lenses worked fine in the worst of it - great definition optics and no fog (unlike those crappy smith sensor mirrors I had last season)

Something I've never seen before was how friggin' beefy the snow crystals became by the end of the day; literally a quarter of an inch wide and a perfect 6 point star shape.

Originally posted by woodhomie1996 Christmas day and my first day on snow. Well worth the wait since I went out with my 2 year son and he loved it!

2yo old?
He looks like he is ready to shred!

Good stuff everybody.  Tahoe is getting some.  I had days 10 and 11 on Saturday and Monday at Mt Rose.  The bc was upside down and sketch so we stayed at the resort, but had great powder turns both days.  Saturday was a whiteout blizzard and Monday was the first day they opened the backside after 4 feet of pow . . . first day on my Hovercraft and I definitely like it.  Unfortunately I twisted the hell out of my knee when I accidentally threw myself into a 10' bomb drop to flat ice (where did that come from ????) and I think I'm out of commission for a bit.  Very scard when it first happened but I don't think it's going to be a season-ender at this point. 

bluebird.  12"+ on my car by morning (shoveling out, solo, at the end of the day was not fun). 

Snow looked really good...but turned out it to be really dense "sierra cement".  Additionally, the cold night left a thick, almost crust layer that was manageable, but had a tendency to occasionally throw off your turns (only straight airs off-piste in the morning)...it's gonna make a great base, though, for sure. 

Of course, the masses b-lined it for the top spots to get their fresh tracks...even though those were all in shadow.  I headed for the best spots that were being softened by the sun.  Within the first 30 min, I got a massive frontside air off a big hip that blew my mind, then a bunch of decent backside 1s and a couple sketchy frontside 1s throughout the day...fairly happy with my performance considering only my second day/lack of "snow legs".

(my little honda, in the middle)

Day 6 last Saturday at N* in Tahoe. Day 7 (the next day was even better :) ) This was after we got back to the car after about 5 hours of riding!

God I can't wait to get out to Tahoe in 2 weeks. Gonna be epicccccc.

dang dude, those pics re crazy.   jealousy is high.

Originally posted by shwazy Day 6 last Saturday at N* in Tahoe. Day 7 (the next day was even better :) ) This was after we got back to the car after about 5 hours of riding! the royal we Ryan

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HOLY MOLY!!! Amazing pictures man...I'm on my way!!!

got my first day in night boarding last weekend. temps were good during the day so itwasnt too icy. the xmas crowds were out but i barely had to wait in line. they were all over the beginner runs so i just stuck to the blues and up.

Day 4 winter park...awesome day. 8+ of fresh even more in the trees. it was cold but survivable. first time at winter park and it was great.

Day 5

Got to Jack Frost around 9:30 to some fresh snow on the ground. The glades were pretty decent today...though plenty of rocks to hit your board today. Rode all the way until last chair for the first time of the season.


Good, solid day.

I went out for my first real day on Saturday, it was snowing and I had a good group of friends couldn't ask for a better first day! No pictures due to having way too much fun!

I want a Toy Story board. "To infinity... and BEYOND"

rested my knee up all week and finally got out for days 12 and 13 this weekend.  These were two of the best days I've had a Tahoe in a long time, the storm was great to us.  (Taking today off and planning a mt. rose sidecountry trip tomorrow, will see what happens).  My knee seems to feel fine when I'm hiking and riding a few lines but I'm a little concerned about what an entire day of pounding at the resort would do.  I'm considering riding only blower pow from now on . . . .On saturday afternoon hiked with my wife at incline lake, just great conditions.  Here is a fone pic of her killing it:

DAmn, that's a cute kid! and only 2?! and snowboarding.. hahah that's just awesome

^sweet video man!

It's been a slow season for me...only on day 10. Got a great day in boarding with my little siblings. We don't ask for much in CA...2-3 inches makes for a fantastic day.

Day 14 = fun sidecountry tour at Mt. Rose to start the New Year yesterday.  Great conditions in Tahoe and a ton of awesome snow left, but the route we took made it a hell of a slog back to the parking lot and we really only got two runs before we were beat.  The terrain back there

We're definitely going to ride sometime this year Rob.  Not sure why I left my phone in the car yesterday but I didn't see your text until we (miraculously) got back to the parking lot

Got my 6th day in today with 3 days in VT coming up later this week then a full week in Lake Tahoe a few days after. Gonna get more days in by Jan 19th than I did all of last year. What a difference a little snow and a couple fun people to ride with makes.

Day 18-22 was this long weekend at Mammoth. Sounds silly to say, but we've had mostly pow days on the weekends so it was awesome for bluebird conditions Monday and Tuesday. This season's been amazing with all the snow, but I am a park rat at heart. So when it finally stopped snowing, I was hitting the park hard. Finally throwing rotations in South Park, I got the balls to hit up Main. I was able to lap and hit the first 2 jumps there so feeling good, I went after the Showtime jump. First time hitting it so I knew I needed all the speed I could get. The problem was, off the lip, I turned my board (maybe out of habit from throwing rotations and/or being a bit sketched by the speed) I clipped my toe edge a bit and launched never having my center of gravity. Flew in the air sort of superman style with my upper body leading and not having my board underneath me. To make it worse, I could see the knuckle approaching and knew I was not gonna clear it. Idk how but at the last second I was able to pull my board underneath me and then bounced off the knuckle. I feel so lucky for not getting seriously hurt. Sorry thing is I have a trip in Feb and can't risk a big injury and won't be able to try this again until March when I get back. LOL, or at least this is the excuse I'm using 

that's a big ass jump....coulda effed you up for the whole season

Originally posted by Piranha that's a big ass jump....coulda effed you up for the whole season

yeah, but we're compiling all this footage for a little video part covering his winter break from school.  he only tried once and stomped on it, but the impact made him sit down, so he didn't actually ride away.  soooo close though, might try tomorrow.

Only been once this year, heading to Mt. Southington in about 8hrs.

Finally on day 12 today! I'm a little slow this year...but I hope to hit 35+ days by the end of the season!