NMSKI

Blue on Saturday. I actually don't mind skiing in the rain, snow is usually all right and crowds are much less.

17 inches in the last day or so, still snowing! This will be me in a little more than a week. Hope it keeps dumping.

I understand the safety concerns, no doubt you gotta be safe but you can still have tons of fun just ripping long groomers, taking in the views, and challenging yourself a little bit in some "on trail" difficult terrain. Pay attention to fences, signs, and if you're not sure about something don't do it or ask patrol before you do. Or don't go, but no guarantee your buddy won't back out again next year.

I agree with the others, go alone. I've done a couple solo trips, sometimes I've met new friends to ski with and other times I've just explored on my own and enjoyed the quiet solitude. Can't go wrong, but you don't want to pass up a trip west. Hope you have an awesome time.

Interesting. I grew up 5 minutes from the base of the tram, and can tell you this area is almost entirely dependent on natural snowfall. The snowmaking capabilities are very limited, not because of temperature, but water. All the moisture has missed this area to the north this year. Kind of a funny little ski area, but super convenient for those who are too lazy to drive an hour to Santa Fe or 2 hours to Taos. I've skied and snowshoed there in the middle of the night on a full moon and it's a very cool experience.

If you're cold there, the rest of your body is probably frozen solid.

SAR would be responsible for making the distinction. As far as collecting the fine goes, you could make it work the same way a hospital bill does since you could compare being rescued to emergency medical care. Try to set up a payment plan and if someone doesn't pay it ruins their credit, garnishment suit, etc. Not sure that this exactly works though, so much easier to charge more for lift tickets.

I agree that a distinction should be made. I have to imagine that the total cost of rescuing prepared people when shit turns dangerous is almost inconsequential because there are far fewer rescues. Not sure how it would work, but maybe SAR should make the call whether or not to pursue charging people for rescue on a case by case basis. Let experiences tourers slide, shit happens, but charge Jersey Joe enough to pay for all the rescues.

Initial thought is that if you get yourself into trouble it should be your responsibility to cover the rescue costs, but since collectibility is an issue probably most of the time, whats another couple bucks added onto the price of an $80 lift ticket.

Nice! Thanks for the info.

New ski trail to be constructed, huh? Another connector to boost trail count or something legit I wonder.

Looking for a little Jim Dailey mouth-to-mouth?

Bye bye $10 tuesday and $25 mornings, but at least a deal means the mountain continues to operate.

Nice TR! Looks like you had a blast.

Agree that Elevator is a little steeper. Depending on conditions I think White Lightning can be much more difficult though. Icy steep moguls are rough, at least for me. If the snow is soft, White Lightning is a piece of cake.

Agree with you guys, but a) I am new here so what the hell do I know, and b ) maybe I'm just as annoying to others and don't realize it haha.

Nice. Heard you have a chance at placing individually, best of luck to you.

Hope you guys finish strong. Do you get anything decent for placing?

Yes on the benches. 3G coverage was good enough when I was up there.

Nice pictures, glad to hear conditions were great. Its hard to see how steep it is in pictures, but if you shoot up the slope or across it comes through a little better.

This quote could be the entire script of a porno movie. The rest is improvisation.

Breakfast of champs! Where's your beer?

The most tricky thing about waterparks is swimming around in 1,000 other peoples' urine.

I have to say I'm enjoying the illustrated reports.

Love it! Sounds like an old man without his dentures rapping.