[gearhead2]

Went up to Wolf Creek for 2 days - Dec 10 - 11 after one of their early season storms. I was waiting patiently then for a decent sized storm to come along - something around 35 inches because I love to ski them trees. Very cold, the early morning clouds clung to the valleys in the road and made it at times impossible to see more than 2 car lengths ahead of you. Once you popped out of the puff you'd see every pine needle and blade of grass encrusted with powdery diamonds against a bright blue sky - it was stunning just driving up. The skiing was great - did lift service tree skiing. All lifts were open. Few early season obstacles but not a problem if you are paying attention.

Blackout in Chama on way back - was not able to get gas and took a chance on less than a quarter tank (thinking I could ski the rest of the way if I really had to) and went back to Chromo to get some at the post office there (they have a really cool old pump with the wheels of numbers that spin the price and gallons by like you might also win a pile of coin while you're waiting). I have made a mental note to bring extra gas with me next time I travel up there - after talking to some locals, they said the Jemez Valley Electric Co-op has a history of having problems with the power supply.

Did some skiing in Santa Fe 19th - 21st. Skinned a day and lift service for two. They also ran into problems with power up there. Not all the lifts were open. The snow was fantastic between storms. Lots of fun but my legs didn't always think so. Went back up Christmas Eve and the snow was great then too - lifts were all open but at times not working.

Went up to the Sandias - skinned twice and lift service once. I don't know why but they never seem to have the road plowed as soon as other ski areas. I can get up with chains on alright but it just makes a mess of everyone else who is scattered about on and off the road. What a nightmare - especially half way up the mountain the tots with tubes are all swarmed around this one parkinglotless area - scary. Lift service the day I went shut down midday due to wind. Power was out day before. However, the powder was perfect so long as it was cold and little storms replenished the tracks made the day before. One longer skin trip led me to a creepy but interesting find of 2 old rusted out cars in a steep gully. Went back again on the 27th after the crowds cleared but it had quickly turned into mank, mush and ice. The 50 degree warm up killed it.

I know everyone is busy skiing but suprised there are not that many trip reports. Anyone been up to Taos when it dumped or during this warm spell? How is the snow holding up?

[kestrel]

I was lucky enough to hit Taos after the 19 inch snow fall. I did a day of 1/2 alpine and 1/2 tele. Both were fabulous because the snow was perfect. If you want to ski taos at its best you should go now! I am new to tele skiing so the powder on tele skis was a whole new world.

[gearhead2]

I was up there after that storm as well - for two days - hero snow for sure. I even successfully skied the moguls. Taos has a tele clinic coming up the 18th - 23. Not sure if I can take off that whole week though. Just came back from two days in Santa Fe and the 6 inches they got on Saturday was champagne powder after all the wet stuff we have been seeing. Weather forcast looking pretty grim for new stuff for a while. Get up there and take advantage of it now if you can.

[kestrel]

Did you go to the Taos tele clinic? I think they have a weekend camp too. The conditions there should be great right now.

[gearhead2]

The Taos tele clinic is going on this week. I'm working and couldn't make it up there. I know it was 90 bucks for the week of lessons not including the lift ticket. Nice if you live up there and have a season pass.

This weekend Santa Fe is having the Tony Forrest tele clinic which I did last year. Very good for the beginners who got to work with Tony Forrest directly but I heard from my more advanced friends that they felt like their class dominated the need for speed vs. drills and didn't get as much out of it as they would have liked. I hope they address that this year.

I would like to someday check out some tele classes that address specific aspects of tele skiing - powder, moguls, backcountry, steeps. I also like the idea of video taping which I know Taos does. Nice to be able to see what you are doing wrong.

[kestrel]

I think Taos also has a tele weekend camp. Too bad about the work thing. It is always sad when bad things happen to good people.

[gearhead2]

work - gotta make hay when the sun shines and the snow don't fall...especially in these tight A flakeless times ...

now if I could just have fresh powder every Friday and Saturday nite life would be near perfect