G Routine

This last weekend I rode a ski resort that wasn't my home mountain. I found myself wishing Crystal was open still in the morning, then being thankful at the end of the day that I had the Alpental experience. Such an amazing little hill so close to Seattle. Great steeps slopes, a family resort personality, and great backcountry access make Alpental a gem in Seattle skier pockets.

I only have to state one slight oddity. I thought the pricing structure they have is somewhat stupid. Look at the image of the rates. An adult starts out at 13? If I were a kid, I'd buy an adult lift ticket and then hit the bar and demand a beer. The silly pricing parameters continue with a 'Super Senior' ticket for those over 70 and 'Child' tickets for 6 and under. Is it just me or are they kind of ridiculous?

My friends from Norway were passing through again. The snow turned to crap in Alaska and after having such a good time in the city they decided to come back. Lucky for them the powder was here. It snowed a little in the city and there was an article in the local paper which inspired the locals. I figured most folks would be over skiing. I was wrong.

I met the crew at the W hotel around 8:30 and we were at the hill by a little after 9. All the parking lots were full. Are you kidding me? It's the third week of April and there isn't a parking spot. We drive over to Summit West and get shuttled back to Alpental. Today turns out to be a record breaker for the season. I stood in the longest lift lines of the season, if not the past few years.

But that's were the backcountry comes into play. Every run we hiked, side stepped, or traversed into the back glades, bowls, and trees. One run I followed my friend Bryce, as he rides Alpental all the time, I figured we'd get a great tour. Turns out he's looking for a new line right next to the run called Shot 8. So we descend just skiers left of Shot 8, with the large cliff to our right. Once we get to the choke, most of the snow has slid out leaving twigs, ice, and 55 degrees. Others are hiking out. Bryce and one of the Norwegians give it a go and yell back it's sketchy. We then hike back out and ski down Shot 8. Not the best tour. I became a sweaty mess with fogged up goggles. Not what I had in mind. You can see Shot 8 in the image below, it's the open face at the top.

What a fun day. Not a whole lot of runs, but definitely quality. Makes me remember how much fun spring skiing can be. I seem to remember more fun events at resorts during the spring. Bands playing out on decks and the local hard core skiers and snowboarders loitering longer enjoying the warmer weather and telling their seasons stories. Have we lost some of the spring time skiing magic. Maybe. Or maybe I'm just older and am seeing it differently. Regardless, today reminded me how special skiing at seasons end can be.

Also always fun to snap a few pictures. Endre brought his camera and I was lucky enough to play ski model for a few runs. Sorry Endre, you can only do so much with what you have for talent. Next time I'll step it up some more. Thanks for the photos.