Day 10, 11 and 12 OTS (On The Snow) Feb, 13-15 2011 Angel Fire Ski Area

I spent days 10-12 OTS at Angel Fire Ski Area, Angel Fire NM with my buddy Eugene. (aka Krusty) I had just been up there earlier the previous week ( see previous post) with lows of -11 to -22 degrees below zero morning starts after nice big powder dumps. This trip was a completely different animal only a few days later! We arrived on the hill at about 11:00 am Sunday morning. At that time the mercury was already tipping 38 degrees. A far cry from the -22 degree start only 3 days earlier. We spent the rest of Sunday having fun and hot lapping the hill. The snow was still in good shape and soft. We had Eugene's sisters cabin to ourselves and just enjoyed the down time and ride time on the hill.

Day 11 we hit the hill at about 9:30 it the tem was already at 38 degrees and climbing. How amazing to have the additional warmth on your face and the sun but it was killing the snow exponentially by the day. While the snow softened up nicely, we were starting to get really bad ice under main runs and nasty brown skids showing through several runs. The day closed at almost 50 degrees!! Hot lapped the mountain had lots of funs and took lots of tree breaks. J went to Zebs and had a big ol New Mexico green chile cheese burger, Krusty bought.

Day 12, we closed up the cabin before we hit the hill. While it was just as warm as it had been, there had been a cold wind that moved in and started ice over the hill. Hot lapped the mountain but lots of rocks showing through and some found their way under my skis!! Ouch!! The snow was turning to crap due to the heat over the last 3 days and we decided to call it a day at about 1pm and head back to Albuquerque. It hit over 55 degrees on Tuesday. Spring skiing in Febuary.

What a good time, can't get enough of these days!!!

I heard something last week while watching a Warren Miller Movie, "They gathered here for no other reason then it suited them"...some how I can relate.

Randy

Day 8 & 9 OTS

Spent days 8/9 at Angel Fire Ski area in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Snuck in just after another 12"+ dump during the night.

I drove in from Albuquerque Wednesday morning and the roads were clear up to Taos. The canyon drive was white knuckle. I arrived at AF with the town sign stating -11 below!! Rode amazing 18"+ deep snow in places and spent the day personally tracking out several runs no one could get through.

Decided to get a little more of this amazing snow and spent the night at AF Resort. Woke Thursday morning to -22 degrees!!! God I hope it warms up just a bit today. I can't even believe my PC started up after sitting in the car over night.

Need to get ready for a bit more play on the hill today before I head back to Albuquerque today.

Day 4 & 5 On the Snow 09/10 Season

Day 4 on the Snow Saturday 1/23/10
Angel Fire Ski Area NM

After 2 full weekends off the snow and on my butt on a couch over the weekends, we finally received some new snow in New Mexico!! We had 3 storms that came through the area, each dumping small 4-8" amounts. Nothing SIC mind you but that’s the hand you deal with when skiing in New Mexico. Headed out early on Friday with Eugene to AF in an attempt to miss the frozen roads expected in the am. The storms covered AF incredibly with a nice blend of heavier powder with a mix of made made snow and AF crust. When I busted up my ribs on day 1 this year, there was still lots of rocks poking through. Not the case this weekend. Overall the snow was soft and incredible. Cold as hell as usual, made it to the backside of the area but it was colder and snowed most of the day. Meet up with a friend from Albuquerque named Mark to teach him how to SkiBike. The guy is an ex moto cross rider and got his head around it very quickly. Had to tell him to slow it down all day but he definitely had a killer time with comments like.....I'll never snow board again!! Came off the mountain at about 2pm exhausted and went to the bar and drank the rest of the day. Very cool day!!!

Day 5 on the Snow Sunday 1/24/10
Angel Fire Ski Area NM

Spent the night with Eugene's dad at his sister's new cabin. Very cool place with an incredible view off the deck. Carl actually offered to buy dinner for us. He's never offered as long as I have known him...I jumped on his offer like a bum on a sandwich!!! Started the day at 12 degress with most of the runs groomed over night. Still lots of untracked and tracked powder if you looked for it. Had to head into the trees for most of it. Meet up with 2 ladies from my work. They had received a day of skibiking for 2 from a united way offer I did through work. Both of them new to skibiking but did very well and had a blast. Completed the day with several tree and WC trail runs. Very cool day, lots of great ridding with my buddy Eugene and Mark from the previous day.

Love...Peace...and SkiBikes.

Randy