Snow enthusiasts turned out in droves for opening day at Meadows. The long awaited opening day provided some early season turns on early season conditions - a natural snow depth of 18 inches in the base and 30 at mid-mountain. But that didn’t dampen the pure joy and exhilaration the first turns of a new season brings.
Meadows ran Mt. Hood Express and Shooting Star Express - Star Ridge was especially delightful, but the bowls got the initial attention. And why not? There was about six inches of fresh that had yet to be carved. The cloud ceiling lowered throughout the day, with light snow falling, slowly accumulating a few inches and freshening things up for the next runs.
The storm intensified after the 4 PM closing, with 2 inches of snow falling in one hour, and more snow will fall through the evening. At 7 PM the base depth had increased to 22 inches, with 33 inches at mid-mountain. Saturday should present some powder conditions in the untracked, six inches or perhaps as much as a foot. If conditions permit there could be a guest appearance by Vista (if not Saturday, then, hopefully, Sunday.) Still, it is early season with a shallow base and unmarked obstacles. But it’s a start - and all great seasons usually start out with a day like today.