A great day of skiing on a sunny, spring-like Saturday at Sunrise. Very good conditions considering the warm weather we've had, although it probably won't be so great today as it was getting pretty slushly late in the day. We were in the lift line right at opening and made about 8 laps on the Sunrise high-speed quad before the late-arriving crowd bunched up the liftline around 11. Short break for a bite then over to the deserted Apache peak for a few laps before returning to the Sunrise side. 16 laps, 20000 vert according to my Strava, just crusing the groomers and getting a feel for my new skis (2nd day out on them).
Interesting observations:
- This weekend is the Constitution Day holiday in Mexico and there were a lot of Spanish-speaking visitors enjoying a long weekend ski trip. In fact, the majority of the crowd I would guess.
- Sunrise had every lift running! ('cept for the permanently broken Cyclone (7) and Eagle Feather (6)).
- The Apache Peak lodge was open! albeit only the bar. First time I've ever seen it open so had to stop in for a beer. A very nice facility totally underutilized. I'll check it off my bucket list, not likely to make the trudge up three flights of stairs again.
- As is typical, I don't think there was a single lift ride without at least one stoppage, usually several.
- A good amount of grooming in evidence including Rustler, a nicely pitched blue run on the front side.
- Young folks ski attire!
Long day but totally worth it thanks to DSC - bus ride and lift ticket for $80 and a bonus of a bus only half full.