π
2021-12-15 01:01
in Nsnow, Snow
After a very bad start of season (resorts not being able to open due to lack of snow), we got more than 7ft in a week, which well, was very nice :)
I tried to time the storm systems and drove to kirkwood in between 2 storms, when Carson Spur was open. It was too cold and I had to drive at night, so the temperature and headlights made it so that I would have arrived at kirkwood with -4% battery from my after the fact estimate, but thanks to the new supercharger in Jackon, a 5mn detour and 10mn bathroom stop gave me more than enough battery to arrive there comfortably. Drive up took just over 3h45 with the charging stop and the snow:
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_100_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
![the bad news is that most of the chargers are broken, and the 2 left are sharing the same power (only 20A each) the bad news is that most of the chargers are broken, and the 2 left are sharing the same power (only 20A each)](/blogimg/07/thumb1024_107_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
the bad news is that most of the chargers are broken, and the 2 left are sharing the same power (only 20A each)
It was early season, KW had only been open for 3 days, so they were still getting things ready and cleaning up :)
![](/blogimg/08/thumb1024_108_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
![coverage was amazing coverage was amazing](/blogimg/14/thumb1024_114_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
coverage was amazing
Normally, 6 would have opened on tuesday, but didn't like I predicted, and opened late (11:30) on wednesday. It was a longer wait than planned, but better than nothing:
![](/blogimg/13/thumb1024_113_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
![we all waited eagerly :) we all waited eagerly :)](/blogimg/17/thumb1024_117_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
we all waited eagerly :)
![and finally got up and finally got up](/blogimg/22/thumb1024_122_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
and finally got up
![plenty of snow plenty of snow](/blogimg/25/thumb1024_125_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
plenty of snow
![coverage on chamoix was amazing coverage on chamoix was amazing](/blogimg/37/thumb1024_137_20211215_Kirkwood_Day1.jpg)
coverage on chamoix was amazing
Day #2 got an extra 17", which caused Cornice to open a bit late (9:50), but not terribly:
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_201_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
![ski patrol was training ski patrol was training](/blogimg/08/thumb1024_208_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
ski patrol was training
![chamoix started being scraped a bit :) chamoix started being scraped a bit :)](/blogimg/09/thumb1024_209_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
chamoix started being scraped a bit :)
![](/blogimg/13/thumb1024_213_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
![this is why the run is called hole in the wall :) this is why the run is called hole in the wall :)](/blogimg/14/thumb1024_214_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
this is why the run is called hole in the wall :)
![plenty of freshies plenty of freshies](/blogimg/15/thumb1024_215_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
plenty of freshies
![Palisades opened Palisades opened](/blogimg/21/thumb1024_221_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
Palisades opened
![we were all eying the wall and hoping it would open the next day we were all eying the wall and hoping it would open the next day](/blogimg/26/thumb1024_226_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
we were all eying the wall and hoping it would open the next day
![](/blogimg/28/thumb1024_228_20211216_Kirkwood_Day2.jpg)
Day #3 started being a bit repetitive running 6 all day, but we held hope for the wall opening:
![beautiful conditions beautiful conditions](/blogimg/05/thumb1024_305_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
beautiful conditions
![](/blogimg/07/thumb1024_307_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
![by 13:00 people started lining up for the wall by 13:00 people started lining up for the wall](/blogimg/21/thumb1024_321_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
by 13:00 people started lining up for the wall
![so I went to join them and waited about 45mn so I went to join them and waited about 45mn](/blogimg/22/thumb1024_322_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
so I went to join them and waited about 45mn
![and at 14:00 it opened, wee! and at 14:00 it opened, wee!](/blogimg/29/thumb1024_329_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
and at 14:00 it opened, wee!
![people who waited 1h30+ got first tracks, but there were plenty for everyone people who waited 1h30+ got first tracks, but there were plenty for everyone](/blogimg/33/thumb1024_333_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
people who waited 1h30+ got first tracks, but there were plenty for everyone
![](/blogimg/38/thumb1024_338_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
After lapping the wall until they closed it, I was definitely spent, and with a huge grin on my face :)
![](/blogimg/42/thumb1024_342_20211217_Kirkwood_Day3.jpg)
3h30 Drive home was uneventful |