Powderhorn Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- April 2016

With most of the resorts now closed, it is open season on their terrain. With most places still holding a 80-90" base, it is hard to pass up. We got a nice quick hitting storm on Saturday which put down 6-8" of really heavy snow. We made an early departure and headed up. We arrived to see a couple of other people with the same idea but that was it. We started in and were at mid mountain pretty quickly. Then we skinned up to the Eagle Ridge, and up the ridge to Powderhorn. It was nice up top, and we took it all in for a bit. After our break, we decided to change it over into ride mode and drop in for a run. We both dropped at the same time and got some really nice turns. As we got to the bottom of the run, we stopped to figure out what we wanted to do next.

We decided it was a very short boot pack up to Apex, so we unstrapped and booted up. The sun came a out blazing as we climbed, making it a warm one indeed. We took a moment to collect ourselves, and to see the tracks we had just put down on the hill. It was a nice line choice. Finally it was time to head to the bottom. The snow off Apex to the base was fast but thick, so in spots you just wanted to point it, steeps you could slash away. We ended the run with a cold one to celebrate being in the mountains once more. Seems like April is going out with one last winter blast. Enjoy the video from the day. More adventures to come!

Powderhorn Tour- 4.24.2016 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Spring Transition- April 2016

This is the time of year where I am wrapping up snowboarding and splitboarding. This is also the time of year for hiking the foothills of the Wasatch. Pleasant temps and not too many snakes. Spring has a way of being a double edge sword here as well. Just as you think summer is here, in comes winter with one more blast. So you have to kind of straddle the line because you never know what nature is gonna bring you here in Utah.

I got my first hike in for the year earlier this month up Bells Canyon. It was a very nice day, low crowds, and nice to be back walking in the symphony of silence. I made a loop up above the lake to the bridge that takes you to the falls, then looped off trail back down to the lake to try my hand at some fly fishing. I need some gear maintenance, but over all it was nice to be casting a line once more. The lake is full and the fish are active.

Thursday the 14th, we had a really soggy storm. This system came in wet, and then turned cold and dumped some really good snow. The lifts got put on a lighting hold, then reopened after it had put down 4-5" of really fun snow. Everyone left, minus a few of us die hards, and we had the mountain untracked from 2 PM till last chair. April 15th was my last day on the lift chairs for the season at Solitude.

Yesterday I got another great loop hike in Bells Canyon and took a different variant. Things are greening up with these warm temps we have been having. Looks like a couple of more days of warm weather, then we move into a wet cycle to finish the month out. Maybe one or two more days touring on the splitboard, and this winter party comes to a close. Spring is here in the Wasatch. It can be a mixed bag, so you have to be prepared for anything at a moments notice. Its been a great year on the snowboard. Touring was amazing as well. But as one season closes, another one begins. We are just about a month out from being able to get out backpacking. So for now, I just get the legs ready for the long walkabout which is just around the corner. Enjoy the photos from this month. More adventures to come!

Miracle March- 2015- Solitude Mountain Resort

After a really dry February, March came in like a lion! We have had some great storms this month, and some amazing powder to boot. I have to admit I kind of got caught up in the luxury turns Solitude offers. The terrain is great and the snow has been amazing. Not for lack of beauty as you can see in the shot above. Below I have posted some videos from this month that I feel are the highlights of the season out there. Enjoy the videos! Spring has arrived in the Wasatch. More adventures to come!

March 29th 2016- Solitude from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Solitude- March 23rd 2016 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Peak 9699, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 1.31.2016

We got another great storm to start of the weekend, so we decided to head up one of my favorite lines here in the Wasatch, Peak 9699. The climb up was great and so much more filled in than last year. We made it to the first over look, then moved across the face to Greens Basin. My partner Chris found a new route to the ridge so we took that and I have to say that I like that one much better than the previous route we took in there. We made our way up through the aspens and pines and eventually made it to the top of the Meadow Chutes. We then made the last jaunt up to the peak. The wind was blowing really cold and a storm was moving in from the south. So we made the switch over and dropped in. The snow was in such great condition we just rallied through the glades getting some of the best turns of the season. The ride out was really good, even being able to ride all the way to the car. Enjoy the video from our day up there. Pray 4 Snow!

Peak 9699 1_31_16 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Little Willow, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 1.24.2016

We got another shot of snow that spiked the avalanche danger to high for steep terrain in the range. We decided that Sunday Funday would be a low angle spot. We decided to hit the Willows again as that has mellow low angle terrain, and some of the best glades in the range. We made our climb up from the road and took a new route in. This was far more scenic than the last trip in here and the snow was just right. We broke trail to the summer trail, then we rounded the corner and took the ridge up. The wind was brisk in the open areas, and the cold front was for sure showing what its got. After a while of climbing and breaking trail, we made it to the saddle just below Willow Peak. After getting warm and changing it over we decided to take Little Willow out as no one had dropped in that side. We made a great choice! The ride was so fun moving through the trees and getting nice powder turns in the glades. We had a fun out as well, as the snow stayed soft and did not set up. Another great day in the Wasatch! Enjoy the video below. Pray 4 Snow!

Little Willow Tour 1_24_16 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Honeycomb Canyon- Big Cottonwood Canyon- 1.21.2016

This winter has been drastically different from last year. We got another good cycle that buried the Wasatch in deep snow. It was the kind of fill in we needed as there were some areas that need some more snow. I made it up Tuesday and got some fun laps in the ultralight that fell overnight. Wednesday I tried to get up the canyon, but the line in the canyon was just so huge I turned around and went home. I noticed that they did not open Honeycomb Canyon. So Thursday morning I headed up and got some nice turns on the frontside as they were doing avalanche control back there. After about two hours ski patrol dropped the rope to Navarone and it was on. They actually groomed Woodlawn better than I have ever seen it. Below is a short edit of one of my runs savoring the supportable snow that was sitting in the shady aspects. There is still some stuff that needs more snow, but if you knew your line you were getting it good. Enjoy the video. This winter party marches on!

Honeycomb Canyon 1_21_16 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Little Willow Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- January 2016

This storm dumped so much snow, and it has stayed so cold, that this snow has stayed well preserved. We decided to head up to the Willows for a line into Little Willow. We started up the road and soon headed west on the summer trail. We made our way to the corner ridge and found a skin track through the trees. After a nice climb with views and some new terrain, we had not seen, we made it to the saddle next to Willow Peak. We made the switch over, then decided it was time to go for a run. We had nice powder through the trees and found some nice glades to carve it up in. Then it was a maze through the trees until we hit the summer trail on the west face. There is some variable snow out there on the exit where the sun had at it, and it made turning a bit difficult. Still an awesome first day of 2016 on the snow. A great day in the mountains with one of my best friends. Enjoy the video. More adventures to come! Pray 4 Snow!

Little Willow Tour 1.3.2016 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.