March 27, 2007

Huge day in the zone yesterday...417 runs total in some of the best snow the Chugach has ever seen!  Phenomenal.  Photos coming later today when we get back from both yesterday and today!

March 24, 2007

March 22, 2007

9:30 AM

Good morning to you! Its currently snowing dollar bill sized snow flakes, heavily here at base. Over the last 24 hours we have had a good amount of snow fall in the zone. Here at the PNH base we have had a mix of snow and rain with heavy snow currently falling. Local forecast is calling for 3-6 inches here at base today. I am guessing there is going to be at very least a foot of new snow in the zone but we will have to wait and see until tomorrow...as it looks like a fly day for Friday! Things are shaping up nice for the crew coming in this weekend! Here are some photos from yesterday and this morning with our faithful mechanic, Spoon Man cleaning off the heli's...Check back...Quinner

March 21, 2007

March 15, 2007

March 14, 2007

8:00 AM

Big snows and huge winds....quite the combo on us today....

The snow has finally calmed down a bit, but the wind around south central AK this am is howling. Current winds are hovering around 40mph with higher gusts making for blowing snow and un-flyable conditions this am. The current WX forecast is projecting partly cloudy skies for today through the weekend with high winds through this evening. Temps here at base are hovering around 10 degrees F, with a wind chill of -10 F. Its cold out. Mt. Eyak is opening up for us today so everyone will at least be skiing again today. The local ski area Mt. Eyak is all time as of now with all the new snow we have had here. Stay tuned for more this afternoon...KQ

March 13, 2007

3:00 PM

Still dumping...Here are a few shots from last night and today...over a foot plus of new snow on the heli pad and still coming down heavy...winds have increased quite a bit as well...Check back...

9:30 AM

The snow continues to fall heavy here at the PNH base with over 8 inches on the heli pad overnight. Yesterday everyone woke up to a foot of new snow with party cloudy skies. As the day grew longer the sun over town began to shine through the clouds and the zone closed out on us. 1PM everyone headed for the local chair lift. I think the photos speak for themselves. Needless to say, we had a lot of new snow and smiles were abundant! Today is more of the same with deep powder shots awaiting us in the back yard. Current forecast is calling for Blizzard warning to subside by mid day. The rest of the week looks hopeful as a new low moves in from the north and the current stationary low in the gulf gets pushed south. Its currently snowing silver dollars out front and we are expecting a lot of new snow in the mountains. The winds are supposed to pick back up for a day or so, but I will hope that they stay down below warning levels. Temps are to fall again as well so we will wait and see what happens with stability. Check back in this afternoon as I will put another update up tonight after snorkeling around in the backyard today...Quinner

March 11, 2007

March 9, 2007

All groups launched early into the zone today! Yesterday was a really fun day as we ventured into the zone with a blanket of new snow and made almost 40 runs. The wind let us get out and poke around. We still have the hard layer out there however, we did find some good skiing. See the photos... We are not skiing steep terrain as of yet due to stability issues however it is good skiing and riding. My thoughts are with those that pulled the plug early...You just never know what you going to get in Alaska. The weather man was predicting snow showers and partly cloudy conditions and here we have 1 little Homer Simpson cloud on us...I guess that does mean its party cloudy...My belief, and I have said this many times, I think they just sit back, drink there wine and flip a coin, heads its sunny, tails its cloudy...Anyhow, the forecast still shows some unsettled weather for us through the next week. Temps have warmed a bit and the wind is not really an issue today. We do need snow, but the skiing is good so we are not complaining. It has just not shaped up to be the "classic Chugach" as of yet. Like they say, if you don't like the current conditions, wait 12 hours...That's AK!!...Quinner

March 8, 2007

7:00 PM

11:15 AM

We are firing! The skies have just cleared and all 7 groups are headed into the zone...
Stay tuned...

9:00 AM

We are very hopeful at getting out today to see what mother nature has left us. With around a foot of new snow in the back yard we are thinking the fly zone will be good. We got the re-set button we needed, now we need clear skies.

It has just started to snow again now and it is cold outside. Our concern is that all this new snow has zero moisture in it, meaning that we could see a lot of activity when we do get out. We are not skiing steep terrain at all until conditions improve. Our third aircraft arrived yesterday and we are ready. A new batch of guests are inbound for Saturday and my fingers are crossed for them.

Current Wx has a stationary low sitting on us through the weekend with cold temps. The wind is down for now and I am hoping that it will stay that way but we will see. The forecast has the winds back in the zone later today so again....we will wait and see. Everyone got out to the local ski area yesterday and several others went ice climbing. Check back soon for another update. Quinner

March 6, 2007

Its snowing in the zone!! Snows have finally arrived and we are hoping that it continues for a bit. We need it! The snow started to fall last night just after our guest Alistair started his naked snow dance at the Reluctant fisherman. Needless to say after the escapade the bell started to ring and continued to ring until the early hours of morning. Its noon now and I have still not seen anyone up this morning. The snow is falling so I will let them sleep in today. Tomorrow will be an early one if the skies clear...WX for now is snow. Temps are a bit warmer and the wind is down. Forecast shows snow in the area for the next 48 hours. I can hear the Indians warming up their drums in the zone. It could be spooky out there when it clears...Check back in for updates...Quinner

March 5, 2007

March 2, 2007

The wind is blowing itself out here soon! With windy conditions the past week, it looks as though it is finally coming to an end this weekend. The first part of the week has snow showers and that means a whole new blanket in the zone. Our fingers are crossed....Wind chills have been around -20 below F in the zone. Warmer temps are on the horizon with snow so lets see if it transpires. Overall, everyone is anxiously awaiting for a new week to start! We have been getting out a bit to ice climb in protected areas, but the wind chill is cold. Donna the massage girl has been busy...This weekend my good buddy Johnny Alamo shows up. With a name like that, he has to be bringing good luck! Check back soon...Quinner

March 1, 2007

Howling winds today. Valdez, Thompson Pass and the Copper River Delta are to reach extreme high wind warnings today. Currently blowing 45 mph on the ground here with higher gusts. The forecast is calling for winds up around 95 mph today and continuing through Saturday morning. The good news is that we have snow on the way for the weekend making a new blanket in the zone. We cant wait for it to come. Everyone had 5-7 runs in the zone yesterday and wind buff conditions. For those of you arriving this Saturday, bring your carving ski's as the glacier is smooth and fast. You will want a smaller ski in the event the snow does not come. Also, the ice climbing around the facility is going off. Current temp here at base is +2 degrees F. Wind chill is down around -20 F. I would encourage you to bring your ice gear (crampons) if you have them. Here are a few pictures from yesterday. Check back soon as I will continue to update you on the current weather and conditions...Its going to get warmer and snow is coming this weekend...Quinner