The Little Snowpack That Could
Despite limited snowfall, several weather phenomena have combined to create some of the best cross country skiing conditions in Bear Valley this winter. What lacks in quantity and kilometers of open trails is superseded by the top-notch quality of the 25 open kilometers.
This shallow but dense and durable snowpack is from the snow and rain events during the first half of the Christmas holidays, followed by colder-than-normal temperatures and copious amounts of wind. Three major wind events barreled out of the north, forcing us to close on two separate days. When staff cannot stand upright at the trailhead, it's time to throw in the towel. Knocked down trees, piles of pine cones, needles, and branches deposited onto the trails. Typically, we cut trees into sections, push them aside with a snowcat, and proceed as usual. However, given the thin snowpack and no storms in the long-range weather forecasts, we initiated an aggressive trail-cleaning program.
The goal was to remove as much debris as possible before grooming and reopening a trail. We hosted two "Flash Trail Work Days" on short notice and outfitted more than 15 people with leaf racks and blowers. The results were remarkable. Many thanks to these "Trail Angels," who raked and cleared trails; we could not have done this without your help.
The wind also glazed and buffed the snow into a hard, icy surface, which is less than ideal for skiing. Fortunately, we have a secret grooming weapon: The Renovator. This aggressive implement replaces the blade at the front of the snowcat, which rips up the ice with sharp metal teeth before being processed by the tiller at the rear. The result is cold, chalky corduroy and chiseled tracks, which is every cross country skier's dream. Just when you think the skiing is bad, The Renovator delivers a product that exceeds expectations.
It's now the end of January, and this article is being written as another weather phenomenon is heading our way: Atmospheric River. Nobody knows precisely what weather lies ahead, but BVAC will "give it the old college try" and deliver the best experience possible in our winter wonderland. Cheers!
