First Day at Brighton

Alder and I started our 2011-12 ski & snowboard season today at Brighton. We got a late start and rolled into the lot about 10:15 which resulted in a 3rd row parking spot. On a normal Saturday the lot would have been almost full, but given the lack of snow (relatively speaking), and the resulting limited terrain that's open for riding, we are still very much in the pre-season.

I had set my expectations really low, so was pleasantly surprised with the good condition of the groomers. Coverage was good, the surface was firm without being icy, and all of the traditional groomed runs were open off of the Explorer, Majestic, Crest, and Snake Creek lifts so what little traffic there was on the mountain was widely dispersed.

Venturing off the groomed runs quickly revealed how thin the snowpack really is with a multitude of rocks, branches, and vegetation waiting to bite your bases.