It started really precipitating yesterday after the sun went down.  By night time it was snowing hard at 7000 feet, but raining at lake level.  Temperatures were just above freezing at lake level and remained that way throughout the night.  These type of conditions usually generate feet of snow on the mountain, but we ended up with only about 6-10 inches of the heaviest, wettest snow you can imagine – even by Sierra standards.  The snow turned to rain in some places this morning, thickening up the snow.  The rain did subside by late morning and turned to snow.  Higher elevation resorts like Sugar Bowl and Mount Rose received less rain and more snow.  Although not ideal for skiing, the snow was still fun where you could find clean lines.  It was impossible to avoid getting soaking wet out there today. 

The snow was a perfect base paste which we desperately needed.  There were many natural releases especially on steeper pitches and also control and skier triggered releases.  Because the snow was so heavy it had the effect of pin-wheeling as you skied it or skier cut it.  This made a quick mess of the sloppy snow.  The fresh base coat should re-open a lot of terrain and really set the mountain up for the next storm.  Now we need a topper on that base.  Precipitation should continue throughout the weekend.  There is some colder air coming that might finally deliver us a big dump