It didn't take long for the sun to come back out.  Warm afternoon temperatures set up the fresh snow at the end of last week and have caused conditions to deteriorate.  The temps have still be dropping down during the night and so the mountain has been very firm in the mornings.  The heavy skier traffic from presidents day weekend has bumped out some of the terrain.  The conditions ok, but it is a little sad to see it back to spring and hard pack mode.  The sun facing aspects are fun in the afternoon but down right dangerous in the morning.  You don't want to get caught looking for the soft snow too early. 

Although it would be hard to complain about the beautiful sunny weather since wednesday, more snow would be perferable.  Relief is on the way!  A strong system is lining up out of the northwest.  It looks to be cold and is going to come through with a lot of wind.  This storm should drop the best conditions this year.  Unfortunately, there will be a firm layer underneath, so watch out in the backcountry.  Unlike previous storms, it will snow on the bottom of the mountain as well as the top.  I am calling for 3 feet by saturday.