Heavy winds preceded the storm and it finally arrived early Thursday morning.  It snowed heavily Thursday often producing two inches an hour.  Blowing winds and limited visibility shutdown most lifts on Thursday.  The storm delivered over two feet of snow by Friday morning.  Light snow showers continued throughout the day Friday, but generally visibility was good and the skiing was outstanding.  It was without question the deepest snow we have seen all year.  Face shots were a plenty!  There were areas of heavy wind loading and pockets of waist deep snow could be found.  Some ridge tops and slopes that had no snow to begin with were a bit wind scoured, but for the most part the coverage is great.  The snow fell on top of a firm layer and so steeper zones did experience naturally and patrol triggered slides, but the slide damage was minimal considering how prevalent that firm layer was.  It was very hard to find the firm layer underneath when skiing.  The snow was fairly light and great for skiing, but still wet enough that it should bond reasonable well.  The resorts farther from the sierra crest didn’t make out quite as well.  Mt. Rose, the big loser this year, received only about a foot of snow.  The chutes are still closed.  Nevertheless no one is complaining.  This storm was the perfect topping on the base glue that came last week. 

Today was the best day of the season.  The good news is that it shouldn’t hold that record for long.  The storm door is open and tomorrow afternoon the next segment should arrive.  Monday might then take the title or Wednesday might win out from the storm lining up after that.  We might turn this season around yet.  For now, conditions are great and are only looking to get better.