Opening Day is This Friday!
It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for and I’m happy to be the one to share it!
We got 9″ of base-area snow since Thursday, which means we will have just enough snow to prep our slopes for opening this Friday, December 14th.
It’s been an extremely odd year for preseason snow. We have a whopping 60″ on the summit, and barely 12″ in the base area.
That means Opening Day could look a little different than what you’re used to.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Thanks to another 8″ of fresh snow, we know FOR SURE that we will open 100% of our terrain with at least 4 of our 5 chairlifts running Friday, including the Bear Chair. All of our primary runs have been groomed at least once this week, most of them twice. See you Friday!
WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE:
We know for sure that we have enough snow to open the BlueBird Quad, Lakeview Lift and Easy Street on Friday.
Main Street, looking up from ‘the flat’.
As these photos show, the upper two-thirds to three-quarters of the mountain have excellent coverage and even a nice topping of powder.
Alpine, looking up from the saddle
Super lucky slope tester, near where Alpine & Sidewinder meet.
I couldn’t make it back to Lakeview to bring you any photos, but our hearty hikers and mountain crews tell me it looks fantastic…mid-winter fantastic. And check out how much snow is up at the top of the Bluebird:
Top of BlueBird
The lower part of Main Street does have a thin cover in places, so if these twigs intimidate you, you will want to take it slow.
Lower Main Street, heading toward the base area
(The last pitch of Alpine is likely to be in similar condition.)
Still, we know for sure that our skiers and riders are eager to get up there and enjoy this!
WHAT WE WON’T KNOW FOR SURE UNTIL LATER THIS WEEK:
We don’t know yet if we’ll be able to run the Bear Chair or Centennial. The thinnest snow of all is at the base of these two lifts. As you can see, it’s pretty hairy down there.
Base of Centennial
Bottom of Centennial, looking up
Some of the runs on the lower 300-400 feet of the mountain may remain closed, as well. (The slopes in question are those off the Bear Chair and the lower parts of 45th and Temptation, Sensation, Celebration, etc.)
The good news is that there is a chance of some more fresh snow – Pinpoint Forecast – and that could make a difference on those lower slopes.
We will bring you an update by Thursday to let you know exactly what you can expect for Friday’s opening day. But if what I saw on the upper mountain is any indication, confident skiers and riders have a lot to be excited about.
- April
December 10th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
The only thing that I can think to respond to this news is yes, yes, yes, swoooosh, powder,go,go,go, now!! Must ski, ski, ski!!!!I think I need to take a seditive…..YEAAAAAAA BABY!!!!!
December 10th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!! It is no longer possible to study for my finals tomorrow
December 10th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Study hard then reward yourself with a weekend on the slopes!
December 10th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Are you excited or something, Scott?
December 10th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Is it wrong for me to pick boarding at Brundage over my granddaughter’s 2nd birthday party???????
December 10th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Hi Terri – You may be asking the wrong forum for solid advice on this one. I’m pretty sure the blogwatchers would go for the ski day. You could always write “Happy Birthday” in the snow and text a photo to someone attending the party to show her. : )
December 10th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
April,
Great news! Is this a ‘soft’ opening or will you be open next week (during the week) as well?
Shawn
December 10th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Better get the Lakeview area posted along the bottom cat track, there was evidence of sled high marking way up on Kickback yesterday. Last season the sleds were all over the OoB back area for the first couple of weeks before the signs were put up.
December 10th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Hi Shawn – yes, we plan to be open daily from Friday on.
December 10th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
i am so excited all i can think about is skiing!!!! All i can say now is i hope we get a good storm so that we can have some more coverage on the lower 1\3 of the mountain. But any opening conditions are better than no opening conditions!!
December 10th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Any lift ticket specials for beginning season opening?!
December 10th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Scott you lucky bastard getting the first offical runs in!
December 10th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Lakeview should be “OK” since it is about 500 feet higher at the base than the “Bird” and the southern exposure really doesn’t affect it until later on in the year. I’ve been more than mildly surprised with the excellent conditions on Lakeview over the years.
Can’t wait!
December 10th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
How much will opening day cost? Will there be a discount cause not everything will be open?
December 10th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
YAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
AHHHH! the frustration of not knowing when I can get my mother to drive me!
December 10th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Yippee! Looks like the upper mountain is off the hook! See you this weekend!!
December 11th, 2012 at 12:56 am
Winter Break and ready for the sloooooopes!!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!! More snow pleeeeaaaase!!!
December 11th, 2012 at 5:36 am
Terri, bring her with you. My duaghter is 4 and this will be her first year. Looking forward to getting up there this winter. By far the best place to ski in Idaho.
December 11th, 2012 at 6:25 am
Lift tickets will be full price but each person who purchases a ticket opening weekend will get a coupon for $15 off a future visit.
December 11th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Terri- She’s 2. It’s not like she’s going to remember you weren’t there anyway!
Very excited! We won’t be able to make it up until the week between Christmas and New Year’s, but we’ll be there the whole week!
Right now, with so much bare ground showing at Bogus, looks like we’ll be making the drive to Brundage a lot this year.
December 11th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Brundage Mtn and the snow there are far better than any other resorts north and south of McCall! Hands down, I will always be faithful to my favorite mtn Brundage!! Whoopieeeee! SNOW!! SKIING!!!!!!! And Thanks April, for always keeping us abreast of the snow situation!!
December 11th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Thanks, Katie! You know we love our loyal skiers and riders!
December 11th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Do any shuttles run from McCall to Brundage?
December 12th, 2012 at 7:30 am
My 13 year old son has been giving us snow level updates one snowflake at a time since mid Nov. Thank you! Thank you! for opening!
December 12th, 2012 at 8:34 am
Hi Dominic – Shore Lodge runs a shuttle from McCall to Brundage for its guests.
December 12th, 2012 at 8:57 am
I’m 15 and been giving my parents updates since early September!!!!
December 12th, 2012 at 9:24 am
Coming down for a 5-day vacation on the 19th of this month. It is our first time to Brundage. Can’t wait to start skiing again and really looking forward to visiting your mountain. Sure hope that there’s enough snow so that we can experience all of it. See you in a few days.
December 12th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Fantastic news, and it is snowing. Holly, her girls, and I are excited about an opening earlier than last year. Our thanks to all of the mountain crew and others at Brundage for working so hard to make this a reality. YIPPEEEE!
December 12th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Thanks everyone! The six-seven inches we got overnight should make a big difference, too!
December 13th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Yaay!! Hope to hit the slopes sat. or sun. opening wknd…can’t wait!! I’m getting my gear READY…
December 13th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
You have no idea psyched I am making openning day here.i live in jersey( what’s left of it) momentous