Lookout

[kinpa]

LOOKOUT OPENS TOMORROW!

I'll be there on Sunday.... anyone care to join me? Schweitzer gang? Steve P? Anyone? Anyone? I think most of the front is supposed to be open. Discounted tickets, I think. I'm sooooooo ready for a new season!

[b0ardski]

I'd love to hit Lookout sunday but the empty wallet will keep me from enjoying the balmy weather.
<table width="100%" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top" align="center"><td width="11%">Tonight

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn80.jpg
Snow

Lo 20 °F</td><td width="11%">Friday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn80.jpg
Snow

Hi 27 °F</td><td width="11%">Friday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn50.jpg
Chance
Snow
Lo 16 °F</td><td width="11%">Saturday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn70.jpg
Snow
Likely
Hi 18 °F</td><td width="11%">Saturday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn50.jpg
Chance
Snow
Lo 7 °F</td><td width="11%">Sunday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn20.jpg
Slight Chc
Snow
Hi 9 °F</td><td width="11%">Sunday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn60.jpg
Snow
Likely
Lo 5 °F</td><td width="11%">Monday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn70.jpg
Snow
Likely
Hi 5 °F</td><td width="11%">Monday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn50.jpg
Chance
Snow
Lo -3 °F</td></tr></tbody></table>

[kinpa]

I'd love to hit Lookout sunday but the empty wallet will keep me from enjoying the balmy weather.
<table width="100%" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="top" align="center"><td width="11%">Tonight

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn80.jpg
Snow

Lo 20 °F</td><td width="11%">Friday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn80.jpg
Snow

Hi 27 °F</td><td width="11%">Friday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn50.jpg
Chance
Snow
Lo 16 °F</td><td width="11%">Saturday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn70.jpg
Snow
Likely
Hi 18 °F</td><td width="11%">Saturday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn50.jpg
Chance
Snow
Lo 7 °F</td><td width="11%">Sunday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn20.jpg
Slight Chc
Snow
Hi 9 °F</td><td width="11%">Sunday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn60.jpg
Snow
Likely
Lo 5 °F</td><td width="11%">Monday

http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/sn70.jpg
Snow
Likely
Hi 5 °F</td><td width="11%">Monday
Night
http://forecast.weather.gov/images/wtf/nsn50.jpg
Chance
Snow
Lo -3 °F</td></tr></tbody></table>

wow... thanks... that kinda puts a damper on my excitement :eek: but the weather reports are always wrong anyway

[b0ardski]

First turns of the season are always good, just bundle up and be ready.
Hot hands & toasty toes packs with frequent hot chocolate stops will still make for a happy day, and the the temps may keep the pent up powder hounds to a reasonable number:biggthump

[Steve Prokopiw]

First turns of the season today;soft and semi dry snow was outstanding for opening day!Wish I could ride with you Kathy but Evan's 7th birthday is Saturday and my last cyclocross race of the season is Sunday,but you'll love it!

[kinpa]

Nice, Steve.... thanks for the update! I'm home after working today and trying to get myself and my 9 year old packed for tomorrow. (the little one gets to stay home with his dad, but he's 3 1/2 now so time to get him going on the skis!) The first day is always good no matter what.... and if I can avoid rocks and not freeze, even better!

[kinpa]

I guess all I can say is SURVIVED! (why does it have to hurt so much on the first day? Maybe a nice warm bath will work some wonders)

[Steve Prokopiw]

Snow conditions felt like mid season .Rode the face on the Diablo and of course the groomed and it was sweet!

[kinpa]

Did you guys here about the plans to expand Lookout? It's a 20 million dollar / 20 year project! Looks pretty nice! There are some maps up in the lodge, I think. They plan to add another base area too. Should be interesting. Don't know where I'll be 20 years from now, but I've very much enjoyed Lookout the past 4 years I've been there and hope to stick around!

[mark pinch]

We were up Saturday for a grand start to a fantastic season. We have already had more snow in Spokane in the month of November then we did all last winter. I saw the exp:cool:ansion plans. I worry that they are going to get more and more short runs with minimal verticle. Wish they would think about relocating one to two miles north or south of I-90 where there is potential for at least 2.000 ft/ of verticle. The snow is the best. With freeway access, they could compete really will with all areas including Schweitzer.

[kinpa]

I drive over two hours to get there (south of Missoula) because we like it there as a family mountain. This will be my 4th year there as an instructor. I just worry that it's going to become too "resort" and loose the family atmosphere. I don't know.... 20 years is a long time to get used to changes, so I guess I'll be ok.

Kathy

[kinpa]

one word...... RAIN :confused: (really?)

[kinpa]

Anyone going to be up to Lookout this weekend? I've got the next three days planned of riding.... tomorrow at Lost Trail (on the other Montana / Idaho border), then Sunday and Monday at Lookout. Hopefully if it isn't too busy with lessons I'll get to make a few turns!

Kathy

[kinpa]

Steve, thanks for the runs on Sunday. Always a pleasure to catch up with another hardbooter for a few runs!

[kinpa]

Lookout was awesome yesterday! Blue skies, sun, and SNOW!!! (don't forget about the awesome grooming too) When I first arrived, they were faced with the dilema of getting the snow off the roof... two cats, a big rope, ladder, several workers, and lots of spectators! I think they had to resort to shovels and it looks like the only snow removed was what was near the edge. Check out this article: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_9c003a7c-4620-11e0-8d84-001cc4c03286.html

But alas, the sun brings out everyone and I was busy teaching all day.... but the 12 groomer tracks wide on Bonanza kept teasing me all day and by the time I got to it, the ruts from the race course that were set up was a little too much for my tired legs to deal with. Oh well.... still a great day at the mountain!

[kinpa]

Closing day on Sunday..... don't know who's going to be around, but the snow has still been great! Yeah, it gets a little on the soft side by lunch, but still a lot of fun.

I'll be up with the kids. I guess most of my riding buddies are heading north to Whitefish for their closing day, but if anyone is around, let me know. (Evan?)

[kinpa]

my last day on snow was Sunday..... spent the day with my kids... AWESOME!!!! my little guy (just turned 4 at the end of March) is getting so much better on his skiis... and my 9 year old daughter was happy to push and pull him around! I guess the power wedges on my skiis when he was in the harness didn't agree with me too awlful much.... SORE hip the next morning... and I thought it was going to be the knee instead! but even a little pain is ok.... it's all worth it with the kids!