Snow King

[two_ravens]

So we are told that operations passed from Snow King Resort to a non profit called Friends of Snow King on May 1, and that the Land Trust will be buying 35 acres at the base and deeding it to the non profit. Summer lift service just started up (originally they weren't going to run this summer) so that is a good sign. No word yet on pass prices, hours/days of operation or anything else for next winter, so we'll just have to wait and see.....

[martyagt4]

Thats great news. Hope it works out for them, be a shame to lose the place.

[jp1]

Hopefully

[two_ravens]

And the bad news is.... apparently the ink was not as dry on that deal as they made it sound. Snow King Resort took back operations of the hill this summer, the non-profit group dissolved, and now the entire resort is up for sale. Snow King says they plan to operate the hill this winter, but are hinting that hours/days/services may be scaled back. That would suck, as the grooming budget was already cut by 50% last year. Doubt it will get any better for next season.....

As for SkES, the future is uncertain. Advance bookings are down, and the organizers aren't sure about taking on the monumental task of putting the event on for yet another year. Given the likelihood of abysmal conditions at the King next season, there is some talk of changing the format a bit - maybe turn it into a Wydaho "Power of Four" event that takes the participants to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee and Kelly Canyon as well as the fabled King. Perhaps the updated format will spark some renewed interest....?

[martyagt4]

Well. Poo. That's a bummer.

[oldvolvosrule]

I maybe able to make the Targhee and Kelly's days. I can stay with my sis in Ririe.

[two_ravens]

I maybe able to make the Targhee and Kelly's days. I can stay with my sis in Ririe.

Oh my gosh! That would double the usual attendance!!!! Not sure how we'll handle the crowds, but we'll find a way. And give a shout if you're ever in the neighborhood...

[two_ravens]

Yay, the King isn't dead! Long live the King! The hill opened on time, Sat Dec 10. I arrived at the lift 1 minute before the opening bell, and there were actually 3 people already in line ahead of me!!! A respectable crowd, considering it was 5 below, with only 1 lift going and 2 runs open.... Have to say I do like the vibe at the King though - there was one alpine skier, one telemarker, one softbooter, and me on my Coiler Stubette. I'd say that's a nice representation of the the snow sliding sports!

(BTW - they lowered pass prices to only $149 to try to drum up interest. Worked well, they doubled season pass sales. Guess that explains the massive lift line!!)

[caspercarver]

Good to hear. How is the grooming? I talked to Kohl and he said they hired a good groomer. I have some time off next week i might be try to make a run or two.

[two_ravens]

Hey Casper - good to hear you'll be getting out on a board! Knees must be recovering well???

The grooming has been good, though limited. Still just Lane 7 and Cougar open for carving, but they've just been grooming 1 run each night - I think they're still trying to get the tube park shaped up. Hoping they'll groom BOTH runs after they get that open (is that really too much to ask? Really?!?!?) The snow has been firm, but really quite stellar for manmade stuff.

Sad, but it looks like I may not ride at all this week - headed out of town Wed early, and may have too much to do to get out on Tues. :-( But you might try to get Snow King Dave to make a run or two - he's threatening to get on a board again this season.

Cheers!

[monodude]

I will be @ Snow King Sunday & Monday A.M. Prolly ridin' the Virus Skis. Maybe Mono, maybe Skwal. Spyder coat red/black/white... black pants, red helmet. I use poles with anything I ride.

Don A.K.A. Monodude

Feed the addiction...

[two_ravens]

Looks like I may not have to work Sunday, so could come out for a few laps in the morning. (I'll know my schedule for sure Sat night.... yeah, love how they do the scheduling at my job. ) The King isn't open Mondays this year, unless they're doing it just for Christmas week....???

I'll be looking much like my avatar photo, have a new jacket but it's the same shade of yellow.

[monodude]

They are running on Monday the 26TH. I can ride until around noon on Monday. New Spyder wrong size. Karbon coat same red/white/black.
Long red hair.
Don
Feed the addiction...

[two_ravens]

Hey Don, just got confirmation that I am off on Sunday. So I'll see you tomorrow! I'll be at the Cougar triple chair 10 am. A couple hours Monday a.m. sounds good too.

Cheers!
Kelly

[caspercarver]

I went to the king yesterday morning. The manmade snow mixed with the little bit of snow we did get was pretty good. The snow is pretty abrasive so choose the right wax, my board would barely move. The grooming was quite smooth, they have a new groomer and Brandon is back grooming! I only made two runs, the knees were pretty shaky and not much strength.

[monodude]

Well my poor ol' back says I shoudn't have dug in so hard on the first day in two months. (not hurt just don't want to be). Good to ride with Kelly, glad you knew which runs were best. Maybe next weekend...

Don

Feed the addiction...

[two_ravens]

Hey Don, very cool to dig a few trenches with you! Today the snow was a bit funky anyway with warm overnight temps and little grooming - you hit it on the good day! Have fun, hope to catch you up there again sometime.

Casper, sorry you had a rough time with the snow - yeah, between manmade abrasiveness and cold temps, the right wax really helps. I mostly use a Dominator wax that's good to -20. Really hard stuff, so difficult to melt or scrape, but it usually works pretty well. Take care of those knees - will be great to see you back on your game soon!

[monodude]

I'm coming up tomorrow, (saturday), to ride Snow King for a few hours. Coming up on Sunday afternoon to stay for a couple of days. Prolly riding with a friend from England at Jackson Hole. We'll be on Mono's. In case you're curious come out and play with us...

Don

Feed the addiction...

[two_ravens]

Don, sorry it looks like I'll probably miss you. No riding for me today (Sat.) I will be out (on the King of course) for about 1.5 hrs tomorrow (Sun) and work ALL day Monday. I expect to be riding Tues morning, if you're still in the valley then.... Have fun at the Village.

[monodude]

coming up for a Sunday ride tomorrow. Anybody around ? Prolly on the Coda Mono.

Don

Feed the addiction...

[two_ravens]

Have to work all day.

Have fun - wish I could see you on the Mono - very cool!

[two_ravens]

My address is often misspelled as "Smoking Ave." instead of Snow King - and that may be the more accurate name. I'm 3 blocks outside of the official evacuation advisory area......


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=8997

[two_ravens]

A photo from last night - from across the valley, looking at Snow King.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...5872740&type=1

[two_ravens]

More photos. #8 shows the LOTOJA bike race in progress as they pass the start of the fire. To add to the insanity, my dad and I were driving by this with a trailer load of old wood from a fence we had torn down, just as the fire was starting to run up the mountain and packs of bikes everywhere, plus all their support vehicles (206 mile race.) A few miles down the road we were stopped at a bridge - a cyclist had swerved to miss a pot hole and went off the bridge. First responders needed a backboard and ripped into our load of wood to find something suitable to stabilize him to get him out of the river. Sadly, the cyclist did not survive. Crazy, crazy day.....

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...8960420&type=1

http://www.planetjh.com/news/A_108704.aspx

[Michelle]

Wow Kelly.....are you still there or did you evacuate? That's really scary! Too close for comfort! Sending you wishes of the wind blowing in the opposite direction of you!

Keep us posted!! and stay safe!

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

[two_ravens]

Bryan, thanks for embedding the photos and especially the video about the cyclist - what a senseless tragedy. The surface on that bridge has been in horrible shape for years - I bet they get it fixed now, but so awful that someone had to die.

Fire crews did a superb job yesterday holding the line in spite of almost worst weather conditions possible. Communication towers on top of Snow King are still standing, though still in danger.

Michelle, Rabbit and the chickens and I all moved out last Thursday, the only things I have left in Jackson are the house itself and a few tools. House move is now scheduled for Thursday this week. I'll post up about that later when I have some time, since it was SkES house after all....

http://www.planetjh.com/news/A_108712.aspx

[two_ravens]

Town still safe, for now... Only 10% contained, 2,700 acres, and about 1/2 mile from triggering an evacuation. Rabbit and I are safe, just my house is potentially in danger now.

Links to a rather dramatic photo and the latest news update.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...levant_count=1

http://jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=9000

[Michelle]

wish I could send some of the rain we just got here. Sending positive vibes instead

[two_ravens]

Cool photo of the fire taken yesterday afternoon (9/12.) The part that is worrisome isn't so much the top center & right where all the smoke is, but the upper left that is currently pretty quiet. Throughout the region the prevailing winds come out of the west (bottom right corner) but in Cache Creek Canyon the prevailing winds come out of the east - straight toward town. So they've been hitting that area really hard with retardant and water. At this point I don't think the town itself is really in too much danger, but hot dry windy weather is predicted for the weekend, so it could possibly get away from them again. And all the communications towers on the top of Snow King are still potentially in harm's way...