It’s safe to say Tenaya will never be an avalanche dog. I woke up this morning to my Australian shepherd cowering in the corner and shaking like an Aspen leaf as The Canyons’ bombs rumbled in the distance.

Snow finally flushed from the sky last night leaving a skiff on my driveway (not enough yet for the Ariens to chew) but apparently six to eight inches on ski trails. A strong, moist pacific storm system will be over northern Utah through tonight with another one clawing at its back for New Year’s Eve. Snowfall rates are generally 1 to 2 inches/hour. Densities are around 10 percent (that’s wet for Utah) but should lighten up by the weekend. The avalanche danger is rapidly rising, and since many avi accidents occur on days like these, let’s stay out of the backcountry, People!

I had the most amazing afternoon at DV. The crowds exodused (?) around noon because of the storm and my client and I skied the deep trees from 2-4 p.m. with nary another pair of skis in sight. Yes, it was better than sex! Time to hop a quickie flight to Utah. You won't be sorry.

Mo' Snow

I write again in time to tell you that the now stable avi conditions are about to pull a 180. My weather source, let's call him Deep Snow, swears we may not see a sunny day until Jan. 10! The storms roll in tonight. You know those rains that are flooding L.A.? Well, we 're waiting.....
I'm into day five of Deer Valley teaching. WE NEED NEW SNOW!!!! the over-groomed groomers are close to shoing blue ice by 4 p.m. and all of DV's snowblowing efforts go to hell by midday after thousands of skidders push the manmade off to the sides. Stick to off-piste when it gets raw like this. I have my fingers crossed that I can stop complaining by tomorrow night. Did I mention that the morning cordouroy is saweet till 10 a.m.?
Hope Santa brought you loads of fun toys you can play with this winter. I got a chiller pair of moon boots from DC shoes called the Chalet, a new alarm clock cause I can't wake up for work- ever, and new, rad Obermeyer ski clothes. oh and I also got a job DJing part-time for The Blaze. Tune in on the weekends the next time you're in Salt Lake : 94.9 FM. I'm Nikki Vann!

Backcountry ? Not

The avi's are going off right now. After the major dumpage last week, we got hit with a heavy wet storm. Now everything is sliding, people are dying and it's just plain not safe to strike out past those gates in the Wasatch. The danger is beginning to subside but check with the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center reports before you go. Maybe my lameass ex-roommate, however, blows off those reports and gets lost. Hmmm. Naw, bad Karma. He'll get his. You see, I came home from dinner last week and he had cleared out, despite signing a one-year lease - still owing $700! No warning whatsoever. I had seen him at least three times that day and not a word about being unhappy or needing to move. He couldn't summon the guts to face me and admit he's one of those deadbeat ski bums- no job, no money and no spine. Beware the ski town roommate sitch, Folks. You have to have five before you find a keeper. And, yes, Small Claims Court is calling. :)

The Snow Keeps Coming!

30 Inches in 24 hours. That was the report for Alta by Sunday morning. I finally got word that my new Ariens snowblower is ready for pick-up! It couldn't have come sooner as my roommates are tired of butt surfing trying to shovel my driveway and there's allegedly another storm whopper heading towards us Sunday. I'm heading up to the bird this afternoon, the canyons tomorrow, dv on sat. and snowbasin on sunday. Ankle's still a little sore but gotta make the rounds! Anyone have advice on quick healing? I don't want to be a slacker all winter because of pain.