Stanley Idaho, Stanley Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce » Ski Report

alturas season ends

ski — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:36:12 +0000

On Wednesday, the last day of March, 2010, the temperature at 8 a.m. was 14 degrees in the upper Sawtooth Valley and the sun was out, shining through a bright blue break in the storm that left over a foot of snow on the trails at Alturas Lake over the last two days. Sadly, we have reached the end of the grooming program for this season. Thanks to all for making it such a nice ski season at Alturas this year…. and see you again next year!

Alturas Trails still good

ski — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:41:45 +0000

On Sunday, the 28th of March the temperature was estimated to be 28 degrees at 9:20 a.m. at the Alturas Lake ski area. Despite a relentless attack by the sun, 17 kilometers of trails are still all intact and continuous with skating and trail touring rated very good. Classic tracks extend to the lake and Over the Hill but are still only rated o.k. at best. It is now apparent that if new snow does not arrive soon, the trails will be retaken by tree wells, sagebrush, stump tops, boulders, dirt patches and fallen trees, He who hesitates may lose a chance to ski these trails one last time, while swift and resolute action may lead to a successful ski adventure.

Alturas… nice and sunny

ski — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:49:02 +0000

On Wednesday, March 24th, the temperature at 8 a.m. was around 8 degrees at the Alturas Lake Ski Area. After an inch of snow blew through on Monday, the trails were all rolled on Tuesday and looked really great for skating. Classic tracks were reset to the lake but looked a bit ill formed and shallow in many areas… not the crisp sharp edged channels, ever so parallel, that thrill the heart of the classic skier. However, the sun is out in a clear blue sky, the redwing blackbirds are singing, and it should be a great day for skiing Alturas. Reportedly, crusty, sunny meadows have been supporting skinny cruisers on their way to the lake, however, large cruisers can expect occasional crust collapse and breakthrough.

Crust cruising Coyote

ski — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:23:08 +0000

On Saturday morning, March 20th, the temperature at 9 a.m. was around 9 degrees at the Alturas Lake ski area and the sun shone brightly from a clear blue sky. Skating lanes are reportedly excellent on all trails, however, classic tracks look shallow, slumped, shaggy and a bit sad. Crust cruising appears to be great for coyotes and other light weight creatures, but skiers weighing over 14 stones are advised to exercise caution in venturing too far from road or trail when the sun reaches the zenith of its powers.

Green Snow at Alturas Lake Ski Area

ski — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:20:42 +0000

On Wednesday, the 17th of March, the temperature at the Alturas Lake ski area was already about 25 degrees by 9 a.m. Trails will be scraped with ginzu knives and the resulting snow duff combed out into a corrugated surface beginning at about 9:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight time today. Conditions are expected to range from somewhat crunchy to pretty much perfect to somewhat mushy as the day progresses.

Alturas Sunday

ski — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:04:28 +0000

On Sunday, the 14th of March, the temperature at 9:30 a.m. mountain daylight time was predicted to be 14 degrees above zero and rising nicely under a calm blue sky at the Alturas Lake ski area. Buffeted by wind and snow yesterday, at times the trails were lost entirely under the wind stroked ridges of sastrugi. Grooming today is expected to begin around 10 a.m. mountain daylight time and continue until everything looks groovy…

Alturas ski trails

ski — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:39:44 +0000

On Thursday, March 11th, the temperature at the Alturas lake ski area had risen to 9 degrees by 9 a.m., after an overnight low of 9 below zero just before the dawn. And that 11th dawn illumined a brilliant blue sky dome with nary a cloud. Oh my gosh, this could be a fab day to ski the 17.6 kilometers of trails that were groomed just yesterday… that is 10.95 miles of joys as confirmed by global positioning satellite

Alturas Lake Ski Trails

ski — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:48:25 +0000

On Tuesday, the 9th of March, the temperature at 10:10 a.m. was about 24 degrees at the Alturas Lake Ski Area. A light snow was falling and we estimate that 2 -5 inches of new snow had accumulated between the highway and the lake since last night. Grooming is scheduled for midday today. Yesterday, trails were given a ginzu treatment to breakup the hard pounded glazed surface left on skating lanes after Sunday’s massive attack by happy skiers attending the 8th annual Sawtooth Ski Festival. A grand success by any standard, happy smiling faces under a memorable sun, everyone looking up and cheering the swans overhead, veering victorious against the bright the blue sky, sour kraut and focaccia, tortellini and cookies… ahhh, but now snow is covering all signs of that good time we had…. and at the Alturas hilltop soup kitchen site, as the snow piles up, two ravens share a last bite of bagette and a good laugh, arrrrrr…. arrrrrrr… thanks to all. Bye now

Park Creek 3/5/10

ski — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:39:46 +0000

Park Creek received a couple of inches of fresh snow the last few of days. Alan has been grooming in the mornings, but with the warm weather the trails are hard packed by the end of the day. The new Ginzugroomer has been put to the test, and is doing well. It is able to chew down into the packed snow and reconstitute it. The weather for Saturday is mostly sunny with a high of 44. The trails should be in good shape for the Poker Run. Festivities get started with the Poker Run at noon, along with some great chili donated by local ski club supporters. A special Thank You goes out to all of you helping out with this annual fundraiser. Enjoy a great ski weekend!

8th Annual Sawtooth Ski Festival

david — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:14:09 +0000

Ski in the Sawtooths!

Grab your skis and head for the hills, it’s time for the 8th Annual Sawtooth Ski Festival!
Mark your calendar for March 6th and 7th 2010, and join us in the Stanley Basin and Sawtooth Valley, where the cross country ski trail systems of Park Creek and Alturas Lake are showcased during the Sawtooth Ski Festival.

The fundraiser begins with the Park Creek Poker Run and Chili Feed on March 6. Festivities kick off at eleven and chili is served from noon until 2 pm. At Park Creek, 7 miles west of Stanley, skiers and snowshoers follow a course, pick up cards at check points and the best poker hand wins new snowshoes from Backwoods Mountain Sports!!! Enjoy a bowl of homemade chili, some cornbread and delicious cookies provided by our volunteer cooks. Spend the day enjoying the incredible trails and stunning views at Park Creek.

At 5:30 pm, Saturday evening, at the Stanley Community Building, a dinner extravaganza is served! Join in the spirited bidding on SILENT AUCTION items while listening to the great Bluegrass music of our favorite local band, Headwaters.

Round out your weekend on Sunday, March 7th, with lunch and social hours at Alturas Lake Ski area. Look for signs that direct you to the hilltop, where another feast and a great party awaits!!! Take part in a trailside “gnome search” and win a ski club vest!

Donations at all events are gratefully accepted, heartily encouraged and truly appreciated!!!

The Sawtooth Ski Club, based in Stanley, Idaho, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality groomed cross country ski trails in the Sawtooth Valley and Stanley Basin. The Sawtooth Ski Club pays for expenses such as machinery, gas, oil, repairs, maintenance and grooming implements, as well as matching grants for some of the grooming costs. Membership dues are extremely affordable, so fundraising is an essential part of having groomed, protected ski trails in this remarkable area. We appreciate your kind support. If you can’t attend and wish to send a donation, the address is Sawtooth Ski Club, PO Box 224, Stanley, Idaho, 83278. Thank you! Call Karen at 774-3487 for more information. See you there!