The week started with a bit of fresh snow, but it wasn't quite able to make up for the thaw damage of the previous week. On Tuesday, all was right with the world again: lots of fresh snow and brilliantly cold late winter conditions. On Wednesday, the weather was glorious and it was backcountry time again, although the avalanche situation didn't allow any slopes steeper than 30 degrees. We had two great descents, but then the situation got too dicey:
The heat and too many unsuspecting Japanese and also a few powder tourists who were riding down the same slopes without any equipment and without knowing what they were doing, putting themselves and us in danger.
We even met a Canadian who took a snowboarder who could barely stand upright on the board without any equipment and when we asked him about it he actually said it was super stable at the moment and therefore ZERO risk, his snowboarding partner would go first and he could dig her out in an emergency, even if she didn't even have an avalanche transceiver. Luckily, after I made this statement, my colleague firmly got me into the car and closed the door straight away, otherwise my words would probably have been way below the belt. Being the generally calm person that I am, I have a hard time digesting such arguments and in this rare case I become extremely direct... We retreated into the woods for another hour before the weather finally got too warm. After all, the conditions were perfect for a cold beer on the sunny terrace.
Thursday was my last day in Japan. I didn't want to ski anymore and spent a leisurely day packing, having a farewell dinner and saying goodbye. This was probably not the right decision, as the boys thought the 15 cm of fresh snow was pretty good and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Well, you can't always win and almost 60 days on the boards is enough, especially as there were still a few days to go in Salt Lake City.
The long Friday: departure, crossing the International Date Line and arrival in Salt Lake City on the same day after 29 hours of traveling. Reunion with Jay, Steve and Ron - the old gang like every year.
Saturday, a day that will go down in the history of my snowsafaris! Not like January 27th, with 10 out of 10 possible points, no, quite the opposite: a maximum of 1 out of 10, although Jay still insists today that this is completely exaggerated and 0.5 out of 10 or less would be more appropriate. Ice, 1 cm of sticky fresh snow on top and just nasty. Definitely one of the worst days of skiing of my life - if not the worst.
On Sunday there was another 25 cm of fresh snow and the conditions in the Solitude ski resort were great.
Monday was the last day of my trip this year. What a finale! Knee to waist-deep powder and the super light snow splashed in your face with every turn. What more could you want? Ron, an old friend and now ski patroller in the Brighton area, had asked me if we should go on a private tour. An offer I couldn't refuse.
Tuesday was the departure to China, where I arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening and then celebrated the annual closing party, went shopping and enjoyed lots of good food with friends until Sunday.
This brings the 12th long winter trip to an end. It was a brilliant time with conditions that couldn't have been more different. A brilliant start followed by the powder day of all powder days, the day on which my powder snow history was rewritten and was simply legendary with 10 out of 10 points. The memories of that day still evoke feelings in me today that are simply unimaginable. As the winter progressed, it rained a lot and it was far too warm.
I'm writing these last few lines at home on the terrace at 20 degrees and my thoughts are already turning to the next winter. Where will I go and for how long? And will it work out with the job and the upcoming changes? - We'll see...
More pictures from the PowderMania 2012 finale in the Gallery
Text: Patrick Fux
