10/06/2009
An Early Visit From Frosty

Wow! Can you believe the weather we’ve had since October 1? Ninety degrees with air conditioners running at full speed one day and low fifties with heaters flipped to “ON” the next day. We've had views of the foothills that look more like December than October. Gotta love Idaho weather!
Here at the Ski Haus we have received all sorts of reports and photos of the snow in the nearby hills. Best of all, we even had a special delivery on our front doorstep of our very own snowman. Yes…a real, live snowman that some kind soul had created and carefully transported from the hills above. He was lovingly placed for all of us to admire and greet our customers with a jolly expression. If only we could keep him around as our official greeter!
Just as our snowman didn't survive the temperatures, though below normal, the snow in the hills probably won’t last long either. Still, the snow has served many useful purposes. Business has been very brisk around the Ski Haus. Winter-like weather is a good reminder for us all that the white season is not far off and it’s time to take care of your ski needs.
Another huge benefit of the early snow is the moisture it will add to powdery, dry soil left after months of minimal moisture. Moisture will help create a good base for future snowfall to accumulate on top that will then help keep future snow intact throughout the winter. If you’ve skied for more than a few winters, you have experienced warm, dry autumns followed by an immediate switch to mid-winter temperatures with light, fluffy accumulations of snow. Snow is always a good thing but snow that is too light and fluffy without a good base underneath is not such a good thing. The groomers can’t pack and build a good base when dry snow falls without a base. It wreaks havoc on ski and board bases that submerge and have nothing to glide on but granite! We have struggled through winters when we have plentiful accumulations of snow but can’t hang on to it because we never had an adequate base.
So, don’t be sad when your skis can’t come out to play for a few more months or your new best friend “Frosty” doesn’t hang around on your front doorstep for more than a few hours. Just remember that your turns will be that much better in December because that white stuff on the hills today probably won’t be visible for more than a day or two.

PS: Thanks Megan!