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Date
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Comments and image gallery/movie links
and image of the day
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| April 1-4 |
Once again, we raised the bar for our company trip. This season, we decided to ski some more and headed to Utah to visit Powder Mountain and Snowbasin ski resorts. We rented a huge townhome in Eden, Utah, and visited Powder Mountain the first day and Snowbasin the next couple. Timing was great as a storm hit the day prior to our visit.
 Powder Mountain pulled out all the stops for us with 2 guides who allowed us to chase them all over their private mountain. Fresh turns all day long. The lifts basically turned on when we showed up at the bottom and shut down when we got off. They sent us on their snowcat tour up into Lightning Ridge and also took us into some of their future snowcat skiing terrain.
Powder Mountain is a throwback, though they have grand plans for future development, today visiting the area it's like going back a decade where the lodges are basic, the skiing is pure and the people are the friendliest ever.
We didn't get into their James Peak terrain as it was a cloudy day, so the majority of terrain we hit up was of a similar pitch to ours on Buffalo Pass, mostly gentle, intermediate to advanced gladed and treed goodes with pockets of steep. When we go back, we will go straight to that James Peak area as it is a big mountain with some nice pitches and fresh powder for what would seem to be days after a storm.
 Snowbasin also pulled out all the stops for us, providing guides and access into some of their out back terrain. We met great people here as well and they sent us into their steepest areas. This place rocks if you like steep, lift accessed terrain. We were chomping at the bit for the steepest they had and definitely got what we were looking for here with lots of technical chutes and money lines.
Snowbasin is like a European resort, with the fanciest of everything, from their gondolas, high speed lifts and gondolas, their lodges were over the top and the food was super yummy. The people here were great and the skiing was exactly what we were looking for.
We definitely recommend heading to this area and skiing both of these resorts for what is a classic one-two punch of off the path ski resorts.
Check out the image gallery from our company trip.
 
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Mar 26 |
 Game over folks! After today, we are closed for the season. What a phenomenal season we've had; a season where we had the most snow ever recorded in Steamboat and the most guests ever taken by Steamboat Powdercats.
Today was similar to yesterday, where the snow was spring like. We are now tucking our tails and running for warmer climates. Check out the images for Mar 26.
Please keep an eye on this blog as we have some fun adventures to come including a company ski trip to Utah (Powder Mountain and Snowbasin) next week and many rafting, fishing and other adventures to keep you interested during the summer.
Thank you to everyone who supported us this season. Without you, we wouldn't be here and all that snow on Buffalo Pass would be left untracked. Keeping it fresh since 1983, your friends at Steamboat Powdercats.
 
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Mar 25 |
 Spring has sprung for us in the Yampa Valley. With warming temps and overcast skies, the snow is turning and life is moving on. Only 1 trip out today, an intermediate level trip. Guides and guests found some good snow on the northern aspects. Good fun.
Tomorrow is our closing day for the season! It's been a great ride and we will post more goodies as the spring continues for us with company trip to Utah and many adventures leading up to the summer.
Check out the images for Mar 25.
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Mar 24 |
The folks from Antares Restaurant here in Steamboat Springs came for their annual end of season trip. The crew, 2 cats worth, ripped it up, laughed a lot and played jump off the rock whenever they could.
Check out the images for Mar 24.
 
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Mar 23 |
 We were all dreaming of flying in this A-Star and whisking off to some 4,000 foot unclaimed, powder laden peak. Our hopes were shattered when after 20-min of logistics training from the Flight For Life heli team at St. Anthony Hospital, the heli crew had to quickly head off to Copper Mountain to save another life.
Because of the heli training, we didn't have any guests along with us. It was guides and a special filming crew, friends of Dave Genchi's, ripping some new lines in the terrain. No explanation needed as to the fun that was had.
We were filming for a future online video inspired by Genchi. More to come on the project here later in the Spring.
Check out the images for Mar 23.
 
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Mar 22 |
 Cold, dry snow, blue skies and endless turns, what more could you ask for?
Today was special again with great groups and the most perfect powder weather. It was snowing uphill most of the day. The sun and cold, blue skies were set among millions of snow sparkles, reflecting off the powder levitating in and around us all.
Check out the images for Mar 22.
 
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Mar 21 |
It's official, the Steamboat Ski Area broke the all time snow fall record. Check out the link here. We received another few inches out of the storm today and what a dream to break the record. Love it - Live it - Ski it - Ride it.
Check out the images for Mar 21.
 
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Mar 20 |
There has been much excitement here in Steamboat recently as the ski area is just inches away from breaking their all time record for snow totals during any one season. We keep records at our cabin, but we don't have the history of over 40 years of recording like the ski area so reaching this depth will be historic.
It snowed for most of today so the record could have very well been broken already. It feels real good to have been involved with a season like this.
Check out the images for Mar 20.
 
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Mar 19 |
 Another 2"+ fell overnight and it was stormy all morning, cold and blowing. In the afternoon, the clouds broke and the sunshine poured down. Winter and Spring all in one.
With Spring approaching fast, that lonesome feeling of change is slowly building in us all. Winter moves on to Spring, our ski's are replaced by kayaks and soon enough there will be no more snowcat skiing.
Check out the images for Mar 19.
 
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Mar 18 |
A secret snowstorm came over us today, dropping anywhere from 1" to 6" of snow across the terrain. We rallied with small groups or private cats where everyone was ripping, lapping up one after the next. One of our groups, an expert cat with 7 return guests (What's up fellas!) killed it with 19 runs.
Check out the images for Mar 18.
 
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Mar 17 |
Happy St. Patties day. Here at Steamboat Powdercats we have a tradition of dressing down for the annual Irish event. The guides put on their best show today, dishing out more fun and freshies that could be mustered.
Check out the images for Mar 17.
 
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Mar 16 |
Blue skies.
Powder.
Friends.
Mountains.
Memories.
Life.
Check out the images for Mar 16.
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Mar 15 |
March snowstorms rock!
After several days of no snow last week, getting this new layer refreshes your soul. We didn't receive any new snow overnight, but that didn't matter. The huge puffy clouds and hours of sunshine allowed for another perfect day in powder paradise.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 15 here.
 
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Mar 14 |
5" of new snow overnight provided an excellent refresh of the terrain. It stayed mostly cloudy all day so we hit up the southern aspects and it didn't' turn so tomorrow should be more of the same.
Great groups out today, tons of fun!
Check out the image gallery for Mar 14 here.
 
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Mar 13 |
Snowing again! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Not a lot, but every little bit helps.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 13 here.
 
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Kevin Owens, one of our veteran guides, has been shooting helmet camera video footage for most the season. The camera he uses in the VholdR. It's a cool little, self contained camera with no cords needed. Very simple and Kevo shoots at will through out the day when guiding.
Kevo has posted numerous videos online for those who are interested. Who knows you may be in one. There is some great footage from all over our terrain, be it in the trees, around cliffs, cruising glades and running canyons in super deep snow. The direct link to those videos is here: http://vholdr.com/users/hackymcantski
The post "Sunny Day Turns February 27th", is sick, check it out here:
 
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Mar 12 |
We got teased with a storm today, in and out of the clouds, the wind picked up and the heat of the last few days was suppressed with a chill in the air. Now on our 6th day without snow, we keep going deeper and deeper into the terrain to find the clean fresh line. Still rocking as the north side is holding and providing lots of clean turns.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 12 here.
 
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Mar 11 |
Blue Skies Forever!
Check out the image gallery for Mar 11 here.
 
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Mar 10 |
 Spring like conditions here. Lots of north facing freshies to lap up. With the heat we had the other day, most of the southern and even western aspect have a not so friendly layer of crust on them. Today, those aspects never really heated up, so we stuck to all northern runs and enjoyed the soft, boot depth powder and sprinklings of surface hoar.
It looks as though this high pressure is going to stick with us for a couple more days. As always, we love getting storms day in and day out, but having this sunshine here for the short term is all good as we like working on our goggle tans.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 10 here.
 
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Mar 9 |
Check out the image gallery for Mar 9 here.
 
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Mar 8 |
Our good friend and guide brother Kevin Schwan went back to Hawaii today. He came to help guide with us during the thick of our season. His inspirational smile and attitude will be missed. Liquid Aloha, brah!
Check out the image gallery for Mar 8 here.
 
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Mar 7 |
An amazing day here. The storm lifted mid-day and the sun came out so there was champagne and sunshine, a combination that you typically don't see in March. Best day ever for most of our guests.
By the afternoon, the sun was hot, baking us and the snow in typical spring like fashion.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 7 here.
 
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Mar 6 |
The perfect season continues as 6" of bubbly, over our heads, pure triple A, Brut, top shelf, yummy, luscious POWDER BABY fell again last night.
The jet stream is set up perfectly for us , bringing freezing temps and super dry snow down to Colorado. When the jet lines up like it is, dropping straight down from the North, our snow, turns to pure, liquid gold. To get this type of snow in March, is a true blessing and another reason to say that this season is our best ever!
Check out the image gallery for Mar 6 here.
 
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Mar 5 |
 Playing hookie from life again in the reality that is Steamboat Powdercats. After yesterday's craziness, the snow gods dropped perfectly laid 3-12" of super fluffy, effortless, crystalline, blower powder. We were magically in and out of puffy clouds, with light snow falling and the sun shining somewhere in the Valley at all times.
View image gallery for Mar 5 here.
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Mar 4 |
Nothing was perfect today as Mother Nature came down hard on us with sustained westerly winds, more or less, all day long. We had to tuck away into the trees to hide out from getting snow blasted off the hill. 3 cats out today and no body was not disappointed by the adventure at hand. If he were a heli skiing operation and not a snowcat operation, we'd be hanging at the Tugboat sipping cocktails and watching video's of someone else's powder day.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 4 here.
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Mar 3 |
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Mar 2 |
The forecast came true as 9" of new snow fell overnight at our cabin. It snowed all day so there were pockets of 2 feet depending on where you were skiing. In the afternoon, the wind picked up and blasted us from the East. Fortunately for us, we've got plenty of West facing slopes that will stay fresh for days to come.
Let's hope that this storm is a trend that keeps coming to us in March. Keep on snowing!
Check out the image gallery for Mar 2 here.
 
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Mar 1 |
 More sunshine, friends and fluff. 3 cats out today and everyone was ripping. The north side freshies are holding as temps, though warm, are not hot enough to turn everything mushy. Still light, dry snow on all Northern aspects.
Looks like a quick moving front is moving in tonight and clouds came in this afternoon.
Check out the image gallery for Mar 1 here.
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Feb 29 |
 We had a special Leap Day celebration today as one of our guests had their birthday with us. The warm, spring like, weather allowed for everyone to shed layers, lather up the sunscreen, and rally hard under the blue skies and boot depth powder.
Speaking of powder, remember the last Leap Day? It was a super deep, check out images from that 20" day!
Check out the image gallery for Feb 29 here.
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Feb 28 |
 We had to move away from all southern aspects today as they never turned with clouds lingering in the Valley. Our next storm is forecasted for Saturday evening, where a quick shot may hit us, carrying into Sunday. Until then, we will have more of the same, mostly north facing, boot depth freshies, all day long - YUMMY!
As February nearly closes out, the record books keep getting re-written here in Steamboat. The Steamboat Pilot recently wrote an article and produced a short video about how the ski area just topped 100" of snowfall for February. This marks the first time in recorded history that the ski area has received 100", or more, for December, January and February.
Love that!
Check out the image gallery for Feb 28 here.
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Feb 27 |
Following up the last few wintry days, today was bluebird with temps in the mid 30's. An occasional brilliant, white cloud back dropping our fresh lines. We hit the south as much as possible before the sun baked the snow; then moving to the northern lines everyone was charging with the lighter and just as fresh pow.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 27 here.
 
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Feb 26 |
Super milky, no visibility, vertigo type skiing, where the trees and your friends were the only thing that provided the visual dimensions for that next turn. Days like this make for navigating the terrain on ski's or in the snowcat very interesting. Though you couldn't see much, the skiing was fresh, another 9" of new snow fell overnight on the stake.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 26 here.
 
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Feb 25 |
 Like the painter who just stretched the canvas, with inspiration to make a priceless work of art; we too felt the pull of brilliance after waking up today with a clean slate, 8-16"of new, fresh powder.
After going through a week, more or less of drought, now to have an unlimited number of powder turns at our disposal, brought out the true Steamboat Powdercats energy, that pulsing spirit of life driving you turn after turn after turn.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 25 here.
 
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Feb 24 |
Another inch or so today welcomed our 3 private groups, all of which were repeat guests of many years. The snow was fast, go anywhere type and just deep enough on most aspects to not feel the harder base.
Looks like the blunt of the storm will hit us tonight. Here's to hope, our true weather forecast.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 24 here.
 
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Feb 23 |
Snowing again! 3 inches, not a lot, but fresh snow for the first time in a week is a blessing. This storm has been teasing us for many days now and to get some moisture out of it, finally, makes things a bit lighter and fresher.
We've had some really great, return guests, visiting us once again. Thanks again for the comedy, enthusiasm and eagerness to rip up the fresh with us. Peace!
Check out the image gallery for Feb 23 here.
 
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Feb 22 |
Fast skiing out there. Without new snow, conditions get "boot depth" fairly fast, allowing us to guide some lines that we haven't done all season, or couldn't do if our base gets silly deep. As the days tick away from the last snow, now 6 days later but who's counting, we keep poking deeper and deeper into the woods to find the fresh that everyone comes here for. Satisfaction accomplished today as the gang was stoked with all the freshies we found.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 22 here.
 
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Feb 21 |
No new snow again. It's been since Sunday where we received our last layer, a 9"-er. So, we went north again and keep poking deeper and deeper into the terrain to find the freshies. The snow is holding strong and everyone was psyched with the conditions we've got for them.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 21 here.
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Feb 20 |
 Clouds rolled in as southwesterly flow has pushed into Northern Colorado. As we all know, this type of storm system typically doesn't bring the big dumps into Steamboat. Northwest flow is best for our zone.
We hit up all the north aspects on the terrain today as the clouds didn't allow the southern aspects to soften much. There was plenty of fresh powder for all to enjoy, and there will be for many days to come, even if this storm doesn't provide much fresh snow.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 20 here.
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Feb 19 |
Sunshine all day. We skied the south side as much as possible before it turned. Big views of the valley and great turns in the pow.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 19th here.
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Feb 18 |
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Feb 17 |
Another micro climate event for us as it was snowing all day for us up on the Pass but not really snowing in town. What are micro climates? Check out Joe Carberry's article from Steamboat Magazine as he profiles this interesting weather phenomena that turns Buffalo Pass into the alter ego, Fluffalo Pass. Micro climate storms are the reason why Fluffalo Pass gets more than 600 inches of snow where Mt. Werner and the ski area, just 10-miles away, averages only 330 inches per year.
Happy Birthday Scott! What a great day to have your crew up here and rip up the powder!
Check out the image gallery for Feb 17th here.
 
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Feb 16 |
Every year, on President's Day Weekend Saturday, a crew from Boulder and their buddies from all over, have come up here and pillaged Steamboat Powdercats. Once again, the gang came back and lapped up the goods. Always fun to see everyone. Be safe and only one request, more one piece suites please.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 16th here.
 
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Feb 15 |
Old friends back again here at Steamboat Powdercats. 3 groups out today. Lots of sunshine, huge views of the Valley and plenty of fresh, untracked powder to keep everyone focused on all the good things in life.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 15th here.
 
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Feb 14 |
Happy Valentines Day. There was lots of love up on the cats today.
 We woke up to crazy, blowing winds in town and 4# of new snow. The ski area didn't open their lifts till 10:00am with the winds playing havoc in the Valley. We of course, went up in the cats to find the wind blowing out of the East. Our guides did a great job pinpointing out which runs held the best snow, and there were some very, very nice powder turns. By mid afternoon, the storm had past and the sun blazed over us.
Lots of friends visiting us today, including the gang from Steamboat Magazine who have been super supportive over the years with SPC and when Dave Genchi got hurt. Thanks.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 14th here.
 
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Feb 13 |
A super sunny, fast day out there today. It was warm and things settled a bit, so having a base once again allowed us to get into any of the lines we wanted. Only 2 groups out. One of our cats was under the knife, getting a new engine put in overnight. Thanks to Eric and Meeker for their late night shuffling of parts to make our trips happen. Good work boys.
Oh yea, in the afternoon, another storm was rolling in.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 13th here.
 
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Feb 12 |
Snowed all day. Conditions were super fine, more or less go anywhere type of snow. It wasn't champagne by any means and it wasn't crazy deep like its been so everyone got around well. Only 2 cats out today. Loving it!
Check out the image gallery for Feb 12th here.
 
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Feb 11 |
Snowing off and on today. Interesting conditions as yesterday's sun put a beat down on southern aspects. So, we went north and found quality powder just waiting for us. In the afternoon, the snow came in hard and put a nice couple inch layer on all the terrain for us to lap up.
Statistically, this season is reaching some very lofty milestones. Check out the press release from the Steamboat Ski Corp regarding lots of stats about this season compared to years in the past. Read it here.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 11th here.
 
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Feb 10 |
 Oh my, look who came out to play today?
It was sunny and we had no new snow for the first time all month today. The sunshine was a welcome sight for us as it just hasn't been out in some time. So, we welcomed the opportunities to pull off some layers, lather up the sun screen and enjoy the warm, bright sunshine.
Now, if you could go away for another month, we'd be happy.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 10th here.
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Feb 9 |
We had 3 private cats out today; it was all good with friends raging in the backcountry. The snow was extra deep, turn after turn. Conditions weren't super light as the wind and warmer weather set up the snowpack a bit. But, powder is powder and we killed it out there together again.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 9th here.
 
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Feb 8 |
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Feb 7 |
As this year of POWDER unfolds for us, we are now starting to think that a new ice age, an apocalyptic turn in our weather system, is now upon us. We have never seen a season like this before. It snowed all day today, hammering us. Winds did pick up so it was tough going on some runs, but deep as it gets as usual.
Today was special for us as our friends from the Big Head Todd and the Monsters came to visit, allowing us to pay them back for the efforts they put on last season during the benefit concert for Dave Genchi. If you've never listened to BHT's music, you've got to. Thanks again gang, see you next year and we applaud all your support for Dave and SPC.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 7th here.
 
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Feb 6 |
 We got pounded again. It snowed all day at rates of an inch and hour. 8" new on the stake. This storm looks solid and if forecasts come true, it will hammer us with another fat layer of snow.
Here is a trusted snow report from our friend, the Stormchaser:
A very powerful storm is just now entering the Northwest with heavy snow and winds. This will reach UT on Thursday (12 Noon) and provide 3 inch per hour snowfalls and blizzard like conditions for several hours. Late Thursday and Friday will be deep days however the winds may affect  lift operations on Thursday! Friday may be the better of the 2 days? I would expect 9-14 inches minimum and perhaps greater amounts by late Thursday night.
Colorado will see heavy mountain snows Thursday night and Friday with the Northern Mountains favored (8-11 inches). Steamboat, Vail will continue to do well into Friday evening.
Sunday/Monday may see a small Southern storm brush into CO and there is a hint of a another large storm for Wednesday/Thursday next week. The Wet Pattern is expected to continue!
Get out and enjoy the slopes!
Stormchaser
Check out the image gallery for Feb 6th here.
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Feb 5 |
 Over the past week, we've received over 70" of new snow. Not unlike the week in early January when we had 91" in a 7-day period, this past week has been an absolute ridiculous joy ride for our powder skiing world.
When it get's this deep, lots of interesting twists to skiing and riding powder come up. As guides, we've got to manage slope more and more, not only for avalanche safety, but for making sure we are into terrain that is also steep enough to make turns on.
Today was no different. Track management was key and  keeping guests tight made for a much more fluid trip. If someone get's bogged down in a flat, off the trail the guide sets, or even a less pitched slope appears and turns got slower, it was difficult to move around.
This morning we got a blessing as the lighting was wonderful in the morning and they got hints of bluebird sucker holes. But, as usual in this season of POWDER, another wave of this never ending stormed rolled in and it started puking again.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 5th here.
 
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Feb 4 |
 Can you believe this season? We got hammered again with 16" inches. It's as deep as it gets for us.
Today, our cats were filled with lots of return guests who have been with us on many, many occasions. Last year, many of them were here when we were several days into drought, where we are skiing old powder under super sunny skies. We'll today it wasn't sunny and the powder wasn't boot depth. It was dumping and the snow was over your head.
Most everyone agreed that it was the deepest day of their lives.
Check out the image gallery for Feb 4th here.
 
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Feb 3 |
Still snowing with 3" fresh today. The wind picked up and blew some things around a bit. As we all know, wind is one of the major players in the world of powder skiing. When there is no wind, the snow settles perfectly down, allowing for super light snow. If storms are accompanied by wind, the snow crystals get broken up as they are tossed and tumbled over and on top of themselves. Wind packed powder is much, much different than having nice, gently fallen snowflakes to rip up.
Though the wind blew today, we have enough aspects and just went to those slopes that were not as windy. See for yourself here in this image gallery for today.
 
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Feb 2
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With 13" more today, we are now convinced
that there is something very special about this winter.
Storm after storm, after storm after storm keep rolling
in and blowing away all expectations.
When you book a trip here at Steamboat Powdercats,
it's typically months before your day becomes a reality.
Your mind races in wonder and your heart pumps just a little
bit harder in hopes for a storm to roll in just prior to
or on that day up in the backcountry. You've now pulled
the trigger and launched that bullet in hopes for the bottomless
bulls eye of a powder day.
For most everyone during this season, that
dream day has become their reality.
Today was no different, super special and
heavenly. The sun tried to poke through the clouds, offering
up some nice back light runs for us in the morning, but by
mid day, it was dumping again and we are forecasted for
heavy snow for several days.
Check
here for images from Feb 2
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Feb 1
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 Another
wave has hit us. The powder faucet is now on full blast
and 22" of snow fell overnight at our mid-mountain
stake. But, there were pockets of neck deep all over the
place and no wind made for life altering conditions.
Hitting a 20"+ inch day only occurs once
or twice in a season if we are lucky. So, everyone who came
today were blown away by the amount of snow. Where the pitch
was perfect your body would become fully engulfed in a rolling
mass of snow. As you bounced up with your turn, you'd be
lucky to not only see where you were now going but to try
and catch a breath before the snow choked you down again.
WOW! Check
here for images from Feb 1
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Jan 31
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Bluebird powder day. Amazing.
Check here
for images from Jan 31
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Jan 30
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9" and dumping all
day - Puking snow just dumping like mad. Check
here for images from Jan 30
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Jan 29
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6" of fresh. Check
here for images from Jan 29
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Jan 28
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Jan 27
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Jan 26
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Jan 25
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 It
was arctic out today with blowing winds, fog, crazy visibility
and low cloud ceiling to confound things. A little bit of
fresh snow as well to liven things up.
Lots of fun as the groups were all friends, partners and
work buddies making fresh turns in the Pow Pow together.
It looks like another round of weather is coming, go figure,
so this weekend could be the jackpot for another round of
powderhounds.
Check
here for images from Jan 25
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Jan 24
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 Only
2 groups out today with one private cat and only 6 guests
in it. We got up and down quickly to say the least. The sun
was out and life was deep.
Check
here for images from Jan 24
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Jan 23
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13" of "super hero snow "graced us today.
We had 3 groups out and everyone was blown away with the quality,
the feather like consistency of this powder. We tore up all
the favorite runs like Sweetness, Success and lapped up South
Soda. The sun was out for most of the day and it was heaven
on earth. Check
here for images from Jan 23
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Jan 22
|
 Our
2008 Adaptive
Ski Day went off without a hitch. It was a truly optimal
day for this group as 6" of champagne fell down from
the heavens; the sun came out and everyone had a ball. Now
in it's 4th year, this day is overly special to us with what
happened to Dave Genchi, our
photographer, last year.
Huge smiles, great memories, amazing face shots and a day
spent loving and living life...nothing short of amazing.
Check
here for images from Jan 22
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Jan 21
|
 Snowing
all day today, foggy and the weather has turned to soup
so skiing from tree to tree, keeping sight of your buddy
and watching out for each other was the theme.
We had 1 group out today taking up all 3 of
our cats for a company trip to spoil their employees rotten.
What a way to say thanks for the hard work and effort during
the year.
Check
here for images from Jan 21
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Jan 20
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A letter from one of our guests about
this fantastic day:
 Powdercats
staff and guides,
Sunday the 20th, our group went out
with Kevo, Eric, Todd, and Spike. Our day out with
you guys was, unanimously among our group, some of the best
skiing any of us have ever had. The conditions and
terrain were absolutely EPIC, but more so, the atmosphere
that the guides created ultimately is what made the day
one that I will never forget. I wanted to extend my
gratitude and appreciation for establishing an environment
that allowed our group to ski big pow, and big lines, while
feeling completely safe and confident the entire day. No
doubt our crew will be putting together plans to visit you
guys again, and I would recommend any one of my friends
to come experience a day with Steamboat Powdercats.
Check
here for images from Jan 20
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Jan 19
|
 The
5 inches of champagne we had today helped boost the skiing
and snowboarding into the phenomenal status. It snowed all
day long. Our groups were hooting and hollering with every
turn. Lots of fun people, great friends made for a world class
experience for sure.
Check
here for images from Jan 19
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Jan 18
|
 A
few more inches of snow today and 3 groups out. The cold air
mass is still resting over the valley and the weather is definitely
unsettled with clouds, fog and the occasional sucker hole
opening up and allowing for some visibility. Looks like it's
going to stay this was for some time.
Check
here for images from Jan 18
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Jan 17
|
 We
had 2 private groups out today, including our first true expert
cat of the season. We had old friends and family here visiting
and life doesn't get any better. It's been freezing cold as
an arctic front came into the valley a few days ago. With
this system, some wind arrived and pushed the snow around,
compacting it a bit, making the snow not as light as we've
had over the past few weeks. It's still knee deep, even over
the head at times, but just not the blower type, crazy champagne
powder which we have been super spoiled with. Check
here for images from Jan 17
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Jan 16
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Today was an important day for us here at Steamboat Powdercats
as it marks a critical point in our season. Until now, we
have mostly been accessing our traditional terrain, the gladed
and forested ski fields in and around our cabin near Buffalo
Mountain. We have only been running 2 snowcats a day and we
have yet to run a true expert trip as the roads into Soda
Mountain, Pepsi Ridge and Bitch Creek, until now.
But, before we start taking guests into this steeper, tighter,
rockier and more exposed terrain, we had to make sure that
the snow was okay, that the pitch was still steep and that
the rocks were still in the same places as last year. Guess
what? It was all good. Check
here for images from guide day into our expert terrain - Jan
16
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Jan 15
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Jan 14
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No new snow today, a little breather as another system looks
to be coming down from the north.
Beautiful day here in the Yampa Valley, huge views, sunshine
and smiles, all day long.
Check
here for images from Jan 14
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Jan 13
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 It's
been a week since this storm started and what a white week
it's been. With another 8" today, the total accumulative
snowfall at our mid-mountain cabin is 91" in this week
alone- AMAZING! With Buffalo Pass averaging 600" per
year, it's daunting that we almost got 1/6th of this in 1
week.
Check
here for images from Jan 13
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Jan 12
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 This
storm keeps producing for us. Today we got our deepest single
day total for this season with 25" on the snow stake
and for the first time all season, we broke the infamous 100"
total depth mark. Since the short sucker hole we had on Thursday,
where the sun poked out for the morning only, we've had a
constant pounding of snowfall for nearly 50 straight hours.
Check
here for images from Jan 12
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Jan 11
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Another 13" today. It snowed all day...enough
said. Check
here for images from Jan 11
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Jan 10
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 Today
was a very, very, very deep and amazing day for us. With an
overnight total of 17” of ultra, premium fluff on the
stake, our running total for the past 4 days of storm is now
at 45”; truly an abundance of powder, making for the
best conditions of your life.
As you will soon see by the images in our photo gallery,
we had blue skies in the morning, no wind and just the dreamiest
day you could imagine. If you have a flexible schedule, check
out our calendar as
we have space from Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We can't guarantee
that those days will be like the past few, but all signs are
pointing to continued epic
conditions.
Check
here for images from Jan 10
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Jan 9
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 A
high flying group out today, just 1 cat that couldn't’t
get enough air time as the landings were like feather pillows
engulfing your body on compaction. Old school tricks came
out and everyone was hucking themselves off every launch we
could find. Oh yea, we had 8” on the stake and another
5” during lunch; truly more than an inch an hour snowfall.
Check
out images here from Jan 9
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Jan 8
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Kev O, one of our guides, said that today was "go anywhere
snow" In translation, this mans that it was just the
right combination of depth, consistency and quality of snow
to allow our tour to get into all the terrain we currently
have open.
We are still under a winter storm warning, now something
like 4 days and running....it just keeps piling up here in
Steamboat.
Check
out images here from Jan 8
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Jan 7
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  "Best
day ever!", was a comment we received from one of our
guests today. After the sun poked out from behind the clouds,
the knee deep, fields of fresh, untracked powder captivated
our group; allowing for a special impact only found during
certain moments of powder bliss. For those who have never
had the opportunity for unlimited, fresh powder turns, it's
a day like this that you'll remember forever. 16" on
the stake.
Check
out images here from Jan 7
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Jan 6
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No trips out today, believe it or not. The storm that has
been getting much hype here in Colorado finally descended
into Steamboat last night with inch and hour snows and this
morning we had 9" of fresh on the stake. The brunt of
the storm hit the Southwest portion of the State with 28"
being reported in Wolf Creek in 24-hours, AMAZING!
Without any trips today, tomorrow should be outrageous and
the group that we have booked with have a clean slate to play
in. We are currently living in a winter storm warning issued
by the National Weather Service, so it looks like snow all
this week and we've got space on our trips. Check out our
calendar, call us and
get up here.
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Jan 5
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We took advantage of the impending storm and hit up all the
north facing terrain. As always, the snow fields on the north
aspects didn't let us down; even after 5-days without fresh
powder we found plenty of fresh to make everyone psyched on
the day.
Check
out images here from Jan 5
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Jan 4
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Jan 3
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Jan 2
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 A
great day of skiing and a fun group of folks. Both cats went
out and were both booked in the advanced level. We had lots
of "air time" in one of the cats and skied plenty
of trees to make everyone happy. The sun came out and what
seems live forever, we were shedding layers and enjoyed catching
some rays.
Check
out images here from Jan 2
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Jan 1
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 Happy
New Year!
From all of us at Steamboat Powdercats, we'd
like to raise a glass and give a toast in honor of this New
Year. We can only hope that 2008 will be deeper, brighter
and more action packed than the last. Here's to the
passion for the fluff as well as the dedication to fresh,
untracked turns; may we all stay ahead of the next track,
dodge the groomers and pay homage to all that is POWDER!
To break in the New Year, the snow turned over
for us last night and today the conditions improved dramatically
from yesterday. Check
out images from today here.
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Dec 31
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Any time we have wind like we did yesterday afternoon, it
will be an interesting backcountry adventure on the day after
such an event. Today was just that, and interesting may be
a generous term. There were pockets of heaven between fields
of wind buff, scour and punchy compacted snow.
All in all, it was an adventure in backcountry skiing where
every line and every turn had something different about it.
Check
out images from Dec 31 here.
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Dec 30
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 Oh
my! Today was, by far, our deepest day of this season as 24"
lay wait on the snow stake at our mid-mountain cabin. It was
a nuclear winter with huge flakes falling all morning. The
vibe at our office was electric as 24 guests were chomping
at the bit to get after potentially the deepest skiing and
riding of their lives.
Once into the terrain, the skiing was just that, a lifetime
experience. It was epic, over the head, choking type powder.
The snow would roll up body, splash into your face  and
only your hands and helmet could be seen from below; it was
truly a lifetime of powder for some of today's lucky guests.
Click
here for images of this amazing day.
But in an instant, it all changed as 60+ mph winds started
blowing and the powder that lay there waiting was picked up,
slammed around and compacted into a wind slab mess. There
were moments of complete white out while our guides did their
best to  navigate
the cats, the groups and locate the best skiing under the
conditions.
It's amazing at how quickly conditions can change, from epic
fresh to nasty wind pack and a reminder that you should enjoy
every turn for what it is as the next one may completely change,
180 degrees.
This storm took us back to last year where on Feb
15th we had over the head powder then on Feb
16th, gale force winds rocked our world and made for one
of the hardest powder days we've had in years.
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Dec 29
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Image
link for Dec 29
 A
freezing cold, overcast and snowy day. With 2 groups out on
the terrain for the past few, lots of people have been enjoying
the Holiday, knee deep in fresh tracks.
With all the snow we've been getting, we've been crazy busy
not only guiding guests, but also working hard at building
the road system throughout the terrain.
Currently, we are only skiing our "traditional terrain",
the gladed forested slopes in and around our cabin, such as
Buffalo Mountain, In the Buff, Porcupine Ridge, Revo and Fatties.
Come January 16th, we are forecasting that we will open up
our expert terrain and then start running 3 cats per day.
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Dec 28
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  Image
link here.
So the clouds never came in today, offering us a blue bird
powder day, one of only a small handful of non-snowing days
that we've had this December.
With over 100" of new snow this month, we are catching
up after a late start to our powder season.
All is well in paradise.
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Dec 27
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 Images
from today here.
With all the snow we've been getting, and are forecasted
to get, our times at Steamboat Powdercats have been just about
as good as it can be. The more snow the merrier and we've
all had that powder glazed smile on our faces for what now
seems like all of December.
When compared to years in the past, our snowpack is still
a bit lagging. The Steamboat Pilot had an article today explaining
how our local snowpack is still behind. Here is the article
link.
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Dec 26
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Dec 25
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Ho - Ho - Ho and a bunch of powder for you. Merry X-Mass
to all. Santa brought us 12"+ of powder overnight and
it snowed all day. We took the day off from guiding today
so tomorrow should be deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
Cheers to you.
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Dec 24
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...and the snow keeps falling.
We've received over 3 feet during the past 5 days and tonight
looks to be another round with 12" anticipated in the
mountains. Seems like Santa is bringing us all that we have
asked for - MORE POW!
Check
out images from Dec. 24 here.
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Dec 23
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...and the snow keeps falling.
Images
here for Dec. 23
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Dec 22
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Dec. 21
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 A
priceless day here at Steamboat Powdercats. Today marks the
one year anniversary of our photographer Dave Genchi getting
injured while working on the pass (learn
more here). To surprise our staff, Dave returned to Steamboat
today and for the first time since leaving us a year ago.
We got to spend quality time, all together, as a crew once
again.
With 11" of new snow overnight, we celebrated in fine
style as the deepest day of our season just happened to coincide
with Genchi's return. In between face shots and some relentless,
hammering snows, we spent time honoring the occasion with
lots of laughter, good vibes and great friends.
Dave got to take some shots of the guides, once again capturing
the story of our days at Steamboat Powdercats.
Check
out images from the day here.
Image taken by Dave Genchi - 12.21.07
In the end, the clouds parted from above and blue skies opened
up the most incredible views of Soda Mountain and the Yampa
Valley, all backlit from a full moon high above us.
Dave now will return to California where he is enrolled in
Project
Walk, a rehabilitation center for folks with spinal cord
injuries. He has been there for more than a month and he is
extremely motivated to work hard in the intense exercise-based
recovery program. Check out this video
of Dave imitating Lance Armstrong at the center.
We are driving another round of fundraising in hopes to help
Dave stay at Project walk for as long as possible. We have
a matching sponsor so anyone interested in donating to Dave's
recovery fund, your amount will be doubled. See here
for details about the Dave Genchi Recovery Fund.
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Dec. 17
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 Two
cats out today. No new snow over the past couple days but
the snow is holding and everyone is loving the early season
light powder that continues to stay at a super dry consistency.
Lots of people ask us how the skiing is like
in the backcountry in mid-December, our early season, before
the base really sets up and the terrain truly fills in. Of
course it all depends on how much snow we've received, but
there is always one constant from year to year and it is the
fact that in December it is cold. With low temps, even blue
bird days with blazing sunshine won't heat up the snow, lessening
the dryness in the powder. December = premium quality powder.
Check
out the images from today.
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Dec. 16
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 The
fellas from SOCAL enjoyed another round with us today. These
guys always come our opening weekend, and get after the super
light conditions and untracked lines of mid-December in Steamboat.
After 3 days of skiing with us, these guys are ready for
the ski season and are now heading to far off lands in search
of freshies in exotic places, a.k.a. India.
Images
from today here.
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Dec 15
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 Today
was an extra special day for us at Steamboat Powdercats. This
past summer a close friend to the Steamboat Powdercats family
was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. So today, we hosted
a group of friends and family who were here to make a wish
come true for a very special person in a very difficult situation.
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