No freshly cut superpipe after 5 days of dumpage.

As the biggest storm to hit the Sierras (in 3 years) began pounding Mammoth, it was time to shut the laptop down, feel “sick” and pack the bags. Having a tight schedule, there was only one thing to do…a one-day mission up to Mammoth. Forecasters were predicting 5 days of blizzard conditions, so I decided to make my rendezvous with Mammoth on Wednesday, January 9th. NOAA was forecasting 39 degrees with 5 mph winds, but with 35 to 50 mph gusts the night before, I was a bit skeptical. Well, it couldn’t have been a better day. Temperature in the mid 30’s, partly cloudy skies, 8 to 10 feet of fresh pow and an empty mountain. Ooooh yeeaaaah, Mammoth was practically empty.

“Dude, did you know they just opened a quickymart here in Burbank?”, were the first words out of my buddy’s mouth. What the hell, a brothel in Burbank?”, was my first thought, but instantly that little voice popped into my head, Doh!. “Wait, Kwik-E-Mart as in The Simpsons?” Yup, that's right, 7-Eleven has transformed 12 stores in North America into Kwik-E-Mart as a promotion for The Simpsons Movie coming out July 27th. 7-Eleven has also released limited quantities of Buzz Cola, KrustyO’s cereal, a Radioactive Man comic book and the pink frosted donut. Oh yeah, they are also selling Squishees, which is Kwik-E-Mart's take on the Slurpee.

Bardonecchia ski resort lies in the Piedmont region, on the Italian side of the Frejus Tunnel which separates France and Italy. Named as one of Italy's first ski towns in 1934, Bardonecchia is located in a sunny basin between two mountains. There are several historical sites scattered around the village, which has a population of slightly over 3,000 people. At 4265 ft (1300 metres) it sits surrounded by beautiful mountains whose peaks reach heights of more than 11482 ft (3500 metres) and it is undoubtedly one of the most stunning spots of the Western Alps. This beautiful scenic resort consists of 6 villages: Fregiusia, Les Arnaus, Melezet, Millaures, Rochemolles and Pian del Sole. It is made up of four skiing areas with 140km of well groomed trails: Fregiusia Jafferau, Campo Smith Colomion, Les Arnauds, Mélezet Valle Stretta.

Bardonecchia's higher ski area, Jafferau, is best for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders, Campo Smith is lower and is suitable for beginners. Many of the slopes are quite challenging. Experts will find 6 runs and plenty of off trail skiing and riding. The most breath-taking views can be had from the descents which begin high above the woods. The lower level trails weave their way through fir-trees and larches with a difference of 4921 ft (1500 metres) from top to bottom. Along the trails and at the departure points there are a number of bars, restaurants and cafés where skiers can take a break and do a bit of sunbathing too. Extensive artificial snow-making machinery guarantees perfect conditions throughout the whole winter season. The Milky Way and Trois Vallées ski areas are also easily accessible by car from Bardonecchia.

Ahhhh yeahhhh, so I was on the 210 going east toClaremont and I looked to my left, wait....double take, and what did I see? That's right, white sprinkled hills. I'm pretty sure some of you saw it on the live webcams posted on this site. Out comes the camera, snap, snap, snap. Unfortunately, the pics aren't that great cuz I was driving while I took them and the zoom isn't that great either. It was just a dusting, nothing for us to pull our gear out and head for the hills like in Colorado. Just enough to make a snowcone or a slurpee. "Slurrrp, Slurrrrrrrp". Regardless, its a good sign.

Although, it's still a little early for southern california to get a dusting, here is the live shot from Mt. High's Borderline & Chisolm cam.

Borderline

Chisolm

"VALOR EQUITY PARTNERS ACQUIRE MOUNTAIN HIGH RESORT, CA

Wrightwood, CA – July 15, 2005: Mountain High Resort, CA, has been acquired by Valor Equity Partners and key Mountain High team members. Valor is a Chicago based private equity investment fund and licensed Small Business Investment Company. This ends an eight-year term under Oaktree Capital Management, a Los Angeles based investment company, during which the area’s unprecedented growth propelled it on to the national stage. Mountain High is Southern California’s most popular winter resort averaging more than 500,000 visits per season. Three separate mountains offer guests a wide variety of lifts & trails, and each base area is complete with ticket windows, sport shops, rentals, restaurants, lessons and more. Since the late 1990s, Mountain High has been synonymous with youth marketing and terrain parks but, most recently, the resort has been recognized for its work in ethnic diversity.

"The names Quasimoto and Madlib have been linked for years, yet they’ve never been seen in the same room together. In fact, Quasimoto’s never been seen in the same room with anyone – he’s The Unseen. But you can hear him - and there’s no mistaking what he sounds like.

Peanut Butter Wolf first heard him off a dusty old cassette, one of Madlib’s infamous beat tapes – the kind he’d make to listen to himself, maybe pass around to crew. Madlib and Quas had been up in Lost Gates, somewhere near Oxnard, CA, making music for years without the slightest intention of releasing it to the masses. Wolf got it out though – after some begging and pleading, and after signing a contract with Quas vowing not to reveal his name.

Well, the city is fixing the street where I live, so I had to park around the block last night. So, today when I'm getting into my car, this lady comes out of the car parked behind me and asks "Is this your car?" I'm like "Yes", but in my head I'm like "nah, I'm stealing it". She's like, r u visiting the people cross the street? Me- No.
Lady- WHY ARE YOU PARKING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE? You can't park in front of MY HOUSE. This is MY HOUSE and that's MY FRONT DOOR.
Me - Why can't I park here. This is a public street, plus the city is fixing the street where I usually park.
Lady - But this is my HOUSE. You can't be parking in front of peoples homes. Why couldn't you park a little bit ahead.

Unbelieveable, everyday the past few weeks have been the same, but better. Unfortunately, I have not been able to go to the snow yet. But everyday when I'm home sitting on the couch, I turn on the t.v. and dvd player. I pop in POP. I watch it a couple of times. Then, I pop in Love/Hate. Watch it a couple of times. Pop in POP again and then Love/Hate again (you get the picture). Everyday I watch 'em and each time it just gets better and better. Most of all, each day gets better because I know the day I will be at the snow once again is getting closer and closer. AAAHHHHHHH, to feel free once again, to feel the cold. clean air rushing through my face. To feel the snow on my face and in my jacket, whenever I eat Sh!t (good times). I could smell the snow. I could SMELL IT, I tell you. Sorry, just needed to let some aggression out.