Dixie Butte - 2/18/16

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Location: Hwy. 26 east of Prairie City to Dixie Summit Sno Park (permit required)

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 clear, plowed, wet, gravel at summit. FR 2610 1-2' compact base with .5-4" new sno depending on elevation

Snow Conditions: variable with elevation.  almost pristine at top, a little sticker at bottom, variable in between.

Skis on & temperature: 10:45am 36° mostly sunny (JD PC 47° )

Skis off & temperature: 2:45pm 36° moderate snow (JD PC 43° rain)

Distance: 8+ miles, 1.5 mile elevation - takes some legs & conditioning for the climb

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10

Comments: almost spring skiing, still quite lovely.  another few degrees warmer or sunnier and the new snow would by sticky.  no travel on 2610 for several weeks.  without overnite snow, base would be slick ice.

spring rain in valley, snow on dixie

got to treeline; needed to head back.  great snow to summit. regular 20mph wind & 40mph gusts with moderate snow. a little intense.  past the treeline snow is deeper & drifts, still skiable.

snodrifts heading past treeline

almost perfect traction for elevation climb.  lovely downhill descent.  zippy in places, icy overhanging branches.  best downhill run of the season (not my strongest skill).

as long as the overnite temps get cold & with a few new .5" for several days in the forecast, could get back to great skiing conditions.