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Sweet, Sweet Silvy

This is the first year that I can remember a Ribbon Cutting-esque opening of Silverado. The email from SVUSA which went out on Thursday was a fair-play announcement that couldn’t have been more welcome for those who didn’t get to the hill on Friday (which was also an awesome day, btw). This was a classic Silvy opening that had a little twist.

Tied with 90 other tram riders for "Happiest Guy in the World" (Erv Wolf)

Usually it’s a duct tape crew heading up on the first tram but today was different which probably had something to do with the Bronze Pass being blacked out. A 7:30 arrival was early enough to be first in the Cable Car building so I had a good look at the crew as it developed. The next 7 or 8 folks were split between weekenders and 20 & 30-something age locals. It was pretty quiet until 8a when the regulars showed and then things got loud. The ‘Martini Corrals’ (so-named from antics in 1983’s “Hot Dog, The Movie”) weren’t even full until 8:15 so Silvy was easily had this morning, unless you were the kid whose buddies made the cut but you stopped for a quick cup o’joe – ooops. As we got off at High Camp, the driver shouted, “No long speeches! I hate you all! Have a great day!!”

For those who percolated at home this was the view you got as you swizzled up to Silverado’s entry gates:

As close to Patrolled Backcountry as you can get

Two easy untouched laps were followed by a third audible where we crossed tracks but the pitches we picked from the chair were fresh. Remember this was Saturday at 10am. Unbelievable. And the natural, raw terrain of Squaw’s most infamous chair is skiing steep with deep, bouldery pillows everywhere. Straightruns were fast and avy debris was skiable and minimal. It took a couple laps for the more popular hits, chutes and airs to get slashed. I’m sure by this time of day that some ridiculous lines on the China Wall have seen board bases as well. Every ‘classic’ Silvy liftline includes familiar faces, snowballs, nickname shout-outs and the enlightened gazes of those who’ve just ventured down it for the first time. Today had all of those – we were even treated to watching a lesson make its way down Bungee Bowl. Later this season I’ll do a feature on Silvy. BTW, did you know that Silverado is one square mile of terrain?

Here’s a photo essay of the morning