Greetings, Skiers and Happy New Year!  

What wonderful snow!  Very soon we'll all be out in it!

I'm pleased to meet many new-to-the-area and new/getting back to-skiers.  With all the chatter on Egroups of 'skinning' and 'grooming' reports, I thought I'd send out ideas for nearby  moderate/Level2 touring post-storm.

Again, with this snow and the Crest road being iffy, its a great time to explore the City and County Open Spaces- both Googleable and maps downloadable.  Susan Russo's L2 group had a fine day this week on Oak Flat, taking Ponderosa trail out thru Juan Tomas Open Space- gorgeous!

Try to find the map called Cross Country Ski Touring Map of upper Sandia Mtn- avail at the Tijeras Ranger Station, now shutdown.  This is a map of trails developed by one of our Club's founders and current Trails Board member, Sam Beard.

The Tram- wind dependent, is a way to access the upper mtn.  Its an unbelievable world up there, with flocked trees and hoarfrost.  Right now tracks are fresh.  A small tour can be made going north from the Tram along the tops of the ski runs.  A very nice tour is the Ellis service road going north frm the Tram- it is accessible to skiers now.  Care must be taken to listen for announced Tram closure while you're on top due to wind- its a long, unknown, cold way back down the mtn to get to town if you miss the Tram.

On the Crest Rd, many areas are accessible tho parking areas are not plowed due to the shutdown and there are strong parking restrictions on the road as reported by Gordon Eatman.  Its advisable to have in your snow/ice-worthy vehicle- a good shovel, food, water, blankets, communication device, just in case of getting stuck behind less fortunate drivers or your own calamity.

I will attempt to send pics of the ski touring map and Oak flat area, IF our Egroups will allow.  Jump on an announced tour, meet some people!  See you out there!

Bet Gendron