With two Indy Pass tickets to burn and a storm heading south, I thought a trip to Pat’s Peak might be interesting. My last visit to Pat’s was over a dozen years ago when I participated in evening beer league racing. I only skied Pat’s at night, so I never got a complete feel for the mountain. And, I wanted to check out their new Cascade Basin trail pod.

The storm was a morning and afternoon affair. With almost no new snow in the morning at any mountain, I thought an afternoon start with an evening skiing option would be ideal. The storm would intensify and the turns would get later in the day and into the evening.

Pat’s totally busted on the storm with almost no new snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures. Snow conditions were decidedly firm and hard pack. I found Cascade Basin to be an ideal beginner area. Its blue square and a black diamond trails are rated relative to other trails within Cascade Basin, not relative to other trails at Pat’s. The entire complex is decidedly green circle pitched, regardless of ratings on the map.

I was dreadfully bored, underwhelmed, and disappointed with the surface conditions. I left after less than two hours of uninspired exploration. I cannot imagine returning again, even on an Indy Pass. A fine place for a beginner or for beer league racing, but not much else.