Ski flying has been real good
Just updating here. These are some posts on the Backcountrypilot.org site I have up.
Have been putting some hours in ski flying the past days.
Spent this morning flying around with one of our own here that emailed and asked if he could go. AKA -cozmicharlie on here met me at the hanger and we ended up putting in a couple hours. The snow is so good now for ski flying. Guessing its about 2-3′ in most places and the lakes are about 8-10 inches thick. I like the clear ice better than the snow in these parts as you can really get an idea of how thick it is. In the photos below here, the clear, snow free ice froze after the last storm. Its not insulated and you can know for certain how thick it is just by looking at it. Not to mention, its always nice to see another plane already there. This guy goes by “iceman” around here. He loves to ice fish and always has good beta on the ice thickness.
This is about 1500′ or so and could easily land a 206…Lowrider…or Rob or any of you that dont have skis… 
Iceman down on the ice fishing…he doesnt have skis either…notice the wind waves on the snow in this one. More on that in a bit.
Landing here offers great ski touring
This one looks good but man its full of wind waves on the snow. You can find a smooth spot to set down but it gets real bumpy quick. The long east west lakes are not protected and you can sure see it when you get down low.
This one is a favorite. From the approach in low and slow while on a long left base to a nice slow turn over the water to final down the lake. It also offers superb ski touring options…
Left base
I am high here as I wanted a photo but this is final only you would be 500′ or so lower and then park up at the end
It was a good day! 
Weather looks to be clear and cold tomorrow….again… 
Thanks for all the replys. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is actually reading this. Today was ALL TIME!!!! Bluebird, cold and stellar conditons. Heck, even the ice fishing was good! I am claiming this one… I WIN!!!!
Had a buddy put skis on his cub for the first time who is based in Carson…(yep, I am still the only one in Kalifornia with skis on). Here he is on the way out.
Anyhow, I think he is hooked. Here is his first ever landing on skis. He wanted an easy spot so we went to what I thought was very straight forward and basic. Big huge meadow, long, flat and not much to worry about except for an occasional fence. He had landed here in the summer with me prior so he knew the area. Here is is first landing on skis…
So after 3 or 4 landings at the “meadow” we were off to the higher lakes and meadows. This one is a fun little one…You need to slip in over the trees to land short and then taxi back. If you dont slip it in you end up way down the lake and then need taxi a long way back…
Sitting at 7300′
Dropped into this gem…I had never landed here before. Pretty cool little spot at 8300′. Next time I will have my skis. Nice little 1500′ shots in the background…
Dark ice is generally good in these parts…This one spooks me however…chose to NOT land here…Betting its good to go however… ….maybe… 
And then left my buddy as he need to get back. Ended up seeing NVflyer in the air and we were going to the same place…the place I posted about yesterday were skis are not needed….
Even the ice fishing was good! The ice is 8-10 inches thick!
A very good day!!!
We now have a cold front coming in tomorrow with high winds and very little precip and… very cold temps forecasted.
The next couple of days will be down…but thats ok. I need to catch up on my work that actually pays the bills. Talks of Zane coming next week for some ski flying, it looks to be a very good week ahead….stay tuned… 
A couple more pics. These just came from our own NVFlyer. Many of you met him in Reno this year at the races…blowing hard here now. A little snow tonight.
