2010 Gear Test Week, Day 4: Pow

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We were told to expect cloudy skies with a chance of rain today. But Powder Mountain again lived up to its moniker. And then some.

Yesterday's wind ushered a wintry storm. Fat flakes blew horizontally, dawn to dusk, freshening up even the cat tracks with a new half-foot layer. Where the wind whirled, there were pockets of more than a foot. And when we got back to Red Moose Lodge this evening, heavy flakes pounded us in the hot tub.

Thankfully, we had set aside dozens of powder skis for this very opportunity. Some giddy testers floated so many runs that they were able to rate and review eight fat planks today alone. Others hopped on skis they had tried previously, in icier conditions, to see how they performed on soft stuff.

Some favorite powder stashes included Gnarnia, Black Hawk, Saddle Chute and the Paradise lift line. Backcountry photo editor Simon Peterson snapped the amazing shots you see below, but admitted, "I didn't take out my camera much today. I was too focused on skiing."

Want to learn more about the 2010 Backcountry Gear Test Week? Read daily updates from March 23, March 24 and March 25.

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