Up here, you are in the mountains - peak after peak line up around every corner, and trails cut off in different directions, giving easy access to surrounding mountain terrain. We were in a small group, led by Ryan McCune and were sitting in the vacuum of Chugach silence, frost hoar shimmering on top of more than a foot of fresh snow.

Dropping in, the snow began rushing by before easing into a heel side turn. Powder caught the air as the edge gradually took purchase and a sheet of snow began creeping from the tail of my board forward until I was completely engulfed in flying snow, floating down Bro Bowl. Next stop, Bro Bowl Halfpipe, a 50-plus foot deep natural gully with banked walls that almost go to vert.

After a few pillow soft runs, light started closing in and it became difficult to see, so we headed back down to basecamp. We stoked the fire in the wood stove, and settled in, getting ready for the bonfire later that night.

With a few stout logs, a stack of pallets and four Alaskan Brewing kegs, the fire got lit right around dark - just like the riders hanging out sipping cold Alaskan IPA, talking about their runs. Some went out in helicopters, others hiked and many took out snow machines - everyone got untracked powder and everyone had a day to remember and share at Tailgate Alaska.