Skiing On My Mind

Most skiers that I know are very passionate toward their sport. During the Winter, everything revolves around the skiing. During a recent visit back to Alta, I was reminded of the lifestyle that surrounds the pursuit of powder, and big mountain skiing. I am continually intrigued by the aggressive way that “skibums,” live life. It is really awesome. Ski hard, work hard, party hard. Repeat. You gotta love this sport.

Jay Peak. Is there any other ski area in the East that can compare to Utah in snowfall numbers? Jay is unbelievable. The terrain is awesome. Great steeps, trees, and most importantly, SNOW. On top of that it has a nice feel, solid local skiers and a good attitude surrounding it. I couldn’t believe when I just checked the Jay Peak site to see that they woke up to 7-9” of new snow. WHAT? Sometimes I think the only place that is snows is Jay. There is no new snow at my house? This seems to happen all the time. No snow anywhere, until I look at the Jay Peak site to see that they got yet another dump.
Jay is a bit of a trip for me, but every time I’ve headed up, it has been well worth it. I’m thinking I’m overdue. Maybe I can even get some powder skiing in.

Okay, so Vermont is back in the mix. We actually got hit by a solid 12-15 inch storm and it has been super cold since. Okemo is in pretty good shape, although we did not get the pow pow that Virginia just got. 24+ inches. Pretty good for Virginia. I think TGR should do a segment at Wintergreen! That would be cool. I think.
So, just read a short blurb on my buddy, Gary’s blog, http://www.skibumpoet.com. He talks about “paying the price,” at Alta. Gary is a seasoned veteran of Alta, that continually gives Alta the respect that it deserves. He taught me that if you are going to sprint to ski High Rustler on a 2 foot deep day, than you better pay your dues when it hasn’t snowed for 3 weeks and ski it at that time too.
I’ve certainly skied High Boy straight out of the gate on a 2 foot deep day, but what a great tradition to respect the goods when the skiing is below average.
I’m looking forward to a deep Winter in Vermont, but ready to pay my dues if need be. Also looking forward to some High Boy runs, in this April’s trip to Alta. Hoping the dues will be all paid up by then!

Well I usually take the bad news first…

It is a few days until Thanksgiving and there is little to no skiing to be had. People are starting to get a bit cranky? Everybody is anxious, and there is nothing to do but wait. The temperatures have not even been getting low enough to make good snow, and the Vermont ski areas are pushing back their originally planned opening dates. It’s not even looking good for a Thanksgiving Weekend opening. That is the bad news.

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It is true that every day or week feels like an eternity in November when you are waiting for the lifts to turn, BUT…… There’s still hope! Here is my theory. In the past when we’ve had an early start, with good skiing in November, it has all been green by New Year’s, and never lasting much into April. So, we might be starting a little late this season, but when it hits, it is going to hit HARD, and last LONG. Its going to be a deep winter in VT. For sure. Aside from this slow start, all the other signs are good. The farmer’s almanac says “Cold and Snowy,” the Wooly Bear caterpillar has an extra long black band on a heavy coat of fur this year, and the old woodsman that I talked to the other day said the Bee Hives were built extra high in the trees, clearly calling for a deep, deep snow winter.

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So, if I were you, I’d have your skis ready, knowing that this Winter is going to be the best one yet!
Think it, Live it, Love it…..SNOW (sooner or later)

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