SKI DAY #30
Wow what an amazing ski season I've had. I couldn't have picked a better winter to be "semi-retired". It just keeps on snowing in the Northwest when the rest of the world isn't getting much. My 30th day of the season was particularly special because I got to share it with my Dad. Yep, that's my old man ripping a turn through the forrest of Left Angle at Crystal Mountain.
How many 65 year olds do you know that still have that kind of form huh? I do okay on the twin sticks myself but owe it to my folks for getting me started. Skiing is by far my favorite thing to do, period. Nothing gives me a feeling of satisfaction like skiing, especially on a powder day. It's the people, it's the community, it's the atmosphere, and it's the activity itself that's makes it so special.
It took us a while to get up there on Saturday, slow traffic, people chaining up, and a blizzard starting just as you hit the two-lane road made for a mellow drive. There were a lot of people, as we had to park near the back of the lower lot.
In the morning we were a little stuck in the masses of people but it didn't matter. It was snowing so hard I knew most people would soon be heading for the lodge. My Pop and I started out with the traditional runs, Lucky Shot, Green Valley, Snorting Elk, and Ice Berg. Then I took my Dad down Right Angle. He traverses the hill and needs the trees to be spread out a little more than most. Must be because he used to be a downhill racer. So I kept the tour to more wide open spaces.
After a few runs on the edge of North Backcountry, we then did a few laps on the Frontside. So good!!! Then we put some fuel back in the tanks with lunch at the top lodge. Can't get enough of that chili and fresh cookies.
Post lunch we did a couple easy runs to process our new energy. Then moved over to High Campbell for something more challenging. Unfortunately as the Ski Patrol was blasting away, trying to get South Backcountry open, many people were hanging out on Chair 6, making the lift line too long for me to bare. So we dropped into an epic run down Powder Bowl. I checked the clock and it was 2 pm. I decided to let my Dad take a few fun runs by himself and I went to knock off a few T to B's. Hit Frontside right under the chair a few times, hit Orgasm Meadows, Upper to Lower Exterminator, Right Angle again, cruised back over and did Powder Bowl again, then finished up the day with Left Angle.
The storms are once again stacked up ready to dump copious amounts of snow in the Cascades. Too bad I'm busy with interviews and getting a new job. I would be up at Crystal the whole week if I could. If you can, get up there. Only a month and a half left. Go 'give-er'!!!
Check out a couple more ripping pow shots of my Dad, Jay. Look at how hard it was snowing in the shot of my Dad traversing out of North. I love a good blizzard.
