There are times I wish that I lived out west. Big mountains, consistent snow, epic trails, but then there are those days when I'm pretty stoked right where I am.
This morning my wife joined me and our friend Chris for a pre-dawn skin and ski up Shawnee Peak. We got to enjoy fresh snow, first tracks, and that sense of satisfaction that goes along with a fun adventure before most of the world has even woken up.
I then spent some time in my shop working on skis and getting them ready for their next adventure, which it turned out was just this afternoon. I took a tour of Rog's trails and enjoyed a hour of XC skiing through snow laden pine trees and along babbling brooks (literally babbling). As I finished up the sun was setting behind Shawnee Peak and I realized how full circle the day had been, and how lucky I had been to have been right where I was to enjoy it.
I can't wait for tomorrow.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
New Snow = New Attitude
It's always amazing to me how much my attitude can change with just a little bit of fresh snow, especially when it feels like an unexpected Christmas present.
Yesterday morning I woke up to my excited children pleading with my wife and I to get out of bed at 5 a.m. We managed to hold them off for a bit, but relented around 5:30 a.m. Downstairs we went, and while I did make them wait for the coffee to brew, we let them get to the opening of stockings and presents well before the sun rose.
When the sun did rise I could see the remnants of our last storm still clinging to the field behind our house. The remaining snow had fought a valiant battle against the massive amount of rain we had seen the previous week and it just didn't look very Christmas like outside. But then as I began my second cup of coffee I began to notice a few flakes falling from the sky. It made me smile to think that it was starting to snow a bit. Then it started to snow harder, my smile grew even a bit wider.
As we progressed through our Christmas morning routine the snow continued to fall and the pace of the storm increased. Soon it was looking like a real storm, and within a couple of hours we had a couple of inches of fresh snow on the ground. I could feel that familiar itch creep over me, I needed to get over to the mountain and get in some skiing!
By noon time we had three inches of snow and I knew I had to head out into the fun. My wife and girls knew that for me getting out for a skin and ski would be the perfect Christmas gift so they pushed me out of the house. As I drove over the snow continued to fall. I got my skis skinned up and began to climb. By mid mountain we had about four inches of snow and it was sitting on top of the massive amount of snow the snowmaking crew had laid down over the past few days. Since the top of the mountain hadn't opened yet I knew I was going to get a bit of powder on top of manmade velvet that had yet to be pushed around. One of my favorite conditions- manmade whales with a bit of fluff on top. When I got to the top I met up with one of the snowmakers, I thanked him for the efforts they had been putting in, especially on Christmas Day, and then pushed off for my highly anticipated run. The snow was excellent and the best part- it was all mine.
I got to the bottom and thought of packing up and heading home, but descided I'd hike up for just a few more turns, maybe to the top of the first pitch. As I began climbing I became aware of the fact I was doing time calculations in my head about how long it would take to get all the way to the top again and if I had enough time to make it happen. I was feeling good so I just kept saying, "well I'll go up one more pitch and then call it good." That internal conversation went on until I was at the top again. I once again ran into the same snowmaker and this time I gave him a hand as he was moving some guns around. He thought I was nuts to climb up the mountain twice when the lifts would be spinning the next day, but I told him it was worth it- plus I knew what food lay ahead of my at the parents house later in the afternoon so I figured I needed to put in some work!
My second run was just as good as the first and as I loaded my gear into the car I could feel that my attitude had made a significant shift to the good. Just that little bit of snow made everything look wintery and the fact that the mountain was in such good shape put a smile on my face.
Here's to winter, and its snowy goodness!
Yesterday morning I woke up to my excited children pleading with my wife and I to get out of bed at 5 a.m. We managed to hold them off for a bit, but relented around 5:30 a.m. Downstairs we went, and while I did make them wait for the coffee to brew, we let them get to the opening of stockings and presents well before the sun rose.
When the sun did rise I could see the remnants of our last storm still clinging to the field behind our house. The remaining snow had fought a valiant battle against the massive amount of rain we had seen the previous week and it just didn't look very Christmas like outside. But then as I began my second cup of coffee I began to notice a few flakes falling from the sky. It made me smile to think that it was starting to snow a bit. Then it started to snow harder, my smile grew even a bit wider.
As we progressed through our Christmas morning routine the snow continued to fall and the pace of the storm increased. Soon it was looking like a real storm, and within a couple of hours we had a couple of inches of fresh snow on the ground. I could feel that familiar itch creep over me, I needed to get over to the mountain and get in some skiing!
By noon time we had three inches of snow and I knew I had to head out into the fun. My wife and girls knew that for me getting out for a skin and ski would be the perfect Christmas gift so they pushed me out of the house. As I drove over the snow continued to fall. I got my skis skinned up and began to climb. By mid mountain we had about four inches of snow and it was sitting on top of the massive amount of snow the snowmaking crew had laid down over the past few days. Since the top of the mountain hadn't opened yet I knew I was going to get a bit of powder on top of manmade velvet that had yet to be pushed around. One of my favorite conditions- manmade whales with a bit of fluff on top. When I got to the top I met up with one of the snowmakers, I thanked him for the efforts they had been putting in, especially on Christmas Day, and then pushed off for my highly anticipated run. The snow was excellent and the best part- it was all mine.
I got to the bottom and thought of packing up and heading home, but descided I'd hike up for just a few more turns, maybe to the top of the first pitch. As I began climbing I became aware of the fact I was doing time calculations in my head about how long it would take to get all the way to the top again and if I had enough time to make it happen. I was feeling good so I just kept saying, "well I'll go up one more pitch and then call it good." That internal conversation went on until I was at the top again. I once again ran into the same snowmaker and this time I gave him a hand as he was moving some guns around. He thought I was nuts to climb up the mountain twice when the lifts would be spinning the next day, but I told him it was worth it- plus I knew what food lay ahead of my at the parents house later in the afternoon so I figured I needed to put in some work!
My second run was just as good as the first and as I loaded my gear into the car I could feel that my attitude had made a significant shift to the good. Just that little bit of snow made everything look wintery and the fact that the mountain was in such good shape put a smile on my face.
Here's to winter, and its snowy goodness!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Snow?
I'm watching the weather channel and they are talking about massive downpours tomorrow. What is going on? At least to the north they got slammed, I have heard Saddleback and Sugarloaf got crushed with a couple feet of snow. That makes me smile, but then I realize that I'm not heading up that way anytime soon. Hmmmm, I might have to fix that!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Cold Air Please!
I'm looking outside at very green grass and I'm thinking of going for a run. I'll likely be able to wear shorts and just a light long sleeve top, and it's December.
We need some cold air. I've gotten to the point where I can accept the fact that we won't get much snow until mid winter, but we need the temps to be "seasonable" for this ski season to get cranking. While I appreciate the fact that these mild temps help with peoples heating bills, they are hurting other peoples paychecks. I also appreciate that my rant will have little opportunity to impact the temperatures, but it maybe makes me feel a bit better!
With that said, I'm going to go for a run- at least that way my lets will be a bit more ready for that powder day that has got be just around the corner!
We need some cold air. I've gotten to the point where I can accept the fact that we won't get much snow until mid winter, but we need the temps to be "seasonable" for this ski season to get cranking. While I appreciate the fact that these mild temps help with peoples heating bills, they are hurting other peoples paychecks. I also appreciate that my rant will have little opportunity to impact the temperatures, but it maybe makes me feel a bit better!
With that said, I'm going to go for a run- at least that way my lets will be a bit more ready for that powder day that has got be just around the corner!
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Season
The early season hero's of an eastern ski season are the members of the snowmaking team at your local ski hill. This year is no different, as we've seen little, if any, natural snow. However a number of areas are open and offering up fantastic skiing.
I was thinking of that the other day as I was skinning up Sunday River to get a run in to work off the massive Thanksgiving meal from the previous day. If it wasn't for the snowmakers doing their thing I'd have been doing my normal hike up AND hike down, instead of the glorious ski down under the early light of a rising sun.
Consider how many more days a year we can ski, than skiers could enjoy 40 years ago. Ski areas would hope to have skiing available by Christmas, and would often have to reduce terrain during the January thaw. These days we can ski from November to April with little difficulty, no wonder the sport has progressed so much in the last few decades.
So on this morning I raise my coffee mug to the snowmakers of the world- keep doing what you do, and know we collectively say THANK YOU!
I was thinking of that the other day as I was skinning up Sunday River to get a run in to work off the massive Thanksgiving meal from the previous day. If it wasn't for the snowmakers doing their thing I'd have been doing my normal hike up AND hike down, instead of the glorious ski down under the early light of a rising sun.
Consider how many more days a year we can ski, than skiers could enjoy 40 years ago. Ski areas would hope to have skiing available by Christmas, and would often have to reduce terrain during the January thaw. These days we can ski from November to April with little difficulty, no wonder the sport has progressed so much in the last few decades.
So on this morning I raise my coffee mug to the snowmakers of the world- keep doing what you do, and know we collectively say THANK YOU!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
First Skin and Ski Of The Season With Chris Webb Up At Sunday River from Sven Cole on Vimeo.
The season is underway.
The season is underway.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Winter
I'm ready for winter. How about you? It's been a strange winter and with February now underway I'm struggling with the fact that we are halfway through the ski season. While we haven't had great natural snow to get us into the woods, we've had some great skiing at the resorts where they've been taking advantage of the few cold nights we've had thus far.
Now what will likely happen is we'll get through February and start thinking about mountain biking, kayaking, and all sort of spring like activities and then get buried with March snow. It seems to happen that way each year and it requires that we stay focused on those future powder days so that when they get here we're not bummed!
Ok time for bed so I can get up and climb in the morning. If I can't get first tracks in powder then first tracks on fresh corduroy is the next best thing!
Now what will likely happen is we'll get through February and start thinking about mountain biking, kayaking, and all sort of spring like activities and then get buried with March snow. It seems to happen that way each year and it requires that we stay focused on those future powder days so that when they get here we're not bummed!
Ok time for bed so I can get up and climb in the morning. If I can't get first tracks in powder then first tracks on fresh corduroy is the next best thing!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Cold Morning
I can't think of many better ways to start the day than to skin up a mountain, watch the sunrise, and then ski down. Today was no exception, except for the fact that it was COLD. That being said, it's winter and it's supposed to be cold!
As a skier I get really annoyed when I watch the news and the weatherman tries to sensationalize the weather and encourages people to "stay inside for their own safety" as it will be "dangerously cold". I understand people need to take precautions to make sure they don't get frostbite, but this is winter in New England, if we hideout inside every time it's close to or below zero we are going to get a widespread rash of cabin fever!
The key to cold weather is to use common sense. Cover up exposed skin. Wear layers so you can regulate your temperature. WEAR A HAT! Have good gloves and boots, and keep yourself moving but also understand where you are and what your "bail out" options are. If you are going to go skiing at a ski area, you have the base lodge as a "bail out" option when you get cold. When you're out in the backcountry you have to pack in your bail out option. Mine is a my hooded down parka, packs small, but does a great job at keeping me warm when I transition from the climbing park of the tour to the skiing part! I also always pack an extra hat and gloves as those tend to get wet with sweat when touring.
I guess my point is that while it gets cold, and if unprepared it can become a pretty serious issue, if you do plan and wear the right gear you can have a great time out in the snow no matter what the temp.
As a skier I get really annoyed when I watch the news and the weatherman tries to sensationalize the weather and encourages people to "stay inside for their own safety" as it will be "dangerously cold". I understand people need to take precautions to make sure they don't get frostbite, but this is winter in New England, if we hideout inside every time it's close to or below zero we are going to get a widespread rash of cabin fever!
The key to cold weather is to use common sense. Cover up exposed skin. Wear layers so you can regulate your temperature. WEAR A HAT! Have good gloves and boots, and keep yourself moving but also understand where you are and what your "bail out" options are. If you are going to go skiing at a ski area, you have the base lodge as a "bail out" option when you get cold. When you're out in the backcountry you have to pack in your bail out option. Mine is a my hooded down parka, packs small, but does a great job at keeping me warm when I transition from the climbing park of the tour to the skiing part! I also always pack an extra hat and gloves as those tend to get wet with sweat when touring.
I guess my point is that while it gets cold, and if unprepared it can become a pretty serious issue, if you do plan and wear the right gear you can have a great time out in the snow no matter what the temp.
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