Vail...

GKL posted this video on Facebook and it gave me chills. It captures all of the things I love about skiing. I've been privileged to have skied at Vail three different times. The first time I went was in junior high. I had saved up all my lawn-mowing money during the summer and fall to pay for my airfare, lift tickets, and my share of the lodging. My dad agreed to pay for the food and rental car. I went with a cousin who was my age and we quickly ditched our parents to find all the best spots. I repeated this in high school with three of my friends. The last time I went was my freshman year in college. I got a bunch of money when I graduated high school that I saved in order to go. Five of us road-tripped from Illinois for one of those cheap-o college Christmas break package deals. By now I was improved as a skier and felt confident in a lot of the harder terrain at Vail. Of all the places I've skied out west and overseas, I've always had the best skiing at Vail.  This video makes me want to ski there again as soon as I possibly can.

How About A Fucking Post Every Once In A While?...

As some of you may know, I have been working this winter as a paid ski patroller at a local resort (in addition to my volunteer duties on weekends. This is a short video highlighting a typical morning for me which includes riding around on a snowmobile and opening parts of the hill, as well as starting a fire in the warming house. You will notice how the Boy Scout Handbook section on how to start a fire goes out the window when temps are below zero.

Ski Report, Week 8...

Since the conditions next time I ski probably won't be worth reporting about, I've decided this is my last one for the season. It was the big spring party weekend (which I mentioned last year) where I patrol, so it's a good one to end on. The weather was warm and sunny. The skiing was great. The drunks were entertaining and non-violent. There were naked boobies. I'll leave you with a video of a time-honored spring skiing tradition - trying to make it across the pool of freezing water. I sped it up because I know you people are busy and things are generally funnier in double-time. Note the guy who tries it with one ski and almost makes it. Also note only one snowboarder makes it across. There is also a tiny bit of plumber's butt, so be warned.

Happy Monday, All!...

I hope you all had a pleasant weekend.

Tonight is the final night of my ski racing season. It's been kind of a mixed bag for me. I started out slow, but once I got the hang of it, I worked my way way up to the top slot on the team by the middle of the season. Then, a few weeks ago I had a pretty spectacular wreck. I was about 3/4 of the way down and hauling ass when I lost track of a gate until it was right in front of me. I hooked my ski and went head first down the hill. Luckily, I didn't injure myself, other than a little ego bruising. As I climbed up to retrieve the ski that came off, I discovered I had completely broken the toe-piece of the binding. After that run, I got nervous and more tentative, so my times suffered. I'm hoping to redeem myself tonight.