Under the Tree
The Good News
– Some colder air and the potential for natural snow in the mountains are on tap all this week as we approach NYE!
There is a storm in the works for later in the weekend (Sat night/Sun) that could be a make or break event. More to follow, but this system is pounding the Sierra Nevada mountains and on its way to the Rockies.
Date Taken: 12-20-06
Photo Credit: Winter Park Resort
That was not exactly the White Christmas we were looking for…
Still, there was skiing to be had. I did not go. For the first winters holiday weekend since I have been writing this blog I did not pack the ski gear as I made may way to the homes of friends and relatives.
Recap of December: Would have been a great October. It has been a laugher actually. We all have to just shrug our shoulders…
photo from Telluride Resort
This past Saturday I was thinking about this season as I sat in—stop and go—traffic heading west on the MA Pike (aka – The greatest turnpike in Massachusetts). Basically from 495 to 84 was a storm of brake light and blinkers. Most plates not even from New England.
I wanted to smash my face off of the windshield, multiple times.
I hate traffic.
The extra hour the drive took gave me ample time to reflect.
January, February & March = a solid three months of ski season left. For spring, New England skiing could last well into April if we start to meet seasonal snowfall averages. That cheered me!
The coolest, completely unnecessary, ski related gift to buy with some of that holiday jingle: Helmet Camera
Water cooler talk: There was some weekend ski banter worth passing along.
Be Careful: Governor Schwarzenegger (CA) broke his leg in ski accident at Sun Valley, ID. I read several stories online and here is the most informative one I found. LINK
photo from Telluride Resort
Unconfirmed hearsay…
Ski area to remain anonymous during ongoing investigation.
Word on the chairlift is that a contractor had hired plumbers who hooked the septic system of a multi-million dollar mountain property under construction into the ski resorts snowmaking pipes. This happened during a “warm” spell and the resort was not cultivating snow. Because the system was depressurized the plumber was able to tap into the snowmaking water line.
Eventually the temperatures improved and the mountain operations fired up the compressors. Let us just say it was a good thing nobody was home. The toilets got blown clear through the roof. It was not very good for the snowmaking pipe either.
It cost the resort precious time around the holiday season when terrain expansion is at a premium.
Confirmed: There is some great skiing to be had out west. CO is rocking! Book a trip.
The gift we cannot give, only receive – Snow.
Look forward,
S.G.
photo from Telluride Resort
