MikeSandy.net

Ski Day Report

Bluebird Day

SNOWBIRD, UT — Despite my reservations about going skiing for a second day in a row, I just couldn't resist, and I didn't want to leave my friend, Mark, to have to ski by himself. So, after the 311 concert the previous night, I told Mark I would go skiing with him.

I don't want to say that it was a mistake to go skiing, but my lack of fitness rendered me totally incompetent. I simply could not ski much at all. My legs became dead tired after only a couple turns. It took me a very long time just to get down the mountain. Worse of all, I was really holding Mark back.

After a couple runs, I retreated to the ski patrol shack on Hidden Peak to rest. Meanwhile, Mark was part of the first group to ski the Bookends after the big storm earlier in the week. After about 45 minutes, we met up again, I was glad to hear that he had a blast skiing some fresh powder.

We decided to have lunch, so I headed down Regulator Johnson while Mark skied a couple runs elsewhere. On Regulator, I skied some really good turns, and the groomed conditions made it easier on my legs. I realized, again, that I still do love skiing. I just need to get back into shape so I can get back to enjoying skiing like I used to.

After lunch, my situation didn't improve. Just skiing down to the tram took forever because my legs were so tired. I told Mark that I was just going to ski some Regulator runs while he skied whatever he wanted. But when we got to the top, he asked about skiing something off the Cirque. I couldn't resist.

First, we stopped atop Great Scott, which has so little snow in it (compared to normal seasons), that there are exposed rock outcroppings everywhere. It looked treacherous, and neither Mark nor I had any intention of skiing the run.

We arrived at my usual Upper Cirque chute next. It is steep. It is challenging. I was totally up for skiing it, but I thought a lower cirque run would be more appropriate for me on this day. Mark was ready to ski it, though, and I relented. I had conquered this chute many times before. I was sure I could muster up the strength to slay this chute one more time before calling it a day.

Mark skied the chute very well. Then I started down. The snow felt really good. My legs were like wet noodles though, and I immediately knew I was doomed. I avoided the fall line and mostly just side-slipped down. I took a couple out-of-control turns, but one of the turns only projected me into a bunch of exposed rocks on the left side of chute before I could initiate a right turn. I was done. I backed up, side-slipped down some more, crossed over the ridge into an adjacent chute, watched a woman above me drop a cliff like a pro, and then made my way down to Mark, who seemed to be getting very impatient with me. I don't blame him. I told him I was absolutely done, and that he should go ahead without me.

I was relieved that my ski day was over, but I still had to get down two-thirds of Snowbird. I decided to take my time. The day was beautiful, and surroundings spectacular. I sat down atop Naco's Knoll and just enjoyed the weather and the scenery. Before our tram ride, we had learned that the canyon road was closed, so there was no hurry. Helicopters were buzzing around overhead as they scoped out the surrounding peaks for avalanches. As I gazed across the canyon at Mount Superior, I just kept hoping that it would avalanche because I had such a great view to witness such an event! It never did.

Eventually, I made it down to the Creekside Lodge, where I just relaxed and wondered what is next for me in skiing. Can I get back in shape? Do I care? I decided that I still very much love skiing. Despite my struggles, just being outside and exercising both days this weekend made me feel awesome for the whole next week.

Mark met up with me at the Creekside Lodge after about 45 minutes, or so. The road was still closed, but we decided to head to the car to be ready once it opened because Mark had to get back down to the valley to meet up with someone for dinner. The road closure was making it questionable that he would make it to his dinner reservation. The road finally opened at around 4:30, and thanks to the driver of a Snowbird bus, we were allowed to back out of our parking spot and get in the line to leave. We made it down the canyon without much trouble, and Mark made it to dinner on time.

Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆