Location: Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah
Activity: Skiing the first time in over a year.
If you’re a fair weather skier, read on. If you ski no matter what the conditions, stop now or you might want to throw your old rear entry boots at me.
I could lie and say I’ve done tons of skiing this year but I won’t. In fact Valentines Day was my first day this year and if I don’t have another day for the rest of the season I’m okay with that. I’m sure when my husband reads this he’ll go file for the divorce papers or less drastically, make me pick up the dog poop and wash dishes, by HAND.
Last week I told him I wanted to go skiing on Valentines Day, which also happened to be on Presidents Day weekend. Probably one of the worse weekends to hit the slopes because of the crowds. When I woke up on Sunday I dreaded putting on my ski clothes. Not because they’re bulky, but they gauge whether I’ve gained weight or stayed the same. Fortunately for me and, especially my husband, they fit perfect. Next… making sure I don’t look like a guy. I had a horrible experience several years ago when a liftie called me “son”. Since then I’ve been sure to buy girly colored clothes and wear eye make-up (invisible to the naked eye when one is wearing goggles). Finally we are in the car heading towards Solitude, I have coffee and my Odwalla bar, and the world is good. Despite the slow train of cars up Big Cottonwood Canyon, we make it to the parking lot by the Moonbeam Lodge before 10 a.m.
While gearing up in the lot we run into our friends, Mason and Lexi. I’m sure the day got off to a smoother start with friends around because I’m less likely to whine in front of company. Honestly there wasn’t anything to complain about. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm. The snow was a perfect mix of soft and mushy. The lines weren’t too long, and my ability to avoid running into people has improved. A perfect Callista ski day.
Once we’re off the Eagle Express lift, I remember how much I HATE my ski boots. I’ve had them for 12 years, the last 3 years in them have been painful. But due to the fact that I’m a fair weather skier, I haven’t felt the need to buy new ones. Until now. I realize even though I haven’t skied a day this year, I feel like I’m skiing better than ever. In fact, I think I’m on the brink of either being a forever mediocre skier or advancing to that next level. I like doing bumps when turning doesn’t cause me pain from my boots. Most intermediate runs are easy but I don’t relish the thought of tumbling to my death on an advanced run. Anyway, I digress.
Jared and I did about 6 runs before we headed to Solitude’s base village to eat a yummy Valentines Day brunch at Kimi’s Mountainside Bistro. Because I couldn’t help myself I had a Bloody Mary with my food. Perhaps not the greatest idea when I was still planning on skiing a few more runs. After brunch we headed back out and every few turns I would stop and try not to burp up my drink.
Two runs later my quads yelled, “NO MORE.” It would be best for me to end this perfect day on a good note. I reached the car without a crash to my name or someone cutting me off on the slopes. Best ski day ever. Or at least for as long as I can remember. I linked my turns, skied parallel, and for the most part didn’t trip myself with my poles too often.
Lesson: Don’t drink a Bloody Mary unless you want to puke RED on the pretty, WHITE snow.