Sowahjathink?

"Sowahjathink, jathink, jathink, you'll open the Castle? Jathink?" he annoyingly asked the mountain patrolman.

Reminiscent of a movement made by the Ghost of Christmas Past, a single gesture by a gloved hand pointed to a massive, now silent avalanche on Greely. No verbal explanation offered.

Probably a 1 x 5. One football field by five football fields. Stay in-bounds my friends and thank our mountain crews.

Chocolate Day

Knowing that a foot of new powder awaited us, we got our ducks in a row and headed out early to Solitude, only to find out that it was CHOCOLATE DAY. Not only was there untracked powder, but 6 tents were set for our visit, rewarding us with chocolate at each - Chocolate Creamies, Gourmet Dark with Chili Powder, Fernwood Mint Sandwiches, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Hot Chocolate, Chocolate Milk, Utah Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Almonds, and Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears!!! Ski in, consume yummies, ski out. We got our game card stamped at each tent and entered the drawing at 1:30. My sweetie said we were sure to win. Unfortunately, he did not win the IPod that he was coveting, and I did not win the chocolate, nut-encrusted, carmel apple. None-the-less....an amazing day.

Types of Snow

We are looking forward to our return to Brighton for a family ski trip. Like the Eskimo, I have defined specific show types - each with their unique qualities:

• powdered sugar - an easy ski
• cornmeal - slow, fun, and accompanied by 60 degree air
• ash - rare lifetime opportunity, weightless
• sand - a whiplash event
• cement - okay if it's shallow, above 50 degrees and sunny
• crust - a surprise when unexpected, throws off your schway
• ice - fast and fear-inducing, least favorite
• rock salt - if it's deep and cold, a slick ride
• chunky crud - grapefruit-sized frozen snow globs (avoid)
• beanbag chair styrofoam - when it's deep, almost as fun as powder
• tracked powder - better than no powder
• untracked powder - thigh-burning delight
• tree stashes - bits of powder hidden off the beaten path
• flour - heavier than powdered sugar, challenging when you're buried
• mustard seed - fun underfoot, but not in a blizzard
• air glitter - ice crystals that sparkle in the air, spiritual

It's all good :)