An 8″ Slice of Heaven
I’ll admit, it’s been a funky winter for snowfall. We haven’t seen the number or intensity of powder days we are accustomed to, and last week’s early splash of spring has really thrown off my sense of how winter is supposed to work.
Last night, I stood outside in the darkness with my head turned toward the sky and let the big, fat snowflakes tickle my face. For the first time in a long time, I had a feeling that things were, indeed, going to get better.
First thing this morning, my suspicions were confirmed when I woke up and saw the bounty of powder filling our base area snow box. Instantly, things began to feel as they should!
I was no longer alone on my drive up to the mountain, instead, a line of cars proved the powderhounds were determined to show up early!
The trees were flocked with snow, there’s no dirt to be seen on the roadside, and even the entrance sign was framed with a little layer of fluff.
Instead of a muddy mess, the parking lot is once again coated in a blanket of white.
Even the snow shovels are standing taller, with a renewed sense of purpose and pride.
Instead of a ghost town at 9:00 am…fanatics are already milling around in the lift line.
By the time the lifts opened, the crowd had grown and the enthusiasm was palpable.
These are the kind of things we are used to seeing in winter, the kind of things that make everything seem like it’s the way it’s supposed to be.
A lucky Ski Patroller “sweeping” The Face as everyone else takes their first lift ride.
The guy who was in the very front of the line, taking his first turns under the chairlift as we watch from above. (Nice turns, Mike)
The fresh lines being devoured as the clouds crack open and reveal a hint of blue sky.
Signs of submersion at the summit.Just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything that had to be dug out to get things going.
Soft, smooth slopes unrolling at our feet…plunging silently to the valleys below.
An 8 inch slice of heaven floats down on us…and everything seems right again. 
This first-time powder ‘hound’ was truly enjoying his first shot at ‘steep and deep’…
Face Shot!
Powder Grins
March 13th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Who is that loyal local??
And….whose CUTE grand dogs are those in the pet area?
March 13th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
April.. great job! Fun to see where you work, if you can call it work!!
Cute puppies.. Kacy
March 13th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I was in the line for the first set of runs. We where about half way or more when the first skier came under the chair. For this yr it was an epic powder day and this late in the season made it much better.
March 13th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
The first Saturday in 3 months that I had to work…i had tears in my eyes this morning as I drove to work know how amazing God made Brundage this illustrious March day =(
March 14th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Hi Cory’s mom –
For once that loyal local was not Mister Cory, it was MYKL, also a fantastic skier who lives in New Meadows. You are right on about those pooches, though. Aren’t they cute?
March 14th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Ben (my 10 yr. old son) says that you are very good at telling stories! We are missing the”Pow” down here in Palm Desert. Thanks for the great story!
March 15th, 2010 at 9:29 am
“Dad -it’s like skiing on clouds!” – Kellen, age 7 after cutting first tracks from the 10th chair Saturday morning. Later he said “Thanks for making us get up early to come skiing today!” On the last run of the day he told his brother “That’s a lot of powder, but then we are the children of a powder skiing fool!”
If it gets better than this, I don’t know how!
April 1st, 2010 at 8:43 am
I love the snow!!!!! Can’t wait toget up there this year!!!!!!!! Save some powder for me!!!!