Instead of focusing on the snow conditions, I ended up training my camera on the bits of fresh snow delicately perched on the tree branches.

Then I started thinking more deeply about that phrase. What was I missing by focusing in too closely, and what does it really mean to ’see the forest through the trees’ or ‘not see the forest for the trees’?

In the bigger picture of life, I think it refers to when we struggle to see past the mayhem and distractions to get to the heart of things. Look at all the different layers of things you can see ‘through the trees’, if only you take the time to look…

A fresh fluffy line that was somehow forgotten yesterday…

Powder in the foreground, a chairlift humming behind it, and miles of mountains in the distance…

The solitude of a ski run shared with no one…

What about the layers in between? Behind the trees and in front of the skier, fresh snowflakes float to the ground.

A whole world of wonder, unfolding in the distance.

- April

For more details about the competition times, venues and Special Olympics Idaho programs, visit www.specialolympicsidaho.com.

Spirits instantly renewed, we stood in line waiting for the chairlift to open and to finally feel some fresh snow underfoot.  Now, I am not saying it was an epic day or the best day of the season.  But it was a day renewed. The slopes felt like they haven’t felt in two weeks, and I am here to say, at this point in the game, 5 inches was nearly as good for our spirits as five feet! – Cory

Snow falling in the base area….

Fresh turns off trail…

Runs groomed last night had a layer of goodness spread across…

Runs groomed this morning had new life…

The trees are accessible again…

They were also holding snow on their limbs…

I have skied better days, but today was just what I needed!

-Cory

We’ve had sunshine, warm temperatures, and ideal ‘springlike’ snow conditions. Not the mushy, slushy stuff, but those fun spring conditions that remind you that good things come to those who wait.

Our slopes have been going from downright firm and crunchy first thing…to sun-kissed, smooth, carvable corduroy…to soft, creamy, forgiving frosting by afternoon.

Along with all that comes the springtime attitude.

Hats come off, sunglasses break out, pitchers of beer are enjoyed on the deck and visitors pause to enjoy the view from the summit and the peace of the mountains.

For those who don’t ‘get it’, here are some tips on how to get the most out of these springtime conditions. (Please note, that entry was written in mid-APRIL last season).

That said, there’s been lots of chat about the mountain folk being ‘ready for spring’. We’ve been watching our snow banks shrink, our walkways emerge from a crust of white and the vestiges of our lawns play peek-a-boo for a moment. While it is a nice treat to smell the dirt and feel the sun’s warm rays on our faces, I have second thoughts about fully embracing spring.

And they look like this:

And this:

And this:

And this:

For all who are claiming to be ‘ready for spring’, I have to ask, “How long until you are ‘ready for winter’ again, dreaming of that next powder day and longing for the gravitational pull of the mountain’s snow-covered slopes?”

I say, be careful what you wish for.

It may be true that variety is the spice of life.

I has been envigorating to see the daily transformation of the world from cold and hard in the morning…

…to warm, soft and forgiving in the afternoon.

However, to every thing there IS a season. And while I’ve enjoyed this little taste of springtime and all that comes with it, I’m decidedly NOT ready for things to turn, turn, turn…

That’s why it was so nice to see this special weather statement issued today by the National Weather Service. I guess spring will have to wait its turn. And hopefully that will mean more cold, powdery turns for us in the meantime.
-    April

A SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

…A BIG CHANGE IN THE WEATHER COMING THIS WEEK…

AFTER A MILD AND DRY STRETCH OF EARLY SPRING LIKE WEATHER…CONDITIONS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE. A VIGOROUS COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE REGION MONDAY AFTERNOON IN OREGON AND MONDAY EVENING IN IDAHO. THIS FRONT WILL BRING A SHARP DROP IN TEMPERATURES BY AS MUCH AS 10 TO 15 DEGREES FROM THE MILD READINGS OF THE PAST WEEK.

Competitors of all ages showed up to jump, spin and slide their way to glory under the sunshine.

They each got two runs to show their ’style’ on a series of jumps and rails.

This was one of two qualifiers for the Freestyle Jam Final on April 10th. A small crowd gathered to watch the action – in the end, it was Trevor Hattabaugh who took home the gold with the overall best score across all age groups.

Here’s a look at some of the action: (click on any photo for a larger view)

Pond Skimming

Brundage Mountain is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of events for the spring season.

We want to give everyone a chance to share new experiences at Brundage Mountain through longtime favorites, exciting new events and several discount days in March and April.

Sunday, March 14 – Second Sunday Pass Holder Bonus ($$$)

Saturday, March 20 – O-WIMP-IC Games

Sunday, March 21 – Celebrate Family Day ($$$)

Saturday, April 3 – Snow Battle (NEW)

Sunday, April 4 – Gimme A Break Day ($$$), Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 10 – MSRT Marathon, Freestyle Jam Series Final

Sunday, April 11 – Second Sunday Pass Holder Bonus ($$$), Last day for DAILY operations

Saturday, April 17 – Pond Skimming and Crazy Daze, (Bonus Weekend #1)

Mark your calendars, and bring some friends! Or, share this exciting lineup with your friends by sending them a link to this page.

- April

Dear Brundage Mountain,
Last year we spent 4 days at your mountain, and it was truly the best skiing my family has ever had.

My son learned to ski the runs of bear, griz, and jammer like a champ, and my daughter was getting comfortable on your smooth but steep blue runs of main street, and Engen!

Well, it did not take long for me to decide that we were coming back in 2010! Only this time we stayed for 10 days…….and had by far the best family ski vacation ever!

Now my 7 yr old son can ski all your “big boy” blue runs with the rest of the family.

He even discovered your Rodeo run …which means JUMPS!!

My 12 year old daughter advanced her abilities as well and now has proven she can ski the ENTIRE mountain, steeps, moguls, off piste, trees, you name it!

My wife and I are still amazed at how much they have improved in just one year.

Your mountain has now become our family winter playground! Thank you once again for keeping this beautiful ski area……beautiful for us to enjoy!

We love it so much we even took advantage of your season pass deals and now the entire family is sporting a shiney new 2010-11 season pass……which means of course …we are coming back again in 2011!

Your entire staff made us feel so welcomed. From the the dedicated ski patrol, the lifties, the season pass ticket office (she was great!!), the yellow jacket welcome staff in the parking lot assisting us to unload our gear!

EVERYONE was so nice to us, the hill was always groomed to perfection and the blue bird skies in the pictures reveals the absolutely breath taking views Brundage mountain has and that is what makes your mountain our new destination ski resort!

Thank you for a wonderful 2010 ski vacation……see you all in 2011!

Sincerely,
Fred, Laurel, Abby & Luc LeBlanc
St. Paul, MN

The Brundage Mountain Winter Games was a hit this year with many smiling participants.  Recreational racers as well as team affiliated athletes crashed gates and skied for gold.  Thank you to all the participants, volunteers and sponsors that made this years Winter Games possible.

-Cory

It’s always impressive to watch skiers with young talent, (or simply youthful exuberance) hit the slopes, but the best part is the expression on their faces when those medals are placed around their necks.

There’s much more to come from Winter Games weekend, with more racing tomorrow for the Adult recreationalists, Mitey Mites and Physically Challenged competitors. But for now, I’ll leave you with the photo highlights from Day 1.

Special thanks to Sterling Savings Bank for their sponsorship – it’s a big part of what made these Gold (and silver and bronze) Medal Moments possible.

- April

Today, we toasted former McCall ski racer Hailey Duke as she competed in the women’s slalom. Hailey placed 3oth overall and while we were disappointed that NBC chose not to air the slalom event live, a small but sincere group gathered in Smoky’s Pub today to follow her race online, share their warm wishes and toast to her accomplishment. You can read what Hailey had to say after the race here, or listen to an NPR radio interview on Hailey’s journey featuring Hailey and her parents, Jane and Larry Duke.

Those of us who ski a lot can appreciate the fact that just making the U.S. Team is amazing, and more than one spectator pointed out that Hailey performed even better than Lindsey Vonn in this event! (No offense, Lindsey.)

Hailey’s ride comes just one day after Jeret “Speedy” Peterson’s Silver Medal performance in Freestyle Aerials. Today, Speedy was named “Stud of the Day” among other honors.

We think the success of these Idahoans is proof that skiing has a special place in this state. In fact, Idaho embodies “The Soul of Skiing”, and we invite you to take  a special trip with Speedy as your personal guide. After all, he is the stud of the day.

– April