I hope this finds all of you well. This season I ventured into the uphill game. I set myself up with all new AT gear including boots, skis, headlamp, backpack, the works. I’d get to the mountain super early so to try and beat the youngsters to the top. Of course, I couldn’t even make it to the top on my first attempts. The whole process was a learning experience starting with figuring out how to click into the tiny bindings. One also must learn how to pace because at 11,000 feet you have to go slow to go fast, especially for a guy my age. After a month of doing this every morning I still had to get here earlier than the youngsters to beat them to the top, but sure enough I was doing just that. Everything became easier, more natural, and less of a struggle. It allowed me to really take in a whole new way of looking at the mountain by simply turning around and going up instead. It is incredible to see the grooming cats in the darkness winching up Mirage or JR’s like a spider pulling its way back up to the web or the 360 degree view of a sunrise over the continental divide. And, who knew there is a headwall on Sleepy Hollow? I challenge any of you to find it while going downhill. All in all, in the end because of this new uphill perspective, I am healthier for it.
Similarly, it feels like our business has been going uphill over the last few years. With all the challenges presented to us by a pandemic and then a surprisingly diminished work force, we have had to go slow to go fast. We have adapted and we are healthier for it. As such we feel it is time to push forward with our expansion project into the No Name Basin. We are working closely with the Forest Service on the planning process and hope to be skiing and riding on that side of the divide in just a few years. We’ll see. There are still many logistical, political, and cultural hoops to jump through first. We also have our sights on building expansion and parking improvements. There is a lot to be excited about and none of it could be possible without the support you all have shown us over the years. I look at you, our Season Pass holders, as if you are a one of us and try to do all I can to make that commitment have as much value as possible. With that in mind we plan on to continue improving, expanding, and enjoying the ride along the way.
We are also going to extend this season through April 17th so all of us can squeeze as much out of it as possible. Oh yea … “Kayaks on Snow” is back this season too … see you there on April 16th.
See you on the slopes!
