Christine February 6th, 2010
me: Skiing merrily along on a favorite run.
Matthew: Skiing merrily along behind.
me: Pauses in an open glade and looks back.
Matthew: On the ground; skis splayed asunder.
me: “What happened? Are you alright?”
Matthew: “I fell back on my skis and have been riding them sitting down, going really fast for the last 75 feet, with my butt on the ends! What do you think?”
me: Oh.
Answer: oblivious
Christine January 29th, 2010
I promised a ski photo or two from last Sunday. I forgot my backpack so I didn’t want to take the camera on the lift. Can you imagine the horror should I drop it from way up there? I’d never live it down. No sir. Thus, I only got shots this time from the bottom of the hill. By the time I decided I’d had my last run it had started to snow. Not the best photo but this is looking up the hill from Lift 1. Snow conditions so far this year are passable but not great. The skiing was still tons of fun. I am hoping that February will bring the epic snow storm we need. Otherwise it might be a dry summer.
Here is our son Aly (R) riding the lift up. The perspective is screwy but this run is high, narrow and steep. I don’t do that one. It is usually more like a luge.
Christine January 4th, 2010
bound by two plain feet
winter heavy sky breathes snow
tiny kisses fall
white giants tower above
magically my feet sprout wings
There is no other lighter sensation than having wings… One Single Impression this week. Thanks for the prompt and the opportunity.
Christine January 2nd, 2010
After my accident last ski season (you might remember – I got smacked hard by a big, burly, out of control snowboarder who hit me full on and cracked my sternum) I honestly had a rougher time New Year’s Eve day getting back on the slopes than I did during the follow-up trip about a month after the accident. I was nervous which was not like me, but I had never had an accident which equaled the one last February either. I was in pain for quite a while. So, gingerly I took my first ski step this season and launched into the New Year.
Ah, the moment I got on the lift and looked out over the many mountainous layers of snow-covered peaks, I thought – this is totally worth the risk. To witness the season of snow from the mountain top is a privilege and joy of which I never tire. You can nearly touch God’s hand standing here in the snow on top of the world. This photo is in honor of trees and the white snow giants they become in the winter.
How many tons of snow do you think these trees hold in their arms? The landscape is transformed by silent white sentries of peace and repose. Our son Ian took this photo as he stood looking west into Idaho with the Coolpix camera. Ok, enough of this gawking at the scenery! Cowabunga! More tomorrow….
Christine November 11th, 2009
This is the summit at Look Out Pass on the Montana / Idaho border early this morning at first light. There is about eighteen inches at the summit and it is still collecting. The ski area is not yet open of course, but as the long Thanksgiving weekend draws near and we continue to get wet weather – where there is snow, there is hope! Each time I go down in the basement I eye those darn skis stacked neatly against the wall and the boots, large and small, perfectly lined up with their partners. Last spring all the mittens and gloves were sorted and paired; so what else is there to do but wax and wait? Ah, ’tis the season of thumb-twiddling.
Oops, just checked their website and they are opening for a few days over the weekend. I guess we’ll bide our time just a wee bit longer… don’t want to scrape up that fresh wax job!
Christine March 31st, 2009
Friday was a ski day for us; perhaps our last of the season. I lost some skiing due to my accident with the snowboarder several weeks ago. I am just now beginning to feel well enough to go without Ibuprofen. We did ski when the college kids were home on break at the beginning of March but I had to take it really easy and everyone was a little nervous – but I did OK. Last Friday was more like a normal ski trip for me. There was a hint of blue sky when we got to the top but that all quickly clouded over and it was very muted and gray all day long with heavy clouds building over Idaho. It never did snow however. This photo of Aly (while he watches Matthew edge his skis) was the highest contrast photo I could grab. The rest of these images are fairly monotone and it was all downhill from here. ~ Sorry~
These pictures enlarge also. You can see the steep climb up the mountain on the North Star chair; I rarely look back and down because it very well gives me the willies. Also, these chairs do not have the safety bar across the front. No, I’m not that brave. Some people ski this snow underneath the chair lift which is usually all deep powder. It does not look that fun to me but I’m not sixteen either. If they do it for the challenge then they’ve got it. This is looking into Idaho.
Here is one of my sweetie. His blue helmet is about the only color available. At least I always know where he is.
Wipe out wilderness and the world’s a cage. –DAVID BROWER
Christine February 19th, 2009
You’ve heard the phrase - the only way is down – but does that apply even when you are on your way up? I suppose it would. Cowabunga! Look Out Below! Views from Look Out Pass ski area riding Chair One. I was breathing in the blue of winter at this scene. See other slants on the sky at Sky Watch Friday. Thanks to all those who make it possible each week.
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. —JOHN MUIR, My First Summer in the Sierra, 1911
Christine February 16th, 2009
These shots I took on the North Star Chair the morning before my big collision with Mr. SB. Totally worth it? (Well, no – maybe not.) Thanks so very much to all you dear people for your messages of concern and well-wishes. You certainly know how to cheer a lady up! I’d give you all a hug but that would hurt. Things are improving–movement is still limited and Matt could do without me grimacing while getting out of bed in the morning. I definitely have learned that the sternum is connected to like — pretty much everything. Merriam says: In humans consists of the manubrium, gladiolus, and xiphoid process —called also breastbone. I’ll be back in the saddle before you know it.
Christine February 14th, 2009
I had a little accident Friday afternoon which left me bruised and with possibly a broken rib or so. I did not see all 200 pounds of this snowboarder coming until he was right on top of me. That seems to be the way with some snowboarders (not all snowboarders do this), but some types just appear suddenly and they are usually moving really fast. I spent most of the day trying to avoid them but obviously I failed– a school from Frenchtown had their ski outing up there yesterday too.
He rammed into me full force from the front and I didn’t even have time to stick out my arms to protect myself. It was quite the collision. Mr. Young Snowboarder – where did you come from? I’m glad though that he was not hurt at all. (I wish I could say the same.) Skiing is a bit risky and I totally admit that fact, but I can’t help but feel this incident was avoidable. It might take me a few days to collect myself; everything hurts right now. I’m very thankful that a friend was with me at the time. And, it could have been much worse. If I don’t feel better by Monday I’ll go in for an X-ray. (I would go in now but I cannot stand the whole ER scenario.) I’ll be visiting all of you very soon. Hugs, Christine
Christine January 30th, 2009
This is what first tracks on groomed corduroy looks like early in the morning. What a treat for us suffering from cabin fever in January. Here is an easy first run of the day called Rainbow Ridge. My view here looks towards the Montana side of the ski area. I was able to ski in the new powder off to the edge yesterday which is a singular experience because it is so silent and soft. Just stay away from the trees.
Cold and snowy is the only way to ski. Not the epic amount of snow we had last year but this will do. February often brings a great deal of moisture to the mountains so here’s to a snowy February! ( Now don’t any of you get cranky with me and start chucking snow balls.)
It takes a special kind of love to follow a woman to the top of a mountain and then manage to ski all the way back down. My husband didn’t ski that much before we were married but he learned and now he’s a very capable skier. I had a hard time keeping up with him yesterday! So, thanks honey for following me into lofty altitudes.
Disclaimer: We don’t ski double black diamonds! This is the symbol they use for an intermediate run, but not all blue sqaures are created equal.
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