First Tracks

[resqgeek]

From Steamboat 2010

We actually set an alarm clock last night, because we wanted to be up early to take advantage of a perk associated with our status as repeat customers at the ski resort. A limited number of people are allowed up the mountain before the lifts officially open to make "first tracks" on the slopes. Normally, this is a $50/person option, but our tickets were free. So, by 7:30, we were out of the condo and ready to ski.

We met up with our guide, an instructor from the ski school, and he escorted us up the mountain and had fun with us while we made three very long runs to start the day. We were the very first people down several trails, and it was fun to ski on the freshly groomed mountain almost alone, before other skiers tore up the snow. The morning was beautiful, with some low, thin clouds that provided a gorgeous rainbow over the treetops.

All too soon, the lifts were open, and other people started arriving on the mountain. We headed off to ski other parts of the mountain, mostly skiing in the trees and moguls, practicing what we'd learned in lessons yesterday. Even though this is our fourth year at this resort, we still managed to ski some areas for the very first time today.

We made a very long day of it, pushing to catch the very last lifts up before they closed, including a long race down the front of the mountain to catch the last lift ride. I can't help but think about how much my skiing has improved over the last four years, and how intimidated I used to be by some of the trails and conditions that we so casually skied today. It was probably one of the best days of skiing I've enjoyed in a long time.