Ski Day #1 - Winter Paradise

Wake, Run, Eat, Ski ...

 

Up at 615am. Grabbed the sack containing only running clothes and dressed in the bathroom.
Headed to the Inn for coffee and a muffin before a run. Enjoyed one cup of Starbucks breakfast blend and a banana nut muffin.

Deep powdery snow. My plan was to run into Ellicottville, like last year. I was lucky, the sidewalk trail into town had already been plowed that morning making for a very manageable run. Gorgeous run! I was giddy with excitement. I was in one of my favorite towns on Earth, with family, and with lots and lots of excellent snow. What could be better?

Ran about 3 miles best guess. Back at the Inn I poured two cups of coffee then headed back to the room. Got Mindy up then headed out to the Pilot to fetch all of our skis. The Pilot was covered in at least 6 inches of fresh overnight snow. Let some kid use our giant scraper for his Honda Civic.

Carried all 4 sets of skis and Jacob’s board to our private ski closet. Inside, most were up and beginning to ready. I took a shower then dressed in my ski based layer for breakfast. Today only carbs: muffins, bagels, cereal, fruit – no eggs, or meat. No biggie. We enjoyed breakfast together.
Back to the room to gear up fully. On the slopes by 1015am. Never seem to get out much earlier, especially with the kids in tow. They’re much easier these days, though. They know how to gear up properly on their own.

Up Sunrise and cut across to Cindy’s. Snow fast and fluffy! Awesome. Worried a little about Mindy, first time ever on her new Aura’s – 98mm under foot and 7cm’s longer than her K2s. Aside from fidgeting with her boots several times, she skied well. Despite the heavy snow fall, HV was making snow almost on every run. Many of the black shoots remained closed, but still plenty of fun, skiable terrain. We spent the lion’s share of our morning on Morning Star. It was awesome. Again, lot of deep powder, but not too steep. We all slayed it! I was surprised that Mindy was in attack mode. Thought she might back off, thinking about her knee. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

I cringed a time or two when she fell, but each time she quickly rebounded and skied on. Bella and Jacob were doing good, too. Jacob boarded everything at the same steady pace. Didn’t matter if it was Champagne or Morning Star. He’s always under control. In fact, Mindy likens his style to that of Mary Ann.

Took a lunch break in our room. Mindy made sandwiches. I opted only for a beer and snacks – no ham sandwich. After an hour or so we headed back out. Skied Champagne, Morning Star. Laurel, Tannenbaum, and Mardi Gras, some others too. Took another break in the Loft bar – Yodeler lodge.
Drank two beers, both EBC pale ales. Back out skied great for a few runs, and better than I had all day. I think the same could be said for all of us. Mindy fell again on Morning Star, and declared herself tired. We’ve all learned over the years that when you’re tired it’s time to call it a day. She and Bella headed back to the room. Glenn, Jacob and I skied a while longer, or until 715pm. My legs were getting stiff, too. I didn’t have much left in the tank.

Back in the room, Mindy & Bella were fresh back from the hot tub and sauna. Glenn and I suited up and headed there too, taking canned beers compliments of Bob Imber. Thanks Bob! Excellent hot tub beers (Stout & IPA).

Met a guy from Toronto in the hot tub. Met a woman from SC (formerly from Buffalo). All fun, good people. Back in the room we quickly readied for dinner out at the Depot. Offered that we walk, but no one thought it a good idea. It was cold. We drove. Many of the hanging decorations were down. Haven’t seen the ceiling this bare ever. Still neat, though. Everybody ordered wings of one kind or another. Happy to see that they had Sothern Tier IPA on tap. Wahoo! We drank two pitchers.
Back to the room by 10-1030pm, we were quickly off to bed.