Monday, February 25, 2013

Skiing Brighton - Fabulous views - Lovely Groomed Treed Runs

It was Monday and what looked like another bluebird day in the offing. Was out of bed near 7am, and of course I was the first one up. I started coffee then did some blogging from Mindy’s laptop, though it would power down every 30 minutes or so. After some coffee and blogging, I dressed in my running clothes and headed off for a run. I told Mindy, who was still in bed, that I planned to attempt my run outdoor, both around the smallish resort and possibly the canyon highway. I wasn’t yet sure how plausible that would be.

It was cold, about 15 degrees. It was somewhere near 8am when I headed out. I ran a couple loops around the resort then ventured out onto the Canyon highway then west towards the Moonbeam lodge. There were a string of cars coming directly towards me but didn’t scare me off. After the initial barrage they were few and far between. I was quickly winded by the altitude as the direction I was running was on a slight decline. I didn’t run on the highway too far. Perhaps only a ½ mile each way. I felt a little vulnerable, both to the native wildlife (I.E cougars, bear, etc.) and the occasional speeding car.

Back in the resort I ran several more laps around the complex. After being out about 20 minutes I ventured into the condo office to inquire about the shuttle. Tim, the Solitude employee, asked if I was staying in another of the condo buildings. No. Said another had recently stopped in to ask the same question, which centered around the resort shuttle providing transportation to Brighton ski park. He shared that the resort will only provide transportation to Solitude properties – Moonbeam and Nordic Center. I further clarified that we needed the UTA ski bus. Once I explained, he shared the process, which was for us to take the resort shuttle to their main Moonbeam lodge where the UTA bus has scheduled stops. He gave me a UTA bus schedule too.

Back in the condo, everyone was up and enjoying coffee. And since we planned on night skiing Brighton, we didn’t plan on getting too early of a start. Figured to head out around noon and ski until 8pm or so. The last bus back from Brighton is at 835pm. The one prior leaves at 5pm. Big time difference.

We opted to skip on an egg breakfast and instead enjoyed some of the super delicious pastries we picked up at Smith’s on Saturday night. I made myself a bloody Mary too. Yum! Not wanting to leave the bus schedule solely to my own interpretation, I called the UTA 800 number and asked about the schedule. The employee, who sounded somewhat inept concurred with my interpretation. We then forged our plan. We’d leave the condo around 1110am and walk to the resort shuttle pick-up area not too far from our condo.

Everybody showered save for Mindy, who showered the evening before. We left the condo near 1110am as planned. I was a little nervous embarking into the previously untested transportation process between ski parks. The resort shuttle was already waiting at the designated pick-up area and was very cordial making sure our skis were safely secured in the ski caddy attached to the back of the vehicle. He shared that he would/could only take us to Moonbeam. We shared that our destination was Brighton. He sheepishly agreed to run us all the way to Brighton as long as we didn’t tell. He turned into the neighboring Nordic center lot just so he could say he did. He then left and dropped us next door at the Brighton lift ticket window. Cool! He saved us the hassle of waiting for the UTA bus.

We tipped him perhaps too much - $24 in total. We very much appreciated the hassle avoidance. He thanked us profusely for the generous tip – a win-win. We quickly got our lift tickets then scoured the resort trail map for a plan. We’re all getting much better at mapping out a plan. Soon we were on our way up the Majestic lift. From there we skied a corduroied zoomer-groomer to the bottom of Snake Creek which took us to the Preston Peak summit at 10,315’. The views from atop the summit were stunning – very picturesque. I must’ve snapped a dozen photos before we finally skied one of the many cool runs.
Most of the trail was virgin corduroy with lots of twists and turns amongst heavily treed terrain. The trees were more mature than Solitude and looked skiable to my eyes. I ventured into the trees numerous times having the time of my life! Never did I feel out of control or afraid. We eventually mapped out a plan to ski the eastern most edge of the resort before a break then afterwards skiing the western edge. Somehow or another Glenn missed our message. Mindy, Tommy and I headed for a food and beer break in the A- frame lodge, or Molly Green’s. Brighton is much older than Solitude has a friendlier, homey feel. We ordered some ice water and eventually a pitcher of Unita dark lager. Still no sign of Glenn.

After finishing half the pitcher and a basket of chips and salsa, I went on a walk to see if I could spot Glenn in and around the base area. I ventured into two base buildings. No sign of Glenn. We ordered some wings. An hour had passed since we’d last seen Glenn. Glancing out the window I spotted him across the way removing his skis presumably heading in to find us. I called his cell twice. He finally answered. I told him to turn around while we watched from afar. We guided him to our locale. We broke for another 30 minutes, finishing off the initial pitcher and then a single bottled beer – a double IPA for me.

We headed over the western edge lift which is closer to the Solitude resort and much tougher terrain. We had to hurry as 4pm was fast approaching. We really wanted to ski that side of the park more than the time allowed. Only the two middle lifts remain open for night skiing. We took a fairly hard fall on the run down a steep and mogully blue trail. She still insists it was black. By the time we got the bottom the lift was closed. Had to walk across the parking lot to get back to the main Brighton ski area.

After the walk, both Tommy and Mindy were winded and wanted another quick break. Glenn and I skied on taking Crest Express to the top several times. Only once did we encounter a fairly steep blue that was too mogully for both of our likings. For the most part fun and fast! We hooked up with Tommy and Mindy again at the base of the lift. By then the sun was all but down behind the mountains. As warm as the sunshine makes the cold, dry winter air, it turns brutally cold in a hurry in the dark.

We might’ve did three runs up and down before taking another break around 630pm. More beer. More wings. We decided to make our way to the main lodge and locate the gift shop and UTA pick-up. The last thing we wanted to do was miss our bus back to Solitude. Glenn decided that he wanted to get in a couple more runs while we shopped, peed, and scoped out the UTA pick-up. He did two runs up and down.

We made our way to the UTA pick-up at 805pm. There were met up with several others who were taking the UTA bus back into the city. Solitude is the 1st stop on the way down. We met two guys from Toronto that were a hoot. We figured the bus would be early, but it wasn’t. Arrived around 840pm. We quickly loaded in the cold and used our Super Passes which act like RFI cards to cover the fare. As we took off I went to the drive to conform that he’d be stopping at Solitude. Yes. I felt better – relaxed even.

Just as we approached Solitude it dawned on me that the drop is not at the lodge but instead at Moonbeam. Not a big deal except for the fact that the resort shuttle stops at 5pm. Uh-oh! The lot was pitch dark. No cars and no souls. Looked like we’d be hiking back to the resort from Moonbeam. Mindy made a call to the resort who confirmed that the shuttle service was closed. Crap! Ready to hike?

We tossed our skis over our shoulders and made our way down a dark winding, snow covered road back towards the village not entirely sure exactly where it would lead us. Perhaps a combination of the thin air, cold, and being weary from a full day of skiing, Mindy and Tommy were struggling. I was a little tuckered but determined to forge ahead. I stopped a few times to wait for Tommy and Mindy. At the 2nd stop I took her skis after hearing her breathing heavily. By then, the lights of the resort were well within view. As the dark, snow covered road ended, we had to climb about a 6-8’ wall of snow to get up to packed terrain. That was really tough!
In the end, we didn’t get back to our room until about 920pm. As we made the last turn to the condo entrance passing one of the village restaurants an older couple asked where were coming from. Keep in mind, Solitude skiing ended at 4pm. Seeing four folks walk by in full ski gear must have seemed very strange.

Mindy was still huffing and puffing ten minutes later even after she got out of her ski gear. Said she was completely drained. Tommy & Glenn eventually headed to the hot tub while Mindy hopped into bed with her book. I played around online still trying to figure out why Mindy’s laptop was powering down every half hour and then tuned to the History channel watching a program about Henry Ford. Glenn & Tommy were back from the hot tub about 45 minutes later and joined me for the last 30 minutes of the Ford program. Very interesting. I peeled off for bed at its conclusion.

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