Ski season begins for most winter enthusiasts in November. But when you ski year-round for Turns All Year, your ski season never really ends. Most TAYers begin marking new total ski days in November since we have to count somehow, and I typically average about 40 ski days per year. So when I had notched a grand total of three days in November and December combined, I knew I was off to a mediocre start.
But never fear, the snow gods are here! January brought medium amounts of snow and tons of stoke from my skier friends. With six days in January, I brought my grand total up to 9 days for the season to date. When you math nerd amortize (??) that out over the year, that brings the average to 36 days over the year. Playing catch up can be fun!
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 | Hyak Dawn Patrol
Skinning when you haven’t done it in a few months is hard, and it’s even worse when it’s super windy. But good friends make for good times, and Theresa and I had just those.
Saturday, January 12, 2019 | Crystal for International Women’s Snow Day
I recently joined the Board of Directors for SheJumps, a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the participation of women and girls in the outdoors. Each year SheJumps hosts International Women’s Snow Day to introduce newbies to the snow and help adventuristas elevate their skills. I volunteered to teach an advanced ski group, and we had an excellent time.
January 20 & 21, 2019 | Washington Pass
Our weekend in the Methow was full of firsts: first time skiing snowmobile accessed lines, first time skiing for Flat Stella, first time skinning with an impressively preggo mama-to-be, and first time planning poorly for conditions and leaving the pow skis at home. Also, first time skiing in WaPass. To be sure, none of these will be ‘lasts’.
Friday, January 25, 2019 | Bridger Family Ski Day
I started skiing when I was 3, and grew up skiing at Bridger Bowl. Kids skied free until they were 10, so I was 10 until I was 14 because shortness needs to be good for something and this was my ONE THING! I was on the ‘Development Team’ growing up, then largely got away from skiing (like a fool!) because: high school. I don’t think I’ve been back to Bridger since 2003 (sadly, my skiing spreadsheets don’t go back that far) and it was fun to explore with family.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 | Hyak Skimo Beer League
A few times a month, in a race that is not at all a race officially organized by anyone, tens of novice and not-so-novice skimoers ascend Hyak in a horrific uphill race. I enjoy this type of sufferfest so I joined Theresa and about 65 others for this little spectacle. It was cold and icy and probably the worst skiing of my life. I took zero pictures because it was so bad, so you can enjoy this photo from our other trip to Hyak earlier in the month.
That’s it! Until February anyway!
