Originally published in 2018. More than a half century ago, the rock group Chicago released a song called "25 or 6 to 4.’’ To most listeners the numbers meant nothing. Here, then, are some numbers that will be meaningless unless you are a skier and a cold-weather-loving skier at that: minus-10, … [Read more...]
Rain may put a damper on your skiing, but it shouldn’t ruin the day
Sometimes in ski country we just don’t ski. We don’t feel well, or we don’t feel like it. It’s too cold or it’s too warm. The light is flat, or we just feel flat. The skis stay in the closet, or in the car, or on the rack. It’s a lost day. But is it really lost? Is a day in the mountains without … [Read more...]
There’s a downside to early-season skiing, but think of the upside
I know what you’re thinking. It’s early in the season — very early. You’re the only person in your circle who is even considering going skiing; the rest of them are still playing golf and hoping the warm weather holds. But not you. You’re raring to go. You hear the hillwinds swirling, you smell … [Read more...]
Skiers need to stop moping and think of summer differently
One of the great life lessons I learned comes from an aphorism involving another winter sport. It goes like this: You learn to ice skate in the summer. That does not mean that all of us skiers should rush to Ham Arena in Conway, N.H., this summer, though the cool air inside may provide some … [Read more...]
Why spring skiing? Because that’s what we do
Finally towards spring there was the great glacier run, smooth and straight, forever straight if our legs could hold it, our ankles locked, we running so low, leaning into the speed, dropping forever and forever in the silent hiss of the crisp powder. It was better than any flying or anything else, … [Read more...]
Playing favorites when it comes to skiing is easy … or, is it?
GRAPE! I'm gonna get grape, or cherry. They're both... favorites, so either one is good, but if they have both, I'll get grape, because grape is a little more favorite. But if they don't have grape, it's like, alright, it’s fine, cause cherry's (my) favorite anyway. It's like another favorite, but … [Read more...]
