One Year On, It Is Time For Reflection.
This year of sudden shut down when everything about lives has changed has thrown a lot of plans out the window. While many readers have found a way to get out in the snow, others have given this season a bye, and still others have taken up alternative snow sports, like cross-country, snow shoeing, and even fat biking.
Whatever path readers have taken, this entire year has been a significantly different experience, so different that many folks think it is the most distinctive experience of their entire lives, except perhaps war, injury, or spiritual enlightenment.
While we have all grumbled about what has been taken away, we might have also noticed that some changes and adjustments brought about by this virus have been a gift. Perhaps that gift had to do with how we enjoy the outdoors in winter, or what we’ve learned about your local ski area or fellow skiers or your skill level and pursuit of improvement. Or how you’ve managed to maintain fitness cooped up and socially isolated.
Question For You: On this COVID close down anniversary week, what’s the gift you have been given this year? Were you surprised? Can you keep this gift going into the future?
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Retirement which allowed for an increase in the downhill sport.
Sitting on my couch playing Sudoku all year has left me in lousy shape, to the point that my skiing days have been drastically shortened, thus doing my small part in shortening lift lines. You’re welcome!
As ugly as the virus year was, in some ways, it was in some ways, a blessing in disguise. Under what I called “house arrest” or “confined to quarters,” My wife went back to painting, I got a lot of writing done, i.e. finished two manuscripts that will, hopefully come out this year, wrote another that will come out next year, worked on a fourth. and that’s just at the top of the list. Also, my wife and I eat better because we weren’t eating out at all. We still haven’t gone inside a restaurant to eat but that will happen next week. And, I started biking 12 – 15 miles 5 days a week.
There’s more, but looking back on the year, we made the best of a crappy situation.
I am amazed still 6 weeks to go, late opening but since then first class, plenty of powder, plenty of fantastic groomed, no ice, some cold. Now spring is starting out with sun and full cover. I never thought we would have a full season but not only will it be full but high quality. Today is Sugarbush’ss 100th day of operation.
Skiing actually cost less! Carried a lunch of cheese and meats in my pocket and ate it on the chair. This will probably continue.
Did miss the beer in the bar or on the deck at the end of the day. This will probably change back.
Went back to instructing part time after a very long break. Had forgotten just how satisfying this is. This stays!
Working from home avoided a 120 mile round trip drive on the Garden State Parkway to and from work 4 days a week. I used that time to re-engage with my spin bike and signed up with Studio Sweat on Demand, a San Diego based fitness facility, that was ahead of the curve with on line exercise videos. I shed 20 lbs. and was in great shape for ski season at Hunter Mtn this year. Was able to get out 21 times and enjoy dining out while in the area… My wife and I during the last 365 days respected social distancing and mask requirements and at the same time supported our local restaurants. We observed many other people who did so as well. The gift of fitness has been given to me and I intend to continue working out and staying in shape…beach season is next and I’m hoping for some good body surfing!!
Pleased to see skiers/boarders abiding by masking and distancing requirements. No apparent “political” statements, just folks out to enjoy a winter day. Also observed tail gating at the end of the day, with some tasty looking treats on the grill. Ski resort food vendors watch out, you may have some real competition! Hopefully the restrictions have actually led to a greater enjoyment and appreciation of this sport.
IN RE: TO SKIING–WE FOUND OURSELVES GOING TO A VERY SMALL BUT WELL MAINTAINED MOUNTAIN FOR DAY TRIPS PREFERRING TO AVOID TRAVEL AND HOTEL STAYS-(WE HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE BUT ONLY RARELY) WHAT WE DISCOVERED DUE TO COVID WAS THAT IN ADDITION TO BEING WELL GROOMED AND HAVING A GREAT STAFF IT HAD A PUB WITH A PATIO WHERE WE COULD DINE OUTDOORS LOOKING UP AT THE MOUNTAIN WHILE EATING WHICH WAS EASY BC WE WERE ABLE TO CHERRY PICK THE WEATHER DAYS FOR OUR OUTINGS–DELIGHTFUL!
the name is mount peter in warwick ny
There were fewer days on the slopes, but by moving exclusively to midweek skiing, each and every ski day was outstanding. Conditions were fabulous and area operators pulled out all the stops to set the rules to keep everyone safe. Skiers responded positively with masking and social distancing and tons of creativity. Not wanting to rough up our ski boot soles, we dressed in the parking lot, put our boots on outside the lodge and stashed our daypacks in the woods. We enjoyed lunch on outdoor picnic tables scattered throughout the area and warmed up around fire pits. We even managed a drive-to, midweek vacation at a ski-in, ski-out condo, where we also felt totally safe. All in all, it’s been a great season and it’s still going strong.
Some melancholy this year with much less social backcountry skiing, the grandkids didn’t come come to visit, no hut-to-hut group trips, and half of my ski days have been solo. But there’s a silver lining in going out alone: without the pressure to please others and find the perfect, familiar day trip with just the right mix of touring, downhill, good views, right snow conditions, fine weather, etc., I managed to discover a dozen or more great new places to ski close to home. Some untouched strings of meadows and hillsides, some massive views of the Great Basin and East Sierra in and out of snow squalls, and some improvised techniques for touring and turning in “funny” conditions. Actually, it was another Good Year. Sort of.
The biggest gift this past year was time. Time to do so many things I hadn’t been able to do when I was working full time – get back into water color painting, playing the piano, talking long walks and hikes, playing pickle ball. I also got a total knee replacement and had time to do all the recommended rehab. I opted out of skiing this winter for a variety of reasons, although I have been snow shoeing. I miss skiing terribly and will definitely be back on the slopes next year, with my new knee and hopefully everyone healthy. As for the gift of time, I hope that continues to some extent once I go back to working part time now that I am fully vaccinated.
I did get out several times this season. I did not like changing @ the car & returning to the car to warm-up for lunch, it took the fun out of what used to be a great day!! March 19 2021
Sadly, yes. I just couldn’t see myself huddling inside my car to warm up and eat lunch. For other reasons I had already turned in my season pass and really didn’t see a reason to go up for even a few days. Next year. Am already getting my garden ready for this veggie season, though.
This has been one of the best seasons in years for the Northeast with a good base and consistently cold temperatures rather than the rain and high temperatures we frequently endure. Not only has the downhill skiing been good, but local snow coverage from December to mid-February gave me a chance to cross-country ski in my condo development when I was not taking day trips for downhill. As such made the most of a Covid/no big travel ski trip year.
I skied every day from December 26 to March 7th no days off. A good run I would say.
We flew to our western ski destination (as usual), skied midweek (as usual), only had to pull up neckwarmers as masks for a minute while getting on lifts (no lines, as usual), ate in restaurants a couple of times (as usual), both of us got our two vaccine shots, will be flying home after 10 weeks (as usual), where we will resume our usual, uninterrupted social life. No extreme changes for us. Great ski year here!! Our usual resort is always first-come first-served, no ski or parking reservations, just good, common sense business plans.