Sanity Time

After going skiing for my birthday, but not really being able to ski - meaning we spent all our time on the beginner runs - Ron and I decided to take a day just for ourselves to really see if we could still ski!  He was leaving for Chicago on business, so he took a comp day, we arranged for Ellie to go play at Grandmommy's house for a few hours, and we headed to the slopes of Sundance.

I have a deep and abiding love for Sundance.  I learned to ski there a mere 25 years ago....excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor after figuring that out....am I really that OLD experienced?!  After I learned to ski, I stayed very loyal to Sundance, mainly because it was always the closest resort to home and easiest to get rides to.  Fact is, I've only skied at 2 other resorts in Utah: Brighton and Alta.

The day we went skiing, we were still suffering at home in the valley from an inversion a few weeks in the enduring.....in other words, a layer of warm air traps the cold air in the valleys, and subsequently traps all the junk, pollutants, fog, smoke, etc. in the valleys as well.  Pretty soon, the sky is no longer blue, if you can see the mountains it's through a brown haze, the sun isn't bright, the news stations tell you if you have respiratory problems that you shouldn't go outside, and the school doesn't let any of the kids outside to play at recess time because we have the dirtiest air IN THE COUNTRY!  Not kidding either about that dirtiest air thing either....

Anyhoo, it is possible to get above all the filth and see the sky and sun again, and that is to head up the canyon, strap on the skis, and ride the lift as high as it goes.  I suddenly found the brightness of the sun warming my face and remembered how incredibly blue the sky can be!  It also was an amazing day as my husband and I were able to enjoy each other, without the sounds of screeching and whining laughter and playing children surrounding us.  It was wonderful.

See that picture there?  We took that to remember the gunk we were above.....you should be able to see down into that valley and see Deer Creek Resevoir and the Heber Valley...but not that day month!  I also thought it would be funny to pose at the gate to Bishop's Bowl.....ha, ha, ha, right, like I'm about to take off into that black diamond run!  (Black diamond=steep and difficult ski run)



Here's where the story gets sort-of funny.  After a few more runs, and a stop at Bearclaw Cabin for hot cocoa and chips and salsa, I suggested to Ron that we do Bishop's Bowl.....I've done it before, plenty of times....as long as I stay over on the groomed side, it'll be great.

Sure it will.

I forgot how incredibly long, long, long of a run Bishop's is...and steep.  I thought my legs were going to give out they were hurting so bad!  I am sooooo out of shape!  2/3's of the way down I was just praying to get to the cat track!  But obviously, I made it, and it was a GREAT feeling to know I still had it!  After 9 years, I could still do Bishop's Bowl and survive with all limbs functioning.  I love you Sundance!

Not worried about Ron....he was a bit of a ski freak in his younger days....skiing every day with his season pass, looking for the mogul fields, etc. I feel bad for him having to ski with me as I slow him down! Not to mention, I don't look all that graceful. Oh well, he's stuck with me! :)

Ron and I have decided that we need at least one more Sanity Ski trip this winter!!!

Fun at Brighton

For my birthday a couple weeks ago, my wish was for the family to go skiing together. We had not skiied in 9 years! Riley had only gone about 3 times when she was 6-7 years old, and the littles had never been. So we researched it out, and decided on Brighton. We put the littles in 1/2 day ski school, and Ron, Riley, and I just got a ski pass for the two "bunny hill" lifts. We unfortunately didn't get to stay all day because Riley had to get back to make up a Spanish test, but the time we did have was fun! Both Jared and Nicole made it through level 1, so when they go back are ready to learn how to make turns instead of just snowplow straight down the hill. They really enjoyed themselves, especially Jared. Riley needs to have a refresher course to brush up on turning. We think(?) she had fun...hard to get a solid answer! Ellie.....Ellie had fun the 1st run down, and then wanted to just sit down and eat snow for the rest of the day! We may let her sit out the rest of the year. :) It was a great birthday, spent with my favorite people.

Ron took some video of our day:


Kid explanation of the ski lift


Jared and Ellie in their lesson


Jared Wilson - Future World Cup Downhill Champion


Nicole - Guess the video-ing made her nervous!