Highest Lift in North America

Thursday we had a long day of property shooting and then met up for a drink or two with one of the property managers, her husband and their two kids. They were Montanans and very reminiscent of those I know. The dad, Jeff, was from Helena but has been here for 18 or so years. Like so many Montanans, they have an infectious love of the outdoors. He, for instance, was on the ski patrol and owns a fly fishing company called Grand County Fly Fishing. Their kids had much exposure to the outdoors and played just about every sport you can think of. He was nice enough to offer a tour of Winter Park slopes.

So, Friday, we woke up early and reported to the Ski Patrol headquarters. There we met up with Jeff and his son. Having the special authority of our guide we were able to hit the mountain before the general public. We rode up to the mountain patrol headquarters. The wind was already whipping the slopes and would increase in its ferocity throughout the day.

There were two younger patrollers that volunteered to do some tricks in the terrain park. But after getting word from headquarters that they would have to remove their uniforms and punch out, they changed their mind. This was more than fine for me, as I can’t say it’s the most fun job, carrying my director’s ski poles, chasing him in a terrain park whilst he chases them with the camera.

Instead, we joined Jeff and his son as they showed us some of the highlights of the park. The kids out here start skiing from and early age. The parks accommodate this and in Winter Park they can even take Friday’s off and go to ski/snowboard school. There are many facilities and its common to see these little mites even on the black diamond runs. Often you’ll see an instructor skiing switch (backwards) and a school of these little, helmeted munchcins following their leader. And at the end of slopes there is a school train on skis which loads up with these little guys and girls and pulls them to their next lesson. I’ll be sure to include a picture.

One of the highlights of the day (for me) was taking the highest chairlift in North America. The wind began to reach speeds of 30-40mph and the wind and snow flailed any exposed skin. It became most intense as we climbed above the timberline where there was nothing but mountain rock and snow. Jeff said that although the lift can run in winds up to 50mph the lift should be shut down as any technical difficulties would endanger people. At the top of the lift I wanted to get some video from the mountain peak and the surrounding cirque. This was partially an excuse to stand up on the peak, removed from the ski crowd and feel the full force of the mountain! Jeff walked me up through the snow in rock in his ceaseless, Montanan climb. Flatlander me kept strongly at his heels, fifteens days of acclimation to elevation had set in! He pointed at many things but most of his words were drowned by the howling winds. What I did catch is that we had risen 3,000 feet from the 9,000 foot base. I’ve included a dorky pic of me at the summit. Tough to look too cool with the fury in your face! Another pic emphasizes the strength of the wind. After only a few moments my director’s Telemark skis were covered in snow.

On our way down we bid farewell to our new friends and went about our own way. What kept my thin attention span from wandering the remainder of that day was the increasing wildness of the wind. It would create a thin vapor above the snow and obscure your view of the terrain. It also blew with such strength that you’d have to brace yourself or be swept over. What was most nice is that it thinned the population of the mountain. By the afternoon it was just the two of us carving through the mountain slopes. Minnesota conditioning makes one tough!

Friday night we ate at Hernando’s pizza and I did some laundry and took a 15 minute dip the pool and hot tub. Saturday, we head for Steamboat, then back to Vail and possibly Copper. Beginning to count the days! Please take good care of yourselves!