Days of Champagne

On Wednesday we drove down I70 to Frisco, Vail and Copper Mountain. It had decided to snow and so the road that would otherwise accommodate a speed limit of 65mph was slowed to 20mph. This was due to cautious drivers ahead of us and the occasional semi. Visibility was low and so was unable to see the rock formation that lends its name to Rabbit Pass.

As we had time, we went to the press office at Copper Mountain and picked up our press passes. Along with the free passes we were also provided with a free 5 day lift ticket. We checked in briefly to the tiny, one room lodge we were staying at, got suited up for yet another run on the slopes and then skied the remainder of the day at Copper. The wind and cold were somewhat brutal and dusk brought us in. For dinner we went to the Himalayan restaurant as we were in Frisco again.

On Thursday we shot at some of the largest and most extravagant of resorts I had seen. The rooms alone were grandiose and astonishing, with their gigantic chandaliers, vaulted wood ceilings and enormous views of the mountain slopes. The footage had to include all of their amenities and these included a three court tennis facility, a basketball court, a gym with a small track, all types of weight equipment, racquetball courts, pool, hot tub and spinning room. In addition to these there was a spa for the super indulgent.

That being completed we drove to Vail village to get some area footage. Vail is modeled after a European ski village. There were at least four fur shops. One even had, displayed in the window, died red fur, just in time for Valentine’s Day! Isn’t that nice? I got the feel for the place pretty quickly and we were not too enthusiastic to explore more, but hunger did call. For lunch we had Jagerschnitzel. It was breaded pork medallions with creamy onion sauce along with red cabbage and spaztle.

We had time to hit the slopes so we took a few runs. This time there was even more powder than my previous jaunts.

We ended the Copper day taking a stop at the athlete meet and greet. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it wasn’t as ‘hip’ as I was speculating. Instead of a bunch of wild chicks and dudes out of a Mountain Dew commercial it was more like an after school hang out. Pop and pizza! Our visit was brief. I thought it would have made more sense to go to the press party. Regardless, I was happy. No obligatory schmoozing! We then head to a bar where my director kept buying. So, I maintained like a good lad. It’s always good to show your constitution from time to time.

After that we drove to Frisco. Just when I thought we may be heading to get some grub somewhere we pull up for another beverage. It was a local’s bar and I immediately befriended a oil pipeline layer from Waco and a body shop worker from Portland. I especially like these parts. Meeting folks like this. So, we chatted on topics ranging from running “pigs” through pipelines (those are those robotic pipeline cleaners they send scurrying through pipes) to the quality of 3M clear coat and bra. My Portland companion thought 3M made the best product bar none! It’s the most expensive, but the best. It wasn’t the first time I had heard that. Well, I had to get myself some grub and my boss was not hungry, saying he never eats as much as he had with me. So, he retired to the place and I got myself a burger with ham, I believe it was called a ‘Moose” and was joined by another couple from Denver and a dude from Steven’s Point, Wisconsin. I ate my burger, exchanged more banter and then walked the block or so back to our lodging.

Friday we hit the slopes. It was snowing, snowing, snowing! That meant powder. We took the lifts to the highest parts above timberline and began to play. This was my first real, real powder - the kind that mists and flies as you soar through it. Much of the powder was at least up to your knees and I would soon find some even deeper than that.

My boss was more experienced and more adventurous and so would lead into areas I would occasionally go. When he asked if I wanted to drop back into the other side of the mountain, I said I was up for anything but there was a chance that I would be damn slow. However, the deeper we pushed in, the more powder we found. Some of it was to be found in yet neglected pockets, while even more was in the trees!

It’s amazing how much braver you become in powder. I had always speculated that it would be the case, and it is. Skiing on champagne powder is like skiing on Cool Whip. It takes more effort for sure but it also returns much more of a reward. You swoosh and swoom in the whip which swallows you sometimes deeply. Occasionally, you go so deep that it swallows your board and you take a tumble. I took such a tumble whilst in the trees.

With the snow falling, the trees as in photos and a new experience beckoning, it is difficult not to embrace some element of discovery. So, in I went. I had gone in before, but to shoot back out again, always mindful of an exit. But this time was just trees. I saw my boss disappear in an adjacent lane and I took another, but my edge sunk deeply and I tried to skirt a tree but it’s hole sucked me in. I was stuck. But as is usually the case in playing in the snow, it’s always fun! However, I was really stuck and had to dig down and undo my bindings and leash. But once the board was free my legs were free as well, so down they sunk. I was up to my armpits in powder. I mean, it was fun. I was all alone with tons of snow and a pine forest piled in thick powder. But struggling through such weight makes your heart jackhammer, especially at elevation. Eventually I swam to more of a compressed flat, put on the board and away I went.

The remainder of the day was shooting some athletes in the half pipe and more skiing in powder. I even bravely followed the lead of my boss as he shot down in a little slalom between closely spaced pines. Making the cuts and exit successfully made me happy, but on to more open spaces for me! The more experienced can have the trees and I’ll play in them from time to time.

One last thing. It was neat to see the affect of powder upon people. I saw two Japanese skiers, dressed very alike in white jacket, pants and helmet. As they passed just below the lift I was on, one laid back for a moment on their skis and allowed the powder to envelop their body as they swooshed through. Then, as that individual rose, the other followed in an identical gesture. It made me laugh. You could also see buddies in there fifties or so, make flying paths into the trees and play a little game of hide and seek, laughing like children as one would exit before the other. Laughter was common, though the snow provided a nice damper on the sound, making everyone feel secure and embraced.

Tomorrow looks to be like an all day ski. My boss’ bro is coming to town and then we are hitting the slope. Just on more day – that is how I am looking at it. But the trip has been an awesome one. Even though this is not my ideal zone and has been somewhat of a myopic ski-focus, it has exposed me to incredible experience. Most importantly, I feel competent in running the job. I’ve had lots of practice. Of course, I’m looking forward to getting comfortable doing this on my lonesome. Getting into a routine, making it my own, yeah, it will come in time. And it looks as though I’ll have lots of practice. Some very exciting destinations are already on the schedule.

Thanks for being an audience. I’ve not had any alone time in almost a month, living pretty much at beckon call. These words help me to escape a bit. Future logs should be less like I'm talking to myself.

Since we leave our lodging and will be at my boss’ bros tomorrow night I don’t think I’ll have computer access. But, upon returning on Sunday I’ll try to touch base with those that I can. That is, until the next little adventure!

Til’ then I’ll be bombin the champagne Copper pow!