Ex Girlfriend

Well, some good news I guess. Doesn't look like they ran race league last night at Roundtop, at least it didn't look like it on the live webcams, and they sure as hell weren't skiing out of the start hut, unless they included a minor mandatory air off the wood planks. So, looks like there's still a chance to jump into the fray for a full pull, sweet.

Looked at the forecast last night, knew it was supposed to be a bit chilly, not too big a deal to go out for a road ride with a high temp of 31 being predicted. What sealed the deal for me was getting a bit more detail and noticing the call for winds out of the NW @ 25-35, gusts to 39. That's weather that I don't need to deal with on a bicycle. That's skiing weather! Made plans with Bender to hit Roundtop for early chair, 8am, beat the crowds, figuring it'll get busy judging by Thursday night herd. Into the lineup and caught maybe the 8th chair up the hill, full on man made storm day was in full effect, guns a blazing with lots of little stashes to be found here and there on the hill.

Got my carve working early and felt really really good on the skis. The tele was rock solid and I was sensing a definite need for speed. Nice carvable wind buff and styrofoam in the pockets and along the tight edges. Hucked my meat on this huudge rock drop, skier's right on Exi. At least a full foot drop of semi-mandatory air out of the billy goat rock garden. It was gnar, people were amazed and the babes worshipped me like an Austrian god.

At least that's how good I was feeling on the snow today, refired that flame, found the spark, yadda, yadda. You see, haven't been super psyched to ski this year. After wrapping up last season with balls deep, over the head blower in Tahoe for six straight days, I was having trouble getting up for the season here at home. With the severely delayed and sketchy start and not having a western trip planned, there's no big end of the rainbow pot to strive for this season. I had concerns that my skiing here at home would get stale this year, I feared that with the recalibrated sikter scale, part of the inspiration would be gone.

Talking to Bender today on the lifts, he threw out this wisdom. Tahoe was like fucking a supermodel. That once in forever dream scenario. And little ole 600 some odd foot vertical, 25 minute drive down the country road Ski Roundtop is that kinda cute ex-semi-girlfriend. That chick that you're still friends with and maybe get together with on occasion. It's fun, it's mostly predictable, but maybe there's still something to learn from her, some new trick, despite what you might think.

Well, today we hooked up again and she tickled me in a new spot, it was good. The fire's been relit, time to go get some.