Spring Skiing at Snowmass
We enjoyed a long weekend in Snowmass, Colorado just like last year. Staying in Timberline Condos we could ski in and ski out to Fanny Hill slope above the Mall. Upon our noon arrival, A and I made our first of several trips to the local (over-priced) grocery for provender so we could bolster our strength for the afternoon on the slopes. Friday night we were treated to a fireworks show from down below, with the booms echoing across the mountains and down the valley. Ann and Ollie showed up for a late nightcap of Whidby Island Port they brought from Seattle. Our first day on the slopes together we skiied almost the entire mountain (except for Elk Camp and the black diamonds) with glorious fresh snow, clear skies and excellent weather. We had lunch at Gwynn's High Alpine, from which we could see the Wall across the way where crazy young male skiiers were plunging off the thirty-foot cliffs into the powder, only to plunge again down to the next shelf. On Sunday we skiied Elk Camp with its beautiful long views from the top of Snowmass Mountain, the Maroon Creek and Castle Creek Valleys, Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells. We had crepes (chicken and mushroom and spinach and raspberry) and Boeuf Bourguignon out on the sun deck at Cafe Suzanne where the camp robbers (Western jays) dived for their lunch. A had an accident trying to speed through the weave (SLOW signs right in front of the entries) on approach to a lift line and caught her left knee behind a protruding metal pole. She skiied the rest of the day, but had pain in the evening. So Monday morning she went to the skier's ER and found she had strained her left ACL and has a torn meniscus, but will be OK with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Skiing was over for her for this trip - time for crossword puzzles and knitting. On Monday Ann, Ollie and Tom had a fantastic day skiing Elk Camp and Alpine Meadows, and in the afternoon Tom skied Coney Glade Lift runs (Cabin, Nastar and Velvet Falls) until the lifts closed. Tuesday was travel day and return to home, cats and work. For more pictures go to http://homepage.mac.com/tlowry/PhotoAlbum30.html
