Lucky '13

Happy New Year!  I'm not gonna lie, it was a little tough to dust off the cobwebs and get out of bed this morning after only a few hours of sleep.  But what better way to clear out the fog than some lung-burning, sunrise mountain air and a little fresh blood pumping through the veins.  Also, caffeine helps.  Call me a ski bum but I really can't think of a better way to start a new year than making turns while enjoying the blue sky and the amazing views of the Yampa Valley.  Lucky.

With a couple of fresh inches of snow having fallen in the past 24 hours, and the consistent COLD temperatures overnight and into this morning, today is a bluebird groomer day worth blogging about.  This is the kind of snow you can sink you edges into and experience the corduroy equivialent of a 12" powder day.  It's silky, smooth, and delicious.

I picked up a grooming report (and a pocket full of tissues) at the gondola on my way up and was ecstatic to see that the groomers worked non-stop last night to make sure the mountain was teeming with buttery lines.  I skied from the 4 Points hut (yes I had to stop after my first lift ride for a quick warm-up, don't judge) down Sunset to Moonlight and my skis just ran; fast and firm, pausing only to get blood in my fingers before heading to Sundown. 

Sunshine Lift line is one of my go-to runs on a day like today.  It's a little gem that is always groomed perfectly and the pitch is just right for laying down your edges and making long, arching turns.  It didn't disappoint today.  On the next lift ride I happened to look up and catch the chair number we were on. 

Like I said, skiing is the best way to start the new year.  Lucky.  Bundle up out there, it's seriously pretty cold.  Stop in at one of the cozy lodges on the mountain to warm up.  Cheers to a healthy and powder-prosperous 2013!

Katie Hughes

Alpine Skier