Tele til You're Smelly Tuesday

Good news!  It's snowing!  Yes, after a brief hiatus the snow has returned and it made for a very joyful Tuesday morning on the mountain.

To change things up today I decided to break out the telemark gear.  Aside from a couple skin trips, I have only tele-d one other time this season and it seemed like the perfect day to drop a knee.  As a former full-time tele skier I will admit  it's pretty awesome.  First off, it's a great workout.  Period.  You will stay warm when you tele.  It's essentially doing lunges down the mountain; that's where the smelly part comes in...'nuff said.

Second, on a 6" powder day, it feels like 12".  Face shots are a plenty when your heel lifts and your knee drops.  Third, it's just something different to do.  Whether you want the workout or you just want to mix things up, it's a great way to break up the day to day shred fest on alpine or snowboard.  If you aren't comfortable heading out on your own, check in with Ski School and line up a lesson.  A few expert tips the first day or two will make a world of difference.  And relax, if you face plant several times while learning, then you're probably doing it right :) 

Today I started on Upper Valley View because I could literally see the thick grooming lines in the snow on the way up the Gondi and started drooling.  I haven't skied at the resort since last week and was jonesin' for some smooth cord.  The turns were so soft and milky, the snow just gave way under my edges and I made long GS turns all the way to the Daze.  Highly recommend Upper Valley View to Vogue on your way to the bottom today (Vagabond is skiing pretty firm).

I also made my way to the bumps, because  nothing is a suffer fest gets the heart pumping like a couple laps on Norther and Whiteout.  I found great lines on both runs which helped link together some quick zipper turns.   Telemark is a good way to take your time and enjoy the scenery.   After all, telemark is Norwegian for "Dude, slow down!"

Steamboat is skiing very well right now and the top of the moutain is socked in with snow.

I had so much fun on the mountain this morning; there's snow in the forecast, tons of music lined up this week, and we're having an awesome winter.  See you out there.  Cheers!

Katie Hughes

Alpine Skier Tuesday Telemarker