There and Back Again

Well here we are, back in front of the PC and not on the other side of the Webcam,no more looking down the mountain or soaking in the hot tub gazing down the Yampa Valley easing that right knee. Seems an age since leaving London Heathrow arriving in Denver and jumping into the Hummer, yes that's right a Hummer, should have been a Jeep but they upgraded us to the Hummer, I thought I had left armoured vehicles behind, but peering through the slits called windows and closing the doors that were as heavy as the back doors of a Warrior armoured vehicle, it was just like old times. But we managed to get it up the Mountains and it was not as heavy on fuel as I feared.
What a variety of weather we experienced over the 13 days, from -2 F to 46 F, from Blizzard conditions to superb bluebird days and RAIN, yes rain in Feb, the locals were in shock, I kept quiet about coming from England just in case suspicion fell on me for bringing it with us, it was snow on the top half, but as we descended to the bottom half by lower Vagabond it was rain and by the time we arrived at Base area we were rather wet, but on the upside it was back to snow the next day. We had one good powder day and very cold, but the skiing was great, perhaps not as much snow as we have got used to in past trips but we can't order the weather, just accept what you get.

On the balance we had some really good skiing along with beautiful conditions, the grooming was excellent and made for some super morning conditions, I think we got all over the mountain and wifey even skied Storm Peak and Tornado. I have at last dumped my 90's style ski suit and gone all modern, I must admit I only skied one day with the new gear but what a difference in comfort and how light the newer materials are.

Only eat out once and that was at Rex's Grill, we had to have our Buffalo Burgers, they are superb if only we could take some home with us, but the money we saved by eating in helped pay for the new ski clothing, anyway we were able to watch all the Dirty Harry films once more.

Had two lovely weekend afternoons skiing with Kent and Julie, they do make it all look effortless, then suddenly the afterburners kick in and there gone down the hill, but they were both very patient with us and the beer and cheese fries after made for a great finish to the afternoon.

We took a trip up to Strawberry Park one afternoon as we decided on a rest day, a morning wandering around the shops in Steamboat then a drive up to the Hot Springs, we told by a local to look out for Moose once we hit the dirt road, but no luck on that. Due to the warmer spell of weather the track was clear of heavy snow and the Hummer did not have to do any heavy duty driving, we did have a lovely relaxing afternoon in the hot pools and wifey was able to make a fuss of a lovely Huskey dog belonging to a member of the staff.

I also learnt from A team of Ski Patrol guys in a conversation as we rode up in the Gondola that recovery from the Mountain if injured or exhausted comes with the price of the ticket, I had not realised that thinking that my ski insurance was needed to cover such an eventuality, you learn something new each visit.

Well as I have bought new ski gear, we will have to try and get back next year, untill then will just have to get on with life away from SB, we had a wonderful holiday, some interesting conversations on the lift chairs and some challenging conditions to ski in.





Missed Oportunity: Not seeing the Moose running around by loading area for Thunderhead and Right O Way trail.

Best overheard Cell phone call : Morning Side Lift, the guy behind our chair calling his friend at work " Hey Buddy you may not want to hear this but it's a powder day" sadly we were unable to hear the reply.

Silliest Moment: Skiing to close to Wifey clipping her skis and bowling her over, I fell as well, to the cryptic comment from an overhead Sunshine Chairlift, " Try ski school"

Steamboat Suggestion: Try moving the Sunshine Lift sniffle station back a meter, trying to snatch a tissue, use it, dispose of it and line up for the chair at the same time is all abit of a hurry.