Denied

Aiming for something fun and interesting to ski, Swain and I ended up retreating in the face of unstable snow – widespread cracking on a large slope – and simply skied low angle powder in the vicinity of both Red Baldy and Patsy Marley. I think we spent more time pushing our way out through deep snow than actually making turns. Did I mention that the warm snow stuck to our skins mercilessly on the up, despite the addition of skin wax? Right around 9,000 feet, there was a  noticeable change in the snow consistency, switching from a heavy, cream cheese consistency to light Utah finery. Didn’t matter, both types stuck to our skins. It was a thrill a minute.

Jon gets more skin wax happening.

Fortunately, we received compensation both for being denied, as well as having to push our way downhill. On our final run to the car, we were both treated to full-on face slushies as borderline frozen water fell on us from the sky. In my case this led to a brain freeze as severe as if I’d eaten a pint of ice cream in ten rapid spoonfuls. Unpleasant to the core. To the good, when I saw Jon walk up to the car, I warmed up right away with laughing when I saw the slushie eyebrows he’d attracted. All told, I’d say we were about three minutes from frostbite, in April. It was the first time this season that I’ve wished I was wearing a balaclava.

I didn't expect to see any more snow this year, so this scene was a surprise.

To the good, there’s a ton of fresh pow out there. Go get some.

'The Bird reports 9".' "Yeah, I usually subtract 2-3" from that report." Wrong answer. It was closer to 15" today. Swain makes it look easy. (Okay, it is easy.) Swain makes it look colorful.

For the first time ever while skiing with me, Swain was tired and lagged. I wouldn't have been more surprised if I'd won a $682 million Powerball jackpot. (An especially interesting idea, since I didn't buy a ticket.)

I don't know why I was smiling for this pic, because my face was completely frozen and I had brain freeze at this point.