Good points in this thread. If you are able, try adjusting your schedule to include working during holidays and weekends and taking weekdays off instead. Or work graveyard shifts. That pays dividends for us as avid skiers and is one way we can tip the scales in our direction quickly. I love my Thurs/Fri sessions. It's empty and I'm loving the sport. It's a sacrifice as it limits your work/financial/family/social options. But if skiing is important we have to adapt.
Another point is that I've chosen to ski at a "Geriatric" or "Baby" mtn. I tell my friends where I ski and they scoff and say ... "Too easy!" I say Yup as I get turn after turn in untracked areas and ski the unmarked single track mtn bike trails I've scouted out on that "Baby Mtn"! Not talking about poaching closed trails.... I'm referencing trails that you create in areas that are off the sides of an otherwise "Easy" trial. One of my Patroller buddies saw me and ended up taking lead! He was lovin' it! We ended up calling it "Single Track Skiing"... that's if you don't mind torn jckts, gut wrenching fear, whip branch face bruises, and the occasional bloody nose! Damn, I didn't duck under that branch just before I missed that turn!!! On the other mtns I have to fight for pow lines that are tracked up by 10am on a pow day by people who can get to work later! So I drive an hour and a half rather than 30 min to the "Real" mtns and never looked back. Willingness to adjust your schedule and perspectives around our sport will pay huge dividends.
Another point is that I've chosen to ski at a "Geriatric" or "Baby" mtn. I tell my friends where I ski and they scoff and say ... "Too easy!" I say Yup as I get turn after turn in untracked areas and ski the unmarked single track mtn bike trails I've scouted out on that "Baby Mtn"! Not talking about poaching closed trails.... I'm referencing trails that you create in areas that are off the sides of an otherwise "Easy" trial. One of my Patroller buddies saw me and ended up taking lead! He was lovin' it! We ended up calling it "Single Track Skiing"... that's if you don't mind torn jckts, gut wrenching fear, whip branch face bruises, and the occasional bloody nose! Damn, I didn't duck under that branch just before I missed that turn!!! On the other mtns I have to fight for pow lines that are tracked up by 10am on a pow day by people who can get to work later! So I drive an hour and a half rather than 30 min to the "Real" mtns and never looked back. Willingness to adjust your schedule and perspectives around our sport will pay huge dividends.
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