Deep Tracks

Two feet-plus snowfall makes for great snowboard ridn! I timed this snowfall pretty well. Leaving Albany airport late in the afternoon, I was on the last plane out of Detroit on my way to Louisville. By the time I returned to Albany on Friday, 2-3 feet of snow was for the most part cleaned off the streets and, thanks to Donna, Alix and Emily, also from the driveway. My flights were not delayed or canceled unlike most people plying the air routes during this period.

On Saturday we did the last spin class at the Old Gick YMCA with Dan. Wednesday I experienced Norm's first spin class at the New Y. Norm drew in the big crowd with about 20 participants. It was a good workout and fun to see Norm in all his glory. But, there was absolutely no ventilation in the new room, so pretty hard to go as hard as I wanted. As it turns out, I went hard enough - getting heart rates in the 155-165 for three 10-12 minute sprints and climbs. Norm is a great spin leader, he always gets you a disciplined workout even when others are trying to distract him.

But the beautiful snowfall is the feature of the week. After the total lack of snowfall so far, the blanket of snow is welcomed news for the ski areas, especially since this week is school vacation week. Since my All East Pass is blacked out on the weekends of the vacation week, Donna and I got up early on Sunday and headed to West Mountain. The conditions were ideal! The early going on well-groomed, deep packed powder provided great leverage to really dig the edges in and carve turns. Later we moved to the north side and played in deep piles of lumpy, bumpy powder. The extra effort needed to make the turns took a toll on leg muscles, so it was a good workout as well as being a blast. By the time our 4-hour tickets were up, the crowds started to get heavy. We had plenty of room to make our way down the trails and had no waits. A great decision to ride early in the morning.

Yesterday I took a vacation day and went to Killington by myself. Donna wanted to get another day of work in and Alix was busy with friends during vacation. I was leery of the crowd potential during President's Week, so drove over to the Starship Base on Rt. 4. The Starship Gondola takes you all the way from Rt. 4 to the top of Skye Mountain - about a 5 mile ride! Conditions were amazing and the crowds nonexistent. The trails I have been doing were now much different. Lots of bumps and loose snow that was not powder, but not heavy either. The Malalo rides on top of the snow without effort. Since I was not chasing a skier this time I really concentrated on making hard, sharp and short turns. Again, the extra effort to make all those turns took a toll on my legs. It was great fun though. I started at 9 am and took a break around 2:30 at Bear Mtn. Lodge. By the time I got started again, the legs were starting to be non-compliant to my demands. I went to the top of Skye Mtn. and rode down Cruise Control, Great Eastern and Home Stretch runs all the way to the Starship Base - which has to be the longest, single, non-stop run I have ever done. When I slid to a stop about 150 feet from my car I was wasted and smiling!

This is the last season of the All East Pass. American Ski Company sold off Pico, Killington and Mt. Snow to different companies. Too bad, as the Pass has been a huge value and has gotten me on two great mountains each less than two hours from home. I will have to wait and see what comes out for next year.