It's always difficult to find the right words to express the buzz one feels once the mountains begin to be coated with enough snow that warrants an adventure outside the resorts and into what is truly home for me. Just two days ago and into yesterday, a winter storm moved across the state of Colorado and delivered 12-24" of fluff. In my five years living here in Denver, I can't recall a time when the city and surrounding areas were draped with a frosty white shade this early, and it's quite the sight especially since the majority of trees have yet to lose their leaves. I tried my best to capture photographs of town but in the end, some memories are better kept through the eyes.
I did, however, manage to score the best first turns I've ever had with an early morning trip to Berthoud Pass yesterday where the snow depth was 16-20" by 7am with more that fell during the day. While the snow was on the heavy side, I never hit bottom, tagged zero rocks, and left the bases of my skis fully unscathed. The air temperature was 14 degrees, the humidity higher than normal, and the wind more skin-penetrating than I cared for, but it was the first turns of the season, and it really doesn't get much better than this.
It's amazing how a 5am wakeup during the winter season becomes a far easier task than waking up three hours later in the heart of summer. Why? It's the buzz... it's what we live for... it's what keeps us from falling asleep at night... it's what brings the best of friends out of the woodwork... it's what makes a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon drinkable. There's something special about riding on frozen water, be it skis or a snowboard, and now that the 2011/2012 season has landed, life will get a lot more enjoyable.
Hope everyone has an incredibly fulfilling and safe year... and always remember, pics or it didn't happen.
