WCSA (Wolf Creek Ski Area)

Yesterday was another fantastic day for skiing.  Warm weather in the 40s means some of the snow up there is melting and that's not good, but it sure does make it pleasant for skiing.  We are down to one camera now, so these were taken with the Nikon.  We don't plan on taking it with us every time, though.  Slows you down worrying about it getting hurt.

 Since we've become Intermediate skiers we can take this lift up to the steeper stuff.  This is the Treasure Lift and from the top of it you get to see this:  (Click on the pictures to see them much better)

You have to be sure and stop to take it all in so you don't get distracted by the views while you are trying to ski.  This area is my favorite part of the whole place.  So far.

Ski Patrol.  Thank you.

 Snow Dog.

Snow Cat.

 Down there below me is Ski School.  A field trip from Monte Vista meant lots and lots of VERY excited short people on the slopes.  They were so much fun to watch, and to yell at from the lifts.  Their energy reminded me of when I took Alex skiing so many years ago.

 The instructors earned their paychecks yesterday.

 Lots of people start their kids early but this is the youngest I've seen.  This baby girl already gets to feel what it's like to snowboard with her Daddy!

 As they get older they are tethered to their parents.

That way they don't get too far away.  I think it's so great that people take their kiddos skiing. 

Vintage lift.

 Ken, realizing I was still snapping pictures after his spill, began posing.

 Our classic pose.  I don't know why I always put my foot up.  :)

 Walking is the hardest part of skiing.

Black Diamond Blizzard

On the 28th of November Karen took us skiing - in a BLIZZARD!  We were worried about going since there was a SEVERE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in affect.  She said, and I quote, "This is a perfect day to ski."  So up the mountain we went and she was right!  I still prefer sunny skies but this experience was something we will never, ever forget, and I am sure we will be talking it about for years to come.

 The day started out great!

 That's me in the front and Karen coming up behind me.

 Karen's looking down on me because...

I am down here!  I fell down while I was just standing there.  How dumb.

 It was about this time that the snow really started coming down.. .

 And then WE started falling down...

 We couldn't see the trail signs, took a wrong turn, and ended up in these moguls in a black diamond area for expert skiers.  It was so cold that my goggles froze up so I had to take them off so I could see well enough to get down and I got snowflakes in my eyeballs.  Lots of them. I don't know how, but I made it down without falling (bragging rights).  Afterwards we were all exhausted, but after some hot coffee we kept on skiing.

 Ken cleaning up after his Yard Sale.

 Once he had gathered all of his equipment, he tried to put the skis back on in the deep snow.

 Karen, who has much more experience than we do out there, realized it would be a better idea to walk back out to the slope.  

Look at how deep that snow is!

 It was like we were inside a huge, white, cold cloud.  When it snows this much everything gets muffled and quiet.  It's very surreal and as long as you are properly dressed, you get to experience a peaceful yet intense connection to Mother Nature.  Immersed, yes, that's the word...

 Look at all the ice in his stache!  Brrr!  

 Time to call it a day...  We sure bought the right vehicle for up here.  

Many, many thanks to Karen for getting us up there on the mountain.  Left up to us, we probably would have stayed home and missed out.  We are now Powder Hounds!

Frozen River

The Rio Grande River rolls through South Fork very close to our home.  Next Spring we hope to learn how to fish in it, and next August there will be a great music fest next to it called Rhythms on the Rio, which is put on by the South Fork Musical Association.  For now, however, the river is starting to freeze.  Ken and I stopped to take some pictures of it the other day...  it is so pretty...  It will be interesting to see how it changes throughout winter.

And an awesome sky!

Skiing on Nov 10

Not too many words required:

My boots for this season are AWESOME.  My feet never hurt now.

Riding the lift is part of the fun.

Getting to the top and seeing this all around you is a big part of what makes skiing magical.

As you can see by the sign, there is no shortage of trails to explore.

I get so HAPPY on that mountain!  I can sometimes be heard hollering things like WOOHOO really loudly on my way down.  It is otherwise quiet up there... other than the other people who yell WOOHOO too.  There seem to be a lot of happy people up there!  :)

It got cloudy when I took this picture but the powder is still so pretty.

When the sun shines on fresh powder, it sparkles like little diamonds.

Ken is getn good!

See how we have the mountain to ourselves?  This will change as we get further into the season, but since Wolf Creek doesn't have any lodging, it is usually one of the least busy ski areas in CO.  Nice!  And since we are the closest town to Wolf Creek the powder hounds from out of the area stay with us at Foothills Lodge and Cabins.

I LOVE my skis!

If you ever in your lifetime get an opportunity to try Alpine skiing, don't miss it.  It is an experience with nature unlike anything else.  It's not that hard, and the pain from falling down is totally worth it.  Seriously, it's a human experience that is not to be missed!  Thank you to Karen for getting us up there on that mountain!