Category Archives: early season

Looking at my Ski Crystal Ball

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When I contemplate this brand new ski season, I often have a hard time seeing clearly into my “Ski Crystal Ball.” Skiing is for me something that happens, not an event or a succession of situations that can be planned, guessed or predicted like you would plan an outing, a family celebration or of course, a career. I guess there’s not much planning that goes into my skiing. That’s right, I’ve never looked at one single season thinking that I will be accomplishing this, that or achieve some other things (besides maybe a goal for skiing my age).

Even though I’m extremely goal-oriented for all the other areas of my life, this approach has never permeated into my skiing outlook. I probably am a fatalistic skier who wait for the snow crystals to randomly and gracefully align themselves and provide me with some heavenly snow experiences. It is true though that when I’m skiing, my competitive spirit – not my planning mind – eventually comes alive and takes hold of me.

For example if its already 2 pm and I am enjoying the runs that crisscross the Lady Morgan Chairlift, I will think, “…let’s do six more of them!” This mere thought pushes me and I end up having ridden Lady Morgan Express seven more times in that sixty minute time span! The performance wasn’t planned, it simply happened… I have never promised myself to ski 100 days per season, but I generally end up close to that round number, so while it’s hard to say that I’m not planning these kinds of minute details, they just seem to happen…

As a perennial late-bloomer, I must have reached my peak performance on skis in my early sixties (yes, dear reader, there is plenty of hope!) and one day, as I happened to boast a bit too much about some of my ski exploits, a slightly older and wiser friend of mine told me in no uncertain terms: “Silly you, at your age, what do you have to prove?” These words of wisdom were not lost on me, the skier, that always looked at performing better and faster, whenever possible.

This competitive approach of mine was colliding with certain issues that develop as one gets further into the years and as physical strength begins plateauing, if not declining, but is certainly no longer improving. Over the past couple of seasons, I have found that I was getting a bit less nimble, less powerful and considerably slower.

You might say that I was finally growing up as I had implicitly understood that speeding and risk-taking might finally prove to be harmful to me. This, in part, is the reason why, from that point forward, my goals on skis won’t be measured so much in speed, quickness or slaloming through a tight grove of aspen trees.

Instead, they will be qualitative in nature and are likely to consist of skiing much more often, but when I will do it, I will also concentrate on being that much smoother and my focus will be on saving all of my resources to enjoy a longer, fun-filled day on the slopes. Another new measuring stick for me would be the amount of time there’s a grin on my face and this should at least be in the 90% range, to make each day of winter another great moment on skis.

Sure, I’ll still go fast when I can and when it can make me more efficient, but never again at the expense of my own safety. I’ll think more about being lighter on my skis, on better using the terrain to check my speed and to my mechanical advantage, to make my turns effortlessly and remain “one” with the terrain. That’s about right, less brute force and more “caresses” on the snow, this is how my skiing will be looking like, this season and beyond!

With this in mind, when I review what’s inside my Snow Crystal Bowl, I see more slow fun, more perfect turns, more time to enjoy the whole experience, more seizing of the moment and with all that, always the surprise that comes with the never-ending adventure that skiing really is!

Ski Season Two: Hardcore Opening Weekend

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On opening Saturday, I asked a friend of mine if he was coming back on Sunday too, and he answered, “You are going tomorrow? You are hardcore. ”

Hardcore?  In my mind, hardcore means tearing down the mountain at break neck speed and taking Bode Miller style Giant Slalom turns.  That’s hard core, not me skiing on groomers opening weekend at Deer Valley.

But you know … Just maybe… I might actually…be.

Opening day was amazing as the ski gods were with us when sky decided to dump buckets of snow on the mountains. So taking JF Lanvers advice, I decided to start slow by doing a few easy runs to get my ski legs back and remember what I learned from my lessons last year. My husband met me for lunch at Silver Lake Lodge and we enjoyed the Celebrity Skifest from the warmth and comfort of the lodge while eating pizza and a heaping bowls of steaming pasta.  This seemed like the perfect opening day to me.

Sunday morning after Mass, I quickly ate breakfast and changed into my ski pants (though I did see several people who were obviously going directly to the slopes the moment the service let out – their ski attire gave them away.) The storm seemed heavier on Sunday and by the time I got there, the lines were short. I was able to get right on the lifts every time — no waiting at all.

Since I lacked a face mask, my chin and cheeks were getting pretty cold though the rest of me was warm.  On the lift, I could pull my scarf and jacket up like a mummy to keep my face warm.   But on the runs, the snow stung me hard as I skied down the hill. I could care less and was loving being out there.

Deciding whether or not to take that extra run, I stopped and took stock of myself. My fur lined hood was covered in snow, my bangs were mangled and tendrils of hair were frozen to my scarf.  My face was burning from the fresh snow and wind on the lift, and so were my quads from those first runs.  I wondered for a minute if I was crazy.  Only the crazy people are out now.  This was not a day for fair weather skiers.

Then I thought, you know…I just might be…. hardcore!  No helicopters were involved, no back country or avalanche precautions were necessary, but for me… getting out there, pushing myself on the groomers, staying out even when the snow was dumping down and stinging my face and when most folks were in the comfort of the lodge (or home by the fire,) there I was taking one more run.

Some people might think my experience was relatively mild but for me …my second season opening weekend, I guess I would have to say it was hardcore.

What about you? What makes you a hardcore skier?

First Powder Day of the Season!

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Empire Bowl on 12/15/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One week into Deer Valley’s 2012-13 season and we were blessed with a powder day! If we keep this pace (and the forecast for the upcoming week looks like we will) it will make for great skiing over the holiday.

I have to admit today’s skiing was a pleasant surprise. Last year, we weren’t able to ski the Empire area and especially the Chutes until mid-January! Yup, we are already a month ahead of ourselves. I met up with some of the locals and ripped a few runs.

This picture certainly isn’t the ” epic” powder shot technically but you can see from the look on my face how fun and excited I was. We took the next picture for fun because we really didn’t know how it was going to be making the first turns of the season in the Daly Chute but at least we could say we were warned.

I’m glad we explored. Come out and see for yourself! If the storms line up as I have been hearing, we are on our way to great skiing.

Heck, just today toppled all of last year!

See you on the slopes.

Heidi’s Winter Predictions

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I love this time of year. The resorts are opening and the holidays are upon us. I think each day I get a new Christmas list from my youngest son, Stefan. Where’s the Sears catalog? When I was a kid, I remember flipping through that catalog of 1000 plus pages and writing down and ear-marking something from every page.

A few weekends ago we enjoyed Park City Mountain Resort’s opening. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not cooperate. It hit me on opening day as my eldest son requested to ‘be there before 9 a.m.’ and ski in the “precipitation,” that he really is a skier.  Or maybe he starting to think skiing with Mom just isn’t the cool thing to do anymore! He asked me if I was going to ski, too and my answer was, “I have skied in many days like today and it makes you a better skier, but Mom gets to choose her ski days now.” He asked me what that meant, and I said, “I have put in my time just as you are beginning to put your time in the bank.” He looked at me with an inquisitive look and walked off.

Thankfully we had a great early snow storm. What do I predict for the upcoming season? That we live in the greatest place, have the greatest mountain to ski, greatest community and we will be the number one resort again after the great snow season that is coming. What’s it called? The “calm before the storm.”  Maybe this is the “perfect storm” season brewing. We can only wait and see for now.

I have four days on snow so far and counting. See you on the slopes this weekend!

 

Getting Ready for Ski Season

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One thing I have learned living in Park City is that you are ALWAYS getting ready for ski season. At the Fourth of July parade and celebration on Main Street, I bought my new ski jacket and in August, a Smart Wool sweater to wear under it.  In September, I picked up a set of ski pants so clothing-wise; I am well on my way.

Fitness wise, I am not so sure but am working on it. Try this:

1. Hitting tennis balls –  It’s winter but Park City Municipal Athletic Recreation Center known as “the Marc” has a “bubble” with several indoor tennis courts to keep you warm and dry. Once a week I hit tennis balls with a friend. Tennis is not only good for cardio and eye hand coordination but for ski conditioning due to the side to side movements you make when approaching the ball.

2. Rowing – The Concept 2 rowing machine is my best friend. I used to row crew with the Master’s so when on the indoor rower, I just close my eyes and imagine being on the water in the shell with 7 other women rowing in unison.    Rowing is also easy on the knees and also great for both upper and lower body strength — love it!

3. Circuit training – I read a blog on the best fitness apps and found my new best friend –Nike Training Club App. I am sure there are some other great apps out there but I am totally obsessed with Nike Training Club.

First of all, there are a hundred different workout choices –get lean, toned, strong, or “focused.” Each one has a variety of workouts by level.  You don’t need extensive equipment — just some weights and a medicine ball. I love how it just walks you through a workout – plank rows for one minute followed by Russian twists for one minute then mountain climbers, etc.  Frankly, its easy to follow since you don’t have to think about it – just choose a workout, decide on music from the iPad and get started.

I never thought I would care about this (or admit it in public) but they also award badges by level. Today at the end of my workout, a message popped up. “Congratulations, you have reached a new level.  You are a contender.”

Me?  A contender?  ”Hey Honey, guess what? Remember when I told you I could  have been a contender? Well, turns out I was right! Nike says I am.”  It is silly, but actually it’s kind of fun.

4. Tracking my exercise and food intake. I use the My Fitness Pal app to track food and daily exercise.  Before I reach into the Chex Mix bag, I think about having to write in later that I just ate an extra 300 calories: this certainly helps me grab an apple instead.   I log everything I eat and drink as well as my workouts to help me stay on track.

My son, Rick, and his girlfriend are members too so we have this little healthy support community.  An added benefit of having my family online is avoiding public humiliation — a strong motivator that certainly works for me!

How are you getting ready for ski season?

Early Ski Season Routine

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For every skier, each new ski season feels like a new beginning, filled with great anticipation, wonderful expectations, and in many ways, it seems like a “re-birth” of sorts, as it brings us back to our favorite playground. To make that experience even better, I have tried to compile a few tips that we all can use and that will make our return to the slopes that much more pleasant.

I would start with getting our gear ready, beginning with the right ski pass (not the one from last year, please!) the gloves, the balaclava, the helmet and the goggles. Don’t just attempt to gather that equipment minutes before hitting the slopes; do it at least the day before and by all means, do take all your time to do it right!

Can we find all of our gear? Aren’t these gloves looking a bit frayed right by the thumb? Why are these goggles all scratched-up? I’d continue with the ski boots and check that nothing fell inside them, that there’s nothing in the liner that feels crumpled and that the rubber heel isn’t so worn out that we won’t get into the bindings. Oh sure, I’ll get these boots out of the freezing garage now and put them inside the house!

Then there are the skis. Are these the brand-new ones? Are we sure we want to take them that early? If we take the ones we used in April, how do they look? I mean, not the dust on them, but are the edges okay, the bases clean and waxed? Are we sure the poles are matched-up or do we have a 44 inch long paired with a 46 inch?

Now, how are we going to dress? In doubt, always layer-up more warmly than not, don’t forget that most of today’s ski clothes have plenty of zippable air-vents if overheating were to be a problem!  Is the roof-rack or the ski-box back on top of the car yet, or are we going to fold part of the rear seat and slide all the equipment in? I’m looking forward to test-driving these new snow tires we just mounted last week…

Before we start the engine, mentally run the check-list: Ski pass or coupons, boots, helmet-glove-goggles, poles, skis, sunscreen, cell-phone and wallet. No, we won’t take the GoPro camera this time… We finally get to the resort parking lot. Found a great spot! Get everything out, walk to the lift. One more time: Is there anything we need that we could have left in the car?

We first click into our bindings and get ready to ride the chairlift, look around, feel the excitement building, no worries, we’ll start slow! We’ll try to register the sensations inside our feet and legs as we slide down the ramp, make a first left turn… That wasn’t bad was it?  Everything still works! Then we take it easy, we begin slow and try to just concentrate on the sensations, we’ll get reacquainted with a little bit of speed, appreciate the crispy sound our skis make on this season’s snow…

Now a right turn followed by another to the left; we’re skiing! Little by little our confidence grows, our speed increases, we absorb the little bumps as if we had never quit doing it and the tentative smiles we had earlier on becomes a permanent grin! We forgot nothing, it’s all coming back now, we let those skis carve for us, it feels even better than it did last March!

Naturally, we’re careful, we use the terrain astutely, and we follow the flow and the groups of skiers that evolve at a similar rate of speed. Sometimes we stay in the middle of the run and move with everybody, at other times we stick to the sides that often allow for a different rate of speed, but all along, we constantly watch what’s going on in front, around and behind us. We know that the rest of the skiers are still tentative and searching for their true selves early this season and we take it easy.

Of course, lunch time is not just a simple break today, it’s a genuine restoration. We take a bit longer, we use our time to savor the food and enjoy the warmth inside the lodge, and when it’s time to go out again, we carefully re-adjust all the buckles on each boot, we take the time to clean the goggle lens twice instead of just once, and when everything appears to be ready and that we feel in control, skiing resumes.

No, we won’t do this extra run that we would normally never miss.  We’re just careful, we’re totally willing to leave some great turns “on the table” today and end our skiing a tad earlier. No problem; we’ve got the entire ski season!

 

Being Thankful

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As Thanksgiving came—and went—Jeff and I found ourselves reflecting upon how grateful we are to have lucked into a life in Utah.  Our move to Park City in 2001 was hardly premeditated. To be sure, it wasn’t altogether a well-thought-out decision. Honestly, being in Park City on vacation just felt right, and the idea of living here made sense to us in ways that we thought made sense. This was, of course in the B.K. Era—Before Kids—but we had a hunch it would be a great place to have a family.

That hunch paid off—and every year, as the ski season begins, I find myself reflecting on the ways I never realized my life would change for the better as a result of raising my family in Utah. Skiing with my family at Deer Valley is one of my very favorite things to be thankful for.

  1. From the moment my kids put on skis, they felt proud and impressed at their ability to engage in sport. As long as we made falling fun, they had a blast. As long as we let them eat cookies as big as their heads, they felt motivated to keep going. And when motivation flags, there is always a stash of sugar in my pocket to give it a boost.
  2. Watching them go from fearing a run to mastering it is a feeling that compares to watching them learn to walk.  Mind you, with every passing year, as their skills improve, I find myself trying to do the mental calculus about how long it will take before they are better than I am. And then I sign up for more lessons—for me. Which brings me to….
  3. Pushing myself is the best example. The only thing that made me happier than actually skiing X-Files last year was telling my kids that I did something that had previously scared me, and then….LOVED it.
  4. Deer Valley is serious about their family-friendly vibe. When my younger son was a baby, we’d come to the hill every weekend to watch big brother ski. Jeff and I often took turns hanging with the little guy playing sugar packet hockey, and working our way down Success with the big guy. But before we could do that, I had to run the gauntlet of logistics between the skier drop-off curb and the window seat in the Snow Park restaurant. There was a stroller, a giant diaper bag, containing supplies that would last other humans a full week, but will last a baby about an hour. There was the big guy’s gear. And, of course, the big guy himself, whose short, preschooler legs made the distance from curb to table seem insurmountable. Except that we had the good sense to arrive after the initial morning skier rush—and a team of ski valets and greeters would descend upon us to carry extra gear, push the stroller, open doors and joke with Lance to make the long walk fun.
  5. There are no strangers on the ski hill—my kids are comfortable chatting up other folks on the lift line, or on chair-lift rides. And I tell them it’s OK to gloat when they tell visitors we live here. After all, why shouldn’t they be aware that living here is nothing to take for granted.
  6. My life really is your vacation. My friend Miriam wrote about this last year, when I took my son skiing for my birthday . We don’t ski every day of the week—there is work, and the laundry monster must be fed, the refrigerator must be restocked. But the ability to drop everything and head to the hill at a moment’s notice—even if you don’t get to do it that often—is always there. It’s reassuring, even, to know that you could go take a run at any moment.
  7. Meeting up with friends almost always involves some sort of great winter activity—like skate skiing, snowshoeing  or five runs at Deer Valley before lunch. I layered up one recent morning and met a friend for snowshoeing—it was our workout in between dropping off our kids at school and getting rolling with our workdays. Seriously. And, no, I did not care that it was cold out. Back in my New York life, the only thing the snow ever did was ruin my shoes.

Skiing with my family is more fun that I ever could have dared to hope. I loved skiing as a kid—and I’m thrilled to see my kids enjoy it. I’m eager for this new season because my younger son is now 5, and that’s kind of a sweet-spot age for skiing. He’s been at it long enough that he knows the basics, is eager to conquer more terrain, and has enough stamina to explore the mountain a little.

From a DV Lift Operator

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Shytei Corellian, Lift Ops

Ever wonder what it might be like to be a first season Lift Operator at Deer Valley?

Me, too — and I was one.

This week sixty eight new Lift Operators begin their 2012-13 winter season the ones you’ll be seeing all day long and just might get to know on a first-name basis if you happen to ski a favorite lift most days.

My first year as a Lift Operator was back in 1990-1991. I was planning ahead for at least three months, getting fit, begging mom and dad to help me out with buying gear, and truly, honestly nervous.

It took about five minutes during my first day of training to be A.) entirely overwhelmed with the amount of information and expectation of being part of the Deer Valley Team and B.) thoroughly excited — the thought “Coolest Job Ever” kept running through my mind.

How many times I’ve had people say to me: “Nice Office” as they get off the chair at the top shack, I’ve lost count, but each time I smile and say: “Absolutely, can’t beat the view.”

I’m sure these new Lift Operators will share much of these same sentiments, and I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them as you ski through the lift lines this season.

I guess I do remember what it’s like to be a first year Operator. Some memories are just too good.

Cheers,

Shytei Corellian, still a very excited Deer Valley Team Member

This season, 68 new lift operators started training this week.  With 21 chairlifts, Lift Operators are an essential piece of running Deer Valley Resort.  A week-long training program, with both classroom and on-site training, prepares Lift Operators from interacting with guests to safely operating chairlifts.

A Dirty Little Secret

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I recently came across a pamphlet titled “Do you have a gambling problem?” Certainly not I thought. However, a closer inspection of the symptoms made me realize I was not being very honest with myself. I don’t mind some low stakes poker and betting on who catches the first trout, or what year Picabo Street won Olympic Silver in the Downhill, but I will never take out a second mortgage to cover a loss.

So what’s my problem? Check out my symptoms and you tell me.

* Being preoccupied with skiing
* Increasing your skiing risks
* Trying to cut back on skiing without success
* Reducing the time you spend at work/with family because of skiing
* Reviewing past skiing experiences in your mind
* Constant daydreaming of that one big score

Based on the fact that my mother still waits for first chair by skating back and forth to warm her legs up, I would say that my problem is genetic so there may be no help for me.

Of course the Deer Valley Blog may not be the best place to get help. I doubt anyone reading this could find one thing wrong with that list. 11 days 12 hours 8 minutes and 50 seconds until we ski folks! I can’t wait to see you out there, and by the way – do you know what year the aforementioned silver medal was won? No cheating, Google to find out or guess in the comment section.

Where to Bike in Park City during “Shoulder Season”

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Hidden Gems in Park City – Bike Edition

Where can you take a detour from your trip to Home Depot and find an amazing mountain bike course that is free to the public?  Park City, of course! This past weekend my husband and I were headed to the hardware store east of Park City on Highway 40 and decided to take the scenic route and drive through a neighborhood.   We stumbled upon Trailside Park and its soccer field, skateboard park and the amazing mountain bike training course.

We looked at each other and said in unison, “Let’s check it out.” We didn’t see any bikes on the course (maybe because it was really windy.)  So we opened the tailgate, let the dog out and headed up the trail.  It started off with a beginners course called “Bella’s Course” with a couple of stone bridges and curved dirt trails for little ones to try. I can imagine a little girl with a pink bike and helmet tearing around those corners like there’s no tomorrow!

Not for the faint of heart: this trail is challenging!  We hiked up the path and found tons of strategically placed wooden ramps and side rails that were six feet tall!  The course was full of small and large dirt ramps to test the skills of every mountain biker young and old.  We saw a few when we ran into a couple of teenagers with helmet cams taking the big jumps and filming each others landings.

 

This course wouldn’t be for the beginner but if you or your kids love a challenge,   check out Trailside park.  www.basinrecreation.org/trailside_park.html

For the faint of heart: Willow Creek Park. We found this park  in much the same way – we went for a leisurely drive through a neighborhood  and out popped this amazing park with two play structures, finely groomed soccer fields, a pond, and wide paths for walking,running or biking.  The bike paths connect to a couple of nice trails.  On this ride, you won’t find a ramp or a bump in sight but what you will see are wide rocky pathways that are great to either pick up some speed  for a good workout or to take at a leisurely pace and enjoy the scenery.

I sometimes start at Kimball Junction and ride along the Swaner Nature Preserve past the Swaner farm on the Highway 224.  The bike trail winds past some wetlands and creeks  before it opens up to the meadow at Willow Creek Park. You can ride up to the soccer field there and grab some cold water from the drinking fountain. Take a rest in the shade before heading up further to catch up with the Farm Trail for more stream side riding or head back the way you came.  Www.basinrecreation.org/willow_creek.html

Whether you are a hard core thrill seeking biker or looking for a scenic spring ride and  some exercise, Park City parks are a great way to explore while waiting for Deer Valley’s lift-served biking and hiking to open on June 15.