The Nordic Walking Queen

We first came to Big Sky in 1990.  Dan and I drove out with our three kyds in our converted van packed full of gear and winter vacation essentials.  It was the beginning of a love affair with Lone Peak.  Since then we’ve returned almost every year. I always look forward to coming back, it feels a bit like going home.

I was an accomplished skier when we first came out and felt pretty confident about my ability to ski the whole mountain. That doesn’t mean, however, that there weren’t times that I got to the top of a hill, looked down and questioned what I was thinking!  Stump Farm, Challenger, Liberty Bowl all had the potential to take my breath away.  Even the Cat Trips with Montana Backcountry gave me butterflies.

My mantra in those situations: It all starts with one turn.  Once I point my skis down the hill, reach for that first turn and then make the next one and the next, it’s all ok.  It’s the rhythm of the mountain, the boots and skis working together, and of course the cheerleading of my family and friends that moves me down the steeps and deeps of this beautiful place.

Bruce and I skied together yesterday at Big Sky.  We had a great day in a few inches of new snow, skiing our favorite glades and trails all over the mountain.  On each run I was surrounded by memories of other times we’ve been there, other people we’ve skied it with and snow conditions that ranged from awesome or terrible.  Each one their own dance with the mountain.  One more memory to add to the collection.

Growing up I skied Saturdays with my brothers in Blizzard.  When my own kyds were growing up we skied Saturdays with my brother, sisters, nieces and nephews in Blizzard.  As everyone grows up and goes on with their life the opportunities to ski together as a family have become fewer.  But yesterday there were 5 of us together at Moonlight Basin enjoying new snow and gladed runs all day long.

Moonlight is a bit of a treasure.  Even at 4pm when Bruce, my older brother, and I went for one last run, there was wonderful pockets of snow hidden along the edges of the runs and into the trees.  What a treat!

We also had a visitor at the condo last night, looking for handouts.

Sometimes life throws you a curve.  I had planned to ski my new Nemesis today at Moonlight.  Instead I got up and pulled a muscle in my upper back.  Guess favoring that torn rotator cuff muscle in my left shoulder has put stress and strain on my back.  The muscle went into a spasm and it took me all day on ice and stretching to get it to relax and let me breathe again.

So I did some reading, some work on Nordic Walking Queen spring class schedule, and napping with my ice pack.    Spose to snow so tomorrow is another day.

I have to admit I was disappointed when we first arrived and conditions were marginal for skiing. But the past two days have been awesome.  Fresh snow, time with old friends and the last run from the top of the triple all the way to the base.  Just doesn’t get any better!

Skiing loose snow and soft bumps takes a lot of energy and a bit of technique.  It’s different from skiing the Minnesota hard pack that we usually encounter.  Lessons learned play in my head as I play in the snow.  I hear my daughter Laura:  Turn your skis downhill!  Turn in the snow!  Keep your hands up and keep touching your pole!  Turn!  Turn!  Turn!

I fly through the snow and down the hill, grinning under my gaitor and laughing out loud with joy.

Big Sky went on wind hold with 75mph winds on the mountain so we went snowshoeing.

Believe it or not Dan has never been out on his snowshoes.  I got him a really nice pair for Christmas to entice him to go out but he’s never made the time.  Today he had no excuses.  We did Lee’s Pool again, 3 miles up the side of the mountain to beautiful views of Lone Peak and Fan Mountain.  The clouds were stacking up, promises of snow for later but in the woods we were out of the wind and once again enjoyed being out on trail.

It was too cold for a picnic in the woods so we ended up at Maadison once again for lunch.  The afternoon featured a short nap with time to do some knitting.  By the time we went up to The Cabin to have a drink with Michelle at 7pm it was puking snow.  Perhaps a pocket rocket day?

Being on vacation is no excuse for not cooking locally.  In fact every where you go in Montana there are signs and ads reminding you to purchase locally.  I’m mixing Minnesota and Montana and looking forward to putting together meals that feature the best of both.

Our first dinner included rainbow carrots, potatoes and onions carried from Minnesota and roasted with MN butter of course.  Flank Steak from a local grass fed ranch grilled to perfection.  Bread from the Blue Moon bakery here on the mountain and a dessert of blueberry something featuring blue berries from my freezer.  Simple and a perfect blend.