Today was day # 35 of skiing this 2010-11 winter season. My goal is 80 days. Why? Because I need mileage to become a better skier and keeping track of the days inspires me to get out on days when I might not be motivated.
After a few setbacks this morning, I finally got to the cross country trails at 2pm. Now I understand why nordic skiing is a morning thing. It’s been unusually warm for the past few weeks and there has been no snow at all. The sun and the warmth has taken a toll on the snow still clinging to the ground. Back country skiing has turned to absolutely miserable bumpy hard icy ick unless your timing is exact and you catch ‘corn.’ Resort skiing is a slip and slide. So cross country it is.
In the shade, the trails were icy and seemed like they hadn’t been groomed in days. In the sun, it was slushy. My light and thin skis were thrown off by both of these conditions. Halfway through my first lap, I stopped daydreaming about being on my bike and realized that I was getting everything I needed from my ski excursion- solitude, sunshine, fresh air, and a work out. It’s still ski season and it will snow again soon.
