Today was my first day on the mountain this season, October 29th, 2005, and I was cruising at one of the greatest ski areas in the country, Arapahoe Basin (www.arapahoebasin.com). For those who’ve never been to A-Basin it maintains an old-school mountain feeling comprising of locals. There is no resort, just skiing, lifts, and a lodge. Early this morning I woke up pumped to hit the road on my way to the land of winterplay, as my wife had to truck off to work (haha). I got the Allman Brothers (allmanbrothersband.com) dialed on my iPod for the drive from Denver.

I knew the crowds would be filing in, especially since only A-Basin and Loveland are open, so I figured the earlier I get there the better. I arrived alone, but with plenty of company, with visions of cliff jumping, kickers, and deep-pow tree runs dancing in my head. Only two runs are open (High Noon and Ramrod), but you should always think big. Even better, it was snowing on the pass!
I put on my boots, which to my surprise, fit amazingly (I have Fred Flinstone feet – triple E+ and they’re almost flat), threw my ski’s over my shoulder, and got a move on to the lift. It felt great. I can’t stop smiling!!! I could not stop the giddy school boy feeling that was racing through my veins as I rode to the top of the run, still listning to the Allmans! And the final feeling of skis to snow, gliding steadily down the first run of my ski season, was one of the best feeling’s I have experienced since last year when the ski season began. It is a feeling you only get once a year and it was FANTASTIC! The remainder of my time on the mountain was spent enjoying every turn I could possibly make, loving the speed I could attain on my rock skis (Volkl G3’s), and smiling like I have never smiled before, well since the first day of last year! I did straight line from half way down Ram Rod to the bottom, scaring the beginners on their boards. Everyone was having a terrific time, as was I, and tomorrow I will take my wife up to spend some time doing what we both love , skiing.