Getting Softer

After the new snow of the last 36 hours I had high expectations for today's session. And while it was much, much softer than it has been, I'd still classify the surface as firm. However, given the rather difficult start to the 2011-12 season we're experiencing, I'd still rate today as the best so far.

I was riding new boots (Garmont Delirium), skis (Volkl Bridge in 187), bindings (Marker Jester), and insoles (custom made by Black Diamond). My takeaway from the 2 hours I rode today: My new boots are stiff! We're talking a 130 flex rating compared to my old boots which were 80. My nice, cushy, comfortable backseat is gone. When I'm aggressive and charging the new boots are awesome. However, when my legs are burning and I start to ease up I quickly discover there's nowhere to relax. Long term I think this will be a good thing, but I'm beginning to realize that the next few weeks are going to hurt as my legs adjust to being on the throttle full time.

Sunny Day

Cruised around with the kids for a couple of hours today. I was a bit worried about conditions, but ended up being pleasantly surprised. There were patches of ice here and there, and some sections of trail are getting quite thin, but overall the riding was good. It was Kate's first day this season and her first run was very cautious, which sounds nicer than saying she was skiing extremely slow! However, with each run her confidence grew so that by the end she was skiing very well.

Brrrr!

First Day at Brighton

Alder and I started our 2011-12 ski & snowboard season today at Brighton. We got a late start and rolled into the lot about 10:15 which resulted in a 3rd row parking spot. On a normal Saturday the lot would have been almost full, but given the lack of snow (relatively speaking), and the resulting limited terrain that's open for riding, we are still very much in the pre-season.

I had set my expectations really low, so was pleasantly surprised with the good condition of the groomers. Coverage was good, the surface was firm without being icy, and all of the traditional groomed runs were open off of the Explorer, Majestic, Crest, and Snake Creek lifts so what little traffic there was on the mountain was widely dispersed.

Venturing off the groomed runs quickly revealed how thin the snowpack really is with a multitude of rocks, branches, and vegetation waiting to bite your bases.