Welcome to the Solitude Blog

If you Only knew….
But I’m glad you don’t…..
So goes a little sticker I have from years ago from Solitude. In all sincerity April 9th it was like a virtual dream occurring days before the resort will run its last chair, the patrol conducts it’s last sweep, and the skiers ski their last lap through the magnificent terrain of honeycomb. Was it windy up there? Did they get much snow overnight? Questions are most easily answered by the personal experience of getting in touch with Solitude. As I pulled into the parking I threw the truck into 4wd to no less than 12 inchest that greeted me in a lot devoid of cars with the exception maybe a dozen. As I started my evaluation of what my expectations were for the day I faced my usual dilemma. Snowboard or Skis. As the phone rings my buddy Mark (snowboarder) calls and asks me what’s up. “There is about 12” in the parking lot right now so get your butt up here!” I exclaim.
My other buddy Steve (Skier) calls minutes afterward stating, “I’m on the way up.” I usually ski with skiers, and board with boarders, but today I’ll throw on the board cause I figure it will be that creamy spring powder just dense enough for a boarder to float without crusting out. Then the plan is to don the Skis and start shredding headwall and then honey comb when it opens up. Cause it always does with Solitudes Patrol. They take care of business, and Me!
Off I head on the board and I can see it looks like George again, in the straw hat blowing cold smoke down sunshine bowl as I watch the contrails of powder rise in the air. That ain’t dense and creamy; we are talking bonifide mid season powder! I consider taking a quick one on the Express, or head to Powderhorn. Powderhorn it is as I start floating effortlessly through the powder on my usual line just above the cliffs then darting down the terrain that other people avoid thinking it’s too thin. Well it’s not. Up Powderhorn I am looking at the other 5 people on the hundred chairs and start wondering. Where is everybody? As I make a couple calls I nearly lose my hand to frostbite. Man it’s cold. Well that is what made this snow so epic. Yeah, I said it. EPIC That is what this day turned out to be.
I noticed that skiers right of the lift on Concord is looking deep and untouched. With a perfect pitch I figured it was game on. I qued up some music by muse “uprising” and then ventured into an ethereal experience. I really don’t know how to explain the ecstasy of bounding through over a foot of powder taking face shots and entering the white room crystalline experience of shear joy and exaltation. Turn after turn of untouched powder greeted me as a continual climax of jubilance radiated through my body as I threw my hands up the air at the end to honor the experience just obtained. As I literally basked in the afterglow of my run I realized nearly no one was witness to the best snowboard run I have had all year. Why, I must do it again! EPIC, Unfortunately my Zen was slightly interrupted by the ringing in my ear of my skier buddy arriving in the parking lot. On the lift in 5 he tells me. Hmmm, opportune time to shed the board I think to myself. Going to have a lot of touring’ to do today cause I can always count on Solitudes Patrol to “Take care of business, and ME!”
Pit stop at the car and BAM, I’m a skier. Like Clark Kent turning into Superman I’m on the sticks and on a mission of shear enjoyment. We know where were going and there is only one way to get there. As we head up Sunshine on our way to summit I reminisce about my days as a kid here where I owned this lift. I loved to ski under the liftas a 6 year old mini me with my dad as my sister and mom meandered down cornucopia and new sensation.
It’s on, off the Summit lift into the rollercoaster of the headwall. Two sweet runs of powder and then whoop there it is. As the masses, 12 people, head out on the east face we take the gate and head out to the black forest and have an untouched powder stash that was no kidding, at least two feet deep. Ugh, Link is done. As I reflect back in the day you had to earn your honeycomb laps and that would require you to make the run out to the bottom of the inspiration lift. Of course this was back in the infancy of snowboarders and one thing was a given. You wouldn’t find many willing to work their way out. There was only one thing that this would mean to us. Endless honeycomb powder. All day long. Lap after lap  coming off of Eagle Express it was untouched between Gary’s glade and rhapsody down to the Powder horn lift and then farming out here be dragons of epic Solitude powder.
I can honestly say that I would rather not be anywhere else. I am talking anywhere. Whether it is in the Bahamas on a beach, some backstage rock party, or ANY other resort. Maybe, just maybe I would consider a helicopter. Except this is quicker. I finally break down after lap three I give in and follow my friend Steve a little right of my untouched lines and break over into another untouched stash hundreds of yards long. Is this for real? Yes, This is Solitude after all.
Super fresh untouched two feet of light Utah powder at 1:30 in April with NOBODY around. Such is SOLITUDE.

Posted by Michael Harp under Blog Entry
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Walking into the Moonbeam Lodge this morning felt like coming home. After a few ski trips out of state and the new found warmth of spring, it has been awhile since I have clicked into my bindings at Solitude. It’s been much longer than that since I have stopped into the Lodge. Of course, I got my usual spot (right at the front door) and traipsed into the brown bag area to find…nothing, no one, not a soul around. Actually, it’s like this a lot. I smiled, took in the homey, musty smell of my favorite hang out spot and welcomed myself home.

I recently returned from skiing endless, staggering vertical at Big Sky, MT and before that, Jackson Hole. I loved playing on such amazing mountains but now, after all the glitz and glam has since dimmed into the fading season, the quiet and serenity of Utah’s most peaceful resort called me to her. The magic of a cold, spring snowfall was just what this gal needed to sink back into the roots and soulfulness of my sport. Solitude may not be big and full of herself but she is sweet, deep and unmarred by the hustle of the world around her.

Fourteen inches of cold fluff (not the heavy spring stuff we’ve gotten accustomed to) but authentic, middle of winter powder, brought out the fat skis and one excited mama. I should have let my boys miss school but I called a friend instead and we floated, literally, in our hours of childless freedom.

I expected more enthusiasm from the locals but, with minds on spring sports and summer around the corner, I think people may have hung up their boards for the moment. Those who found yourselves drawn to the mountains this morning, must likely share in my sentiments, that today, Tuesday April 9th, was assuredly the best day of the year! Today was inspiring, rejuvenating and completely epic. With no one to compete with and untouched lines galore, it was a powder addicts dream and the best drug I know to put a smile on one’s face.

The air was cold, but not bitter and as the sun eventually emerged with her blissful rays, Solitude became bathed in effervescent perfection. The mountain stood still and the canyons lay quiet as we silently engraved our turns upon her unscathed slopes. A piece of my soul was left today, high in the trees of Honeycomb and I may just have to see if I might find where I left it tomorrow…

Posted by rachael under Blog Entry
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Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, who predicted an early spring by not seeing his shadow, is a knucklehead or at least the people who believe in groundhog weather prediction are. In fact, we are officially three days into spring and it has snowed each day thus far.

Who does this rodent think he is?

Some of you may not be so keen on the extended stay of winter but any of you who have been lucky enough to make some arcs the last few days are wallowing in glee over the powder that is falling.

Noah getting some spring powder

Since I am one of the wintery souls who is desperately trying to hold onto the last blasts of winter and am momentarily being a bit nostalgic, I thought it would be fun to share with you 25 things about me and the first three days of spring 2013.

1. I really don’t love babies. In fact, I see pregnant women and I feel bad for them.

2. This leads me to “Thank the Lord above that I don’t have toddlers.”

3. Which means I have boys who no longer whine…except when they are hungry, have to go somewhere they don’t want, have to do homework or pretty much every other moment except when they are shredding the gnar. I guess they whine.

No complaints from this kid!

 

4. Which also means they can ski just about anywhere and in any condition.

 

Yes they can.

 

5. I guess they will likely be better than me soon…Hmmm, maybe toddlerhood isn’t so bad! Nah.

 

This kid is getting good!

 

6. There was one day this week that I needed a poncho instead of a coat…thank goodness it was just one day.

7. I really hate skiing in freezing rain….I won’t say where but, it wasn’t Solitude.

8. I am beyond grateful that I live within minutes to 4 insanely awesome mountains.

Who wouldn’t want to live here?

 

9. I prefer the drive up Big vs. Little. Blizzards while driving down Little still make me nervous, even after 17 years.

10. I love that Solitude is willing to give me a voice…even when they probably wished they didn’t.

11. I really dislike the food at Last Chance but will drop mad cash at Honeycomb Grill & Stone Haus Pizzeria.

12. Days where you have to bundle up and cover every last bit of skin and then are sweltering hot minutes later means that you are skiing in spring. Not sure I am so fond of this but, I’ll survive.

 

Excellent spring skiing:)

 

13. The best snow this week fell Friday night into Saturday. This ALWAYS happens…why?

14. Even though there were gobs of people (because of the weekend powder), I still found a killer parking spot. Ski in Ski out baby!

15. If you were to follow me, you might find some seriously untouched stashes of steep powder. I would never let that happen…unless you were really nice.

 

He’s not telling either;)

 

16. I’ve learned the patrol don’t ski and tell either and really don’t like it when I open my big mouth. You got to figure this stuff out on your own.

17. I love that I know exactly where to ski and when to ski it to get the best that Solitude has to offer.

 

Ahhhh…

 

18. Yes, these pictures were taken today (Saturday), and the boys and I found our untouched wonderlands without hardly seeing a soul around…even with the fresh snow and hoardes of skiers. Ahhh…Solitude.

19. I am scared to death of the hike up Fantasy Ridge…I really am.

20. I told Noah that he can’t hike it until he’s 12. He checked it out pretty closely today and agreed.

21. I’ve decided that Isaac needs some bigger and fatter skis. A few weeks left to the season…should I do it?

 

That sticker on his helmet says it all!

 

22. I am a pro at pulling snowboarders, kids and anyone else who needs it, across the flats in blinding snow.

23. Solitude needs to put in a rope tow along Deer Trail. Don’t hate me please.

24. Did I mention that I love Solitude?

25. I really LOVE fresh, deep powder at the end of March!

He might be tired from a day of hiking but he loves it too!

 

Posted by rachael under Blog Entry
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Noah would say just one hour was worth it!

 

Lives can change in the blink of an eye. One second, one minute, one day. Today, all I needed was one hour.

 

Sometimes, we Utahan’s get lethargic about the resorts which are just a stones throw away. Even those of us who heed the call of winter become passive. We get lazy about making turns and we turn our noses up to snowless days, sunless days, windy days, crowded days, whatever it is that stops us from pulling the trigger.

 

I am sure this is much like Californian’s who can see the coast from their windows but never pull their surf boards off of their garage rafters. Why is it, that so few of us actually make it up the canyons, make it a priority or like those who long for the water, are out in the breaks by 6:00 am?

 

We all have our passions, the things that drive us and make us lust for more. I am a water person but I am most drawn to it in its frozen form. I believe there are those who’s souls belong to the water and they are drawn like the tides to the heart of the ocean. I feel this each time that I drive up into the mountains.

 

Each of us come alive in our own element but, sometimes we forget and usually, it is when we need the thing that we love the most. Mostly, life just gets in the way but, lately, I have become sluggish in my motivation to fill myself with the happiness that the mountain snows bring to me. Each spring as the winter’s drifts thaw and swell the creeks, that spark flickers and it is then that I know I need to drink it up before it is gone for another season.

 

Although, fresh snow had fallen over night and was still piling up throughout the morning, homework, personal issues and an afternoon hockey game took precedence. I longed to make some turns however, so I loaded the car with all of our gear…just in case. As we rolled out of the Olympic Oval following a disheartening loss at yes, 2:20 p.m., all I really wanted to do was go home and be done with my day.

 

I decided to drive the long route home, past the bottom of Big Cottonwood…just in case.  As I approached the light to turn up, I thought of wasted gas for one hour of skiing, I pondered the darkened sky and my cranky boys who may or may not be joyful about donning all their gear for a measly three runs. It would have been so easy just to pass but, the pull was too strong. It had taken hold and I couldn’t shake it.

 

I gave into my desire to feel the freedom of my heart’s release, even for just a moment. The line of late afternoon traffic crept along side us as we sped along in the opposite direction. 3:00 p.m. at Solitude and there was nothing but an empty parking lot to greet us. The clouds were thinning to reveal strands of bright light from an early spring sun. The trees stood still, glistening in it’s warmth, my children smiled and yes, all became well with my soul.

 

You might ask “Was it worth it, just one hour?”

 

Well, what do you think?

 

“Hark, now hear the sailors cry,

smell the sea, and feel the sky

let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic…”

― Van Morrison

Posted by rachael under Blog Entry
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Oh what a night….

In today’s world people often look for a unique experience that stands out from the routine that generally encompasses our daily lives. A lot of restaurants claim to provide a unique culinary experience for their patrons but my experience at the Solitude Mountain Yurt was truly outstanding in several ways. In today’s world, “foodies” can appreciate a good meal, whether it is down home comfort food to a fine dining experience. With the setup at the Mongolian style yurt located adjacent to the slopes of Solitude you would think that the cuisine would be rudimentary at best. Not so…. It was hard to imagine how the resort would be able to pull off a fine dining experience in a large tent with no electricity and running water located a half a mile up from the village sitting adjacent to the slopes of the resort.

The night started off with the guests assembling at the Thirsty Squirrel bar in the Village located at the base of the mountain. Guests from New York, Alabama, Connecticut, and a some local couples were in for a treat as we socialized before our journey to the yurt. Jaseth, our guide introduced himself and informed us that we would be donning snowshoes for our trek through the woods to the Solitude mountain yurt. We put on our snowshoes and headed out onto the mountain trail under the remaining light of dusk. A purple hue hung in the air while the stars were just appearing in the fading light of the day. As we trekked through the woods you felt yourself get lost in the natural world surrounded by a foot of new powder while the spruce and fir trees stood sentinel throughout the wooded forrest. The trail wound through the woods and had a very comfortable incline that was not too demanding even for the sea level guests that were not accustomed to the elevation. After about 15 to 20 minutes of hiking we emerged from the woods to observe a rather inviting yurt providing a glowing invitation to enter to enjoy a night of dining on the mountain. As we entered you were struck by the ambience of gas lit lanterns lighting two long tables prepared with a display of fine glassware and dishes juxtaposed with the rich wood and rustic look of the table and chairs. It was surprising how spacious the yurt was when considering that our chef Joe had his operation already in full swing taking up a third of the yurt with his seasoned gas Viking range and a large wood preparation table in the middle where he would soon plate the food.
I immediately gravitated to our chef Joe, and commented on the set up inside the yurt. He mentioned that the heat from the gas range served as the main warmth for the yurt as the guests took off their jackets enjoying the comfort that the structure provided.

I have had a previous experience staying in a yurt on an overnight trip in the Uinta Mountains. The structure is basically a tent that is set up over a round octagonal frame and usually features a central wood-burning stove. Jaseth mentioned that the Mongolian tribes have used these structures for generations providing them shelter and the ability to move quickly and efficiently due to their nomadic lifestyle. Unlike the dirt floors the Mongolians use the Solitude yurt has a nice wood decking for the floors. The center ring at the top of the yurt is the heart of the structure and would be passed from father to son in the Mongolian tribes.

After the guests were seated Jaseth mentioned that he had come to Solitude in 2004 seeking the legendary Utah powder he had heard about. Coming from central Mexico he was an unlikely candidate for a powder hound but soon found himself snowboarding over a 100 days a year. He joked that the Yurt was like Vegas, in that what happens at the Yurt, stays at the Yurt…. We were here to enjoy some excellent food, the unique atmosphere, and each other.
I had a chance to talk to our chef Joe before the meal and found his introduction to cooking an interesting story. About 10 years ago he was working on a fishing boat in Alaska and they were looking for a crewmember to be the cook. He jumped at the opportunity figuring it would be a good way to get out of the incessant rain. He fell in love with cooking and found a lot of satisfaction when people enjoyed his cuisine. At Solitude he has the creative license to make his own menu at the Yurt. Another guest had commented that this was his fourth time at the Yurt and has had something different every time. Joe starts his preparation for the dinner early in the afternoon down at St. Bernard’s restaurant selecting menu items that he will use in his 5-course meal. He mentions that he often takes a couple laps on the ski hill and works up the menu in his head. This meal is going to be interesting!

Scallops

Joe previewed the cuisine for the night, which started with a tomato soup with mascarpone cream that had the most interesting sun choke chip in the middle that had the consistency of a potato chip but had an incredible taste.
A salad of mix frieze lettuce with baby kale was topped with a perfectly prepared piece of Salmon drizzled with a warm bacon challotte dressing for the second course. Some blue cheese and pomegranates gave the plate an interesting mix of complementing flavors.

Enjoying our meal

It was funny how the realization that you are up on a mountain in a tented yurt fades into what felt like an experience in one of the finest restraunts around. The expression on the guest’s faces really summed up the environment as everyone was really enjoying the meal.
I took the opportunity to talk to some guests from Alabama and got to laugh with them about their travel stories getting to the greatest snow on earth. Ironically the two groups were both from Alabama and had just met this evening. I asked if this was their first visit to Utah and they mentioned it was. One of the ladies mentioned she had done a bunch of research and had to have the experience of dining at the yurt. Her travel story was interesting in the fact that she was staying here at the village and drove her 4-wheel drive rental car in 2-wheel drive all the way up the canyon. She had white knuckled it all the way up and finally ended up sliding off the road just as she got up to Solitude. Some nice young men came to her rescue and informed her that she had been in 2-wheel drive the whole time. Her husband on the other hand had just as bad as an experience with the airport in Salt Lake closing because of the icing. It forced his plane to stop in Colorado Springs. Then to make matters worse they had a mechanical problem and had to spend the night waiting for parts and a mechanic from Denver to fly down and fix it.

It amazes me the trials people go through to experience a great ski vacation when the locals here (like me) can jump in their car and within 40 minutes be immersed in Solitude..

Scallops. Big ones. In saffron sauce none the less with some amazing greens in the middle that I could not recognize was presented as the third course. I have always found that the sauce is such an influential key to the main element in a dish.

For the main course I was preparing myself for a menu item I am totally unfamiliar with. Moroccan pan seared duck. I have only had duck once before and was quite disappointed. I have always wondered why it was offered at fine dining restraunts as a specialty dish. Well, I have found out. Amazing. It reminded me of lamb in the consistency and tenderness of the meat. Joe prepared it by searing the outside of the duck that is covered by a layer of fat and then the meat. He finished it up in the oven resulting in an amazing taste and flavor not to mention the tenderness of the meat. Yep, I’m a fan of duck now.

Moroccan Pan Seared Duck

The mash potatoes were infused with polenta green beans and added a new dimension to a common menu item.  He accompanied the dish with a pomegranate reduction sauce that complemented the meat so well.  It is a five-course meal after all and I always have room for dessert that can best be described with a picture….

Dessert

As we wrapped up the night of fine dining I still marveled at the remarkable experience that the Yurt at Solitude provided us that evening.  As we exited out into the natural world that encompassed us the past couple of hours I realized how special this experience truly is.  The stars shone brightly with orions belt hovering above us as the light of the moon illuminated a cloud just down the canyon.  We hiked back down into reality with our palettes satiated with an incredible evening of wonderful food.   When prepared right food is simply amazing.  I couldn’t help but notice the few people in the village enjoying what seemed a private resort surrounded by a mountain full of incredible skiing.  This is Solitude after all.  I guess I should expect nothing less.

Under the Stars

Posted by Michael Harp under Blog Entry
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Stairway to Heaven

Fantasy Ridge is OPEN!!   That is what I read today while I sat in the Fire station wishing I was on that ascent to the top of the ridge.  I honestly can’t think of a more exhilarating hike at any resort in the Wasatch.  The route starts at a decent degree of slope and keeps on demanding fitness as you gain elevation rather quickly.  Soon you are looking left  and right and realize that the precipitous drop to oblivion is within several feet on each side of you.   I’m sure the boy’s in Red setting the trail and dropping bombs got their heart rate pumping on this climb.  The views are incredible.  When overlooking Honeycomb Canyon to the right and looking over Twin Lakes to the left you realize you are somewhere special.  Only the sound of your heart pounding and your lungs heaving breaks the silence as you contemplate the route down.  The options are endless and it is a difficult decision sometimes on where to drop in.  You have easy entries into epic powder and some rather technical intro’s that may require a mandatory air somewhere down the line.  Fantasy Ridge always offers a memorable run for skiers with the ability and desire to ski one of the most classic slopes around.  Only at Solitude.

Posted by Michael Harp under Blog Entry
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It has been about a year since I jumped on a hardboot carving snowboard with my buddy Mark. He has 36 days and counting on the mountain already and is looking forward to alot more. I re-discovered how fun it is to jump on this snowboard whose width is almost as narrow as some of the powder skiis out there these days. You stand with both of your feet facing the same direction at an angle and off you go. It is a completely different technique than regular snowboarding but when you get the hang of it there is now better way to carve some trenches on Solitudes groomed slopes. The wildest ride is when you literally get on edge and nearly make a 360 degree circle. I bow out around 260 or so but with some practice and speed I’m gonna make it some day.  I have to say that it still amazes me that a 30 minute ride will get you up here to enjoy a world class ski mountain that feels like a private resort. We met a guy from Virginia who was raving aout how awesome the snow was. With the couple of inches that keep falling every couple of days the snow is soft and carve -able so you don’t wash out very easily. Not only is C is for Carving it also is for commitment. When you get on edge on these carving boards you are on the “rails” and it requires you to commit to your line and you are rewarded with a sweet arc that feels awesome when done right. The moderate slopes seem to suit it best allowing you to “lay it down” a little bit as you hover over the snow. That is where the commitment part is definetly required. At the end of an awesome carving session I would have to say S is for Solitude…….Get up here for President’s Day weekend the forecast looks great for some great skiing and maybe even a Sun Tan!

Posted by Michael Harp under Blog Entry
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On any given Sunday you can find a great skiing experience as Solitude. What you will find on the weekends is lot’s of families enjoying the great terrain and facilities on the mountain. It was great hitting the slopes with “Oma” and Aunt Becky who make it a routine of spending the weekend skiing at the resort. My 10 year old Ariel was busy showing off and scaring her Grandma as she ducked in and out of the trees just off moonbeam. It reminded me of when I was a kid where we would find the “deer trail” off of the Sunrise lift. As a small kid it was easy to snake your way through the trees while as an adult it requires a little more attention.  The sun was shining and we were soaking up the “resort”. Skiers were enjoying the weather hanging out on the deck above the moon beam center while others were busy enjoying their lunch break inside. It still boggles my mind that even with a full parking lot there was no waiting in lines for the lifts.  We enjoyed the freedom of skiing the mountain free of the crowds that plague other resorts on the weekends. I usually rave about the advanced skiing on the mountain on Solitudes phenomenal powder days but I can honestly say I am very impressed by the immaculate grooming Solitude provides to it’s skiers.   Another great reason why people choose Solitude when they take the family skiing. As another “resort” day concluded  I know where I am going to be on any given Sunday. Solitude

Posted by Michael Harp under Blog Entry
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Dear God, it’s me Noah.

You know that I am a usually a pretty good kid and you know that I want to grow up and be an honest and good productive member of society. I want you to know that I try my best to listen to my parents, do well in school and be a good friend. Sometimes, I may not succeed but I always take my best shot.

There is just one hitch on my road of life to perfection (well, two if you count hockey). It is called snow, lot’s of snow. When you decide that it is necessary to send such insane quantities of powder, how can I possibly sit in school and learn? Really, how can I? I have patiently watched the snow fall for two days straight. I have watched it pile up so high that I can no longer step into it, I have to climb it! I have watched my mom shovel and my dad plow time and time again. I have to listen to my mom sing her happy snow songs and do her happy snow dances. I am tired of hearing about face shots and snow so deep you can’t breath and so there comes a point in one’s life (me, I am talking about me) when you just have to throw it all to the wind and have a little fun. I know my mom is all about recreational amusement so, it wasn’t too hard to persuade her to let me skip out on 4th grade for a day.

I would like to point out that in class we are currently learning about weather so I think a hands on learning experience about atmospheric pressure, climate changes and geological formations should actually count as extra credit, don’t you? Could you let my teacher know that I hucked a few of those formations yesterday just so I could really get my day’s fill of good, hard edumacation.

Now, God, I would really like you to know that although I ditched school for Solitude Mountain Resort, it is also important to point out that my integrity is still intact. In fact, while some of my grown up ski friends called in sick to work, lied about car accidents, unintentionally slept in or made up some other phony excuse to shred the gnar, I just told the truth.

I went into the school office at 10:45 am and said my mom would be checking me out any minute to go skiing. The secretary rolled her eyes at me and sighed and said “Have fun playing hookie.” Hey, at least she knew I wasn’t standing there full of excuses. I am a Hodson, it’s what I do. I am genetically programmed to find a way, no matter what to have fun but, I will always call it like it is. However, in defense Madame Secretary, I was NOT playing hookie!

The Urban Dictionary says this about hookie:

“A day in which liberty is taken upon oneself to exclude themself (Hey, Urban dictionary…that’s not even a real word!) from school or work obligations while, most likely, pretending to be sick or having a death in the family. Usually this time is spent with a significant other, a sports activity (i.e. golf or playstation), or just plain sitting on one’s tushy (I changed this word to make it G-rated…your welcome.) all day.”

It is important for me to convey to you that I did not play hookie. As a matter of fact, I think I should rake up some bonus points from you because in looking back over the incident, I believe I played all my cards exactly right! As you know honesty is a commandment and I followed it to perfection.

So, God, I guess what I am saying is that I am not perfect and that I won’t always make the best choices but, in this case, you must admit that this incident is really all on your shoulders. You are the one sending all this snow and you are the one who gave me a mom who’s biggest claim to fame was that she had more truancies than anyone else in her high school. You are also the one who made me love this white stuff so, since I am placing the blame squarely where it is most deserved, will you also help me to find a way to be successful and play my whole life through? That’s all.

Love, Noah

 

Posted by rachael under Blog Entry
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Warning: Crazy Girl Talking. You may not all agree.

On Saturday, I passed a milestone with my baby boy (who is not much of a baby anymore but, he will always be my baby) when I convinced him to ski through his first double black diamond gate into Parachute at Solitude. Isaac has taken to lolligagging around the mountain. Mind you, he is carving beautiful arcs on the groomers and working on steeper turns off trail but really doing nothing that is pushing his capabilities or making him want to be a more aggressive skier.

My Sweet Wee One

I went through a similar experience with my older son, Noah, trying to get him to push his limits and get out of his comfort zone. However, I fully expected Isaac to charge right out of the gate as he is ultra competitive with his brother. I figured the mere thought of Noah skiing something that was above his own ability level would produce a holy tyrant of a no holds barred skier. Boy was I wrong. Really Wrong.

Noah getting some air time on the many natural jumps around the Tude.

I have been hardly able to get Isaac into Black Forest’s gentle terrain let alone ski the frontside of Powderhorn’s trees without a meltdown of epic proportions. It is not that my child is not capable of skiing steeper, tighter terrain or that he does not have the ability or technique. The thing which holds him back (as well as most of us) is fear. Something that a barely seven year old does not understand how to control nor wants to.  Fear is paralyzing and fear controls how we react, how we perform and how we emotionally deal with what is before us.

Although, a seven year old skiing a double black diamond in fear sounds a bit ridiculous, this lesson of overcoming the greatest obstacle which holds all of us back is a message we all can learn from.

More than any other thing, fear holds us back from participating, performing and overcoming many things that we face each day. Skiing is no different. Adults tend to fear more than children who have not felt the pain of a serious fall or who do not yet understand the devastating effects of a careless mistake. Fear inhibits us from taking the next step or progressing to the next level. For years, my brother in law used to regularly ski with a woman who never skied above a green run. Was it because she just couldn’t do it? No, it was because she was scared of the unknown and her feared paralyzed her into never progressing from the nursery slopes on which she had started.

It is normal to have anxiety over the fear of speed or the fear of falling. Even the best skiers in the world feel fear at some level. The difference is that skilled athletes have learned how to use their fear to their advantage. It boosts adrenaline, pumps them up and when properly managed can help them perform better. For most of the general population, fear is a wall that inhibits, it can even drive us away from an experience that may have been perfectly safe and which could have brought us much joy.

Thinking about it…..

HE DID IT! No, this is not Solitude. You know where this is….

On Saturday, Noah and I had pumped Isaac up into ecstatic excitement as he passed through the gates and warning signs and onto the traverse which emptied into the steepest terrain he had yet to face in his young life. As I encouraged Isaac to cross over the threshold of recreational skier into “skiing is my life” status, I couldn’t help but happily envision the next phase of our ski lives together as mother and son. As he stood there atop the now very apparently steep run, his thrill at being a “big boy” turned to uncontrollable raging fear.

Still Excited

At that point, I could have let him turn around and ski back out or I could just help him figure out his crazy emotions so, of course, the frustrating negotiations began. You know how that goes. The “I’ll let you stop at Crown Burger on the way home” kind of negotiating but, it soon became apparent that a burger was not going to convince my baby into Parachute.  Passerby’s started looking at me curiously as I heatedly locked horns with my child. We make for two very stubborn and obstinate people so I am sure the scene was ogle worthy. A patroller eventually cruised up and asked if I knew where I was and had I read the signs? “You mean the ones that say experts only and cliffs below?” I asked and laughed. I promised him that I knew exactly where I was, what I was doing and that this little midget in front of me with gigantic tears rolling down his cheeks and who was yelling at me was perfectly capable to ski the terrain that he was now perched upon. Surprisingly, the patroller bailed and left me to my unconventional devices.

Our children need to sense that we are courageous, strong and will protect them no matter what. I realized my misguided tactics needed to change. I calmed down and gently reminded Isaac that I would be right below him, that I would help him and that he could do it. Isaac began to relax as I asked him to look across the hill. “Is it steep?” I said. “No” he answered. I told him to then look down the hill. “Is it steep?” I asked. “Yes” he said. “Which way are we going to ski then?” “Across the hill” he replied and we slowly began to zig zag across the mountain on our edges.

Traversing into Parachute

Nature has a wonderfully calming effect on the body, mind, and spirit, especially on children and I turned Isaac’s attention to the moon which was noticeable in the crystal blue sky above the jagged peaks and the dead crooked trees which held a magic that only a child could perceive. He breathed deep and took in the beauty that surrounded him as he slowly traversed across the hill under my watchful eye.

Before long, he grasped that he could hold his edge on that steep hill and that he was not going to fall. I had helped him overcome his fear by letting him live through the worst of it in small steps allowing his brain to literally change as he defeated his fear. Soon, Isaac was in Parachute and was turning confidently down to his brother. As Noah showed him the ropes and the thrilling gullies, shoots and sidewalls of one of Solitude’s best runs, Isaac let go of his fear and began to have fun. Eventually, he made it all the way down all on his own

Brotherly Love

Had Isaac had his way, he would have backed out and continued on his merry path, oblivious to the feat that he ended up conquering and loving. Had I given in and amplified his fear in myself and let him take the easy way out, we would have never shared that experience. Isaac will be back up again and no longer will be shackled by his fears as he confidently takes control of his emotions and his skills.

Noah leading the way…

Isaac, following behind!

We all must use the fear that holds us back and learn how to control this natural response that keep us from success. Remember that a certain amount of fear is normal and can help protect us from danger. I once witnessed a paralyzing fall when an egotistic teenager led his panicking girlfriend into an area that significantly exceeded her level of skiing. The lasting consequences of that action were felt far beyond the steep rocks of her fall. Be smart, use your intuition but take that leap of faith and find the pleasure that you have been missing out on. Get up on that mountain and conquer your fear. Maybe it is skiing down Easy Street or maybe it is skiing through Honeycomb or maybe, like me, it is the hike up Fantasy and no, my boys will not be following behind…at least not for a few more years.

Posted by rachael under Blog Entry
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