Day 17 -- 2/18/2011

[comfort class at 24k]

[the captain, pre flight]

WITHOUT MY FRIENDS and their generous hospitality, there is no way I would be able to amass the number of ski days I enjoy over the course of the season.  This past weekend – Feb. 17 - 21 – I was able to catch a ride up to Park City on John Rigney’s super cushy Cheyenne turbo prop.  Having already driven two round-trippers this season from Pasadena to Salt Lake,

[altitude gain the hard way]

 it was a joy to stretch out in the comfy pressurized cabin, seat tilted back with feet up on the facing seat, while I dozed comfortably on the two-and-a-half hour trip at 24,000 feet above the storms and turbulence.

We skied twice over the weekend, with the second day in two feet of freshies at Career (Deer) Valley.  The snow was creamy and knee-deep.  But even the most secretive DV powder stashes were shredded up by mid morning.  Plus, at 90 Samoleans for a lift ticket, it reinforces why so many skiers are chosing manual ascent.

Two days earlier, John and I did just that.  We started out from the upper Alta Parking lot, headed for East Silverfork.  However two hundred yards into the ascent, John’s Dynafit heel tower snapped.  But thanks to a quick repair at Black Diamond, Retail Manager Dennis Maw saved the day and we were back on our way into the mountains via Big Cottonwood to enjoy a steep, untracked descent off the backside of Short Swing, north of the Spruces area.  Another day enjoyed, thanks to the kindness of good friends.

For those skiing the Dynafit line, here is a great instructional video from Lou Dawson with tips for smooth operation of the sometimes tricky binding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DysqbyjyRc&feature=related

Day's Vertical: 1,900.  Season to Date: 56,400