Cross Country Skiing

[Crankin]

At Bretton Woods on Saturday.

[north woods gal]

Love the pic.

[Crankin]

Went for a nice 2 hour ski at Windblown today. Somehow they preserved their base through all of the rain last week and had about 4 new inches. It was beautiful out, but18 degrees up there. So, the conditions were OK, some trails closed and others not in the tip top shape they usually are, as this more local place has the best grooming south of northern Vermont. We were shocked how quiet it was; there was lots of parking and although more came as the day went on, it was not busy. There's a lot of climbing here, so that was good. I did descend probably the second hardest trail i usually do here, with no problems. The hardest one, we thought about doing it from a lower elevation, but the trail to access that was closed.
I seem to feel tired at the beginning of my skis, but I always perk up. Still feel slow, but no falls. I think last winter of only 3 skis left me with some catching up to do on skills. Not terrible, but I feel it.
It's going to be 55 and rainy Wednesday. Sigh.

[north woods gal]

Good for you, Crankin'.

I've been getting a little nutty waiting for some decent snow (all my skiing is on un-groomed trails), but we finally got just under two inches, overnight. Not much, but just enough to cover the icy stuff and allow me to ski without breaking my neck. Got a good two hour workout, so feel much relieved. Supposed to get another 4" over the next day or so. Good news, of course, but also means I'll be breaking trail a lot, too. Have the skiing all to myself, though, so don't mind a bit.

[Crankin]

Just booked our annual trip to Stowe, VT today. We didn't think we would be going this year, as our friends are in new jobs, without a lot of time off, but realized they both have Presidents' Day off. Unfortunately, this is also the start of school vacation week in southern New England, so we are actually staying in Morrisville, VT, a cool little town outside of Stowe, with at least 5 craft breweries. We will be close enough to ski in Craftsbury, also, one of the most awesome nordic centers around.
Last year when we were in Stow, I was deathly ill, it went down to -21 degrees one night, and there was no snow for skiing. So, I will take 3 days of good health and snow, vs. that!
There is going to be snow here in northern MA/southern NH tomorrow. I think we will be able to ski at Windblown this weekend.

[north woods gal]

Have a great trip in every way. Sounds like a vacation as much as a ski trip. Great combination.

I'm hurting for decent snow. Oh, we have plenty, but it's half ice, with the soaking it's had from rain and drizzle we've had for the past month and it's sleeting and raining, again, today. Not at all typical for us, this time of year. Tried skiing, yesterday, but too treacherous even on the flats. Went snowshoeing, instead.

[Skierchickie2]

I haven't weighed in here in a long time - currently spending too much time skiing (when not at work, of course). Our snow was late this year - my first ski day was December 2nd, and that was on rocks and dirt, but after a week we started getting hit hard with snow, and the real grooming started. There was about a week of 30+ temps, when we lost a bunch of snow, but it never ruined the skiing. I've missed a total of 6 days: 2 for a December blizzard, 2 in January (one of those because I needed a rest day, and needed to rake snow off the garage roof), and 2 last week because I was sick. So I added it up last night (I've been tracking it as I go, and keeping weekly & monthly totals), and I have 1107 km in so far for the season. That may be my best ever at this point of the season, in about 42 years of skiing! Fortunately, DH is very supportive, and has only grumbled a little a couple of times - generally after he spent a bunch of time moving snow while I was out playing.

I also had my best race in about 20 years 2 weeks ago! So I am really happy with this winter! Well over 200" of snow so far in the Keweenaw.