Season's End

It's hard to believe the ski season is over.  Even after that week of 70-degree weather in mid-March, I still kept thinking that we had more time.  But despite the relatively early thaw this year, I think I feel that way every year: I anxiously anticipate the first ski day all fall, and when it finally comes, it seems like I've got so much wonderful time ahead of me to play in the snow.  Then the holidays come, then February vacation, and next thing you know the days start to get longer and warmer.  

Bridget and I went on a girls-only mission to Bretton Woods for the final day of the season.  It seemed that lately Dad was the one who had been taking her skiing, and I was eager to see how her skiing had progressed and have some one-on-one time with her. 

 

We met up with our friend Susan for a run, and Bridget followed me down Bretton's Wood with big arcing turns.  I stopped every once in a while to see if she wanted to take a break, but no, she was ready to cruise on.  I was happy to see that as she turned, she was using her weight to begin to carve turns, rather than just relying on the power-wedge to slow her down.

On Sawyer's Swoop, Bridget watched as some of the older kids scooted across some bare spots where the trail had narrowed, and decided that looked like fun.  She took off ahead of me, and before I could say a word, she headed full-speed, straight for the grassy section.  Her skis flew off and she landed superman-style across the water-drenched grass.  I think she was more suprised than anything else and quickly got up and I helped her put her skis back on.  Before I could click back into my bindings, she was already skiing off down the trail. I'm guessing this is only the beginning of that independent side showing through.

After a few runs, we enjoyed a hot dog on the deck in honor of Bretton Woods Beach Party as we watched the big kids hurl themsleves through the air and onto the Acrobag.  Bridget was intrigued, but I think because it resembled a bouncy-house to her.   She wasn't quite ready to aspire to big air, but she's got her eye on bigger skiing conquests.  "Mommy, when I get big, like five years old, can I ski from the top of the mountain all by myself?" 

"We'll see how we do next year, I promise, Bridget."

Snow is Beautiful at Bretton Woods

I fear that a lack of snow in everyone's backyard may be keeping some people away from enjoying Winter in Bretton Woods. But I'm here to let everyone know that the Snow is Beautiful in Bretton Woods.

I got a call from my friend Keith the Snowmaker (a.k.a. The Snow Miser) on Monday afternoon. He wanted to let me know that they'd gotten nearly a foot of snow and that Tuesday was going to be one of the best days of the year.

Indeed it was. My favorite trail that day was the top of Fabyan's Express, where the groomers had left the headwall untouched and I finally got to put my new fat tele skis to use, my heart racing as I powered through soft bumps of boot-high wind-driven powder. Strong winds had come from the West in the last storm, so the skier's right side of trails like Agassiz and Dave's Drop were loaded with the snow that had accumulated there.

Last Sunday I got to take our 5- month old Labrador Retriever on her inaugural cross-country ski on the Bretton Woods Nordic dog trails. Sebosis was named after one of our favorite cross-country trails at Bretton Woods. A friend was visiting with her Lab as well, and Sebosis followed her lead, ecstatic to run full tilt over the snow. But, like
I do when I take the kids out for a ski, I didn't want to overdo it on her first day. So after a run up Lower Honeymoon and back with the dogs, we dropped them off in the car and headed back out.

My husband had suggested we try another of my favorite trails, Nancy Barton. My friend Nicole was visiting from central Vermont, and she was amazed at Bretton Wood's snow cover. She commented, "The trails are so nicely groomed and wide here." And cruising along the river among the snow-frosted evergreens, I was once again reminded how lucky I am to have this playground in my backyard.

I'm sorry to say that for the first time since it's inception, my husband won't be racing the Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon. http://brettonwoods.com/activities/event/detail/434
I had hoped to participate this year as well- they offer a half-marathon option for those of us who might want a shorter distance, but plans will take us away for the weekend. I do urge any of you out there who are looking for a great Nordic challenge to give it a try. Proceeds from the event go to the New England Ski Museum, and as my husband reminded me, it's really the best deal around for your race entry fee. You get a custom Swix ski hat with the race logo, a bounty of amazing food served for lunch at the Omni Mount Wasington Hotel, and a swag bag of all kinds of really great goodies that you'll actually use. And of course there's the Swix Sale going on all weekend at the Nordic Center, where I found absolute steals on these clothing and gear. Who doesn't love Swix hats?! And if you prefer skating over classic-style skiing, why not try the Mount Washington Cup race this Sunday?

In the meantime, I've chosen another fun goal for racing at Bretton Woods: the WinterWild Championship on March 17. WinterWild is a series held a different mountains, where racers start at the base of the mountain, ski or run to the summit and then back down. You can use trail running shoes, alpine, telemark, or Nordic skis, or even a snowboard.

So whether you're up for a little racing challenge or you just want to enjoy some cruising on Beautiful Snow at Bretton Woods, I urge you to remember that it is full-on Winter in Bretton Woods. Come enjoy it while you can.