Seeing as how it has been at least ... two hours (most likely more) ... since I wrote a post, combined with the fact that Devri can't ski, she insisted that I, Brian, write this post. She wanted me to do it mostly because it involves my favorite sport: table tennis. Just kidding, it's skiing/snowboarding. Or, Ski-Board-ing. Board-skiing? Snowboarding, with a skiing friend.
This winter season holds the rare distinction of being the year that never was for skiing (whatever, it's quicker to type than snowboarding... you know what I really mean). I know, I'm complaining about skiing in Utah, where even our worst resorts get more snow than most of the states. But really, it was more about how we hit record warmth in February and March like never before. We had some snow, but it was so warm that it melted almost right away. Anyways, enough about the disappointing season, and onto our actual ski trips.
Gabe and I went up to Brighton on January 14th to finally check it out. Don't be fooled by Gabe being in full SWAT mode here, my jacket is unzipped and it was pretty darn warm!
Gabe, with a mask. I think.
I'm much more confident this is Gabe.
We had a great time up at Brighton and spent a few hours up there.
We can never seem to resist burgers after skiing. I don't know it is exactly that makes this such a great combo, but it's a match made in heaven for sure.
I ended up having so much fun that a few days later I took both Michael and Gabe up to Snowbasin.
Like me, you may wonder why there is a nondescript picture of a ski lift. But if you look closely, you'll see Gabe riding up by himself like a boss. Why he went by himself? No one remembers. I also didn't ask anyone else. But they probably don't remember. If I'm being completely honest, I don't remember and I'm too lazy to ask anyone else.
Michael and I, however, we forced to ride with other people like the peasants we are.
Gabe is improving every year at skiing. I think I finally convinced him this year that some black runs are not too bad and he can do them.
As it turns out, I was faster than Michael this ENTIRE SEASON. This is one for the history books, folks. I did it, I finally was faster than Michael in something. I don't know why it was this way, but he was a little more timid this year than normal. Maybe it's because he rode down most of the runs penguin style as pictured above. We may never know.
Michael and I went over to the porcupine side of the mountain and had a ton of fun there. It was pretty icy in some patches and I remember distinctly watching Michael totally biff it going over a ridge and laughing at him, until then I hit the EXACT SAME patch of ice and biffed it in exactly the same way. Guess I probably needed to learn a lesson or something, like don't ride directly behind Michael. It is really fun to ride with Michael now that I can keep up with him somewhat. There weren't many people over there so we just had a blast.
Sadly, due to early season terrible skiing conditions, there wasn't great coverage in some spots, and I just happened to hit something (maybe a root? a rock? buried gold? I may never know). I knew it wasn't great, but it wasn't until I was trying to scoot myself onto another lift that I realized something was really wrong with the bottom of my board.
I think it was a root, and the picture really doesn't do it justice, but it's a gash that goes all the way down to the base and was about the size of my thumbnail. It kept catching on EVERYTHING the rest of the day. That and the suddenly icy conditions as it was another warm day and then froze as the sun went down made the last ride down with Michael pretty treacherous.
After (poorly) attempting a patch on my board myself, I decided to give it another go on the last day of January up at Snowbasin again. I heard Strawberry was open and even convinced Gabe to go over to that section of the mountain with me.
This boy really does love skiing. I think we'll be doing this a lot together in the future.
This guy really does love snowboarding. Skiing is just the worst. Ugh.
Ignore my glove on the right side. It's not my fault that I didn't know I was a terrible picture taker.
And there he is: the one who reliably wants to go with me. I love this kid.
On top of Strawberry there is an awesome view of the valley. Which valley is it? I have no idea. Ogden? Utah? Could be Colorado for all I know. So Gabe and I decided to grab a picture up there.
It was a great day. Once again, WARM, as all ski days were in January. And February. And March. Here's hoping for a better time next year. But it was still fun, and I miss it already.
No comments:
Post a Comment