THE STRANGEST SKI DAY OF THE SEASON SO FAR
Today was day 40 of my ski season. It was an odd day on the mountain. I arrived at Whiteface a little later than usual, and left after only a few runs. It wasn’t because I had something to do or another obligation, it’s because something happened. More on that later.
The mountain seen from the access road.
Essex.
It snowed four to six inches last night. The snow wasn’t powdery, as it was a little warm for that, but it wasn’t sticky, either. It was great for shredding. Visibility was really low up high, but it improved significantly as you descended the mountain.
Low visibility on Upper Skyward.
Summit Express.
Boreen.
Unfortunately, the low visibility played a role in why I left. On my first and only trip up to the summit, I decided to ski Upper Skyward. As mentioned, visibility was very low, and as I entered the run, I came across a huge patch of ice. We’re not talking a little ice with some snow. We’re talking a full blown sheet of ice with no grip. Shortly after seeing the ice, my skis swept out from under me, I did a little tumble, doubled ejected from my skis and started a head-first slide down the mountain.
Where I came to a rest after sliding down Upper Skyward.
Looking up at the top of Upper Skyward, which you can’t see due to low visibility.
The small tree I grabbed while sliding.
If you’ve ever been in this situation, you know it’s terrifying. I could see a small pod of trees quickly approaching below me and I tried to get myself turned around to no avail. As I reached the trees, I grabbed, and took with me, a small tree (sorry, tree!). It was that tree that finally helped me come to a stop. I laid there for a second, made sure I wasn’t hurt, and that’s when I had a flashback to breaking six ribs at Sugarbush last February. At this point, I was in full on -get me off this mountain- mode. I nervously skied down to the base, talked myself into doing one more run off The Notch, and then called it. I needed to leave, and that’s what I did.
Since getting injured last year, I’ve really started to pay attention to my body, and try not to push things. If it feels like I should leave or stop doing whatever I'm doing, that’s what I’ll do. Fortunately, while today’s incident scared me a little bit, I’m not hurt, just a little sore.
Never Quit Skiing,
Lincoln