Address: Lot B Crystal Mnt.
With my wonderful little camper I set up home in the lot B parking lot. Tucked in nicely with the snow banks I couldn't be more secure. Now everyone wonders how in the world I stay warm. I guess I could be an advertisement for Mr. Heater and their "Little Buddy" heaters. Even when the temperature hovered around 7 degrees F, my little space could heat up to a comfortable 45 in 10 minutes and a roaring 71 F in an hour. I had to wake up one night to turn the heat down because I was sweating.
Ski Patrol
I have had an incredible time learning the ropes of ski patrol. The people are all so nice and helpful. I still have a huge fear that I will make some god-awful mistake but I am sure that will pass with time and experience. I just hope I remember all the first aid stuff when I need it. I have the book in the camper to re-read.
Sled training was a great learning experience, and much the same as learning to ski. You make all the same mistakes as a beginning skiier. The only way you are truly in control when skiing or running a sled is to be out in front, on top of your skis, and use the equipment, not your muscles! At first I, like most newbies, tried to stop the sled with my legs, arms, butt, and any other body part. After a while, and a few panic attacks, I did realize I could relax a bit and use the chain break to my advantage. For anyone who wants to know, the chain break is a chain that is draped underneath the front of the toboggan. To make it bite into the snow you push down on the handles, to let up on the break you pull up on the handles. Or you can pull the brake up and not use it at all, depending on the terrain you are on. I have yet to be on a sled with an actual real person, just test dummies (okay they are real people but not hurt).
The trainers I worked with were incredibly patient, understanding, and kind. Even if Noel couldn't remember my name and ended up calling me Fred and Mike accused me of talking a lot (go figure). A special thanks to Nick who contributed many days for training and Steve who took me under his wing one day to run sleds, just for fun.
Skiing
The weather started out cold and stayed that way. What a lovely time of no ice. There never was a huge dump the whole two weeks, but a constant snow fall equalled contant pow. After 16 days of skiing I have walked away with a recovering right hand, I STOMPED on it while skiing. I guess I get bonus points for flexibility, or clumsiness? A banged up nose. Not from skiing but by whacking myself in the face while moving a case of beer, and the next day having a sled pack fall on my face, and finally happy feet with my new boots. But most of all, All those turns and all that pow, just leaves a body with a great smile on the face.
Skiing continued (3/25)
What a great season. We definately need an incredible dump right about now but it really is hard to complain too much when you are skiing in sunshine. The rocks are coming out though. Patrol has continued to be a fantastic experience. There are so many people willing to help a body understand something, and everyone is so patient. We had a great excitement a few weeks ago - but alas seems I always just miss out. There was an avalanche just outside the area and two employees had been caught in it. It was reported around 2:15, everyone scrambled, helicopters called, but to no avail. After a beautiful day of skiing the fog rolled in and the winds picked up so the helicopters did not work out. Then the great idea to use a winch cat. Use the cable to go up and over the ridge, hook onto the sled and help drag it back into the area. Then the winch broke. So the long of it...using man, woman, and pully power the sled was hauled up and over the ridge and back into the area, Then brought down on a cat. It was 8:30pm. Everyone is doing fine now that's the great part. My role was taking a few dogs to go pee and making sure there was food and coffee when everyone got in.
Now the really important stuff. This year was the fourth annual Dirt Bag Ball, A fund raiser for Ski Patrol. Each year there is a King and Queen selected by the Pro Patrol. Well, I was selected as Queen Dirt Bag 2004. So as queen of Crystal Mountain I figure it is my duty to scam as much free beer as possible, ski as many days as I can, and generally have way too much fun. But then again I think I have been doing that for the last 18 years, maybe that's how I got the title.