“You Don’t Get Too Old To Ski – You Get Old Because You Don’t Ski”. Thats what it says on the back of one of my t-shirts I bought a few years back. Well in 2014 I did not go skiing while I worked in Alaska, so last January was my first year Skiing after the age of fifty. Altitude and physical shape can really kill the buzz.
My first time skiing in the rockies was back in 1996. I went to Winter Park CO (elev. 11,220′). I was 32 years old, a smoker, and being relatively young, assumed I was in good shape for a mountain Ski trip. Wrong – It was horrific!! Every trip down hill felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Was quite the challenge for me to finish each run
Winter Park
Two years later I go again. This time to a slightly lower elevation of 10,200′ at Lake Tahoe.
Heavenly Lake Tahoe
Having learned from my previous ski trip two years prior, I engaged in some moderate exercise and was able to ski for six days without the difficulty of my first trip. Had a great time with a group of 10 friends renting a condo slopeside. Loved Skiing and the mountains.
Skip ahead 10 years having done no skiing at all. My buddy Steve, having just returned from a family Ski Trip to Steamboat Springs calls with the bug needing to go back, and says lets go!!! I figure why not? He makes arrangements for us to leave in three weeks. With not much time I try to build up my stamina. Having quit smoking 3 months prior, hoping I can endure for three days. First day good. Second day struggle somewhat. Third day my legs burned out and I cried in pain as I made my way down the mountain. Last run I thought would never end. Overall though had a good time and really enjoyed Steamboat and the Skiing. Me and Steve return the next season. For three months before leaving I use an elliptical for 30 to 50 minutes 3 to 5 times a week. Skiing endurance was much better and had good trip. Repeat trip back by myself over the next four years adamantly exercising before each trip. These trips costing me under $1000 dollars as I use Credit Card miles for plane tickets and Steamboat offers 30% off lodging and lift tickets for returning guests. Myself choosing the low budget Motel Rabitt Ears downtown with free buses running to and from Ski hill every 10 minutes.
Rabbit Ears Motel
My Skiing improving vastly each year as I get more comfortable on my edges. Skiing trees and Double Black Diamonds. Each trip I get up early, make first Gondola up, and do first tracks of the day. Enjoy the hell out of the serenity of the Mountain and the views. Solace for my soul. After eight to ten runs I stop for an early lunch as mountain begins filling up with families and late sleepers. As I finish my lunch, the late arriving skiers make their way in for rest and food, and I mostly get mountain back to myself again as they filter in.
Well this year I go back. Busier then ever with work, holidays and family issues I only hit the elliptical 6 to 8 times a month for previous three before skiing. First day I am sluggish to get moving and have zero energy to go. Feeling totally exhausted, think to myself “maybe I am too old too ski and altitude too much”. Get myself up and in line to catch first Gondola up once again. Being a seasoned veteran of six previous trips I know the mountain well and head for some mellow runs. Do a few and get a little energy from being on the mountain. Make my way to Stokers Bar at mid-mountain for my break/lunch and hope to see Dani the Bartender who has served me lunch and drinks for the past five years. She not knowing me from Adam, but every year when I sit down and say “Jack Coke please”, she responds every time with “sure Minnesota”. First year/time I responded back “How do you know I am from Minnesota?” which she replied “accent and only Minnesotans ask for a Jack Daniels and Coke that way” ?? Well that trip and all subsequent trips I look forward to my break conversing, eating and getting to know all of the local ski bums, who stop in Stokers early like me, and enjoy her conversation. She’s somewhat of a local institution. Each trip by my second day she always has my drink waiting for me and no need to order. This year I walk in and no Dani. Bummer!! Order a drink and get some food. Hour and half later with three drinks in me I hit the slopes again feeling much better. Only muster enough energy though for three more runs. Quit early to save my energy and legs for two more days skiing.
Second day of skiing get up and feel much better. Again arrive early and catch one of the first Gondola’s up. Cruise through several runs on a variety of terrain. Feeling great as I criss cross around the mountain. Go to stop for lunch and ride up to Stokers when I finally make my first ever hook up with a snow bunny
I got the pleasure of this ride by attempting to speed by a gaggle of toddlers with their instructor. As I attempted to speed by to jump on lift, I hear the instructor yell ” Whoaa there buddy!!” I hit my brakes quickly and hearing question to finish, “would you mind taking one of my students up with you and that wont fit on chair with me?”. I say “Sure”. After years of seeing toddlers of this age I reach for the nape of her neck and pull her along into loading spot. Me being more nervous then her, and acting like a Helicopter parent, try to ensure she gets planted on chair safely. Well as I did this I discovered not necessary, she handled the chair mounting procedure better then most adult recreational skiers. Seated quickly and off we go. Attempt some small talk and only get head nods yes or no to questions as she blankly stared straight ahead. She’s here with Mom and Dad. Has older brother and sister. Is 3. Does not want safety bar down. Shes not scared. OK then!! Smiling to myself I stop with the third degree questioning and imagine how is she skiing down a mountain at 3!! Then it dawns on me, this story will be better with video. Fire up camera and as you saw, she is not very interactive. Ask a few more questions before realizing she must think I am nuts. Top approaching fast I stop filming and get ready for lift departure, readying myself to assist if needed. Assistance is not needed. Now for all of you recreational skiers you may not want to watch this video. We reached the top and McKenzie rockets off her seat to get away from man with questions. She casually begins down mountain gaining speed as she catches up with her group.
Onto lunch. With no Dani and vibe changed , I get back out after only an hour. Do note getting dehydrated at altitude happens quickly. With all lunch stops I do have an electrolyte beverage and several glasses of H2O along with my meal and drinks. Hit the slopes and enjoy an afternoon of some of the best runs of my life in and out of trees. Back country and groomers. Realizing another day to go I call it a day after about six runs.
Back at hotel I get cleaned up and catch bus for downtown. Normally I stay downtown, this year though at the Holiday Inn halfway to mountain. Well friends and family alike familiar with me know, I may just have to indulge in some of Colorado’s newest law changes. Legalized Marijuana dispensaries. Take bus here
Golden Leaf Marijuana Dispensary
For a lifelong Bogart like I, inside is an Eden of disbelief. Variety of names and strains that is overwhelming. Well I may be a lifelong toker, but over the years I have cut back considerably. In fact friend and family tokers know this as I always decline partaking when offered. I now smoke exclusively late night while watching TV or exercising at home if at all. Ask sales person for something mellow and definitely no earth shattering strains. Settle on some Purple Haze and purchase Marijuana legally for the first time in my life. Catch bus back into town and enjoy dinner at Old Town Pub which was built in 1904. After dinner with drinks and plenty of H2O, back to room and in bed early to rest for last day.
Get up my last day for skiing feeling great. Mountains do revitalize me. Catch shuttle and naturally one of the first Gondolas up. Sunny skies and morning temp of 18 degrees with light wind.
View of Slope from near top with skiers in view to get good perspective.
Top Slope
Feeling great I am aggressively skiing everything and feeling myself smile with every turn. Day befores skiing was great, but somehow this day even better. My energy level and stamina growing with each turn. 10 years previous by the third day the leg burn would not allow me to travel more then 200 yards while making only three turns before stopping. Below is a 3 min clip starting from just about the top. As it starts the stuff on right is entrance to the Double Blacks, trees and cliffs. For safety purposes I keep left until I get to the well groomed Buddys Run. Keep in mind I am not using a Go Pro and using both hands at waist level to poorly attempt to steady camera. This means no poles being used, as you will see in my shadow they are tucked under my arms. Once on the well groomed Buddys Run I casually turn back and forth to keep clear of others, eventually having to stop as slope began to crowd and me needing poles to ensure their and my safety. 10 years ago I could not have skiied that far in 3 minutes. Would have took twenty with stops.
That clip ended at only about a third of the way down that run.
Here’s a couple of Pic’s from years past. First from top after getting on lift at bottom in overcast skies, travelling into and through cloud cover, and eventually escaping clouds to a blue sky at top
Top of Mt Werner
Down part way and in middle of cloud looking at Four Points Hut
View of Four Points on a Cloudy Day
Same View of Four Points on a Sunny Day
Bluebird View of Four Points
Since the Skiing was so good on my last day, and no Dani at Stokers, I changed my routine and grabbed a quick bite here at Four Points. Here is short Video I took on last day which will make top header picture not as scary. This is the spot I took that picture from.
This is one of my favorite shots from a few years back. Snow White against Brilliant Blue.
Snow Capped Mt Werner
And Finally Me
No Lsg Burn
Adventures with Vicki and Dale 
Roadrunner Rally 2015
Roadrunner MC gathered for their seventh Rally back on July, 2015. All original charter members maintaining perfect attendance. I figure it is time to introduce charter members. Not all of our individual members have Gang names yet, but here are the ones that do:
Elvis, Priscilla, Bee, Queen Bee and Benny
Gang names is an organic thing I believe. So as of yet none of the others have quite fermented a name yet that is quantified and a de facto “Gang” name. One way or another there is still some fermenting of names. Until then our Charter Member cliques (couples)are:
Red Ryder’s Rob and Karen
Hog Rider’s Kimmy and Benny
WingDing’s Lisa and Wayne
The Bee’s Sue and Rob
Elvis and Priscilla Rob and Lori
Screamin’ Eagle Vicki and Dale
Karen is Kimmys’s sister. Karen is Benny’s sister-in-law. Benny is Lisa’s brother. Lisa is Kimmy’s sister-in-law. Rob R and Wayne are Benney and Kimmy’s brother in law. Rob H is Dale’s brother. Dale is Lori’s brother-in-law. Vicki is RobH and Lori’s sister-in-law. Got all of that. Good, because apparently we can’t and there was some sleeping arrangement confusion
Sleeping Arrangement Confusion
Roadrunner Hangarounds are:
Dan and Shirley
Once a “Hangaround” makes two consecutive Rally’s they can request to become a prospect. Once a “Prospect” the Charter members will vote at Church if “Prospects” are worthy.
2015 Rally Headquarters were at Breezy Point in Northern Minnesota. We had a very nice place with enough rooms for each couple. Only problem was later in the alcohol influenced evening with all the brothers, sisters and assorted in-law’s we tried to photograh everyone for clarity.
Looks Like Alcohol Involved
Now that you have met the MC I can show you some of our more intimate pictures from our 2015 rally 3 years ago. Had this Blog in the vault and neglected to post it. Will work on posts for the 2016 and 2017 Rally’s to Westby to get everything up to date.
RoadRunners