Getaway

   In our last big hurrah for the winter season, The Engineer and I went on a five day getaway to Sugarbush Mountain.  We planned this trip months ago, when a Google Offer popped up for discounted lift tickets at the Vermont resort.  I am so glad we finally got around to taking the time off to go!
   For a solid three days we did nothing but ski, sleep, and relax with hot chocolate and beer.  We treated ourselves to one fancy dinner date at Timbers Restaurant at the base of the mountain on Monday.  It was a fantastic meal and I fell in love with the candlelight, rustic colors, and sky-high ceiling.  While sitting by the fireplace for some apres ski cocktails on Tuesday, we started chatting with a woman who frequents the area.  She suggested we check out a favorite spot of the locals, The Hyde Away Inn.  Although we didn't feel quite cool enough to hang out in the pub, it happened to be Taco Tuesday, so we ate like kings for about $45!
   I highly recommend Sugarbush to any level skier.  It was more relaxed and cozy than a lot of NE ski resorts we've been too.  Or maybe that's just the blessing of mid-week skiing...

I'd rather leave in one piece, please...

We found a secret hut in the woods! Scattered with beers, of course

Peppermint Patty is my new favorite drink

Moose spotting!

Hello mountains and mountains and mountains! [So nerdy in my gear]

   I thought this was my last ski post, I swear. But, a storm is currently dumping 10+ inches on Boston...

Skiing Nemo

   In a shocking turn of events, I went skiing this weekend at Mt. Snow, VT.  My family planned this trip last month and right on cue the big winter blizzard named Nemo rolled in.  We fled the city extra early (cough, cough. I was sick.) to get a jump on the storm, and an extra day on the slopes.  I felt like Helen Hunt chasing a storm in Twister. Stopped for breakfast in town, two guys motioned to our rack of skis and said "You goin' skiin'?" (What gave it away?) "You got the right idea!".  We sure do buddy!

My frequent view from the Jeep

    Our weekend worked out better than expected.  I experienced skiing in fresh powder for the first time, per usual the engineer was there to help coach me through every turn.  The challenge of learning something new, especially in 2 feet of snow in a forest, is made all the more easier when a cute guy is telling you how awesome you look doing it.

Is skiing even a sport you can look cute doing?  I could be anyone under there ^

  So while Nemo pounded Boston and my friends were cooped-up inside for a day, I was breathing in the fresh mountain air (and drinking too much Mt. Snow Ale with my parents). I highly recommend riding out a blizzard in this fashion.  Just don't expect to come home to a parking spot... or even a street.

We parked 2 miles away and walked home, which was actually a fun adventure!

For more pictures of Nemo's beauty, check out one of my favs, Hogger & Co. Her coverage is gorgeous, and professional...not like my Instagram snaps!

Slopes and Resolves

    I'm usually not a New Year's resolution writer, mostly because my track record on keeping them is despicable.  This year though, I'm in good spirits about keeping up with a few general resolves I've made and have been working on since November anyway.  First off was starting a blog to force myself to write again, no matter how silly or small the entries.  Check.  Skiing, and enjoying it, was another. Check.  Staying active, by whatever means necessary, is a third. Check- thanks to skiing and yoga! There are a few other, more personal, things I'm on track to accomplish by 2014, which excites and motivates me.  
   Along with eight of my best family friends, the engineer and I counted down to 2013 in upstate NY at Gore Mountain. We hit the slopes for two perfect days of skiing, thanks to a big storm we drove through on the way up there. (Thank goodness for the Jeep.) The 'fresh pow', as we call it, made for some ballsy decisions by me, including skiing a double black diamond and a glades trail, each for the first time.  No ice, fresh pow, let's maneuver through trees at a speedy pace! Eeek! 

Yup, I did that.

    Obviously, skiing is a hot topic for me these days.  It's a twist on Commandment #7... I'm sharing a hobby with the engineer.  Similar snowy pictures will probably consume a dozen blog posts this winter, but seeing as I'm using this as a journal of my life, I don't mind.  Hopefully you don't mind either (I'm talking to you Denis, my one devotee.)

Bunny or Brah?

   A few weeks ago, my engineer and I ventured into the mountains of New Hampshire for our first ski day.  It was an adventure he had been looking forward to for months.  I'd prepared him for the worst- that I might disappoint and be a grinch on the mountain (my parents, sister, and friends all gave him fair warning as well).
   I grew up skiing with my family, beginning at age four being towed and taught by my father.  It is not a sport I ever took a liking too. Year after year, we packed an enormous amount of puffy clothing and heavy gear into the car and traveled north.   Ski trips always fell on my birthday too, aka 'winter break' from grade school. I would cry that my toes were cold, my nose was too runny, and my friends were faster than me.  As expected with an attitude like that, I slowly gave up skiing to my mother's dismay as she loved to foreshadow that one day I would meet a skier boy and regret quitting. 
   Mother is always right.
   One of the first awkward getting-to-know-you conversations the engineer and I shared was about ski boots, and how disappointing the winter was turning out.  I think I started mentally gathering my gloves, helmet, goggles, and snow pants right then.  Realizing how much he loves it made me conjure up some happy memories on the slopes.  It had always been more about the people I was with than anything else, I had just been too young to really notice.  
    Heading in to this winter season, I knew I would enjoy myself if I relaxed and focused on who I was with more so than what we were doing.  Turns out, I do like to ski. Whodathunkit!  Despite complaining about a cold wet nose, I have happily swooshed down the mountain three days so far.  I have a great teacher to remind me of the 16 years of lessons from my Dad, and he's glad to let me take a Bailey's break when I need one.  The cherry on top... I'm a better skier than expected.  Ski culture has always enticed me, and snowy mountain towns are so fun to visit.  It's panning out to be a wonderful season.  
   Another 2013 resolution... to be a ski brah on the slopes, rather than a ski bunny in the lodge.  Although, I won't hesitate to quit one run early to beat my friends to the bar. Après–ski, everyone?

Check me out!

I'm rocking: Tecnica Fling ski boots, Patagonia snow pants, Atomic Affinity ETM skis