This winter has been way fun!!! Even though the snow hasn't been much of what we were expecting, we were able to get out and enjoy the little we got.
Greg has always been a great skier. His mom, grandpa, and uncle are the ones to thank! He cruises down the mountain, in and out of trees, over bumps and jumps, and makes it look so easy. He is very fun to watch and has such a passion for the sport. He has skied most of his life off and on because of basketball obligations, but has always loved it and has always had the desire to push his self and get better. If he could he'd be out on the snow 5 days a week instead of in school.
I, however, never did much out in the snow during winter. So when I started dating Greg he made me go skiing with him. My first time skiing, it was April, the snow was pure ice in the morning and then slush in the afternoon. To say the least it wasn't too great. There were aspects that I really enjoyed but did feel bad on what I had missed out on. The next year I hurt my wrist, so I didn't go. Last year I went a couple times, for a couple hours each time and really enjoyed it. I was in a little more control and was figuring out how to fall and not hurt myself! A very good thing for me to learn. This year, however, I was able to go a bunch and have really taken to the sport. It's fun, outside, you can either take it slow or fast (I have to admit I am a fast kind of person, but I haven't quite managed the fast and in control part all the way yet!), you can get to the top of a ridge in a matter of minutes and be back to the bottom in the 4th of that time, and you get to see a lot of the area. To say the least I am now a fan!
Brian Head
With Greg's parents down at Cedar City we were able to ski at Brian Head. It is a great resort and with all the snow the south got this year, it was good snow. It's a big resort, but doesn't quite have the steepness/vertical that the resorts in SLC have. We had a great time and had a beautiful view from the top.
This is where I get cold. The chair lifts are great but wow it's freezing!
Greg and Karin. It was so fun to go with Greg's mom. We had a great time and fun to see where Greg gets his love of skiing from. Karin told me when she was younger, she and her friend would go work the gates at the resorts in SLC in the morning then would ski free for the rest of the day.
Great way to do what you love!
Backcountry Skiing
This is where Greg's heart now lies. Last year he got into backcountry skiing. It is where you hike up to the top of a ridge or mountain and then ski down. K, so it's a little more technical than that, but that's the gist of it.
Greg loves this for several reasons, here's a few... 1) no over priced ski passes, it's free!!! 2) You have to get yourself to the top of the hill, no lifts. 3) Always good powder because you don't have the crowds.
This is how he gets to the top of the hill. This orange thing that he is putting on his ski is called a skin. It allows you to slide forward, but not back. Very useful when climbing. He also has bindings that unlock the heel when going up, like cross country skis, then lock in place to go down.
Amazing scenery and solitude the whole time.
Checking the avalanche conditions. Some people say that people are not smart to do this. Lucky for me Greg and his buddies are very smart when it comes to mother nature. They don't take any risks or go places where the avalanche danger is bad. They also have all the precautions with beacons, shovel, and probe in case something does happen.
Snow Shoeing
Greg has always been a great skier. His mom, grandpa, and uncle are the ones to thank! He cruises down the mountain, in and out of trees, over bumps and jumps, and makes it look so easy. He is very fun to watch and has such a passion for the sport. He has skied most of his life off and on because of basketball obligations, but has always loved it and has always had the desire to push his self and get better. If he could he'd be out on the snow 5 days a week instead of in school.
I, however, never did much out in the snow during winter. So when I started dating Greg he made me go skiing with him. My first time skiing, it was April, the snow was pure ice in the morning and then slush in the afternoon. To say the least it wasn't too great. There were aspects that I really enjoyed but did feel bad on what I had missed out on. The next year I hurt my wrist, so I didn't go. Last year I went a couple times, for a couple hours each time and really enjoyed it. I was in a little more control and was figuring out how to fall and not hurt myself! A very good thing for me to learn. This year, however, I was able to go a bunch and have really taken to the sport. It's fun, outside, you can either take it slow or fast (I have to admit I am a fast kind of person, but I haven't quite managed the fast and in control part all the way yet!), you can get to the top of a ridge in a matter of minutes and be back to the bottom in the 4th of that time, and you get to see a lot of the area. To say the least I am now a fan!
Brian Head
With Greg's parents down at Cedar City we were able to ski at Brian Head. It is a great resort and with all the snow the south got this year, it was good snow. It's a big resort, but doesn't quite have the steepness/vertical that the resorts in SLC have. We had a great time and had a beautiful view from the top.
This is where I get cold. The chair lifts are great but wow it's freezing!
Greg and Karin. It was so fun to go with Greg's mom. We had a great time and fun to see where Greg gets his love of skiing from. Karin told me when she was younger, she and her friend would go work the gates at the resorts in SLC in the morning then would ski free for the rest of the day.
Great way to do what you love!
Backcountry Skiing
This is where Greg's heart now lies. Last year he got into backcountry skiing. It is where you hike up to the top of a ridge or mountain and then ski down. K, so it's a little more technical than that, but that's the gist of it.
Greg loves this for several reasons, here's a few... 1) no over priced ski passes, it's free!!! 2) You have to get yourself to the top of the hill, no lifts. 3) Always good powder because you don't have the crowds.
This is how he gets to the top of the hill. This orange thing that he is putting on his ski is called a skin. It allows you to slide forward, but not back. Very useful when climbing. He also has bindings that unlock the heel when going up, like cross country skis, then lock in place to go down.
Amazing scenery and solitude the whole time.
Checking the avalanche conditions. Some people say that people are not smart to do this. Lucky for me Greg and his buddies are very smart when it comes to mother nature. They don't take any risks or go places where the avalanche danger is bad. They also have all the precautions with beacons, shovel, and probe in case something does happen.
Snow Shoeing
If you ever want to get out and enjoy the snow, snow shoes are a great way to go. It's a way to get out and breath some fresh air. Also, for all those looking for a way to burn calories, this is an great alternative to the gym. I love it and have gone a lot of fun places with it. This particular place was up lambs canyon in about 2 feet of new snow.
3 comments:
So, I just found your blog! Yes, sitting here at work and I have nothing to do! Tyler said you guys came to our house tonight! I wish I didn't need extra hour, so I could have been there too! Anyways, your blog is fun to look at :) Have fun
That's less snow than we had in our front yard this year! Crazy, huh. I was thinking of you all and wishing I had snow shoes, b/c it IS a lot of work! I'd love to try the shoes sometime. Love being out of the city!
Great pics. Mom says you're a really good skiier!
Mal-
Tried to comment on the Feb 14 post, but the computer didn't let me. I was very happy to see my girls make your blog...what a treat. Speaking of treats..did my bro buy you all those chocolate strawberries? What a stud. That is what I get every Valentines, and I am not complaining.. Keep on having fun!
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