Today, I skied at Lost Trail ski area in Montana. What a place! When I arrive to the parking lot at 8:00am, there were a couple dozen cars, many with lawn chairs, Coleman stoves, and camp chairs set up. It felt like a celebration! People were smiling and the vibe was happy.

The sun was bright, there was not a cloud in sight, and seven inches of fresh powder have dropped on the hills in the past 48 hours. David Brown drove down from Missoula to meet up with me. I was super excited to see him, and to have a local guide for the day.

A few quick details about Lost Trail: They are closed Mon-Wed, so THE day to ski, if you want fresh powder, is Thursday. Tickets are $41 for the sixty-plus set, $48 those under 60. The Lift operators were super fun and enetertaining. The top of Chair #1 has snow sculptures out front, which they feature on their dedicated FB page. The chair #4 crew posts their playlists on Spotify, they have a prayer wheel and burn incense.

After doing a couple of groomers on chairs #1 and #2, we headed over to the later-opening Chair #4. We were probably among the first 20 chairs and the fresh powder was untouched. David knew just where to go, and we glided down the untouched snow, through the trees, and then more trees, and then more smooth snow….. WOW! I said to David “Let’s do that again!”.

We skied that area many more times, choosing a fresh line on each run. The sun was out, but it was cold enough to keep the snow light and smooth. We finally took a break for lunch about one and then finished the day when the lifts were closing.

Today was my best day of skiing of the year! And that is saying a LOT!

A short note: I posted this earlier today and then just had to go look for images to go along with my story. I had all of my photos digitized before I hit the road. Voila! I found a photo for each of my trips to the Tetons. Sorry for reposting…..

This part of the world continues to amaze me. I started my day skinning up White Pine ski area. At the top I was looking at the Wind River Range.

I then drove NW to Jackson. The drive continued to take my breath away.

Then, I arrived at the Tetons. What makes it so special?

My first visit was in 1982 when I was a Yellowstone Park employee. I drove down from Mammoth Hot Springs (where I was working and living) with Al from St Louis and Bob from Chicago. They were two inner city kids. Bob’s dad was a City of Chicago bus driver and Bob had never left his neighborhood before coming to Yellowstone. We were all equally blown away by the Tetons. Jackson, at that time, was a small town. We partied at the Million Dollar Cowboy bar and The Mangy Moose before heading out to Teton Village (where there was almost nothing other than the ski area) where we rolled out of the car, and slept in a ditch.

My next visit was in the late 90’s for a Kili reunion. This photos says enough…..it’s a long story and we didn’t get to do the climb we had planned (not the Grand).

In the early 00’s I was back to climb The Grand Teton. I was with my usual climbing partner Kevork. He flew in and was on a tight timeline. We decided to play it safe and climb the Owen’s Spalding route. When we got to the top, we were both really disappointed, the route was just too easy. We juggled our plan, and figured out that we had enough time to climb the classic Exum Ridge. We had to really be efficient in order to get Kevork to his flight, and we made it! We were so happy that we didn’t settle and went for it!

My fourth trip back to the Tetons was in 243CM with Scott. We flew into the Jackson airport. I remember being surrounded by lear jets. Airforce two was also on the ramp. Dick Cheney was VP at that time, and was “home”. We were treated as though we had arrived in a jet. By filling up with fuel, they let us tie down among the many jets. We thought it was hilarious.

Scott and I pulled our climbing packs out of the plane and headed to the road to hitchhike into the park. It was easy to get a ride and the women who drove us kindly let us out just short of the park gate. When we arrived at the gate, the ranger was so impressed we were on foot, he gave us free entry for a week! We went around the corner from the toll booth (the ranger said hitching in the park is illegal) and stuck out our thumbs and had a ride to the Teton Climbers Ranch in minutes.

Our climb was uneventful, and we summitted well ahead of the threat of thunderstorms. We had so many laughs on our way up the peak. I thought of those moments over and over today, laughing out loud a couple of times.

Then, as I was skiing to Jenny Lake the song that always makes me think of this place came on. There is something so special for me here. I will always love The Tetons.

is the one who can enjoy the scenery, even when they have to take a detour.”

― Sir James Jeans

This is how I felt today when my phone directed me to a dirt road today. The directions said to go this way for 75 miles. At first I thought, “oh no……what if?”

Then I thought, well, this looks beautiful! I will just head this way and see how it goes. Within a mile, a very special canyon started to take shape. It was beautiful! Then, I came to this sign:

Well, this sounds super cool, so onward! The canyon just kept getting better and better.

The road was hard packed dirt for about 30 miles. At that point, the road shifted from Colorado to Wyoming and pavement began. I passed two cars in those 75 miles.

What a gift to see this part of the world. A lucy break by choosing the route that was 8 minutes longer when given the option. Not really a shortcut, but you get the idea.

This morning I said goodby (see you later) to Cha Cha, Linda, Aldo, Alfred and Chama. Time to head back northwest.

The drive was stunning. I was in a valley surrounded by snow peaked mountains the entire way. Wow.

Cha Cha suggested I stop in Salida, so I did. What a quaint, hip, active, happening place! There were thrift stores, art galleries, breweries, distilleries, bike shops and a huge waterfront park. The town sits beside the Arkansas River, and given it was a warm sunny day, kayakers dotted the race course running through downtown.

Next to the river was a large parking lot nearly filled with mountain bikers. Adjacent are acres of mountain bike trails. Sweet!

Such a great energy, in a beautiful place. After spending an hour or so walking around twon, I headed onward. My stop for the night: Leadville. My Airbnb host let me check in early, so I changed into my running clothes and headed out the door. I had learned of The Mineral Belt Trail that circles the town from someone I met in a parking lot in Red River Valley. The trail is about 11 miles and is groomed in winter for skiing. I thought skiing would be marginal at best, given the warm weather, so running seemed like the better choice.

After running the trail for about 3 miles, I found the nordic trailhead, which was groomed and had great conditions. Could have skied, and running on the trail was great. I ran about half the loop, and then headed toward downtown. It’s a small, quaint, beautiful, bustling, old, well maintained, mining town. What a treat.

Wow, What a day! Leadville is lovely, and Salida is my new love. Both have nice airports. I will be back, soon.

Scott, his dad, and his brother once met at Bandelier National Monument for a multi-day backpacking trip. The trip was a way to connect, spend time together, and visit a place none of them had been before.

I went there, for my first time, yesterday. It was a sunny, nearly 60 degree day and I was game for a trail run.

I chose Frijoles Canyon for my run and it was beautiful.

The trail starts at the visitor center and then heads towards an ancient village including cliff dwellings. It reminded me of a mini Machu Picchu.

After climbing around the village and caves, I headed up the trail.

The trail is popular, but after about two miles, I was alone. Along the trail, there were patches of deep snow, and a meandering creek that I crossed dozens of times. Mostly, it was quiet and beautiful.

Running the canyon plus the rim as a loop would have been amazing, but I started late in the day and didn’t want to push finishing at dusk. I settled on an eleven-ish mile out and back. Much to my surprise, the trail back was downhill.

I enjoyed spending the time thinking of Scott and how much laughter he would have shared with his Dad and brother on this trail. It filled my heart with joy.

I will be leaving New Mexico on Sunday, March 7 to ski my way home. Please accept my invitation to join me at any of the ski areas along the way. I have rooms (and one house) reserved the night prior to the ski date. Join me!

Sunday March 7 – Leadville, Air BNB – whole house! Skate ski in Leadville

Monday March 8th- Ski Cooper ski lifts

Monday night March 8th – Pinedale, Wy

Tuesday March 9th – Whitepine skin up, ski down

Tuesday Night March 9th – Jackson Hole, Wy Air BNB

Wednesday March 10th – Ski Jackson Hole! ski lifts (yes, super expensive, but my favorite place in the USA to ski)

Wednesday night March 10th – Salmon, ID

Thursday March 11th ski – Lost Trail I have one friend meeting me here.

Thursday night March 11th – stay with friend in Missoula

Friday March 12 – Home.

It’s a fast trip. Ski, ski, ski, drive, drive, drive. I want to be to Lost Trail on Thursday, because they are closed Mon-Wed and you get the best freshie by landing there on Thursday.

Send me a note! Hope you can join me!

I skinned up Ski Santa Fe today. It was a warm, beautiful day! The top is 12, 075′ and I will admit it was work getting to the top….and oh so worth it!

I reached out to a few people today while I was working my way up the slopes. Nancy sent me are great article, which is a fun, quick read; about the meaning of life from the Dalai Lama.

Another inspiring note that touched me today.

Tomorrow, I am back to the Ebike saddle. Sweet!!

Friday, Cha Cha and I journeyed to Santa Fe (about 45 mintues south) to #1 get my skis fixed-Ugh-(I ran over a rock and put a huge gash in my base), and #2 to pick up an ebike rental for me.

Saturday, we shuttled cars in order to eliminate an 11 mile ride on a highway, and then rode 21 miles up and over Mesa Piedra near his house. It was a wild day up there! We saw bear scat everywhere, but unfortunately, no bears. There is no water. yet people are living in trailers, shacks and tents.

We ended the ride in an arroyo riding through deep sand. No problem with an ebike!

Sunday, we drove up toward Taos, on the East side of the Rio Grande Rift and rode a 10 mile, all single track, flowing trail, with amazing views. The ride is called Rift Valley Trail.

There are few rift valleys in the world. I have been fortunate enough to visit two. Before I leave New Mexico, I am planning to go ride that area again. It was so so fun!

This week, I focused on sliding on snow as much as possible. New Mexico has many options for skiing and I intend to slide down as many hills as I can find.

My first outing was to Enchanted Valley Nordic center. The drive was about two hours from Cha Cha’s house. The best part was visiting The Red River Valley. What a beautiful place. The Valley has high, rocky walls, and the road is dotted with these signs:

I actually saw one – it was walking on the shoulder of the highway.

Red River Valley is a mining town and an active downhill ski area/resort. The Nordic area was another five miles up the valley. While the ski area was well run, the day I went, the snow was thin and the grooming was a bit old. There are several yurts among the trails you can rent. I did a big loop, about eight miles worth, around the area. My goal for the day was to practice the skills I had learned in Ogden. Score!

On the way home, I stopped to check out a trail that follows the West rim of the Rio Grande. Wow! Rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, trail running! Beautiful!

Thursday was my designated downhill day. I have never skied at Taos. What a treat. Lift tickets are reasonable at $85 and buys you a LOT of vertical. The top is 12, 481′ with much of the mountain black diamond runs. So nice! The snow was marginal……some ice, some crust. I think the conditions are much better in Washington right now…….However, when there is new snow this mountain would be mind blowing. I tried to check out a variety of runs which included some hiking up, and some chuts off of the top peak, Kachina, some tree skiing, all were challenging and most importantly, fun!

The day started with sunshine and just a breeze. By 3pm, the snow was dumping and the wind was strong. Time for me to go. I might have to return for one more day, especially if they get a dump of snow.

After skiing, there is nothing better than a soak in the hot tub. Cha Cha’s has a phenominal view. The perfect apres ski activity.

Friday was a bit crazy. Enough said about that.

Saturday we rafted the Rio Grande.

Sunday we drove up to Taos to do a hike. The hike started at 9200 feet and went up from there. We took the (happy) dogs. What a beautiful wonderland.

Thank goodness for Monday so I can get some rest! I do plan to go back to Taos for a full day of skiing. That place is huge and has some amazing terrain!