Jan 24, 2017 3 min read

As I write this, the temperature is a balmy 64 degrees, which is not exactly ideal for skiing. It’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago, I ventured onto the slopes for the first time this season in a comparatively bone-chilling temperature of 12 degrees with a wind chill of 5. That wasn’t ideal weather for skiing either, but I had the day off and it was the first time I’ve had a chance to ski all winter. I layered up and headed to the mountains.

The day started out beautifully, with the sun shining on the drive up to the Laurel Highlands and a few inches of fresh snow on the ground. I clicked into my skis and anxiously took off for my first run. Conditions were perfect despite the wind chill, and I settled in to relax for a few minutes on the ride up the chair lift.

Even though there was fresh powder, ski resorts can never have enough snow. The snow blowers were going full force in an effort to stockpile enough of the white stuff to extend the season – or to make it through this stretch of temperatures that are more normal for April. Snow blowers work magic for resorts, but skiers hate them because you can’t see to ski through the clouds of ice crystals they emit and you always wind up blinded by a thin layer of ice encrusted on your goggles. Normally, resorts like to run them at night when temperatures drop and the slopes are empty.

As I rode higher, everything got foggy and misty. By the time I got to the top of the slope, visibility was less than a quarter of a mile in every direction. The snow blowers were going so full blast that no one could see where they were supposed to ski. I soldiered on anyway and managed to make it to the bottom.

The lift operator told me the next lift over was also open, so I rode up there only to find the trail closed. I skied down another and cut across halfway down only to realize that the trail I was on was probably also closed. Still, I kept going and slid into the next lift line. I asked a snowboarder next to me, “Is that trail really open? Because I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to be on it.” He replied dryly, “I say if you can ride it, it’s open.” There’s some logic for you.

I rode up and skied down again. The little cabin with restrooms by the lift had a metal barricade in front of the steps, so I asked the lift operator if they were open. He said, “Yes.” I said, “Well, there’s a barricade in front.” He replied dryly, “Well, you can move it.” There’s some logic for you.