First Day Out This Year TR - No Pics
I had ankle surgery this fall, so my season was postponed until Sunday. I finally got the OK from the doc that I could ski this week to test out the ankle, but I should take it easy. So, a trip to Jackson for spring break was the plan for my first ski of the season.
Jackson has had an off snow year (I can't believe how sad the lower faces look), but this weekend at Snow King, it was on. Not because of the snow, but because of the World Championship Hill Climb!!!
So, around Noon on Sunday, I get a call from a friend who wants to get in a few spring turns on the King. Perfect timing - the snow was just starting to soften up, and the super mods were about to start the climb.
I think they slow down the chair to the top of the King during the Hill Climb, which is cool, cause it give you more time to see some carnage. If you've never witnessed a hill climb - its something you have to do before your times up. Most people are out there to see the wrecks, and when they happen its pretty spectacular.
The snow machines get going full throttle at the base, then start their timed climb. About 3/4 of the way up, it gets steep. In the steep section, where most of the sleds stall out, there are volunteers who's job is to catch the sled before it starts careening down the mountain. First of all - volunteering for that seems like a great way to dislocate your shoulder (I think one volunteer broke his leg this year), but thats not the good part. The crowd really gets going when the volunteers miss, and the sleds start tumbling down the hill - getting shreaded as they tomahawk down the mountain.
We saw two or three wrecks while riding the chair up - that alone was enough to keep me entertained, hootin' and hollerin' for the afternoon - but this was about skiing.
I was pretty nervous at the start, but all it took was three or four turns until I realized that the surgery was successful, and my ankle was again bomber! The next few runs I started getting some more speed, laying down some big GS turns, at least as big as I could in AT gear, and it felt fuckin' AWESOME! I am so stoked to know that I can ski again!
My ankle is still a bit tender to be baning out laps on the chair, I was done after six runs ($15 for two hours - gotta love the King), but I'm feeling good about getting in some spring BC descents in the next few months in CO.
Sorry no pics in this one - didn't think to bring a camera - next TR I'll post up.
Finally - thanks to all the Mags that posted TR's this winter - that helped keep me motivated through all the PT and no ski days.
