I have a collection of shot glasses from other mountains I’ve skied/partied at. There aren’t very many… Growing up with Schweitzer in my backyard, I never really felt the need to explore other areas. While I participated in the occasional college venture or weekend family getaway, my knowledge of other mountain terrain is minimal. Last weekend I ventured to a neighboring mountain. Here’s my story…
We got up to the mountain, got our tickets and waited in a lift line. Waited. In a lift line. A concept I’m not overly familiar with….
We arrived at the top – Killer views, yes – but hardly rivaling. It was a busy Saturday, so we sought out the tougher terrain, hoping for some powder and less chance of collision.
First black diamond we dropped into – Any trace of powder had been morphed into boulder sized moguls, taunting my quivering knees and laughing at my sheer disdain for the terrain. Moguls aren’t my thing. And my knees hate them.
Funny thing is – this is how every previous powder run was sitting – give or take those that had been tracked out to a sheer ice.
Suddenly, I realized – I’m grumpy! I am on vacation, in great company, and I’m SKIING – a sport that has translated into a noun in my life, synonymous with bliss, euphoria, pure, unadulterated joy – and somehow – I was grumpy! Then it hit me – Not grumpy – just downright spoiled.
Don’t get me wrong – this mountain, I know, provides some epic skiing when the snow is good, but at home – I’ve never had to hunt this hard for it.
I did get lost and ended up in the trees near a lightly populated T-bar, where conditions and steeps prevailed, and I experienced “skiing” again – but, I have to admit, it wasn’t just the snow that got to me, but I lapped chairlifts from 9-4 that day, and I swear – not a single liftie said hello. Or asked me how my day was. Or nodded courteously in my direction. The overall feel of the mountain was the polar opposite of what I experience each day at Schweitzer.
At the end of the day skiing is skiing. And skiing with good company can make bad conditions tolerable – but that’s the beauty of Schweitzer – even when you ski alone – you’re in good company.

