With a vengeance. Be careful what you wish for. I took a single ride at Canaan this morning, temperature 8 degrees, wind about 20-40 and snowing sideways. I was caught near the end of my first climb by Mike and Ben, who kindly let me take first tracks since I had broken trail. A bit thick and variable, but still sublime. I have waited a long time for this. The second climb went easily but my feet, which had been cold, did not warm up like they usually do, instead they started to go numb. this concerned me since it is a bit of a trek to get back to the ski area and down. I ripped off the skins and started and Immediately felt terribly Out of balance and fighting to correct it. At the bottom of the pitch is about a half mile traverse and I was so exhausted as to be worried about my ability to get out at all. Finally safe in front of the lodge I discovered that the climbing bars were up. For the non backcountry types climbing bars elevate the heels about 2 inches. When skinning gets steep they save you from the feeling that you will fall backwards by basically serving as a set of stairs, as opposed to walking up a steep ramp. In my semi panic about frostbitten feet I did not remember to put them down before descending. I'll never do that again!

The drifts were more than 2 feet deep. The windblown areas between were 4-6 inches.

Funny story.

It was bluebird over at Timberline.

past 2 days of fierce lake-effect in canaan almost not fit for human consumption. however, today is bluebird!!!!!

Awwwwwww Shuddup!!!!!!

I stayed over last night; storm still raging and I got spousal permission to not brave the road. So today I enjoyed one of my best Whitegrass powder days ever. I've been waiting for this all season. Earned turns in powder are the best. Snow was a bit variable with wind packing in the open. Balance and commitment were your friends.

Did you make any attempt to connect with the many of us who were in the Canaan Valley this weekend for the annual DCSki gathering?

I'm sure there was plenty of room for you to stay in the house last night and I know at least one of the people who stayed there last night would have been interested in joining you at Whitegrass today.

I would have enjoyed company and did try to get in touch. Below is copied from a message sent to Jim K on Sun evening.

"I apologize for missing the gang today. I totally trashed myself in the backcountry (another story) and would not have been able to ski more. I went to Timbers pub and slowly nursed a couple of beers from 1:15 - 3:15, while looking for people to show up. Nobody did; I have met most but not all of the attendees. I called Vince (call dropped) and Keith, left message."

Sorry we didn't connect. It would have been fun skiing Whitegrass with you yesterday.

Almost NONE of us had cell service. Durn it. If we'd known you were there we'd've stayed at WG instead of grabbing 2 laps of New Germany on our way along I-68.

New Germany?

Yeah. New Germany State Park was right off I-68 so we popped in to loosen up, figure about a 6 inch base with some twigs and leaves. Got 2 laps of the trails in the forest in then jumped back in the car to make the hockey game. Shouldda stayed at WG -teh caps were ugh.

I could have told you that in advance.

Pens only suck marginally less than the Caps, and the Caps have lost just as much to injury.

It was not I that was interested in skiing WG yesterday. Well, I was interested but I had planned on going home Sunday and back to work Monday which I did. I might have been talked into staying another day though...

I was lucky to find the others myself. Decided kinda last minute to go, didn't tell anyone I was coming. Figured I could ski under the lift until I saw someone I knew overhead, but the trail under the lift was closed...

I do regret missing the opportunity to ski WG with you, especially when conditions were so good.

You mean how we haven't had Sidney almost all season, and you haven't had Ovi all season either?

Conditions at Stowe didn't suck today.

Rub it in.

Next heli or cat trip I take, I'll pee your name in the snow and send a pic to your iPhone!

Howja like Stowe?

If you get a chance, I highly recommend you give Sugarbush a try. And of course Mad River Glen is very close by.

If you are looking for some very good grub, try Norma's at Top Notch.

Enjoy!