February 12
Rest days were over. My back had quieted down, and I said adios to my cold as Vicki, Todd, and I went to the top of Sam’s Knob. We would meet Al down the mountain as he adjusted his skis. The light was terrible, and I had trouble getting my bearings.
We changed plans on the spot, and Vicki’s idea of going to Elk Camp with its long tree-lined runs was good. After picking up Al, we skied several tree runs. I thought of Todd as the rocket as he made high-speed runs with good form. After Mike Fetters, Todd is the best skier we have skied with this winter. Al, I called the snow dancer. Light a foot, he glided over the snow with control and style. Both men were great fun to ski with.
At lunch, Ronnie, whom we have known for years, shared some liverwurst and camembert cheese. We talked about joint replacements, but she mostly told us about her adventures on an extended African trip. An exciting woman who met her husband at Mammoth Mountain, where she was a ski instructor, the couple have lived on Hilton Head in South Carolina for forty years.
Today is Fat Tuesday, so Snowmass is going all out with beads, music, and more. The ski areas all compete for the limited number of skiers that exist. They all feel they have to add something extra to attract people. It is a tricky business to remain solvent with fickle customers, shifting weather patterns, transportation hassles, and rising costs.
Many areas like Aspen and Vail are owned by companies that are ever-expanding. Vail owns 40 ski areas, having just bought one in Switzerland. The Aspen Corp. builds hotels, some in ski areas and some not. The model for owning and operating a ski resort is drastically changing.