It’s hard to believe the ski season is two short weeks away. What?
You hear me. I think we’re still trying to figure out the quadrupled rents, worker shortages, and police from Aspen to Tesla, but alas, it’s true. Thanksgiving and skiing go hand in hand in this ski town, no matter how much snow has fallen from the sky and how many shrubs and piles of wood can cut through that snow. Hopefully we’ll have a good dusting and a bit of “dust” to go with it.
This time of year is tough according to most accounts. The days are getting shorter and darker. The offseason has slipped away, even faster it seems, and Aspen is losing his community haunts faster than a billionaire can earn interest by lining up at one of our understaffed businesses. Uh! I personally envisioned bedtime at 5pm last Sunday with the end of daylight saving time. No kidding. The cumulative effects of each of these circumstances are widely felt at this time. So remember you are not alone.
It’s high time we got past all of this as we need to have rosy cheeks and be ready to shred the gnar for the 2021-22 ski season, or at least have some cute new winter boots to walk around in town, isn’t it? I distinctly remember a microwave-clad couple walking through town on the last Thanksgiving that shocked my system. Is it real? Then they became a pillar. Anyone can guess what ridiculous skiing trend, for those who don’t really ski, will appear this year. I am sitting on the edge of my seat.
I hardly feel ready though. Wasn’t it just summer? Can’t we all have a little more time with our good buddy, the offseason? An extension, if you will? I haven’t said and done all the things I would love to do in the offseason. I can honestly say that I have yet to meet more than 10 local residents at the produce section of the town market. I realize that asking so many locals at the grocery store might be overkill, but it’s tradition. I just want to know that there is nothing I can do, dress comfortably as a handbag and not be offended by Gucci / Dior clad tourists visiting Aspen in early November. Seriously, can’t they give us two weeks without bling? Bah !
The end of summer time will never cease to amaze me. What a secular tradition. “Take this to the mailbox across the street before the postman arrives.” Wait! You will need a flashlight! How can you expect someone to feel good about needing a flashlight at 5pm? This only adds to the general sense of loss associated with the transition from fall to winter in Aspen.
The Annual Ski Swap is an excellent precursor to Stoke skiing. Unfortunately, I was out of town during this year’s exchange. Buying affordable fleece gloves and buying new gear would get everyone excited, right? Sometimes I even dip my toe into the Nordic world, and the exchange is a great place to find gear for all skill levels. I have to admit I still have bikes in mind. And with the big bike shortage happening, I might buy a new bike to let it sit all winter.
I spent the weekend cycling in Fruita under sunny skies in 65 degree weather. It was splendid. Now that I’m back in our golden ski town for the winter, I’ve realized that I should start pulling out my ski gear. It’s like getting your car ready for winter. You have to prepare for success, even if you have to.
Now powder skis! Daily drivers! In ski touring! Now the boots! Don’t forget the hats, gloves and mittens because they are always in cahoots. Conditioning of the skis you say? Meh, who needs it? The only way to get ready to ski is to get out there and feel it.
My body is in pretty decent shape. I had some great bike rides this summer and fall. It’s not the same as skiing, but I haven’t been completely devoid of activity either. As a good friend would say: “Ski every day so you can ski every day. Keeping our bodies strong and healthy (should) be an integral part of life in a ski town. There are several ways you have to pay to play. Just when you think you can treat your body like it’s 25, you fall off your bike before ski season and realize you don’t have quite the same bounce as before.
Drop it – or eat half a large pizza. Four days at Fruita can include a lot of cycling, but that doesn’t mean you can eat like a seventh grader anymore. Darling. If my pants could talk! Hope my bike legs will make an easy transition to ski legs. I’m about to find out.
I think we still have a few 50 degree days in the forecast which isn’t great for snowmaking but as we know that can change at any time. Pray for snow! As of this writing, there is fresh snow on the ground with more forecast.
Outside Online recently published Heather Hansman’s excerpt from her new book “Powder Days” and it’s definitely worth a read. You’ll get a glimpse of how life at ski resorts has changed, especially in Aspen. Living in Aspen is becoming a minute-by-minute grind-ier for the working class, it’s quite true. So I’m going to keep getting, as long as the gettins are good, and that includes a ski season that starts in November.
Beth is looking for “the shot”. She can be reached at [email protected].
