Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Fun on the Slopes

After three years of not-so-great snowpacks, winter 2016-17 is shaping up to be a banner season for us Pacific NW skiers.


Me and the girls ready to ski!  (photo by Young)

My girlfriends and I started our ski year with a early December trip to sample the goods at Mt Bachelor. 


Chairlift selfie

The day started out cloudy, but soon snow started in earnest.  Visibility dropped, but the new-fallen snow was so light and plentiful, I didn't really care.


My brother joined us for the fun

My brother joined us girls for some rippin' down the slopes!


Big flakes started falling (photo by Young)

 We had a most excellent day whooshing through the fresh pow.


Ski pole joust! 

And.....maybe a tiny bit of horseplay too!


Happiness is powder snow

 The next day, we arrived to a huge snowstorm.  Strong winds whipped the flakes into a frenzy.


Ice crusted sign

 Trees and trail signs were covered in an icy shell.


Lovely flocked trees

I tried to ski as long as possible, but high winds and poor visibility forced us into the lodge before noon.   Oh well.....there was lots more of the season to come.


Icy tree trunk

New Year's Day found me and my buddies Kim and Hollie up at Mt Hood Meadows.  I love skiing the early morning hours of this holiday - slopes are empty (everyone's still  home sleeping off the previous night's revelery)


Snowy New Year's Day

Snow was falling heavily, with a good six inches of powder.  It was such a great day, I only took a few photos - too busy skiing!


Perfect blue skies!

But just a couple days before New Year's the weather was completely different.  Sunny blue skies ruled.


Chairlift buddies

 Although stormy, powder days are my first love, sunshine on the slopes is the next best thing!


Dramatic clouds at the top of Cascade

 You get to enjoy fantastic views like these from the very highest lift at Meadows.


Sunburst on Cascade Lift

And if you're lucky you might even capture a sunburst or two.


Amazing views from Mt Hood Meadows

I love my home mountain.....one never tires of the panoramic scenery from the slopes of Mt Hood.


Mt Hood selfie

So that's just a sampling from the first few ski outings of winter 2017.  The abundance of white stuff has certainly put a smile on this ski fanatic's face.  Here's to more fun on the slopes!



24 comments:

  1. I'm heading to Bend in just a few weeks and this post makes me very excited!! Only all my skiing will be on the flats looking up at the mountains instead. :)

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  2. I love your ski posts and ski stories.. snow or shine you manage to take great pix and have a whole bunch of fun!

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  3. Sunburst photo is stunning. Just back from a weekend in the French Alps, worst conditions for many years. Very jealous!

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  4. Hello, you all look like you are having so much fun. Beautiful scenery and photos. I know you are happy with all that snow. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

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  5. Linda, what a gorgeous and glorious celebration of winter! Such fun! Thank you so much for sharing all this beauty and enjoyment. :)

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  6. Big smiles all around! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time.

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  7. ...sure looks like fun, I'll just have to settle for the beach today!

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  8. I love your mountain too!
    Fabulous that you have so much snow!

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  9. Glad to see you're playing in plentiful snowfall! I fell and broke a rib New Years Day so have not been on the slopes since. Hope to go back out soon. We're having a great snow season.

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  10. That looks like a perfect ski day - I need to get out before winter is over.

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  11. Looks like you're enjoying the slopes this year. We haven't had snow in Chicago in 6 weeks.

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  12. A great year for snow for sure! I hear more is coming tomorrow. Hard to believe! Enjoy!!!

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  13. Looks like you're having a very good year!

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  14. After seeing distant snow in NZ my kids are very keen for another chance to get to the snow in Australia - I wonder what the winter will bring.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  15. Looks good fun and perfect snow cover.

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  16. Well you all seem to be having an awesome time. This is where snow belongs.

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  17. I'm so glad you are able to enjoy the ski slopes this winter season. Looks like fun. I love seeing Mt Hood from where I live in various stages of cloud cover and none at all. Indeed a lovely Mountain and an asset to our state! I am slowly getting better. Not sure how good the weekend will be as I'm laying low still. Sigh! Have a good weekend!

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  18. This winter is just amazing. I can't get over it! And as my husband says gleefully, it's only the beginning of February!

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  19. Nice series - action shots and scenery

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  20. Wow! It looks very fun to go skiing in the powder snow area on the sunny day. You and your friends look very happy. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  21. I figured you would be out skiing as much as possible! Love that last selfie...it is perfect! :)

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  22. I'm glad you have been able to ski a lot this season--enjoy and stay safe!

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