The past two days have been beautiful up on the mountain but even more than that they have included first times for Sam and I. If you look at this picture of Lone Peak you can see the Big Couloir off to the right, that’s the gully that winds down, a stream of snow surrounded by rocks on both sides. It’s about half way to the right of the peak.
In order to ski this you have to be decked out with full avalanche gear, check in and out with the ski patrol, and have nerves of steel to be able to make the drop into the couloir. Sam lived out here for 4 years and never got to do it but on Tuesday the stars aligned with great snow, good visibility and short lines at the Tram and to do the Couloir. He and Brian dropped in at 1pm for an epic run. Here’s a closer view of the actual couloir, you can see 2 small dots at the top, that would be Sam and Brian. Awesome!
Yesterday we skied Moonlight Basin, great snow on some of my favorite runs. I had never taken the lift up to the Headwaters at the top of the ridge but when Sam and Brian invited me to come with them I had to say yes. You start by hiking up hill to the chairlift, this discourages the not so good skiers from trying it. At the top you have to side step up to the high traverse, a thin ribbon of snow that wraps around the hut and runs along the top between bands of rocks. Once there you are committed! I followed Sam, not daring to look down or around me, focused on the snow under my skis and his voice reassuring me it was fine. The truth is that I’m not good at heights and my heart was pounding!At the end of the traverse was Fire Hole. It’s a “medium” wide gully and the snow was soft and deep! I followed Sam down to meet Brian (he couldn’t do the high traverse on his snowboard) and then we took turns going the rest of the way down. The first turn is the hardest, but once into the rhythm I was able to just keep doing one turn after another and made my way down in fine style. Laura’s voice was in my head to keep “touching” my pole and keep turning even tho she wasn’t there with us. The best advice to have when on the steep and deep.It felt really good to challenge myself, and I was proud of what I could do. The best part was my “support team” of Sam and Brian, it was their encouragement that gave me the extra confidence to go for it! Thanks guys!!!!
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It’s Wednesday morning in Grand Marais Minnesota. For those not familiar with Minnesota I’m way up on the “arrowhead” just about 60 miles from Canada, right on Lake Superior. Grand Marais is a small town cradled between the big water and the big woods. At times there are more deer on the hiway than cars. It’s an artistic community, inspired by the natural elements around them that set the pace of every day. The Superior Hiking trail, Gunflint lodge, Lutsen ski resort, multiple state parks, and of course the lake itself are only a few feet away.In summer it’s a busy tourist spot, in winter lots of the stores and restaurants are closed so it’s much quieter, the perfect place for a retreat from life in the city. I’m watching the day begin on the lake. Yesterday it was windy and big waves crashed on the beaches and rocks along the shore. Water splashed up over the breaker for the harbor. Clouds broke apart creating islands of sunlight out on the lake
and eventually the day ended with a spectacular sunset of red and gold.We are a mixed group of wise and wonderful women, ten in number and generations in experience. We have skied, snowshoed, explored, ate and drank together during our time here. We have stretched our bodies and our minds, challenging ourselves to take a deep breathe and go a little further.I am refreshed in spirit and mind and almost ready to return to the cities. I love HOW, Hoigaard’s Outdoor Women. It allows me to know women who are outside my normal circle of life. I am enriched by their energy and their willingness to share their lives with me and each other on our trips and events. It is a joy and a blessing.
I received a a silver aspen leaf to wear around my neck as a special thank you from the women on the Breckenridge trip. (Thank you ladies! It was my pleasure to be with you!)
When you drive through the rocky mountains today your eye is drawn to the rust colored lodge pole pines on the hillsides. They are dying from an infestation of pine beetles. Scientists tell us that the outbreak is due in part to global warming, the winters just aren’t cold enough to kill off the beetles so there’s more of the hungry little buggers to eat the trees. It’s hard to see the devastation of the forests but we need to remember that it is a natural occurance and we are helpless except to let nature run it’s course. When the beetles have had their feast the forest as we know it will be gone but the hills will not remain bare. Nature will always choose life and although the forest will change there will be new growth and new life on the mountainsides.
There are some areas where they have logged the dead trees and left small teepee stacks of dead branches. These will be burned this spring under controlled fires, more efficient than hauling it all out of the mountains. They look like funeral pyres for the dead trees. Once burned the ashes will replenish the ground, rain and sun will spur new growth on open land and the aspen, the largest living organism - connected by one expansive root system, will cover the hillsides.
This time of year is hard on everyone. We’re wanting so hard for spring to come. We’re all hoping that winter will let go it’s grip, the sun will warm us, and the ground will thaw out. We wait for that miracle of life to spring forth and turn our black and white winter world into one of green and color. We need only be patient, mother nature will choose life and will awake from the frozen ground in all her spring glory.
What do you do to choose life right now for yourself? Have you been hibernating all winter waiting for spring to rouse you from your winter slump? Are you ready to put away the winter toys and get out with your bike and nordic walking poles? Whatever part of the activity spectrum you’ve been on for this winter it’s time to choose life, choose health, and get outside to play. You might even consider putting on your rubber boots and walking in a few puddles, just don’t splash your friend!
Did you Know?
When you combine 11 women, 4 sunny days on the mountain, 5 fabulous dinners and endless stories shared you come up with the HOW trip to Breckenridge last week.
I’m fond of saying that my job got a whole lot better when HOW was created. (Thanks Todd!) Traveling with a group of women is a wonder filled adventure and I must admit I didn’t plan many “women only” outings before HOW. Of course I had my daycare mom’s, my sisters, and my soul mate Gail, but we don’t make our time together a priority. It’s hard to find the time to get together for a cup of coffee or a simple dinner, letting family, spouse and work take the main stage in our lives.
But choosing to spend time with women, choosing to spend time being nourished and cared for, choosing to allow yourself to simply be who you are for a bit of time, choosing to just go and have fun, that’s the gift of traveling with women. You always have permission to do what works for you; Nordic skiing or snowshoeing instead of downhill, stopping early to shop or take a nap, skiing greens instead of blues. It’s different from any other family or business trip you’ll ever take!
And it’s all about the food! The kitchen, also fondly called the mess hall, was the center of our “off hill” activity. Julie shared her Betty Crocker expertise, Jean was in charge of morning coffee, and Laura was constantly taking pictures of what we were eating. From our “traditional” pasta bar to apre skiing at the mountain base to the funtastic carriage ride on our way to dinner at the Steak and Rib our last evening it was delicious!
We return to our real lives refreshed and recreated from our time on the mountain. Thank you to all the women who joined Julie and me on this adventure! We’ll provide a link to pictures as soon as we get them organized.
One of the joys of working retail is helping families start their own tradition of skiing together. This past weekend was the 41st Annual Tent Sale at Hoigaards. It was the biggest sale in recent history and was a smashing success. But not only because we sold lots of product. The real success was fitting first time skiers with their very own skis and boots
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There is nothing better than the smile of a 3 year old anticipating snow on the hill unless it is the same excitement found in his Dad’s smile. We had so many families come to us this weekend looking for the best fit and the best deal to get them back on the hill to ski and snowboard, makes all the long hours and hard work of an event like this worthwhile.
It was my pleasure to take 10 women from the HOW (Hoigaard’s Outdoor Women) Program to Steamboat Springs in early March for 3 days of skiing and adventure. Being a large group we quickly became known as the “Ladies from Minnesota” to the local taxi company. We ranged in age from late 20’s to early 60’s and included downhill as well as Nordic skiers. One of our group came all the way from Amsterdam to join us making us an international HOW group once again.
This was a year of lots of snow for the Rocky Mountain states and Steamboat was on their way to a record winter with over 400 inches as we arrived. The snow gods were good to us, we had new snow every night and beautiful “blue bird days” our first and third day on the mountain.
One of the highlights of our trip was skiing with Deb Armstrong. She coached the women in the triangle of power as it applies to skiing and allowed that they can use the image in everyday life as well. She’s delightful, energetic and has a very personal approach with women. Her tips early on made it easier for women to enjoy the variety of snow conditions all over the mountain.
A trip to Steamboat wouldn’t be complete without an evening at the Strawberry Hot Springs. The hot water and beautiful setting was the perfect antidote for sore muscles and tired bodies. We even took the plunge into the 40 degree river!
I really enjoy traveling with women. It’s a very special experience in the lack of competition in the group. Women offer total support to each other, offering and taking options, allowing each other to be independent (one of our group took off on her own every day to the Nordic center) and recognizing and respecting their own personal limits. We all took great delight in getting to know other and came away having made new friends and connections.