The longest powder run

Since there is little snow here in Europe, I wish to share with all the skiers waiting to get on slope a true ski story, hoping that it will help you "keep the faith"!

Enjoy dreaming tonight!

Some time ago we got a massive snow storm which lasted two days! The first day so much snow fell that all traffic was closed. The second day by 9 PM it was clear that the next day would be a "glorious" ski day!

I shovelled my driveway for two hours. I waxed my Sugar Daddys ( a very special ski for snow up to chin) and prepared lunch.

At 5 AM I was up and gone since I knew the roads were still full of snow and major roads might be full of fanatic skiers like me!

This is where experiance counts! I knew of a ski resort that had a restaurant at top and the owner gets up at 7 AM to get food up the chairs!

At 7 AM I was first in parking lot and picked nearest spot near chair lift. There was Hans, the cook loading up the food. For one hour I helped him haul food to chair lift and at the end of work, Hans tells me to help him at top!
Without hesitation I jump on the chair and up we go! There was so much snow the chairs were barely clearing the snow drifts!

Another 30 minutes to carry food to the hut at the top!Then Hans tells me goodbye with a twinkle in his eye! He knew what I wanted. He had been a skier also!

The chairs had stopped. The sun was coming out and the snow was up to my chest!
Silence! I actually could hear my heart beating!

Alone I took the fall line, looking for the steepest sections since the snow was so high it was holding me back! I laughed and realized the mistake I made! The snow was so high it was going into my mouth as I laughted!
Perfect skiing! Once in a life time. The stars were aligned and I was in a groove!

Coming over a steep section, I spied at the very bottom tiny bodies waiting at the lift. Even if my legs were burning, I knew I had to make this final section perfect!

Pushing myself just a little more, I picked up more speed and found skiing easier! I was floating on top of snow very much like a boat that planes water! The hell with turns let's just coast every 20 meters!!!

The small bodies were getting bigger and then silence as they noticed me! 10 seconds of total silence as they wondered where I came from since the lifts were not opened yet and they were the instructors, patrollers and staff!The pros!
Then one voice gave an encouragement! Another shouted, "go for it". A third yelled, "Yhaaaaaa".

Once I got to bottom, another silence as I felt 20 pair of eyes on me! Who was this stranger? How dare he take our powder? The first person in the lineup (of course the Ski School Director) motions me to come to him!
Expecting a lecture I sheepishly pasted all the waiting skiers and faced the Director!

The eye ball moment!

"How was the snow" he asked casually!
Before I could answer he continued, "and tell us where did you come from?"

I knew I could not tell on Hans. So I say, " I climbed up yesterday, with skins and slept at top in the sled shack" With that answer I earned a seat beside the Director and several runs of pure virgin snow like I have never skied before!

So if ever you are in a ski resort and you hear the story of the fanatic that took 4 hours to climb in a storm to the top just to get first tracks, just smile and please keep my secret!

On days such as we all are having, I think back on that run and remember each turn, each dip and that silence. That ski run lasted 20 years!

All I hope is that you all,,,, once in your lives, have a ski resort all to yourself with snow up to your chest and the ability to enjoy it!

That is why you practice the basics. That day will come and it will last a life time!

Awesome story!!! A skiers dream, once in a lifetime experience unless you have very good contacts!!!

Cheers for the good reading, guess what I will be dreaming about tonight :lol: