It snowed up high a week ago.
I only know because I can see the remains, taunting me on the peaks.
A light dusting of powdered sugar on the granite, just out of reach.
Its easy to focus on skiing when winter forces itself into your psyche like that.
The only options then are to retreat to the desert or embrace an early ski season.
But sometimes we get a true autumn.
Its hard to get in ski mode.
Last season Im not sure I ever really felt that switch flip.
A long and glorious autumn slipped gradually into a subpar winter.
That was a rude awakening after centering my life around skiing for nearly a decade.
Over the summer those doubts have come pouring back into my mind, recriminations for a winter squandered.
If only I hadnt gotten so far into my head about avalanche danger.
If only I hadnt talked myself out of a few big days high in the hills.
If only, if only, if only…
Its silly to ponder if onlys in October though.
There are plenty of ways to lose a ski season.
Enjoy it while its good, but the only seasons that really matter are the ones yet to come.
Now another winter is ramping up.
My google search history is rife with attempts to find good paper templates for exotic touring bindings.
But the mountain biking is still good.
But Im not ready to reenter the vicious cycle that ski boots impose on my feet.
But I dont want to shovel the driveway.
This is your final winter in the Tetons for a while, dont squander it.
Dont leave with regrets.
But still, somehow that switch needs to flip.
Skiing needs to take full control of my mind once more.
I need to get into the swing of things again.
Im still fixated on mountain biking as we walk, still planning one last big trip.
The sun sets and it gets cold.
I walk home, come back in my new down jacket, and the conversation has turned to skiing.
The conversation turns to season plans, objectives, goals.
I find myselfwantingskiing for the first time in months.
In the morning well get up and ride bikes.
Theres still a few weeks of autumn left to make the most of.
But the switch has flipped.
Ski season has announced its presence.
Now is the time to get hungry.
Now is the time to dream and plan and scheme.
Half the joy of skiing lies in the anticipation, the buildup, the preparation for these fleeting months.
How do you get ready?
How do you count down the days?
What are your dreams for the season?
What shenanigans do you have planned?
The switch has flipped.
Im ready for ski season.
