Its been nearly 2 years since I skied powder of the champagne variety.
If you live in the state of Washington, the last week has been absolute insanity.
Snow in the metropolitan areas isnt super uncommon, it usually happens once or twice each winter.
What IS VERY uncommon, is the consistent temperatures we have been having throughout the storm cycles.
It has been cold.
When that happens, its typically frigid up in the mountains, and it has been.
However, it has been mayhem in the mountains.
Somehow, it all worked out!
I arrived at Alpental around 6:45am.
Im an earlybird, and I got a great parking spot right next to the bridge.
I was nursing coffee and a breakfast sandwich, waiting for my little brother and cousin to show up.
At the base, it wasnt even 20 degrees.
At 8am, I picked up my lift ticket, headed back to my car, and got ready.
The lift began spinning around 9:20am.
We reach the top of Armstrong Express, and to our delight, chair 2 was already spinning!
It usually takes at least another hour to open, following the opening of the lower mountain lifts.
So, We got in line, and began our ascent up in to the fog.
As we came over the first crest, though, oh my goodness… it was bluebird.
And then, we skied powder, until we couldnt feel our legs anymore.
Powder skiing will never be overrated.
That, for me, is profound.
Have you ever had abad dayskiing powder?
Im not talking about losing a pair of goggles in a crash, snapping a pole, etc… Id be shocked if anyone said they have.
Ive had bad days skiing park.
The lack of confidence, crashes being painful, etc.
Im sure everyone has.
But the fact remains that powder skiing is something that unites everyone in joy and fun.
One of my all time favorite quotes, by the great TJ Schiller, sums it up perfectly.
Thanks for reading, NS homies!
I appreciate you all.
Skiers: Kade Lee, Ethan Lee, Denon “Triple Bogey Daddy” Lee
