Coming down the mountain

It is a beautiful day today.

It was an even more beautiful powder day yesterday. I got to re-connect with an old friend from Beaver Dam, Steve Wolf. He and his in-laws are enjoying a family vacation at Big Sky this week. We rode together Sunday and yesterday, when we were gifted by Saint Patrick with 8 inches of powder.

Tomorrow afternoon, Josh and Finndawg arrive for some more snow-sliding shenanigans.

I wish snowboarding season never ended.

Nothing beats the sensation of ripping down the mountain, flat-out, totally focused.

You forced to exist only in the now, which is so difficult to do in today's world.

It is great fun being "a local" here. Although I very much enjoy showing visiting friends all my secret stashes on "my mountain," it's even better to see the smiles and goggle-tans on the familiar faces of those who work and live here.

There is a saying- "No friends on a powder day." In theory, it's every man for himself when there are fresh tracks to be had. No waiting for anyone at the lift. No waiting for anyone at your house. No waiting for anyone in the parking lot.

While I usually fly solo with my i-pod on powder days, I think the saying should perhaps be, "Everybody is your friend on a powder day." Yesterday, everyone was engaging everyone else in lift lines, on chairs and everywhere else.

It was one of those days that makes you feel good to be alive.