Above the Clouds
Run to the Hills
It was almost like Christmas morning, but this time it was on a non-stop, snowy February day in 2017. The whole town of Sun Valley, ID had listened to the weather reports the night before building up anticipation for what was to come in the morning. Luke, my best friend from college, and I knew that a powder (deep snow) day on Mt. Baldy doesn't come around too often, so we had to make the day one that we would never forget. I grabbed my snowboard while Luke grabbed his skis, and it was off to the Warm Springs chairlift. This was going to be the best snowboarding day that I would ever experience in my life.
Ride the Wave
Trying to find a parking spot when there is a historic amount of snow falling on the mountain? Good luck. Thankfully, Luke was able to find an open space near the ski shop that I was employed at which was a 30-second walk to the chairlift. After making our way through the crowds we finally sat down on the chair and ascended to the summit. Seeing everyone below making their way through the untouched snowfall was only making my excitement grow more. Finally, we arrived at the top. In a frenzy, we quickly found a run that had only been hit by a few others. This was it. "Meet you at the bottom!" Luke yelled to me as he went down the run first. I quickly followed him and soon found myself in a new world. It's was an indescribable emotion. The feeling of floating had never seemed so real. I was making my own path and there was nothing that was going to stop me. My snowboard felt as if I were riding a giant wave on the ocean as it pushed through the powder with ease. This is what I would always see in the snowboard movies and it was now my turn to experience it. After the run was over, I was ready for more.
Après...or After
The rest of the day flew by too fast. The sun was starting to make its descent behind the Sawtooth Mountain Range. Luke and I weren't ready to leave, but 4 p.m. is the time when the mountain closes. We got our last few runs in and made our way back to his vehicle. Once we got back to my place it was time to sit in the hot tub, drink a few Miller High Life bottles, and reminisce on our incredible day on the mountain. Luke said, “Cheers to the day.” It was then I began to realize exactly why I had moved out to a ski town. It was for days like this. Experiencing the thrills and adrenaline that I wouldn't find back home. The biggest ski hill in the Midwest couldn't even compare to what that day had to offer. Plus, sharing it with one of my best friends made it even better.
Sell the Stoke
People sharing their best powder day experiences are equivalent to hunters back home sharing stories about the biggest deer they ever shot. Being able to share your own experience is all a part of the comradery amongst the locals. Pretty soon I almost began to feel like a local myself because of the heavy snow days that occurred during my time there. My experiences were starting to build up. I knew working and living in a ski town was the best decision that I had ever made.
Dancing with the Mountain
There are many days where I catch myself thinking about that moment in time where I was the freest I had ever been. I swear I can feel the mountain pulling me back. If an opportunity came around to where I could move back, I would. The connections I made and the adventures I had created a bond with a place I will never forget. I encourage anyone who has ever thought about moving to a new place and live outside their comfort zone to do it. Life is too short to miss out on what could have been.
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