The joys of a neighborhood ski hill




Finally I made it to the lift at Val Bialas.
Every time the lift has been running this winter, I've had a conflict. Either I was off skiing elsewhere, had a commitment off snow, or I was enjoying cross-country skiing in the park. I was determined, however, to use this wonderful resource within walking distance of our house. So on what will probably turn out to be the last day of the season at the neighborhood ski hill, I made it out.
I put the G3 Alpinist climbing skins on my rock skis, the K2 Superstinx, c. 2001, and headed up the road across the street from my neighborhood. I could have just used the kickers, but I figured these glide a little better and, just in case I didn't buy a ticket or the lift weren't running at all, I'd rather have the full-length skins. This meant I needed pockets to stash them, however, so I donned my Flylow shell jacket with pockets made for this. It was more than I needed though not excessive.
The snow was soft, as you'd expect when the temeprature was in the upper 40s. But it was plentiful. The ticket was $10, as it is all season, and I felt a little sheepish walking into the Parkway Center because it appeared I was the only customer. I asked if they'd had others, and one of the four guys there said, "a few."
Out to the hill I was and down the steep Cemetery Trail. Steepish, I should say. It was nice to get out. The run doesn't last long, but the approach was steeper than I remember, just enough to get some momentum and practice my telemark stance and movements.
A few minutes later a few other people came out. I think about five others in all, four skiers and a snowboarder.
They closed at five. I probably could have taken another run but the liftie at the top was preparing to board to head down at the end of his shift, and I didn't want to take a chance on getting stuck at the bottom of the hill, or having to beg to be let on one more time. I rode up, herringboned to the road, and skied home. It was a good day and a good one-day season on the lift at my neighborhood ski hill.

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