It’s over. Wait, seriously, it’s over? It’s like the second week of May and my friends are putting their skis away for the season. Some of my spring friends I didn’t even get a chance to ski with and it’s all over? It’s all over and I was just getting started, just getting the hang of short poles and a new way of skiing the moguls. I was just making new spring skiing friends and settling into the parking lot BBQ scene that will suffice as dinner for the month of May.
And now it’s gone.
The rivers underneath Lower East Fall and Double Dipper are literally rotting the blanket of snow on which we were skiing from the bottom up. The top looks great, with cracks ripping across the trail that will open up into a deep crevasse in a matter of days. That one river running down Lower Double Dipper at the bottom broke so early it was almost a shock to the system. And Lower Downdraft, forget it.
The Canyon isn’t Superstar, obviously. Even though we thought we could make it be. There’s a magic to that trail — and also no rivers. It is a well drained field with some rocks on the headwall and on Preston’s Pitch that heat up and create the S shape that we all know and love. But there’s also that World Cup snow that creates a solid buffer layer from the ground as it heats up. It protects the skiable snow for much longer than just a straight base, as we witnessed this past week. Once that starts, it’s gone.
But man, did we have fun while it lasted. Saturday was one for the history books. Everyone out there was nuts. And we knew it. You would make eye contact with someone out there on the trail and you would both break out into a stupid grin. Because if you were out there, skiing the “snirt” (snow-dirt) combo that transitioned into pure mud skiing, you are mad. Like Alice in Wonderland MAD.
You cray cray, sister. And with that, came freedom.
There was singing and laughing. So much that you could hear it from the lift. These were the true die-hards, not just the ones that come out when the sun is shining. Those of us that were out there in the pouring rain since May began love skiing and adventure so much it hurts. We’re not afraid of looking stupid while trying to cross a grassy patch, we’re laughing hysterically and throwing our poles up in victory at the end. It wasn’t just young guys trying to ski the mud down to the Quad – but all ages and genders of folks saying, screw it! Let’s give it a try. What’s the worst that can happen?? I get muddy!
It’s that attitude. You can tell whose parents told them not to get dirty when they were kids — it certainly wasn’t those of us out there this past weekend. Despite the early date, it was probably one of the most awesome closing days I can remember. Sure, there wasn’t a big crowd at the top, but there was still sparkling wine and fireworks and a cheer when that “Last Chair” sign crested over the ridge. And I’ll tell you what — it was a whole lot safer than any of those 1,000 person- June 1st days over on Superstar. The grass was lower angle, the respect by other skiers and riders for other skiers and riders was top notch and everyone supported everyone that day. We built a community. A family.
And that was in full effect in the parking lot after 5 p.m. When the BF and I left the lot at 8 p.m., the gathering was still going strong with no intention of letting up. Folks walking around with parking lot meat and snacks and sharing whatever they had with everyone, whether they knew them or not. The best part was when the sun finally came out and as the first rays hit the gathering, a huge cheer rang out. The rain was over. After nine days and 5.5” of rain, we were finally free from the darkness. It was as though Mother Nature was apologizing for the ending and letting us have one last gathering to celebrate.
Am I at a loss for what to do for the rest of May?
Not really. I’ll do the same thing that I did when Killington would close at the end of April when they were first purchased by Powdr. I’m going paddling (once I get my canoe fixed up). I’ll get my bike out and explore the local trails. I’ll be working on my garden. Ha! Who am I kidding? I’m going skiing until the last patch melts from the mountain or my right hip collapses. Whichever comes first.
Merisa Sherman is a long time Killington resident, global Real Estate Advisor, town official and Coach PomPom. She can be found on socials @femaleskibum or at [email protected].
