Andy and I wrapped up the (lift-operated) ski season at Mt. Hood this last Saturday. The last day of the season is always so bittersweet for me. On one hand, spring skiing offers much in the way of sun and fun with friends, and Saturday was no exception. Plus, we can all look forward to hiking and camping now that the weather has warmed up and the rain has mostly stopped.
But for me, the last day of the season is always a bit depressing. I love the outdoor opportunities summer provides, but skiing and being in a snowy alpine environment are things that keep me happy and help me remain a functioning member of society. As someone who gets seasonal affective disorder when it’s hot and overly sunny, summer can be a difficult time for me (call me weird, but it’s true). Knowing I can go play in the snowy mountains helps get me through difficult weeks, and even looking at snow is an instant mood boost. In contrast I find heat, predictable weather, and the implication that I should be enjoying myself all summer to be oppressive.
But this post isn’t meant to be a downer, even if I feel sad while writing it. Instead, let’s take a few minutes and focus on just how amazing this year’s ski season turned out to be. And I can remind myself that as a lucky Portlander, snow and ice are a year-round phenomenon if you hike high enough.
I’ve had some truly great ski days this season. Fresh (and fluffy!) snow, awesome terrain, sun and storms alike, beers on the deck, and good company. I’ve had powder to my thighs, made new friends, visited and discovered new places, watched friends grow in their abilities, and skied in a swim suit (it was too cold to take off my coat, but it’s the thought that counts, right?).
It was a year for the history books, with record-breaking snowfall and consistent powdery conditions we don’t often experience in the Pacific Northwest. I feel so grateful to have been able to enjoy it (especially since the memory of the 2014-2015 season still gives us all lack-of-snow nightmares).
Being up on a mountain keeps me going, and gives me something to look forward to. Depending on the day – warm and sunny or cold and stormy – can make familiar places seem alien. A fresh snowfall renews everything, wiping away past tracks and other signs of human activity. That’s something I love about nature in general – if you pay attention things are always changing, and there’s always something new to see. Each time I go out can be similar but also completely unique to past experiences.
That’s one of the things that makes skiing so appealing to me – the ability to get up close and personal with such an environment, harsh but oh so beautiful. For those of you who don’t ski or climb, it can be difficult to get up to the mountains in winter and enjoy the pristine snowy wonderland they offer. But living in a place like Oregon, where we value access to nature as well as environmental protection, we can access the mountains and foothills in winter relatively easily, and inexpensively. Downhill skiing isn’t cheap (I will definitely be writing about how upsetting I find this in future posts), but showshoeing, cross-country skiing and even beginning non-technical climbing can be done relatively inexpensively. And sledding is free!
Thanks for a great winter, everyone. And thanks to Mt. Hood for being such an amazing place. Here are some photos from the season, in no particular order:
Now it’s time to strap on my skins and earn some turns, and look forward to when the lifts open later this year. See you around!
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