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Today was our last day at Solitude for this season. The resort closes this weekend, which is a shame since we've had sooo much late-season snow this year (76" this month and we're only 9 days into it!). We're still "learning" how to ski/board on ungroomed powder. It's quite a bit different to the normal groomed runs. It slows you down somewhat, but it's trickier not being able to see the bumps (or your feet)! As you can see we were nearly up to our knees in the stuff.
This year we did something a little different on Christmas Day - we spent it out in the snow! With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday, it was the perfect opportunity for us to use our "custom season pass" at Solitude Mountain Resort, which allows us to ski/snowboard every Thursday. (Much cheaper than a full season pass). Mark's brother Ben joined us for the day. Here he is with Santa, who was handing out candy on the slopes!It snowed pretty much the whole day, so we had to get the snowblower out to clear the driveway when we got home so we could get the car back in the garage.
After some early season snowfall Solitude Mountain Resort opened last Friday, so Mark & I decided to use our Thursday's season pass to "stretch our legs" and see if we remembered how to glide down the white stuff. People have told me it's "like riding a bicycle" but I wasn't convinced that since I hadn't learned to do it when I was 5, that I wouldn't have lost some of the skill I had only so recently learned. We were both pleasantly surprised that we did seem to remember most of the technique (me skiing, Mark snowboarding). Although, I have to say that the fitness level needs a little work. My legs were rather wobbly after 3 hours!
On Friday afternoon Mark, Mark's brother David and I headed up to Solitude Mountain Resort for some fresh air, exercise and a game of disc golf. Solitude, a popular ski resort in the Winter attracts visitors through the Summer with hiking, mountain biking, dining and of course disc golf. For those of you unfamiliar with this game, disc golf is a lot like traditional golf, except players use specially made plastic flying discs (like "frisbees") instead of balls and clubs, and throw them for 'par' at an above-ground metal basket instead of a hole in the ground. There are different types of discs used for different throws - driving, mid-range and putting. There are over 1200 disc golf courses in the US. Most are in large public parks but several are located in ski resorts, where in Summer, the grassy ski runs make for natural fairways. Most courses are free to play. Mark and David played a lot of disc golf when they both lived in Texas, however the steep slopes at Solitude provided for quite a different challenge to what they are used to in the "flat lands" of Texas. We spent quite a bit of time looking for lost discs that drifted off course down the mountain into the trees!
We started at the pretty Solitude Village where a couple of mountain bikes were parked outside the popular pizza shop.
The course starts about 1,000ft above the village. I bought the "beginner package" which included discs and a lift ticket so I rode the Sunrise Lift to the top of the mountain. Mark and David (who have their own discs) decided to save their money and hike it to the top, leaving me sitting waiting for them for 30 minutes!
Here we are at the tee for Hole #1. You tee off from the large rubber pad aiming to throw the disc 300ft down the hill, avoiding the trees to the left and right (see pic below).
Can you see the basket at the bottom of the "fairway"? Neither could we!
Dave shows how to "drive" from the tee.
Here I am "putting" for the basket on Hole #8 - if you look closely you'll see my disc in the air.
Today was our last day at Solitude for this season. The resort closes this weekend, which is a shame since we've had sooo much late-season snow this year (76" this month and we're only 9 days into it!). We're still "learning" how to ski/board on ungroomed powder. It's quite a bit different to the normal groomed runs. It slows you down somewhat, but it's trickier not being able to see the bumps (or your feet)! As you can see we were nearly up to our knees in the stuff.
Mark & I have been skiing/snowboarding every week since Christmas - mostly at Solitude, using our custom season pass. On Thursdays Solitude really lives up to it's name. Early in the morning we practically have the slopes to ourselves, and never have to wait in a lift line! Today was what they call a "bluebird day" : "a beautiful sunny day after an overnight snowfall. It's a perfect skiing day with a clear blue sky, bright sun, and fresh snow."
This year we did something a little different on Christmas Day - we spent it out in the snow! With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday, it was the perfect opportunity for us to use our "custom season pass" at Solitude Mountain Resort, which allows us to ski/snowboard every Thursday. (Much cheaper than a full season pass). Mark's brother Ben joined us for the day. Here he is with Santa, who was handing out candy on the slopes!
After some early season snowfall Solitude Mountain Resort opened last Friday, so Mark & I decided to use our Thursday's season pass to "stretch our legs" and see if we remembered how to glide down the white stuff. People have told me it's "like riding a bicycle" but I wasn't convinced that since I hadn't learned to do it when I was 5, that I wouldn't have lost some of the skill I had only so recently learned. We were both pleasantly surprised that we did seem to remember most of the technique (me skiing, Mark snowboarding). Although, I have to say that the fitness level needs a little work. My legs were rather wobbly after 3 hours!
On Friday afternoon Mark, Mark's brother David and I headed up to Solitude Mountain Resort for some fresh air, exercise and a game of disc golf. Solitude, a popular ski resort in the Winter attracts visitors through the Summer with hiking, mountain biking, dining and of course disc golf. For those of you unfamiliar with this game, disc golf is a lot like traditional golf, except players use specially made plastic flying discs (like "frisbees") instead of balls and clubs, and throw them for 'par' at an above-ground metal basket instead of a hole in the ground. There are different types of discs used for different throws - driving, mid-range and putting. There are over 1200 disc golf courses in the US. Most are in large public parks but several are located in ski resorts, where in Summer, the grassy ski runs make for natural fairways. Most courses are free to play. Mark and David played a lot of disc golf when they both lived in Texas, however the steep slopes at Solitude provided for quite a different challenge to what they are used to in the "flat lands" of Texas. We spent quite a bit of time looking for lost discs that drifted off course down the mountain into the trees!
The course starts about 1,000ft above the village. I bought the "beginner package" which included discs and a lift ticket so I rode the Sunrise Lift to the top of the mountain. Mark and David (who have their own discs) decided to save their money and hike it to the top, leaving me sitting waiting for them for 30 minutes!
Here we are at the tee for Hole #1. You tee off from the large rubber pad aiming to throw the disc 300ft down the hill, avoiding the trees to the left and right (see pic below).
Can you see the basket at the bottom of the "fairway"? Neither could we!
Dave shows how to "drive" from the tee.
