First Day of the Season

It had been raining in Spokane.  We knew that it had rained at the ski hill but we were hoping for soft snow.  Sunny skies were a plus too.  This is the parking lot at 49 degrees north!  Slick but we thought for sure the snow would soften up as the temperature rose.

We saw Jason and his family in the lodge before we started skiing.  I took several pictures of these two guys and Jason's eyes were closed every time.  So Mike did his usual craziness...

He grabbed Jason and said take this picture!  Well, Jason's eyes were open at least.  That is why we call him CRAZY MIKE.

 Oh Christmas tree oh Christmas tree.  Pretty tree in the lodge!

First time my skis touched the snow this season.  I was waiting for Mike trying to think of things to take pictures of.  Snow doesn't look too bad does it!

 Mike getting ready outside after getting partially ready inside!

 Taking a few more pictures.  A beautiful day isn't it!

 The 49 logo on the chair lift!

 We are finally on our way up the mountain!

A little narration as we ride the chair lift!

 Here are some kids learning to race!

Hmmm!  A little fog rolling in.  No one else up on the top.  At least not very many others!  Kind of nice.

 Hi Mike!

There are these big metal bells on the trees all over the place at 49.  This one is at the top of the mountain.  You can use it to measure how much snow there is.  Some years you have to reach down to ring the bell because there is so much snow.  The idea is to keep skiing, not run into the tree, and use your pole to ring the bell.  Now you have to reach up to ring it.  We need more snow!

We only took a few runs today.  The snow never did soften up.  The clouds rolled in the temperature didn't change much.  We took a run down one of the faces of the mountain, rode the chair lift up and headed for the same run and it was closed.  We assume because it was too icy and dangerous.  I really wanted to ski more but no need to injure myself on the first day up.  When we left everyone else seemed to be leaving too.  We had fun though.  Nice drive, a few runs, lunch and home early!  Let it snow!