Where'd the snow go?

Riding Through The Fog

Into The Fog

Foggy Day On The Slopes

Shortly after we arrived in the mountains, the fog started rolling in. Wow, did that make snowboarding a challenge. I was nailed twice by folks who didn't see me due to the reduced visibility. The second time was by a fellow boarder going full speed - I can't remember the last time I got knocked on my back and heard all the air escaping as it got knocked out of my lungs.

Today, I was very thankful to be wearing a helmut!!


Going Up, On The Chair Lift



Snowboarding Down


Packing Up To Head Home

Jac Jac's Shoes

Only a crazy Californian would arrive at the slopes in beach shoes. Socks were a nice touch -eh?!

No fun allowed?!?

This is my favourite sign at Mountain High.



Translation - Playing in The Snow Is Not Permitted.

Ah, but isn't that the whole point of the trip...

Wanna Snowboard?!?

My neck is still recovering from my crash into the ocean floor - but I am getting itchy to strap myself to a board and zip down a snow covered mountain! Looks like snowboarding season is just around the corner...

Mountain High began its first snowmaking operations of the season late last night. Within a 10 hour window the snowmaking crew laid down several inches of new snow on four trails at the West Resort. An opening date has not been set, but long term forecasts are calling for possible natural snowfall beginning Sunday with potential for frequent Pacific storms and snow through mid-November.

We look forward to opening as soon as possible and being the first resort to open in Southern California for the 12th year in a row.

Look Before You Leap

My favourite rules from the Freestyle Terrain Park

#7 Never jump blindly. Look before you leap.

#11 Aerial somersaulting maneuvers are not recommended.

No Fun Allowed?!?

¡Pero, voy a las montañas para jugar en la nieve!

Hmmm, isn't that exactly why people make the trip from the beach to the mountains ... to go play in the snow!

For the non-spanish speakers ... a little translation.

no se	it is not
permite	permitted/allowed
jugar	to play
en la nieve	in the snow

Sunday's Adventure

After having such a good time last weekend- Jac and I decided to do an encore road trip this weekend. We figured that this may be our last opportunity this season to go play in the snow.

On the way up, we invented a new game to help pass the time. The name of our game ... Search For Sizzler ! I am proud to announce that I was the grand prize winner - having identified two brand new Sizzler restaurants! I offer you photographic evidence of my prowess...

Sizzler Sighting


This week we branched out and tried something new - the freestyle terrain park! The idea is you zip down the mountain and then use the hills on the terrain park to launch yourself. As you go flying through the air you congratulate yourself on being so cool. For me the challenge was to do controlled 'turns' around and skillfully avoid the terrain and getting launched. The first run I stalled and had to jump up and down and skooch from side to side to get going again. Jac on the other hand caught air, not once, but twice!!!

We were blessed with clear skies and the view from the top of the run was amazing. Here you are up in the cool mountain air surrounded by snow and pine trees - and then off in the distance is a gorgeous view of the desert.

View of Desert from the top of Ski Run at Mountain High

Got Snow?

I am heading up to the mountains again for a day of snowboarding and skiing!

To get in the groove -- here is a video of last week's trip.

Finally We Made It!

After two previous attempts being scuttled by weather - today we finally enjoyed a little road trip and day in the mountains snowboarding!

I was the pilot for today's trip



and Jac served as trusty co-pilot, official photographer and DJ! J- did a great job snapping photos to document our day. Including capturing the finer details such as this picture of our map with hand written directions!



This particular road trip is crazy! Two hours into the trip, you know you are almost there, but you are driving through the beautiful high dessert with these amazing cactus trees all around you. Sitting in your car, vent open in a short sleeved t-shirt - you can't help but start to question your sanity. Here I am in the midst of the desert - what in the world makes me think in 20 minutes from now I will be hurtling down a snow covered mountain on my snowboard?!?



Then, just when you least expect it, in the distance, beyond the cactus - a snow capped mountain appears.



Today, I finally decided that I am confident enough in my 'pro-bunny' status to seek out new and greater challenges. Ah, life beyond the bunny hill! J- and I took the lift way way way up to the top. Despite a few dramatic wipe-outs and one spectacular face plant - I had a blast. J- artfully navigated the hill on her skis and chuckled at the snowboarders sitting on the hill all around her.

Little sister Heather is the one who introduced me to snowboarding. She always helps me as a struggle on and off with my boots - I was missing her today! Hopefully, next year we will be hurtling down a mountain together in Colorado!



We were pretty pleased with ourselves by the end of the day. Tired - but stoked with all the fresh air and exercise and ready for a hearty dinner. On the way up J- had noticed a Sizzler. It was a childhood favourite of hers. Growing up in Canada, I have these weird cultural gaps that I am always anxious to fill in. So we set our sites on Sizzler for dinner. Fortunately for us, the I-15 corridor is Sizzler country!



On our return trip, we made a comic attempt at putting my iPod on shuffle. After a good laugh at my ecclectic mix of music - we put on some road trip tunes, found our groove, and bopped the rest of the way home.

Click here for the photo gallery of our snowboarding trip!

A "shout out" and special thanks to Minh for providing us with a steal of a deal on lift tickets.