Until Next Season

So Long, Snow

By Carson Bennett, 4-08-08

	Dropping In One Last Time

It’s only the first week of April in Albuquerque, but the temperature is already in the sixties and seventies. The trees have already budded and blossomed; my street is suddenly green again. Last week I planted an herb garden. The sun is bright, the days are warm.

I already miss skiing.

I took my trusty planks in to the shop for one final wax and tune, ensuring that they’re ready to go as soon as the first flakes fly next year, and leaned them in the back corner of my ginormous gear closet. I rotated my backpacking and rock climbing gear to the front, tucking my gloves, boots, and poles in the back. It’s time once again to switch sports. To say goodbye to another incredible season of sliding down mountains at ridiculous speeds, and begin climbing back up them with measured steps.

It’s true, the season isn’t officially over yet. Not everywhere at least. It’s still snowing in the Colorado Rockies, and I’ve heard rumors that Arapahoe Basin will be open until the fourth of July. For those of you in the high country, your season will still be open for a while. But for me, I’m done. I’m bowing out. Yesterday, Taos and Durango closed their lifts for the season. The snow (all ten feet) is slowly beginning to melt. The rivers are swelling with spring runoff already, and rafting season is just around the corner.

I’ve gotten a good number of days in this year, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t want to get too sentimental here, but this was a season to remember. I explored ski areas I knew little about, and wired my favorite runs on the mountains I frequent. I met a lot of fantastic people, spent many days with old friends, enjoyed a lot of deep powder and vast ridge-top views, took some lessons, became a better skier, drank a lot of Colorado microbrews, ate a lot of New Mexico chile, and overall came to know my little region of the world better. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Having fun with friends while enjoying the natural beauty of the places where we live and play.

So, I’ll sign off for now. Thank you all for reading the Snowblog, and for all of your comments. Go enjoy the end of the season. I look forward to chasing the snow with you all again next year. 

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