This week I learnt that skiing on powder is far more fun than skiing on slush. I have also discovered that it is in my best interests to cover the whole of my face when skiing from 10,000 to 6,500ft because the wind and cold lend one’s face the frostbitten Antarctic explorer look.
We spent four of the last seven days skiing in the mountains to the south of Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border. Mid to late March is peak ski season thanks to alternating waves of snow and sunshine. Some days it would snow during the evening and the next morning would greet us with bright sunshine and six inches of clean fresh snow to ski. The views from the top of the mountain are awesome, but almost impossible to do justice to with a little digital snappycam.
We were accompanied on this trip by Duncan, my biological father, who displayed an uncanny knack for finding good places to dine. The best of the bunch was a restaurant called Mirabelle, run by a real live authentic French chef who cooks divine soufflés and then wanders out of the kitchen to make sure he has a room full of happy diners. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the best restaurant in Nevada. Merci Beaucoup, Papa!
27/03/2006
Good stuff! I still have never been skiing, it´s something I feel I should try.
02/04/2006
on the subject of extreme weather holidays:
people, it’s big chill booking time… who’s gonna be here?
04/04/2006
Ros — I’d be up for it, certainly. Come on, guys; anyone else?
05/04/2006
Not us, probably.
I’ve always found the concept of skiing rather sinister. Not sure why.
08/04/2006
I’d really like to but I’m not at all sure my finances will stretch to it this year. [Adopts a parent-like tone] We’ll see.
08/04/2006
Likewise. James and I are in the same boat here – except of course that my Big Chill costs are augmented by plane fare too. We’ll see.
13/04/2006
Brrrr. We got enough snow to make snow men and snow angels this winter. Cool :)