Spring Blooms at Killington and Pico

 
The bra tree at the Killington Ski Area was in full bloom Saturday.
In fact, the annual blossoms seem to have sprouted more than the traditional bras this year.
The tree is an annual ritual of spring while riding up the Skye Peak Express Quad at Bear Mountain.
I was photographing a story at the Stash at Bear Mountain and needed to drag my wounded knee up to Killington's unique terrain park.
I sprained by knee a month ago and haven't written my blog since.
My web guy wanted to take my ski blog down for the summer, but I told him the best skiing was yet to come.
And it arrived on Saturday and Sunday.
The snow was still fabulous for this time of year. A tiny bit slushy, but fat skis and snowboards of today are made for this kind of snow.
And the deck scene at Bear Mountain Saturday was priceless. It wasn't the huge party of last weekend when thousands of people had the time of their lives partying in the sunshine to moe. in face of Outer Limits.
On Saturday, Killington employees wearing cheeseburger smiles served food to skiers and snowboarders at the huge outdoor barbeque at Bear Mountain. It was 75 degrees and not a coat in the county.
An hour-glass shaped woman wearing spandex ski pants with long brunette hair slowly moved and danced to music streaming from outdoor speakers. (I can't make this up. I am a journalist).
I tried to eat my hamburger, but the sun and heat were getting to me.
I decided to go to Pico Saturday afternoon where the ski area was closing the next day.
Actually, my physical therapist recommended golf over skiing this weekend.
But if Saturday and Sunday are the last two days I ski this year, it was worth it.
KA was excellent, so was the Pike. Could this really be Pico's last weekend of the year? And Vermont did not get much natural snow this year.
Yes, Killington did a great job making snow at Pico this year. Thanks. Also, thanks to PR Giant Tom Horrocks who I saw slaving away Saturday morning on the Bear Mountain deck.
Later Saturday afternoon was perfect for a happy-hour barbecue on the deck of the Pico Peak Ski Area where I am a member.
About ten families with kids played in the snow, venison roasted on the grill and beer chilled in the coolers.
The next day, Sunday, was all about business. There weren't many people at Pico and my knee was swelling up.
But Americans are about statistics for some reason.
First birthdays, first steps, first pitch, final game.
Well in skiing, it's who's up the chair first in the season and who's the last one down.
I can honestly say I was last "civilian" down the Pike at Pico this season.

I road up with the "last chair" sign at 4:01 on Sunday. At top of Pico, stood a group of about 20 excited skiers and snowboarders, young and old, ready to take the last run down the hill.
They headed down Summit Glades in a swarm, whooping and hollering. A ski patroller followed to scoop up anyone that might fall.
I decided to go down the Pike - one of the greatest views from a ski trail in Vermont. No one followed. Skiing under the chair was eerie. No people. No moving chairs. Just Warren Zevon.
"And his hair was perfect.
Ahhwooooo... Werewolves of London, Huh! Draw blood!
Ahhwooooo... Werewolves of London..."
I looked back at the long white trail topped by a perfect blue sky.
Goodnight "Giant Killer," goodnight "KA," goodnight "Summit Glades." See you next year.

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE, PHOTOS BY VYTO STARINSKAS)

Comments

[Diane]

I can't believe Ski season is over! It's APril! maybe one more day?