the no-snow grumpies

It happens every year at this time so I'm not sure why it always takes me aback when it arrives; the no-snow grumpies.  September and October are filled with the anticipation of ski season, the promises to work on my leg strength more, the definite slow-down of spending as I eat out less so I can put more into my skiing fund, the planning of roadtrips to catch Kootenay or Colorado pow.

Photo credit: Jerrett Taylor

And then comes November.  November, when the first of the snow reports start coming in.  When the ski hills start to announce their daily progress and revised opening dates.  When your backcountry friends' photos start to show up on their Facebook pages.  


I can usually get in a day or two in November which makes me feel as though I'm starting the season out on a good foot.  But it seems that in December I falter as other things get in the way.  This year it's three company Christmas parties, three weekends in a row.  Trying to coordinate snow time with dress-up time in Victoria, Richmond and Parksville. Suddenly it seems easier to not ski those weekends, that it's just_too_much_of_a_hassle to drag along ski gear and coordinate driving and dinner times.


I'm not sure what irritates me more these days; the fact that I allow other things to take priority over ski-time, the friends who good naturedly give me shit for choosing to do other things besides skiing... or the fact that it matters to me less now.  

Photo credit: Jerrett Taylor

For the 2010-2011 season I've had my baptism with a casual yet incredibly enjoyable day skinning up Mount Washington before it opened.  Seems like I once again need to find a balance during the next month between my homebody, corporate and outdoor personas.