This weekend was my first weekend out riding in 20 months! Needless to say i was really excited about getting out on the mountain. Saturday I rode Vail, despite the seemingly lack of snow in and around town.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous and felt a bit like spring was coming. On the mountain we arrived casually in late mid-morning, just as the sun was starting to soften up the slopes. Surprisingly there was quite a bit of really soft packed-powder runs to be had with a little bit of navigation. My strategy is to always avoid lift lines by any means possible. Occasionally this lands me in the trees somewhere, and I am constantly discovering new terrain.

What I recommend in order to enjoy your day on the mountain is to drink lots of water and remember to apply sunscreen throughout the day. Also, don’t forget to bring your chap stick and a pair of goggles.   Ride at your own pace and listen to your body. Enjoy being in control on the mountain!  Bring some snacks along, granola bars are great, mixed nuts, anything that will keep you from starving. Taking some breaks throughout the day to warm up and stretch a bit is a good idea to make sure you’re ready to go the next day!