Tag: Skiing

Skiing the Melt in Park City

April 13, 2023

I arrived in Park City last Friday, April 7th.
When I made the reservation, I was really, really hoping that there would still be snow. My two previous visits to the area were in the summer, another great time to be here. It’s a hiking and biking haven.


But Park City is also the home of the 2002 Winter Olympics. In the summer, I have watched the skiers jump into the pool at Utah Olympic Park. I’ve imagined skiers on the snowless summer slopes. And I could see myself gliding on my cross-country skis across the fields and along the trails.

I had to return to see that beautiful white blanket covering the mountains and valleys.

White Pine Nordic

Last summer, I added “Park City in the Snow” to my bucket list.
With this season’s record snowfall, I got lucky. Sometime in March, I read that the ski resorts would stay open through April 23rd.
Since I was coming solo, I decided to leave my alpine ski gear in the storage unit. You might think that’s crazy. Why would I come to a World-class ski resort and not hit the slopes?

I’m a much better cross-country skier. Honestly, it’s dangerous to downhill ski solo, especially on an unfamiliar mountain. (Maybe I have become slightly more cautious after falling off a horse last summer.)

White Pine Nordic


I skied four out of six days during my visit. Temperatures have been reaching the 50s and 60s, so skiing has been best in the mornings. It gets too slushy in the afternoon.

Skiing the Farm Loop


Yesterday was my best day of skiing. I drove out to Round Valley, which has an extensive network of trails. It’s also an off-leash dog area. What could be better than skiing with happy canines romping through the snow? Sure, they mess up the tracks a bit, but I got out early in the morning, and the conditions were good.

Round Valley
Round Valley: Mountains in every direction!


Today was another story. Temperatures dropped overnight. It was hovering around freezing this morning with light snowfall. Good ski conditions, right? It would have been great except for the 10-20 mph winds. And then there were gusts up to 30.
As the eternal optimist, I bundled up and returned to Round Valley.


It was a different world a day later. I felt like I was on an expedition to the North Pole, fighting the wind and sliding backward in the icy tracks.
Then I would get a reprieve from the wind, enough to keep me going.
When I decided to turn around, I experienced the bliss of the wind pushing me in the tracks. What fun! Suddenly, the initial effort was paying off.
Then, I reached the open field near the parking lot. The track had a barely noticeable downhill slope. It would be the perfect ride back to my car.
Clearly, one of those 30 mph gusts hit my back at just the right time. I was speeding around a curve, initially gleeful but quickly becoming fearful. The wind pushed me out of the tracks and onto the open field. There was no choice but to intentionally crash because it was going to happen anyway.
Luckily the snow was relatively soft, and I landed safely. I chose to take off my skis and walk the rest of the way to the car. Why push my luck?
It was a memorable way to end this year’s ski season.

Travel Days and Me Time

April 7, 2023

Yesterday was a travel day with some fun mixed in.
I left my cousin’s place in the morning. Well, we actually went together, each taking our own car. The first stop was a bakery in Hamilton, Montana, that offered several gluten-free items. (River Rising—I highly recommend it if you are in the Bitterroot Valley!)
We then traveled south to Lost Trail Pass and the Chief Joseph Nordic Ski area. The trail grooming ended last weekend, and about two feet of snow fell after. So, there was plenty of snow, but those sweet smooth tracks were lacking. It was a bit of work, but the glorious sunny day made it worth the effort.


We got four challenging miles in, and both felt satisfied with the workout.
Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to my cousin, but we had new memories to share from our visit.
I then took off on my own, heading south as she headed north to go home.
My favorite part of traveling is hitting a new road for the first time. The drive south along Highway 93 was snowy and scenic. Then I took a left turn at the town of Salmon to head southeast to Idaho Falls.
Chunks of snow lay along the sides of the Salmon River as the spring thaw was in full force. Looking back this morning, I wish I had stopped for more pictures. It was a long day of travel, and I had one more pass to conquer.

Snow melting along the Salmon River


The road was mostly clear and dry until I reached a section where the wind picked up, and the snow was blowing across the highway. In the distance, the soft snow-covered peaks continued as I drove.
I finally arrived in Idaho Falls around 5:00 PM. I was starving and more than ready for a shower.
I splurged and ordered an Uber Eats delivery which ended in disaster. My enchiladas arrived wrapped in flour tortillas, and the rice and beans were lacking. The kind young man at the front desk had received the order for me, so I was not able to check the order myself.
This starving gluten-free girl had to find somewhere else to eat.
I got online and found another Mexican place about a mile away. Don Alberto served up massive quantities at reasonable prices. I had enough left over for lunch today.

Don Alberto in Idaho Falls. The two carnitas tacos were enough for dinner!


All’s well that ends well. I caught up with a good friend and enjoyed a little reading and TV time. (Silly as it may seem, I am a nomad who loves HGTV.)
Last night was my first alone in a hotel since leaving “home” almost two weeks ago. Don’t get me wrong—I love visiting friends and family—but it is nice to have my own space.
Now I will be on my own for about three weeks, and I will be trying out some more extended stays. Travel is my life, so I plan to slow down a bit.
I will arrive in Park City, Utah, for a week-long stay tonight. I hope to catch the last of the spring snow and get out for more cross-country skiing. I’m also due for some pampering time—a pedicure and a haircut are in order. Maybe a massage.
Here’s to some Me Time!

Early Spring in Montana’s Flathead Valley

April 3, 2023

Last week, I headed east across Washington State, visiting friends along the way. The great spring road trip has begun!
A few days ago, I arrived in Montana’s Flathead Valley, one of my favorite places in the country. I first passed through in the 1990s. Flathead Lake captivated me then and still does today.

The first view of Flathead Lake!


I had to pull over to take it in as I approached the lake. It literally brings tears to my eyes every time I return. This time, the frozen shores of early spring added a dimension to its beauty.

Frozen shores of Flathead Lake in Somers, Montana


The past few days have been filled with outdoor activities as I captured the end of the long, snowy season here.
No matter the time of year, I’m always happy to return to visit friends and enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Skiing at Whitefish Mountain Nordic
Hiking the cross-country ski trail at Dog Creek Nordic Center. They let us hike the Black Diamond run since some of the snow had melted on parts of the trail.
Dog Creek