What to remember for your next ski trip?

Have you ever…
During the early season, or your first trip of the season have you forgot a piece of equipment or clothing. It seems every year it is something. Oh yeah, where did I put my gloves? hat? goggles? poles? hmm. This year it was my hat, and my season pass. On the second day of skiing, I remembered the hat, but my pass was hanged neatly at home. Sheesh. This is especially frustrating after you get the perfect parking space, get you boots on, and start walking toward the lifts. Dang, THE PASS… uggg.

So now after I told you of my personal issues, you may ask yourself, “why should I listen to this guy”. Well, I used to forget more, and I am better now. Also, if you were to pick up my instructor jacket you may be amazed at the weight. Lip balm, sunblock, cell phone, space pen, class list, neckgator, camera, ipod, trail maps, canting shims, accident forms, snacks, sometimes lunch, etc… You get the picture. A good instructor is always prepared.
So here are some ideas to get ready for your first ski day of the year.
Make a “clothing man”. Have some fun with this. The night before (or week), dress an imaginary person on the bed. Jackets, vests, softshells, pants, hat, gloves, socks, gloves, long underwear, boots, goggles, glasses, and neckgator. Perhaps even put your skis and poles next to everything. In the pockets of your jacket, put your sunblock, lip balm, and SKI PASS or ticket. Then lay your next outfit on top of the previous one. You may not need an extra jacket or pants, but please have extra socks! BTW, long thin socks are the best. Thick socks or two pair make your feet sweat, freeze, and fall off. Not a pretty sight.
Just for fun. We will not be doing ANY of this on your next trip. There were no animals harmed in the making of this video.

Once you have your clothing sorted, your ready to pack. Not as much fun as making clothing man, but your one step closer to the hill.
The night before your first day, lay out clothing man for the upcoming day. (once you have a few days under your belt, you will remember what you need.)
Regardless of weather conditions, wear your sunscreen. It will protect you from the rays, but it will also moisturize your ski from the dryness found in the mountains. Especially in Summit County (humidity around 12%).
Try to stretch in the morning, gentle stretches. I now like walk for 10 minutes before I reach the locker room.
Go through a small mental rehearsal like I am skating up to the lift line. “Ok, I am pushing with POLES, my hands are warm because I am wearing my GLOVES, my head is warm because of my HAT, and now I am scanning my PASS!!!

My first run or perhaps the first hour, I am not thinking of technique. Rather, I am thinking “How incredible to be sliding again”. Listen to the wind and the skis on snow. See the texture of the snow, and the scenery. Feel pressure build and release in your joints, along the base of your foot, and the skis on the snow.
Ah, welcome back to the coolest sport on earth.
Jon
p.s. I will be adding to this post and I continue to remember stuff.
p.p.s. here is the address for your Colorado/Buddy pass http://www.snow.com/passsales/