Go West!

Though there is dispute about whether Horace Greeley, in his 1865 New York Tribune editorial, or someone before him first penned the words “go west young man," there is no doubt that it was good advice for skiers.  A popular elementary school chorus song may say it better:

Go West, young man.

Go West, young woman.

Go West, and seize the day!

Go West, young man. 

Go West, young woman.

Your dreams will guide the way!

a librarian must ski bookends!

I recently headed west with a bunch of senior skiers who had at least as much enthusiasm and as the "go west" lyrics suggest despite their age bracket.  Their dreams were of "the steeps" "the trees" "the groomers" "the bowls" and the hot tubs! Snowbird and Alta ski resorts in Utah revealed their very best western snow in the winter of 2017 and those of us who headed west to seize the powder days were not disappointed.  Nightlife at these valley resorts was not as vibrant as at resorts closer to town centers, but traveling with a group means you bring your own party wherever you go.  This particular New Haven, CT ski club never fails to supply a good après ski experience. 

 A unique feature of the Snowbird - Alta Mountains relationship is the Peruvian Tunnel, opened in 2005, that connects them.   A “magic carpet” was laid down after blasting through the rock just as the early miners who used to inhabit the area did.  The tunnel walls are lined with mining memorabilia that makes the 600 foot long journey a mobile history lesson…and perfect YouTube fodder.

Western skiing is all that writers say it is.  Long runs, great snow and a silence that exists because skis and boards are not scraping against ice as they dig in to carve turns.  It took a little getting used to, but I learned to adapt to the ease of skiing in the west!