Friday afternoon ski

The mountain was actually very nice in that the wind was low today...at least on the Nordic side. I had a great skate ski and feel ready for a night on the town. WOOHOO

If you're in the market for a nice hardtail bike frame I have one you can buy.

Team Brunch & Ski

I'm racing for Webcyclery again this year and the team had a big brunch this morning before we went skiing. Some went up to Bachelor, but a small group of us decided that since it was sunny in town and we had so much snow that we would just ski out in the Phil's trail complex. So glad we made that choice because it was awesome. We parked just off Skyliners by Summit High and skied out past the chicken (locals will know what that is). We detoured up the ridge so we could bomb back down it and then proceeded back. It was a bit over 2 hours with a picture stop or too, and a couple snowball fights. Enjoy the pictures.

Elise on a little huck session. It might only be about 5' but remember...we're on xc skis!



Of course, Pearl had to follow.




Part of the team gathered at "the chicken"



A giant Tetherow house...yes, that's one house.

Snowing hard

I just got back from cross country skiing - it's snowing really hard outside and accumulating fast. It's wet, heavy snow but we still enjoyed ourselves. I like to get as early start as possible so I held out as late as I could manage and woke Derek up at 8 so we could get going.

We skied out to Tumalo Falls and then continued on above the falls along North Fork. It was really tough going since the snow was so deep and heavy. The falls looked really cool with the ice alongside the flow.

180 difference

What the? After my fabulous bike ride on Saturday, I woke up to fresh snow on the ground Sunday. When it snows I ski! It was snowing and pretty much socked in around town but partly clear skies at Bachelor and sunny.




We knocked out a couple loops and then stood basking in the sun while we watched people skiing down the cone. Sadly, I then had to watch the Chargers lose. Booooooo.

Night Ski & Snowshoe

I've been skate or classic skiing at least one night a week somewhere and last night it was Meisner. The sunset was phenomenal



I skated for a little over and hour and then swapped out the skis for my snowshoes and joined a group of the Bend Bella Cyclists for a night snowshoe. We had a big turnout with something like 18 women! We split into two groups and off we went. It was a beautiful clear starry night and we had a lot of fun. If you want to try something outdoorsy but don't want to spend the time, energy, and money on equipment and learning, snowshoes are for you. It's an easy way to experience nature...as long as you know how to walk!

Have a great day.

I've always wanted to cross country ski from Skyliners SnoPark up the ridge to Swede Shelter and I thought yesterday would be the day. I've been hesitant in the past because the route isn't marked and when the weather is bad you can't tell one ridge from another and everything looks alike. I've ridden that trail at least 100 times on my mountain bike, but it looks so different with 7 feet of snow. I had to at least try it though. It ended up snowing really hard the whole time we were up there and we had to turn back after about 2.5 hours. It was just taking so long because I was breaking trail the whole way. Still, it was fun and good to get off on our own. By the end of the winter we will do it. It's my goal.

Space Coaster

Shazam! Skate skiing last night was fast! The trails were all hard packed snow and it had probably melted a bit in the afternoon and then refroze so it was a bit icy. Night skiing is kind of spooky at times. Standing there in the darkness with just a halo of soft light shining in front of me, I look around. I can't see very far so everything I can see, I study. As I head out Tangent loop and then make the sharp left and head up heartbreak hill, I struggle to keep a smooth motion...arms tight in, elbows bent, smooth. It's like an elegant dance only instead of a glamorous bright red backless dress with shiny sequins, I'm in technical materials that wick and dry. Instead of having my hair done up in curls, I'm wearing a beanie that covers my ears. No music is swirling around me, all I hear is the sound of skis scraping ice and my poles sticking in the snow. I rocket down the backside and scare myself silly as I have one hell of a time keeping it under control at high speeds with icy turns. Ahhhhh, life is good.

Another powder day

Yesterday we faced a tough day of skate skiing at the Nordic Center. They may have groomed first thing in the morning but at just before 10 when we set out, the trails were new over groomed...about 2" new. That just isn't conducive to skate skiing but we made the best of it and skied out Easy Back and around the range loop and then did Zig Zag and Woody's Way. I finished the day really tired and worn out. I wish that Michael Keep was still the manager of the Nordic Center. He always did an awesome job of regrooming throughout the day. I miss him.

Whew

I'm tired after all this skiing. Saturday was skate skiing, Sunday was classic skiing and Christmas morning I got up early and headed up to Mt. Bachelor for another day of skate. It was sunny with blue skies but still fairly cold out. The grooming was fresh and it was nice after my last day out was a giant powder day. I had the trails basically to myself and took my time and skied every intermediate trail at the Nordic Center.

Today after checking the snow report for Bachelor and seeing they had over 7" of new snow, we headed to Meissner SnoPark for a great day of classic cross country. It was partly sunny and cold when we headed out - one of the few cars in the lot. They had gotten just as much new snow and after a short time out the grooming ended for the loop I wanted to do. So, with snow almost up to my knees, we forged ahead. It was slow going through all the powder but I muscled it out and was rewarded with great weather and fun skiing. Since it was Wednesday I figured we HAD to ski this trail.

Too much powder

That's right, you read it correctly. There was too much powder at the mtn today and it made skate skiing very difficult. After a late night on the town (mostly The Summit Saloon and Stage), we slept in before scooting out the door to get in some fun. I'm not sure if they even groomed the Nordic trails this morning. Obviously I should have brought up the classic skis, but I didn't. Tomorrow I think we'll do some classic instead. Still, it was fun to get out in the fresh air and we managed to get about 18 km of skiing in.

It was more fun than these guys probably had.

Night Ski

After work I headed up to the mountains with some friends. We were going to ski out of the Swampy Snopark but the road into the lot hadn't been plowed in some time and there looked to be somewhere around 1.5-2 feet of snow on the ground. We opted to not risk getting the car stuck and turned around to go to Meisner. The conditions at Meisner were lovely...lots of powder on the trails - knee deep in places. Light and dry snow everywhere and it was coming down heavily as we skied. We took turns breaking trail the whole night and did a great 2 hour loop that left me hot and tired. Great night to ski!

Get outside and enjoy winter!

Sunday's Ski

Went skate skiing again yesterday. It was really windy up at the mountain but once we got down into the lower trails we were sheltered nicely. The conditions weren't great - really slow snow, but of course I still had fun. It was an extra workout trying to keep the smooth gliding motion. Some of the snow coverage on the lower trails is a bit spotty and some of the short hills are really steep. I doubt this will show how really steep it was, but trust me.





Going back up "the screamer" which is the giant hill you have to ascend to get back to the Nordic Lodge, the wind kicked up. The lady in front of me blew over so I put my head down and leaned into each pushoff a little more. Skate skiing is all about rhythm and smooth motions.

I have a cookie exchange to go to Tuesday night so I dedicated Sunday afternoon to baking cookies. YUM!

Ski, Tree, and Summit Saloon

Yesterday was a busy day! As planned, we headed up for our first skate ski of the year. The coverage was decent from the Nordic Center out to the oval, around Easy Back, and Woody's Way. Enough to warm up, refigure out the V1 and V2, get some flow, and enjoy the snow.



Derek screwing around. Sure, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.



*Nobody got hurt in this instance.

In true honor of The Christmas Story...




Then we changed over to snowshoes and hiked around looking for "the perfect tree". The perfect tree is a true challenge...especially if you aren't buying it from a tree farm. We crisscrossed the forest pointing out different trees, comparing qualities and continuously pointing further up at a tree we thought was better. At what point do you call it a day and just settle for something less perfect? We finally decided on one. It's taller then what we set out to get. It measured in at almost 11.5 feet tall and very full, but hey, that's what we have vaulted ceilings for right? It has some bare spots but we love it.





Then we were off to the soft opening of The Summit Saloon and Stage. It's open to the public starting Tuesday at 11:00 but we got the sneak peak. It's very open and inviting inside and they have added a giant flat screen tv above the bar downstairs. The upstairs is large and will be great for music venues. Last night John (one of th e owners), played with his band, and then Rhyme & Reason played as well. There is a full bar and they have some great shots on the drink menu, including the Drake Park Duck Fart. hahahahah The list of beers on tap is extensive and I chose the Rogue Red, Full Sail's Amber, and Deschutes' Hop Trip. Some of my favorite appetizers were the basil pesto dip served with bread, and the jalapeno artichoke dip served with tortilla chips. Though, I will obviously be going back for all the things I missed. The menu is made up of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and then entrees like Sheppard's Pie, Fish and Chips, and pasta. Derek had a roast beef sandwich served open face with gravy on top, and I had the Fish & Chips. Both tasty. Can you tell I'm really excited about this place?

To the mountains

We skate skied Saturday but decided on an adventure Sunday. We had snowshoed out to Todd Lake before, and xc skied out there once, but we put together a good sized loop starting from Bachelor, going out to Todd Lake, up the Todd Ridge through a series of uphill switchbacks and traverses, then down the backside into the meadow and around. It looked like only one person had been the way we went because there was only one set of tracks past the lake and up the ridge. It was tough going. Then at the top, those tracks just ended. So route finding down the backside was up to us which was no big deal because it was such a clear day and you could get your bearings by always looking around. We had a great time and are still slowly getting better at the backcountry stuff. It took us almost 3 hours and we probably went 8 or 9 miles.

Broken Top from the East side of Lake Todd


MT Bachelor looms.



Another picture of Broken Top. The lake was completely snowed and frozen over of course.

Winter Play

ODOT closed the road to the mountain Saturday morning because of extreme weather and from the looks of Bachelor's website with the total white out and strong winds, it would have sucked to skate ski. Instead we went classic skiing up by the falls. We followed the wide path out to the falls then opted for a more adventurous woodsy ski back. Trail breaking wasn't too bad except for the narrow stream crossings where extreme care had to be taken to not fall in. We are slowly getting better at the non-groomed xc trails and actually have some semblance of control at times! It started out a very snowy dark day but after a few hours the sun was out, the skies were clearing and it was beautiful.






Finally back on a "main" trail.

Weekend musings

I rode home Friday after work and Derek informed me that my sister had her baby! So I'm an aunt again. Welcome aboard Cameron Jacob! I hope to get a picture of him soon.

Saturday we went skate skiing in COLD temps. It was in the low teens up at the mountain. Brrrrr. I sure wish they would bring back the little fire tub they used to have down by the lower trails. It was nice to stop and thaw my hands out there.



Saturday night was Candy Canetinis, yes, that's right. Rumplemintz, vodka, and a candy cane. We were at a party for a friends' birthday and it was good to see everyone together.

Sunday was even colder at the mountain. 4 degrees supposedly. The snow was wet and slow but fun nevertheless. We added a loop around Rich's Range. It was always intimidating last year because it is VERY rolly and twisty and it was our first year skate skiing.

Hill Intervals anyone?