"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Conditions: Powder/man-made
Weather: upper twenties and sunny
Gear: K2 Recon Riser snowboard

OK, ok. It may be a littler early for the kids to be jingle-belling, but that time will be here soon enough. No, right now it's time for the resorts to open!



Brighton kicked off the 2006-07 Utah ski season today opening two lifts at 9am. They added another lift (Crest) at noon. I headed up to make a few runs.

The snow wasn't too bad at all. Generally better where they had made snow, but you could still find a little powder off to the side. No complaints for this early in the season.


((My) first chair of the year.)

I'm betting most of the classrooms in SLC were empty today -- all the students were up on the hill! But I'm not gonna tell -- I probably shoulda been at work myself.

The snow guns were running all day along side the half-pipe and they were setting up even more. Hopefully they will have that open soon.



Keep your fingers crossed that we get more snow! Santa needs someplace to land his sleigh.

'til next time (Alta tomorrow),
- Jeff

Octoberfest 9/2

Not that you should need an excuse to go up to the mountains to relax. :) But Snowbird is hosting their annual Octoberfest. This is your chance to enjoy traditional German food (bratwurst, spatzle, apfelstrudel), music, and, of course, beer! Prost!


(The Snowbird tram takes guests up Hidden Peak.)

On your first trip through the beer line, be sure to buy a stein. Then on later visits (later that day or later in the year) bring back your stein for a cheaper refill. The pumkin beer is good, but the apricot hefeweizen is my favorite.


(Bill and Doug.)

Octoberfest continues weekends through October 8th. Check out http://www.snowbird.com/ for more details.

'til later,
- Jeff

Park City Marathon 8/26

On Saturday, a perfect (cool, damp) morning, I toed the line for the 10th annual Park City Marathon.

The beautiful course for this marathon starts at Trailside Elementary and makes a loop around the business park before coming back to the school and through Mountain Ranch Estates. It then heads up Old Ranch Road and along 224 crossing under at the white barn. There's a bit of a hill up Three Kings and Empire Avenue before dropping down and across the Town Bridge. From there you take the Rail Trail back to Promontory and finish where you started.


(Crossing Town Bridge, waving to Mom & Dad.)

I was lucky enough to have my parents join me as spectators. They provided much encouragement and most of the pictures you see. It was nice to have them out.


(Along the Rail Trail.)

As it was my first marathon in 15 years and only my second marathon ever, my primary goal was to finish. I figured if I could run ten-minute miles, I'd be happy. And if I broke 4 hours, I'd be quite pleased. Things were going well the first 18 miles and I was averaging about 9 minutes a mile. But the last 8, especially the last 6 kicked my butt. I made it to the finish and did so in 4:16, so I was happy. But there's room for improvement next year!


(The finish.)

For more on the race and to see race photos and results, click http://www.pcmarathon.com/

'til later,
- Jeff