Smuggler's Notch, VT 2/28/00

[Kor]

<I>(Note from the Administrator: This report was originally posted on 3/1/00. Due to our move to new servers, the date and time attributed to this post is incorrect.)</I> <BR> <BR>Before I arrived I had prepared myself for the worst. It already looked bad last Thursday! <BR> <BR>Surprisingly, conditions were better than I expected. As I passed Madonna 1 for the upper lot I could see that it wasn't running. As I rode the sterling lift I was surprised to see that it looked more like winter again. There were a few inches of fresh snow and beginning about half way to the top there was snow on the trees. Black Snake was in fair condition but crowded as there were only a few trail open. After several runs there I thought I saw Madonna 1 running so I went over to ski there. When I got over there I realized that I was mistaken and that it was the Madonna 2 lift that was running. I took one run on same. Most trails were in pretty sad condition so I only took one run. <BR> <BR>When I got back over on Sterling I decided to try Smuggler's Alley. It wasn't too bad except that most moguls were poorly shaped. The second run I was resting on the side of the trail near the top facing the woods when I heard a skier skiing past me. I looked over my shoulder and saw the first performance on skis to inspire me in a long time. I think the guy was an instructor trainer and he did the most beautiful dance down through those bumps that I was pretty much floundering on! One advantage that he had were very short skis but the guy was really excellent despite whatever advantage he had over me. I spent the rest of the day trying to emulate him with no success at all. I was having one of those bad days where turning on one side is very noticably worse than the other side. Things didn't click at all but it was great to be back on the slopes again!