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Anonymous
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This is an easy trek for me. Zoom! All Northway until Exit 30 and I'd have made it in 2hrs, 15mins if it weren't for the over-zealous Trooper who did a U-turn to give me a ticket. It's been about 20 years since my last ticket. This is in Keene. <BR> <BR>To look at Whiteface this Sunday one would not see any hints of spring. As I remember from my youth, the upper half was engulfed in clouds. These were good clouds though, parting with their snowflakes on this awe inspiring mountain. <BR> <BR>The Slides. I had looked on the map on the Website. Vaguely remember that side of the mountain from the few visits I made as a kid. Seems to me they were not there 30 years ago. (Any info on The Slides will be read intently.) My understanding is that they are rarely open. So, naturally I want to ski them! <BR> <BR>I got in the Gondola, and then skied down Excelsior to get onto the Summit Chair to get to The Slides. And there it was scribbled onto the chalk board "Slides closed due to avalanche danger" Shit! Noooooo! Riding up the Summit chair did not help either. The Slides looked delicious. The headwall was completely covered in snow that looked very deep. Looking at the entrance to The Slides at the Summit, one would never know they <BR>were open earlier this week. Not a trace of any human contact. <BR> <BR> Being on a real mountain today, I thought I would <BR>take a couple of Blues to warm up. As with MRG, Blue has a different meaning than Blue in the Berkshires. Great! Real skiing today! The Summit area is not groomed, and this is now inviting to me. (I've been practicing!) <BR> <BR>I take The Follies, and after a foot cramp/eat <BR>breakfast break I'm ready for the Blacks. (Or so I think.) Upper Northway got me dripping with sweat, but my skills in the bumps have improved noticeably so I endure. How could I return not having skied my youngest daughter's namesake trail; Mackenzie, and it was bumped up enough to knock me on my face! <BR> <BR>Mountain Run was where I noticed I am beginning to <BR>gain a lot more control in the bumps. This is sooo much better than groomed! (Did I just write that?) Now I'm getting cocky. I felt I have to try the 10th Mountain Division Glades, and I now have to ask, "How the hell does one ski these?" Awesome! <BR> <BR>I notice I'm paying more attention to skiing than <BR>trail names, but I can go back to the map for them later. I have no time for pictures either for which I'm a bit sad because there are some awesome shots. About 3:15 the sun is now brightly shining on the headwall above The Slides and it is a beautiful sight indeed! Ski! Ski! Ski! <BR> <BR>I am beyond satisfied. Without a doubt, the best skiing I've done in my life! Oddly, I feel if this is the last day on skis for this season I can accept it. I guess this is the day I've <BR>been searching for all this year!