Growing up I had a friend, Eddie, who we called the "Master of all Recoveries."  He got this nickname as a result of the bad things that always seemed to happen to him but from which he emerged unscathed.  His skiing, which is smooth and easy, is an example.  He could be skiing down something with no problems, and then you'd see him plowing an edge into a bump or something followed by a yard sale -- not a problem for the Master of all Recoveries.  One time he lost his keys skiing and it was the only way we could get into our accommodations.  I prepared to freak out at him but when we went to the next lift some guy was there asking if anyone had lost a bunch of keys.  You get the idea. 

Eddie called my teaching of skiing "learning through Intimidation."  My method was to follow him down the hardest runs we could find and scream at him "turn, turn." 

In any case, since the snow was a bit sparse this Thanksgiving, also known as “early season snow,” I began to think that Aspen and the other towns are also the Masters of Recovery.  The fact is; it seems as if the snow comes when you most need it and most resorts needed it.  Of course, there are few times I can remember when you don’t need snow, because it’s always useful (also known as “powder day”).

Today was the opportunity to show just how the resorts are the Masters of Recovery.  I walked up Aspen Mountain this morning through what I estimate is about two feet of new snow.  Wow.  Generally it would take about 1:20 going sort of easy; this was 1:45 going sort of hard.  The snow was knee deep right from the bottom of the mountain.  It was such a great day on the mountain that screams of excitement could be heard in all directions.  In fact, there was so much snow that it is a snow day here (no school) so every kid was out there for the first good powder day of the season. 

Here are some photos.