Living Vicariously…

Lars & Silas take 1st and 3rd in Crested Butte

I have become a master of living vicariously though other people’s joy. With my torn ACL I haven’t been able to ski since January. I missed the Ground Hog’s Day storm and all the snow we’ve had since and I can report that there are no friends in the bar on a powder day.

Ok. That’s a total lie. There are tons of friends in the bar on a powder day and they are all frothing over more than their beers about how good the skiing is. And for as much as I would rather be the one telling fish stories about my powder turns, I have learned to take a deep breath and channel my inner Zen master and hear Chatty Cathy’s epic adventure as if it were one of my own. *Om*

But this weekend I wasn’t the only person searching for silver linings in the bar. Those who endured reported pleasant-enough skiing conditions and said we’re just being spoiled babies. But the Pub became a beacon of consistency in a sea of Lift Operation Turmoil. The Sunnyside Double was down. And then it was up again. And then down again. And then the Single went on wind-hold. And then it was up again. And then it was down again. Thank Ullr we had such a great line-up of music in the pub to take us away to our happy place!

Mr. Mischief was a-ma-zing as usual on Friday. The Starline Rhythm Boys were as delightfully twangy as ever on Saturday and then the Gulch busted out some fantastic tunes on Sunday. Outside, things seemed somewhat bleak and depressing. But inside, the fire was warm, the beer was flowing and the music was exactly what the doctor ordered. If only all less-than-epic days could at least end like this, the world would be a much better place!

Meanwhile, as we all sat around drinking beers and and eating fries in the pub, 2000 miles away the Green Mountain Freeride guys stole the show at the US Extremes in Crested Butte. Mad River Glen turns out to be home to four of the top ten finishers including all of the podium! Lars and Silas Chickering-Ayers, sons of our Ski Patrol Director John Ayers, took home first and third respectively. Tom Runcie, son of MRG Shareholders Chris and Jim Runcie, took second and  Dylan Crossman, former ski patroller, took ninth.Clearly they skied enough for all of us this weekend! To live vicariously through them check out these Facebook links: GMF, MRG, FSWT.

So with the weekend over and Presidents’ Week ahead, I’m happy to report that we got 2-3 inches last night which should spruce things up a bit on the hill. Plus, our hard working team of lift-fixer guys have got our beloved Sunny D spinning again so now our mountain is back to 100% open! There is snow, sun and fun in the forecast and soon there will be less need to wrap yourself up in the Green Mountain Freeride flag or to drift away to the music, although both of those things are still recommended for the fun of it. The GMF boys are headed to Kirkwood this week with plans of continued domination, and local favorites the grift will be rocking here in the pub on Saturday! Plus there’s always something fun going on during the week like Word of the Day Wednesday, Fondue Thursday and Freeheel Friday! So come to the mountain prepared to have a great time because while you’re out there ripping it up, I might still need someone to live vicariously through… *Om*