Day 1

The day that we've been waiting for has finally arrived. The million dollar question around town has been answered. And it couldn't have started any better. I'm talking about opening day at Blue Mountain! Bluebird skies, great conditions and a general buzz of excitement and anticipation added up to an epic first day on the slopes at the resort.
There is a feeling I get in the pit of my stomach as I approach the resort each year on opening day. It's kind of a mixture between the feeling you get on a first date with someone you're stoked on and the feeling of being on a rollercoaster, creeping to the top of the hill just before you plummet into some loop-de-loops! Each year I question whether I'll remember how to snowboard (still after 7 years!) much like you might on a first date, anticipating a first kiss. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face as I approached the hill, strapped into my board and loaded the chairlift like it was something I'd been doing since birth. After a successful chairlift load and unload at the top, I was feeling confident and pumped to shred some first tracks. Nearing the edge of the hill, I pointed my board downhill and went in for the kiss. In an instant, it all came back to me. With every turn, my smile grew wider and I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of joy! I'm reminded of why I live here. Why it's worth all the white-knuckled winter driving and shoveling the driveway. In this moment, it's just me and the wide open hill in a full-on embrace. I'm oblivious to other skiers and boarders around me as I find my rhythm and let my board do its thing. I connect with the snow, get closer and more comfortable as my edge grabs the slope. As I reach the bottom of the hill, I quickly snap back into reality, jump in line and do it all over again. This is my makeout session.
Today renewed an energy in me as I enter my third winter working at BMR. There are so many highlights to come, hills to be shredded and smiles to share. Here's to 09/10 at Blue Mountain!