Ski

Overnight groundhog excavation is the biggest problem. I hate those little f**kers.

Yeah, Missy, feel better fast...

Well, I guess I can ask. I just wouldn't want to blow my occasional free rides. But I have three extra sets of skis, so far, and should have a few more by the summer.

It's the closest thing to snow skiing by far. And, yeah, you are forced to carve; grass skis don't skid. I was hooked on them the first run I took. You really have to earn your turns, though. Blue squares seem a heckuva lot steeper when you hike up them.

One double, one J bar, and four trails. The Hideout Ski Hill makes Tanglwood seem like Vail. Funny, Atomic, but my time for the Hideout ski races are always about 17 seconds...about the same as BC. It's perfect for grass skiing, though. A gentle blue square is the ideal terrain. And they even cut the grass a few times for us. I tossed a few old pics in a gallery: http://www.paskiandride.com/forums/index.p..._album&album=40

I was on the phone with an Atomic rep a couple of years ago and mentioned what a hassle it was to lock them. I said they should have a hole big enough to thread a Kryptonite lock through on the heal release lever...he said to make my own hole. So if Jeff's skis fall apart, it's not actually my fault. But, yes, as I've tried to explain to Zonked, I am a genius.

Damn f*cking drill! Why ain't this working?

Let me know when/if you're 100% about tomorrow night, 'Mom, and I'll see about getting a sitter.

Oh, I called them about tonight for you, not me. Have you talked to the Stockli rep that races ASRA about them?

It's ON for sure at BC, tonight. The GM just wrote back.

It's ON for tonight at BC, according to the GM. Hope you find 'Dude, 'Mom. Ski fast! *********** Dear Mike Hunt, We will be holding Nastar this evening.

I emailed them at 11am...no word back.

Final standings in PA: 'Dude 36th overall among J1/2 men and Jamie was 10th among J1/2 women.

Ha! Well, there's always room for more of that.

Congrats to Jamie--who seems to only wander by the MB every once in a while--for a great season (that continues into the post-season for her) with 7th, 8th and 13th place finishes at PA Cup. Awesome year from start to finish for a VERY cool and VERY fast chick!

Adam and Danielle sittin' in a tree...

We were among 20 people skiing. Not packed. We kept laying first tracks.

All day/night: http://www.skimontage.com/Emailer/MarchMadness.html I assume tickets will just have a date, not a time.

Today was really strange, though. You could be flying along in a tuck and almost be pitched over your tips...and not from a pile of snow, but just the grabiness.

Only one hole on the entire mountain and it was at the base of Boomer today. But tons of snow. It was so warm, though, that it was like skiing in paste. Best place was down the left side of Cannonball in the shade. Half of Boomer is bumped with the softest possible moguls. As soon as it cools off, it should be great.

Dunno. I'm sure hoping that storm on Friday turns into a Nor'Easter. Montage has a habit of early closing.

Here's a list of camps: http://www.skiracing.com/academies/

Just FYI, all tickets from now to the end of the season are $15.

I'm sure 'Dude will be happy to give his input on Mt. Hood summer race camps. MHSSC was founded for racing, but also has a freestyle program. One session is just fine for the first year. They managed to keep my crazy daughter in line and she always had current World Cup racers from foreign nations as coaches in a low ratio. You haven't even begun to spend money...

And just think of the inspirational example you could set...what an amazing opportunity! Oh, well, grandmas are a good thing, too, and every family can use an extra one.