RidgeRacer

Oh I agree DeBlassio screwed up. As did the NYC top health officials, as did Cuomo, as did Trump, as did the Republican governors of AZ, Georgia, FL, etc. as did mayors of major cities...the list goes on. The long list of screw ups from leaders across the country is 100% bi-partisan. What I have a problem with is people (not directed at you) thinking their guy or gal did everything right while the other guy or gal did everything wrong depending on the letter behind their name. Not enough people are honest enough to admit that the person they voted for made mistakes. My 2 cents here...but on a Federal level, the 30 / 90 days to stop the spread, daily news conferences, sending hospital boats etc. was all good. Then it all seemed to be forgotten about...no more daily briefings, a pointless rally in Tulsa, Fauci sucks, no setting an example by wearing a mask etc. and numbers surged in tandem. Threatening to pull funding from schools that don't open was absolutely mind boggling (as an FYI more kids have covid now than ever before). What I respect about Doug is that he's saying yeah the guy I supported is doing a bad job. I'm fairly certain that I know Jeff's political leanings as well and he, too, appears to be seeing things through a common sense lens as opposed to a partisan one. As opposed to being a "sell out" I find that commendable.

I was thinking Montage & Elk midweek...no doubt.

Just go to quieter ski areas.

TP4 I respect your opinions but do you think it was smart to threaten to withhold funding for schools that refuse to put kids in harm's way? I can tell you, first hand, that that scared the shit out of concerned families who simply aren't ready to send their kids back to school just yet...he actually made that statement (threat) at the height of the pandemic too which is mind boggling to me. The schools should provide the option for online learning for parents who don't feel comfortable sending their kids back...not be forced to open, putting kids at risk, and leaving parents with no alternative.

Yep. I remember Barb, Dan and I were talking about this in Crested Butte... whether we would see a post 911 unification type of thing happen and at the time (back in March) I really thought we would. Who would've thought that asking (not even mandating...simply suggesting) people to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of a highly contagious virus, thereby saving lives would be deemed by some as a violation of civil liberties? Who also would've thought that halting travel from foreign countries in which said virus originated from would be deemed racist as opposed to a preventative measure? I don't know that any of this finger pointing, blame game, score political points nonsense occurred in places like New Zealand, Iceland, Italy etc. I truly think people did the right thing in these places not from a selfish point of view, but for the greater good of people everywhere. This is where IMO we failed as evidenced by the current data.

Amazing how COVID 19...a worldwide pandemic, became political. Remember when people used to come together during difficult times?

Very good point

Passholders use the 6 pack only. Day ticket purchases, groups (limited) use the quad only (or vice versa).

A good read here. Season Pass holders only at Blue would be incredible. It would never happen but one can dream. Automatic sanitization in gondolas seems cool too. https://snowbrains.com/what-will-skiing-look-like-in-the-2020-21-covid19-season/ In other countries that have coped better with COVID19, ski resorts have reopened for the season and are setting the example for what to expect when we finally get back on the slopes. Major resorts in Australia and New Zealand have been the first to prepare to reopen, but with significant restrictions to their operations. One of the most significant changes is that many resorts such as Perisher, Coronet Peak, Mt. Hudd, and the Remarkables, have limited their number of guests by only allowing season pass holders or resort members to ski; same-day tickets are not available. In addition and as expected, chairlifts and gondolas can only be shared by members of the same household, or if they are large enough to seat people 6ft apart. Of course, significant sanitization policies are also in place and food options are limited and often only available to takeout. Many new technologies are being tested in an attempt to advance the reopening process, including thermal cameras being used to check people’s temperatures in Chamonix, France, an automated system to sanitize gondolas in between rides, and trackable lift passes used in New Zealand to trace possible exposure to the virus between guests. With resorts being forced to operate at 50% or even 25% capacity, it is likely that we will see even more new systems being used in the coming months in an attempt to safely allow more people back on the slopes for the 2020/21 season. Almost all Northern Hemisphere resorts have not made any conclusive statements about the coming season, but many have affirmed that they are planning to open, even if they are forced to have a lower capacity and many restrictions in place. There are still lots of questions left to be answered, like how rental services will operate, what refunds will be available, and even if smaller resorts will be able to sustain the economic impact of COVID19, but like most other issues that have been on our minds lately, only time will tell how the world will adapt and overcome these immense challenges.

It's astounding to me that there are people who don't or can't understand what "worldwide" pandemic means.

Yep. We can break out the pass verbiage all we want but if there are state requirements in place for social distancing wouldn't that override whatever language is on the receipt? Blue doesn't want to limit anything. They're a business and want to make money. If (when) they do limit capacity or whatever I have to think it's because they're required to not because it's in their best interest.

Sorta. He closed bars and gyms I think. Schools (K through 12) started a few weeks ago and they're virtual...at least for now.

I love that turn.

When I was teaching at BB one of the other instructors there told me that my style was "old school". Not that I was I insulted in any way by it...but something I'd rather break out of if I could. So I think about that a lot when skiing. Then again just because another instructor, on their high horse, says it doesn't mean it's true.

Encouraging numbers in a lot of states. Hopefully it sticks. Arizona is coming down right quick.

LMAO. These past few years I'm lucky (as you know) to get down in one piece.

My bad. I didn't scroll all the way up. Only seeing the more recent pics too... like Ben said.

I still see them.

When you got moves like this you wear a shirt. It's a rash guard btw

Back when we used to get snow some of the PASRs (Toast, Justo, GSSucks?) skied the Blue Mountain backcountry. There's a TR somewhere.

Skillz on the slopes and in the water

Is that Captain Barbosa from Pirates of the Caribbean? If so that's awesome.

Decided to hold off on going wider on the sick day for now. Boots (Dalbello Panterra), however, have been purchased. It'll be interesting to see how they fit. Don't necessarily like purchasing boots online but don't feel like going to a shop either. If they feel off they're going back.

Supposedly they are bussing with very little changes there based on the last update from the school. I believe my district is banking on a ton of kids taking the online option so they can keep kids separate as much as possible on busses and limit classrooms to 16 per like they want...they can't do that unless a good percentage of people opt for online.

I'd be shocked if schools are offering ski club this year. Sucks for the ski resorts. I encourage everyone to buy waffles at the Waffle Haus, get your gear tuned at Blue or perhaps buy chicken fings or a burger in the lodge if you can to support the true mountain this season.