BEAVER CREEK/VAIL, COLORADO, AIR SKI activity March 6-8, 2000

It was a lucky win by my hiking companion. She entered a contest and won! The prize, which was shared with some 25 other winners, was a two day ski vacation package, for two, to Beaver Creek, Colorado. We would get the round trip air, shuttle, two nights lodging, and unbeknownst to us, at the time, lift tickets.

After the practice at Boreal Ridge, we were ready! We carpooled to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and took outlying shuttle parking. The parking fee was to come to over $31 for a little over two days. The shuttle vehicle took us to the terminal, where we checked our duffles, and toured the museum-like displays about the airport.

Our direct night flight, American Airlines to Eagle/Vail jet port, took off on time. Arriving to Colorado after a little over a two hour flight, we were met by a CME van and driver who took us straight to the deluxe Pines Lodge. By dawn, the sight of lighted trees, and a vast village greeted us.

We enjoyed a buffet breakfast this morning, and then walked about the Beaver Creek Village. I took lots of photos. It was like a European alpine town. Quite impressive! We parted ways, since I didn't know that we had lift passes, and I opted for a bus ride to Vail. This is about thirty miles east up Interstate 70. I took more photos on getting there. The sun break in the otherwise cloudy weather made it gorgeous. I had a soda, and toured the Colorado Ski Museum. It displayed the history of the Tenth Mountain Division, and the development of the sport of skiing in the United States.

Taking the bus back to Beaver Creek, we watched the TV news, which covered the Super Tuesday primaries, then I went out for dinner. The Net-listed menus show dinners starting at about $26. I found an unlisted, cheaper, out-of-the-way place where I ordered fried rice with shrimp. That wasn't enough, so I had an appetizer, chili crusted calamari. That was better. A free shuttle service picked me up and saved me a half mile walk through a light snowfall.

Fireworks were shot off at about 7 p.m. What a touch! We had a great view of the village as well. Watching more TV, we retired. I didn't need blankets with the room heating, a novelty for me.

Wednesday, I awoke early and took a few last pre-dawn pictures from our window view. There had been a several inch snowfall overnight. I scooped up a handful of powder and blew it off my glove. It was fine and light!

We took a shuttle bus ride into Avon, where we had a light breakfast, then took the bus back to check out from the lodge. They will secure your luggage to meet the shuttle service in the afternoon. I then discovered that we did have lift tickets. In the rush to get to the resort, I forgot my ski pants, and had to ski in jeans. I rented downhill skis, poles, and boots. This was all a first for me.

Using the beginner runs at first, I had to relearn my technique. Locked down heels, the high boots, and the shorter skis may have caused me real grief if I wasn't aware of how to fall, and basic balance and ski turning from my tele technique.

Improving quickly, I took the quad chair up the mountain, and first determined that I could get down. I rode up again, and took the lifts to the top of the mountain at 11,400 feet. The view was striking. The main canyon below, Eagle Creek, was covered in a fresh dusting, and the sun lit up the far slopes. The Gore Range, with its 13,000+ foot peaks to the northeast, was partially cloaked in clouds. I wished that I had my camera!

I made several runs, and enjoyed fresh powder snow and groomed slopes. If you ski with the Ski Mountaineers, you are well capable of any of this! Finally, I can speak about lift-served skiing with downhill equipment on a first-person basis.

I had to leave early due to our shuttle pick-up time. I returned the rentals, and met my companion at the lodge, who had gone for a hike. The shuttle came by right on time, and we arrived back to the jetport. The flight was delayed due to some problem, but we were airborne by 8:45 p.m. (MST). Despite my earlier apprehensions about air travel, I enjoyed the experience. The in-flight meal was O.K., and we came to SFO by 10 p.m. (PST).

We were shuttled back to our vehicle, then we drove back to our carpool point, and I said my profuse thanks and goodbyes. A few days later, I noticed a billboard that advertises the one way airfare as $99. I could do this again.

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