Ski Season is (almost) Here!

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Alta is opening November 17th! 4 feet of snow from the current storm. Oh Alta, I've missed you. And yes, I realize no one cares I ski Alta. Except maybe my Mom. AND EVERY OTHER RAD SKIER WHO KNOWS WHAT ITS LIKE TO SKI AND FALL IN LOVE WITH ALTA.


Ski season begins! I've got a brand new, super sweet, untouched pair of LOLA's now 3 years old waiting for me in Salt Lake City, just a short 95 minute plane ride away. I could be off the plane, into the bindings and down the slopes in a week. (With a quick stop to borrow mom's car, of course.) Fortunately, Squaw is also projecting a nearby opening date (November 21st) which coincides nicely with my invitation to spend Thanksgiving at the Donner Spa. Oh, so many things to be thankful for this season.

Photo from 11.11.12, courtesy of Alta.com
Behind this surge of excitement is the appointment I had with my surgeon at Stanford Medical last week when he cleared me to ski. (!?!)

He said something about play now, pay later. Or earlier, actually, pay earlier. I think he could sense how much hinged on what he was going to tell me. He asked if I'd ever be content saving my knee now in the hopes of staving off treatments later; treatments like injections and ultimately, possibly one day, a knee replacement. He said these could still be likely, but that I might prolong things by being more conservative. I said no, that would not make me content. And he smiled and said "I didn't think so. So let's get you back to the things you love that make you happy and go for a balanced approach with cross-training."

I heard it like this, "You can ski. Play now. Things you love. Make you happy."

I still have another appointment this week with "Dark Path" doctor - the one I saw when I couldn't get an appointment soon enough with Stanford and was desperate to know why my knee was swollen and tender. After examining my knee and ordering more tests he said, "I'm concerned you're headed down a dark path with your knee." That was a low day. So we'll see. I've already heard what I wanted to hear, but I'm trying to remain open to second opinion.

In any event, while the Bay area has been blessed with blue skies and chilly temperatures, making for great late season outrigger paddling, snow is falling in the mountains and I've got a hall pass from my doctor to shred. Life just picked up a bit.

I hope my ski pants still fit.

Comments

caroline said…
yippee come to utah!!!!!!
5:10 PM
Andrea said…
your readers are waiting. come on now.
4:14 PM
Andrea said…
your ski pants will fit. now stop exercising and come on in and share your wise words with us, your readers.
namaste.
10:05 AM
Andrea said…
any body home????
3:25 PM
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