So I ditched the math book today and spent the afternoon skiing up and down the mesa on the edge of town. It’s just another one of those perfect blue days that Arizona specializes in.
The skis I’m using this season are a huge improvement from the skinnies I used in PA and last winter. The wide telemarks float nicely, even on top of the 30 inches of powder up on the mesa. Ski poles aren’t really necessary because they bury themselves halfway if they are weighted too heavily. And skins are wonderful; my cheap used ones I got on eBay actually work very well and don’t leave glue behind when I take them off. Again, no comparison to my skinnies because there is zero backsliding with these, much more efficient than sliding back 4 inches with every step.
I went downhill several times without skins. The long skis go frighteningly fast, at least until I get used to having loose heel bindings. Deep powder is a bit challenging as well; I nosedived several times when the tips got buried too deep. It’s wonderful to be able to go anywhere in the woods because all the brush, rocks, and logs are hidden under the deep snow. I’ve mountain biked all over the mesa, so staying unlost and within range of town is fairly easy.