Today is our FIFTH day in a row with fresh snow, and with nearly two feet of powder out there, I was excited to hit the slopes this morning before the holiday crowds got thick.

It was a bit of a bummer to see the mountain socked in with fog.

I was afraid that big cloud might put a damper on my mountain mojo, but I quickly found that I could lose my worries, and the crowds, by ducking into the trees.

This was my first ride up the Blue Bird. I wasn’t joking about that fog. Strangely, it was thicker 2/3 of the way up than it was on the summit.

Luckily, with 2-3 inches of fresh snow overnight, the slopes were just insanely good. Even the early morning corduroy had an extra dash of fluff on top.

The giant snow ghosts on the side of the run helped me keep my bearings as I descended into that donut of fog.

Still, the gray ring hanging around the upper third of the mountain was slowing me down, so I decided to head down to the Bear Chair.

As you can see, visibility was MUCH better there. A lot of people turn their noses up at riding the Bear Chair, thinking, “But I’m not a beginner…”

But the Bear Chair is the PERFECT place to lose the fog and find some freshies!

Look – no visibility problems here. (No tracks, either).

Oh, I mean except mine.

The other great place to lose the fog and the crowds is in the trees.

So I headed up Centennial and imagined losing myself in one of my favorite South-side secrets. You’ll never find these little slices of heaven if you’re afraid to try the road less traveled…

To lose the crowds…

Escape the fog…and find your very own happy place.

– April