Chillin’ way out

We’re about to enter the deep freeze.

Today’s highs are only forecast to be between 2 and 15 degrees.

And check this out: Tonight, the lows are forecast to be between 8 below zero and 23 below zero. That’s right, 23 below. Now that is unusual. And seriously cold. Best bring the dogs in. And invite them into the bed!

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Friday is to be partly cloudy, with highs between 7 and 16 degrees. Friday will “warm” up a bit, with lows somewhere between zero to 5 below.

Saturday will be breezy and mostly cloudy with highs 13 to 24 (still cold). And Sunday, highs will be in the 20s (still cold).

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So bundle up and watch for frostbite, especially on the tip of your friend’s nose.

And while it may be cold, there is still much joy in them thar hills. And what a rush it is to rediscover that.

Until Tuesday, I hadn’t been riding on Ajax for almost three weeks. I had bought new skis and boots, spent a whole week in Highland Bowl, then didn’t go out at all for a few days, then went to the X Games, etc., etc.

But Tuesday I went out in the soft snow and took a few laps on my board down Spar. Not only do I appreciate being able to do something as simple as that, I had forgotten how much fun it is. It was very uncrowded, by design or not, and the snow was soft.

And I couldn’t help but think of all the locals who haven’t been up on the mountain in a while – for whatever reason.

All I can say is, don’t delay, fun is on the way …

One of our loyal field testers reported in from Snowmass yesterday. He said conditions were great on Campground and in the Hanging Valley Wall. In fact, he didn’t really want to tell anyone how good the conditions were/are.

So here I am blowing his cover. Snowmass has gotten over a foot of snow this week and is skiing/riding really well/good.

And more scattered snow showers were in the forecast last night. Life is good, if cold.

And if you are out in Snowmass today, don’t forget to check out the big air contest on Fanny Hill. Jumpers start at 2 p.m. with the finals at 3 p.m. Also at 3 p.m., the band Little Blue is going to play inside the ticket pavilion. The idea was to open the doors to the pavilion and play to the mall, but the cold may hinder that plan. If the doors are open, the band might be Really Blue.

Friday marks the return of Freestyle Fridays at Highlands. The show is now being billed as Freeride Fridays and will include some new elements to the contest, which you’ll want to check out …