Moonlight hike & ski - Buttermilk

[skigrl27]

So I did the most FUN thing last night!

We waited until dark, packed up our friends, dogs, wine & hot chocolate w/ peppermint schnapps (of course) and did a moonlight hike to the top of Buttermilk. We packed our skis (our friends broght their boards) and off we went!

The skies were so clear & the moon was juuuusst about full - so there was no need for headlamps or anything. It was beautiful! My dog, Stella was with her new friend Tela, an Aussie Shepherd...who tried to herd my dog the entire trip. Stella just kept looking at me as if to say: "what is UP with this dog??"

The hike was steeper & harder than I had anticipated. I'm always a wimp when hiking for turns & tend to go quite slow. However, once I got into my zone last night...I led the group for the majority of the hike!! I was pretty psyched about that!

Once at the top, we enjoyed the moon and stars & the view to Ajax. We relaxed for a bit with our libations...then strapped on our gear & skied down. Stella was very confused as it was our first ski experience together. She did not approve & barked ferociously at us on our descent. I think she was very upset that we were now able to travel faster than her.

My friend tooks lots of pictures, I'll post once he sends me them!!

 

[skigrl27]

Doh! Almost forgot the highlight of the trip....duh.

So silly us (perhaps too much schnapps) skied down PAST where we parked our car. So I stayed with Stella & all the equipment, while my sweetie hiked back up to the car. While waiting, Stella starts going crazy...hair standing, growling. So I grabbed her really quick. There have been rumors of mountain lions all over the place here lately.

Over the ridge of a snow bank pops out this gorgeous bright red fox. He perched himself on the bank & just sat there, watching us. At first I was a bit afraid because I was in total silence all alone. But I don't think he meant us any harm.

The car pulled up & the fox still sat...watching. He watched us pack up, put our shoes on & drive off. It was really neat!

 

[Robyn]

Wow, I can't imagine how incredibly beautiful that must have been. I can't wait to see the pictures!

 

[Solincia]

Wow, I can't imagine how incredibly beautiful that must have been. I can't wait to see the pictures!

I agree! Wow!

 

[Kiragirl]

ditto, sounds excellent

 

[Jilly]

Love the idea, can't wait to see the pics.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I can't wait to see the pics! I'm jealous that your pup can go up there with you. My Kadie's legs just sink right in the snow!

 

[mollmeister]

I can't wait to see pictures!

I have tromped up Buttermilk a bunch of times (it's a great mountain for uphilling), but never at night. Sounds FABULOUS!

And it's amazing how brave the foxes have gotten near the mountain towns in recent years. There are a bunch of them that just loll around on foot and bike paths in Beaver Creek, staring at the people. Good thing they are pretty animals, and don't seem to have much harm in mind!

 

[skigrl27]

Pics....ladies let me know if this link doesn't work & I'll post them the other way.

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16629&id=711391869&ref=mf

There are some other random pics of ski days & apres in there too....I'm the one in orange. My boyfriend is in green. Enjoy! Funny the "darkness" pictures aren't too stimulating...but there is one great pic from the top of Buttermilk.

 

[Kiragirl]

I can't wait to see the pics! I'm jealous that your pup can go up there with you. My Kadie's legs just sink right in the snow!

she needs skis


Can't see the pix, you need to login to see em

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Can't see the pix, you need to login to see em

Same here.

 

[skigrl27]

round 1 of pics

OK here goes:

 

[skigrl27]

round 2

 

[skigrl27]

And the grand finale!!!! (this is just for humor, gals)

MY SWEETIE:

This was great. We were hot-tubbing after a long day at Snowmass & he forgot a suit. So my friend Brynn loaned one from her house...classic!!!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Great Pics!

Ah.....to be young and adventurous!

 

[SkiNurse]

How fun!!! I've always wanted to do a moonlight snowshoe, never thought about a moonlight ski!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

He's adorable, you all are, and it looks like it was FANTASTIC. Oh, the view of the town and lights....wow...thanks for posting!

 

[skigrl27]

And - I bought these SUPER cool trax things for my hiking boots that once I find out exactly what they are called (not yak trax) - I'm going to do a gear review.

 

[IdahoSkiGirl]

There is night skiing at the local resort outside of Boise and there is nothing cooler than skiing with a full moon (or close to a full moon)!

 

[NannyMin]

That looks positively dreamy!