Slow Sarah
Angel Diva
I totally get that. In the end it seems like driving, getting up super early and like you said exploring off the beaten path are needed in a lot of cases. And luck.If it makes you feel better, it's you and me both sister, you're far from alone!
This is the tough thing about trying to improve at a crowded resort - you end up skiing defensively a lot of the time and, at least for me, that means technique tends to fly out the window and I'm just trying to get down without injuring myself or anyone else. Often times I've seen sticking to the more difficult runs suggested to get away from the crowds, but I know I'm not ready for that and haven't had great experiences over terraining myself. Figuring out where to go to both comfortably work on my technique yet avoid crowds is like being stuck between a rock and hard place at times
Since you ski Crystal, I've found that some of the runs off of Downhill tend to be less busy, so I'll detour to Rolling Knolls a lot. Magoo is nice too as are the Chapelles.
For Snoqualmie, I've been skiing Summit Central the most and I tend to do Golden Nugget a lot. Alpine seems to get more congested, even though its way more wide and open.
One night at Stevens was so clear and open at the top I had a really hard time leaving. We basically had this entire bowl almost all to ourselves. It was a bit icy but that was a fair trade for me to have all that space!
I feel like overall night skiing at West has been the reliably best for me but will try the nugget next season. Central has usually been very crowded when I have been at night. WP always had enough space to try things out, at least for part of a run. Crystal has been pretty good to me and those runs are familiar. I get self conscious on Magoo and it can feel crowded where everything merges but it is pretty solid.
I look forward to more Indy locations at some point for more wide open runs. It’s like, “Oh…hello you, we meet again,” …this is why I fell in love with skiing! The swish. I also mostly can say, there are no bad days! At least I made it up to the mountain.
Over terraining: There is a balance there for sure and I know when I stretch too far, especially at the end of the day when my legs really should be done I am going to be in the way! I try to do the bigger runs almost first thing now so I can judge how well I did when I know I am at my peak. I am way better at skiing within the lines then too. My last run at Blackcomb I felt pretty strong and so frigging happy to be all the way up there and then I head down to the Blue Line and on both sides of this short but only just comfortably wide track I notice there are basically cliffs on both sides. And directly in front. (pictures attached) Not even trees which usually make me nervous! Then I thought, ack, I bit off more than I should have but that part ended up being pretty short, it opened up nicely and was crazy good. I liked Blackcomb for that; lots of area to push myself and improve but those areas were relatively short…and I likely got lucky!! Also, the earlier in the day, the better. The first couple of runs anywhere are always the most open in my experience.
Rolling Hills fans unite! I love that stretch right above where they load Rainier. The first time down that I thought I had bitten off too much but it was short enough that I was able to finish and feel like I had done something awesome! In front of me this lady goes down, then slides slowly on her back, head first. I asked if she was ok and she says, “Fine, just taking in the view.” She had this huge smile on her face.
I was on Magoo first or second chair on this excellent almost completely empty powder weekday and I could hardly make it down since powder is so much work for me. For those into the deep powder though…glorious. Next year when I know more, grow a foot and have legs of steel.
