Skiing in the Rain

 I went skiing in the rain today and I actually quite enjoyed it. The snow was soft and there was hardly anyone out on the slopes. The visibility was a bit of a challenge since the soft rain kept spotting up my goggles, and the color and soft contours of the snow were difficult to see from a distance, but the snow was soft enough that for the most part you could trust your feet to guide you.

The cover was thin from the rain and warmth of the last few days, but the little (and large) bits of brown spots and streaks on the trail helped with visibility. I skied all over the mountain for about two hours, enjoying the smooth, soft feel of the groomed trails. You know you're a ski instructor when half way down your second run you think to yourself, 'I should do some drills,' and moreso when you're challenging yourself doing short turns down a cat-track littered with thin patches and wishing you had ten race kids behind you to challenge them as well. I actually saw the ski school supervisors who had done my tryouts at the base today, and I hope they saw me as well, dedicated to my sport, through adverse conditions!

I actually slept quite well last night, though for a short time, closing the light about 20 after midnight and checking my phone in the morning just after 7am. However, I felt ambitious, and though the skies were grey and it began to rain lightly as I was getting my skis out, I wanted to head up and make the turns I lacked the day before. I also wanted to try going up in my boots without having to carry a pack with me. I experimented with driving a ways down the hill so I wouldn't have to walk with my skis as far in the rain, but I realized it wouldn't bring me all that much closer so I just continued driving to the park and ride just past the supermarket so I could stop at the supermarket on the way back, but when I was standing at the stop I realized I would be out in the rain for who knows how long since the bus is on a very irregular schedule, and decided to drive all the way up so I could leave on my own time.

I was hoping it would start to snow by the time I got up to Coronet, but it was still raining lightly. I actually had fun driving up the gritty switchbacks, far more enjoyable than taking the bus at 2km/hr, and since there was hardly anyone there just after 9am I got a good parking spot. I don't think I will drive up anymore unless I either need to leave very early or if I have some other people to chip in a dollar or two for petrol. I definitely was glad to have the car when I was finished skiing and soaking wet, though, and I feel like I can still do something with the rest of my day, having gotten back before noon!

I started to feel like a real member of the town this evening. I went alone to the Ale House to get myself a much-needed porter. The dark, frothy beer tasted rich and creamy. I kept to myself for a while, warming myself by the fire, and then turned to the man behind the bar milling about and asked him if things tend to pick up gradually or all of a sudden at Winter Fest. I assumed the man was the duty supervisor, since he was the only one present who would most likely be named Stuart. All of the hotels, restaurants and bars have the duty manager clearly posted at each shift.

After we talked about the formalities of winter business in Queenstown his demeanor shifted from the stone-faced pub worker with little business to attend to, to the wide-eyed and friendly local who wanted to share their experiences with someone equally as interesting. Another local had walked into the bar and began talking to me as well, and by the time Ruth and Sam had come into the pub I seemed to be in a fairly good position and Stu (the duty manager) had suggested I come in and drop off my CV since they would be hiring soon. As I figured, as soon as a job is posted, all previous CVs and inquiries were thrown out the window, and as usual, getting the job is all a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

We continued to check out a few other bars; Ant had told me that Brazz is a ski-instructor locals bar. It was a bit quiet that night, but there were a couple of industry workers at one of the tables when we entered. Anthony joined us as we were about to leave and we headed down to The Boiler Room, which had a nice rolling fire going, and $4 ciders. I went with the Montieth's cider, the least sweet of my five choices, and we enjoyed some comfy seats by the fire. We had a nice view of the interior of the Minus 5 bar with all of its frozen ice sculptures as well. After a good chat we called it a night early; apres drinks in moderation and a an early ski day the next day is definitely what I prefer. I am getting assimilated to my life in this town.