Early Season Turns

Susanna Magruder

Is it really ski season? Every year, I start counting the days in September. It seems like forever, and then all of a sudden it’s here. The trail run out my back door is transformed to a ski run almost overnight and I tear the garage apart trying to find my gear. The first big skin up was followed by a ridiculous display of skiing down…with my skins still on; it had gotten dark and some how in my November rationale it made sense. Yes, the skins might have protected my bases as well as my bones but this is probably the only time it will ever happen. Leaving the rocks and grass at home we fled to Alta to ride some lifts and feel the early season leg burn. Three days of hard pack were followed by 30’’ new and a mad powder frenzy! Was I ready? Did I even remember how to ski in powder? Were my legs in shape? All the anxiety rushed away in the first effortless powder turn, I was back, home again and it felt magnificent. After a little early season riding I can’t wait for the winter to really begin. So now, let it snow, let it snow, please let it snow!