My oldest memories come from Mount Washington: 2 years old, skiing the hill beside our cabin while holding onto my friend?s oldest sister?s ski pole. That was 1983, and every year since I?ve made a point of getting at least one day there per year (or in some cases closer to 100, like the season I spent washing dishes at night upstairs from Fat Teddy?s Bar and Grill). This year, with cold temperatures and very light snow, the mountain was able to get the ball rolling for December 19 and my dad and I paid a visit on the 27th.

Despite a few hazards, all but the highest lifts were running for the Christmas season and access to intermediate-advanced terrain was enough to keep me occupied through the morning. With a little bit of finesse, pow turns were also to be had?light, dry snow, more reminiscent of interior powder than coastal conditions. Dodging a couple rocks through snow-plastered evergreens, I got my annual ski day back to where it all started, on the slopes of Vancouver Island?s Mount Washington?and with more snow falling through new years, I can?t wait to get back in 2009 and ride the steeps off the Boomerang Chair and Eagle Express.