Three more inches of snow fall during the night, and we’re on the Zephyr lift at 9 am under blue skies. We split up to take different routes to the Mary Jane side of the ski area. In the trees on a run called Outhouse I have my best powder run of the season, sinking to my waist on some turns. Conditions are sweet. I spend the day playing on soft Mary Jane bumps, remembering clearly why I loved to come here in high school. Until I get tired, I have the rare feeling that I’m riding exactly as I intend to, in complete command.

It’s warmer today, but still below zero Fahrenheit. We hit it all day long, exhausted when the lifts close.