Approaching the lip of Upper Exhibition, I heard SBR start. I looked in his direction, shared a look, and knew it was on. It’s a special moment when two skiers connect, simultaneously decide to change plans, and drop into a line knowing that something special awaits. Who needs to ski the glades when there is boot deep untracked blow on a steep open pitch? A few conservative turns gave way to full on charging mode. And then the white stuff kicked up in The Flash and I couldn’t contain my wonderment.

It was a homecoming of sorts, charging hard in boot buckle deep untracked at noontime. I’ve clearly been away from Jay Peak for too long. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Perhaps we could have expected an inch or two at best and my leisurely start to the morning clearly indicated that I had no hope of a powder day. But Jay is a mountain of surprises.

You only experience the novelty of a new area once. That jaw dropping awe can only be relived through seeing the eyes of others experiencing it for the first time. It was like that today. I’ve skied all these lines before to the point of routine. But I saw them again almost for the first time today. And that was amazing.

More words to follow but I am spent for tonight. We’re just getting started.