Outside the comfort zone!!!!!!!!!

Anyone that knows me will happily acknowledge that I don't like hiking, and even the smallest attempts are without a doubt outside of my comfort zone.  After all, I am for sure a creature of comfort and was naturally,  born in the chinese sign of the pig.  However, I don't like to be a killjoy and so I let myself be convinced today, to do some hiking to follow along the two powder hounds (Forest and my dear husband), whom I was skiing with today.

Here is a small sampling of thoughts that went through my head as I ventured outside my oh so comfortable space:  Why did I agree to this craziness, I should have eaten only half the chili verde at lunch, the polyester of all my ski layers is starting to itch, I should definetly not have had the cigarette after lunch, I must have a cigarette after I accomplish this task and finally, there are really some beautiful spots to see if you are willing to hike the distance outside of the comfort zone.

Finally we arrived at the peak of "Ontario Bowl", only for me to discover that the challenging part was not the hike, but rather the descent of this already far too cumbersome journey.  Halfway down the steep incline, Forest,  my dear friend and ski guide of today, had the brilliant idea, that this is worthy of a post on my blog and I could not agree more.  After all, what's worth doing is worth documenting.

Looking down!!!!!

Looking uphill!!!!

my powder hound husband

powder hound Forest

In all fairness to my two companions, I will admit, that the experience was a fabulous one, to the point where I forgot that my polyester was itching.  All I kept thinking was, how beautiful it was to be challenged to ride through the trees in knee deep powder.  In closing, I was tremendously proud as looked up the steep incline that I had just descended from.  It made me think of the following quote:

All growth happens outside our comfort zone into the unknown. Everything we know now used to be unknown to us. Every time we fear the unknown just remember that the unknown is just another aspect of us which we haven't met.

unknown

Source: Jim Paredes

I even think I might do some more hiking in the future.  Who knows, Mount Everest is looking like a possibility, just kidding.

Forest and I

Looking up

Looking down

At the bottom looking all the way up!!!!!

Here's to being outside the comfort zone and here's to living the good life......

Helmet Law

Orchid and Matt with helmets

For all my fellow skier blog friends, here is a topic I feel very strongly about.  Last year at about this time, the moment had come, that after 35 years of skiing, I decided to wear a ski helmet.  Until then, I was your fashionable ski bunny who would zip about the mountain with my cute hats , goggles or sunglasses.  Two incidents led to this monumental and crucial decision.  First, the unfortunate death of Natasha Richardson occurred, and second, my daughter Orchid who was four at the time, posed the very simple but reasonable question as to why she needed to wear a helmet if I,  her mommy did not. Upon very serious consideration of her question, I decided that there was really no good reason, why I should not.  I decided at that very moment to wear a helmet when skiing and went out to buy such a safety device.

Me with ski helmet

To all you ski junkies out there, who are still not wearing a helmet, I would like to address the two major reasons as to why you are still not wearing helmets.  How you might think could I possibly know the reasons why you are not wearing a helmet?  Simple, I was you until last year.  The first reason is, that you helmet less skiers out there think foolishly, that you are an advanced skier, and therefore do not need a helmet because the likelihood of you falling is slim to none.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Even if you might not fall on your own accord, someone else less ski experienced could ski into you when you least expect it, causing you to fall and get hurt.
Second, unlike some years ago, it is no longer cool nor fashionable to not wear a helmet.  Just like bellbottoms, and shoulder pads had their moment in fashion, so did the helmet less skier.  Folks, if anyone is confused about this, let me state it very clearly, that moment is so over.  In fact cool ski fashions now include helmet styles and trends just like any other fashion fad.  Please go out right now and buy a ski helmet and know in your mind that your cool factor and fashion image will not be compromised, if you do this.
Especially if you have children, you owe it to them to set a good example and I am sure I don't need to tell you the old saying:  "Do as I say, not as I do", will not save the lives of your kids. On this final note, I would like to address all the Deer Valley Ski instructors out there: I know there is no requirement for you to wear helmets and I am glad to see that most of you do, but there are some of you, that don't wear one and I am appalled.  As instructors, you need to set the example and again, there is no good and valid reason for anyone to not wear a helmet at this point.
I am posting a link to an excellent website where you can get comprehensive info on buying a helmet as well as useful information concerning all things helmet.  Incidentally the tag line reads: No more excuses.

skihelmets.com

This blog is about the good life and no good life can be had without some safety precautions.
Here's to living the good life.....

Deer Valley's Finest....

Today was a fabulous snow day here in Deer Valley. In almost blizzard style conditions, Matt and I headed out onto the slopes for some skiing.  There are very few things that compare to the feeling of racing through snow covered trees out in nature.

Deer Valley Ski Slopes

Deer Valley Ski run

After about two hours of sheer skiing bliss we decided to stop by the Talisker tower for a hot Mocha with whip cream.

Matt in front of Talisker Tower

my hot mocha with whip!!!!!

Let me tell you that this members only club is truly Deer Valley's finest on many levels.  All their establishments are top notch in terms of great mountain design which of course appeals to my aesthetic senses.  The food and atmosphere is amazing.

Talisker tower interior

Talisker Tower bar

more great design at Talisker Tower..

Their ad campaign features Lauren Hutton and Bruce Hulse frolicking around on beautiful horses in the snow.  It is one of those ad moments where you say to yourself: yes, I want to live that life, that could be me out there looking chic and glamorous in the snow. See for yourself in the attached link: www.taliskerclub.com
Needless to say, Matt and I were hopelessly sucked into the aspiration of Talisker and have enjoyed every moment of it as you can see in the picture to follow.

Look out for my future post on the Talisker cabin which is equally chic and amazing.  Here's to living the good life......