Winter was disturbingly late in arriving this year. A week before Christmas, it was looking quite hopeless for the mass of visitors about to hit the slopes at the busiest time of year. But miracle of miracles ( although the long time locals all say - 'just wait it'll come' !) come it did, and until this week, it's snowed almost every day since, with over 7 feet falling in January.
Jobs are going well. Mary is hugely enjoying hers at the Guest Services concierge desk in the Ticket Office in the Mall , right by the slopes in Snowmass. It's largely a problem solving job and she's in her element. For me , it's the same old ! Although working 5 days a week this year, it's only half an hour longer per week than my 4 days a week schedule last year. Total 38 hours per week and they fly by. With the continuous snowfalls and v low temperatures, there have been some very challenging days in January, but I enjoy those the most.
We had a very successful visit from Yorkshire Munrobagging pal Rod who stayed with us for 10 days. A delightful house guest who cooked for us most nights. Luxury.
Duncan, Katy, Oliver and Maggie arrive for a week in mid Feb, then Atlanta Martha for a week at beginning March and Harry a couple of weeks after that. We hugely appreciate you folk coming to see us. It's a long trip often fraught with weather disruptions, so we're all the more grateful. Skinning to Gwyns for breakfast hasn't quite yet become mandatory, but we're thinking about it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsKxKax84SiDFQ-n-xEJQevVYCxmNxARh5_U1kgUFVpvuPsNd4lQxtTvDXXyiuP-kBMItgbDm70_foXnSbqn_T2l3Ce17OiuqbxUNAArLaDdu5yyqzDSMuagMQSYYR38IHy-pc7I9TA6M/s320/P1020891.JPG) |
Mid November and not a trace of snow in downtown Aspen. Cycling to Victoria's for coffee made up for it |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hWzRnBgNa5LfOUJM0-r5YxZX5cjBVZMPeyqQthvcMQzJgHEs0jrvUMnARqLHOKRHrH9-wkjk153l55WDYmDzxCujKFe8gWaCfCLKc9dWEvpSj-GLdLJLlxiJoiNcyIYiH2tGGPnZKufP/s320/P1020892.JPG) |
Early attempt at landlauf skiing on Long Shot fell short of expectations! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO8p0z5amofrxw-MwjAdet2OhYsL7uZZyaz3GkJi3M4_hOuFBxwiaHmOUlDWnjW9Jfp5ypAf01GnbfLIoMd4uLYoOO5a_47E1OTFogFX24nD_yrXpdPt8qxItzjVVp4o10QSs-vthkYC5/s320/DSCF0893.JPG) |
My No. 4 bus at Town Park Station (otherwise Rodeo Lot). A quiet day. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLox3oIDtV2U7dGPddfUaR0-NQdmlh0n4BxGhY4z5Se4GioLBKTDT8FVN4MTqm0dHzyrNUfz7M8QFTobAObjJXn0ebeUHmCf-xl48r00AQ_e-b98uk2u_H1lyB17mY3g9ZTTpmevuHHLH/s320/DSCF0900.JPG) |
Rod at top of Buttermilk looking across to Highlands |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxl33BApydYi3xSC03c4OH-cbKjSTjJ6Fr3WUUFiNKgpgSzgAAvrg0gUEZ-qQSK62xqMCRDdVoW77jb5YeYqphkcWfofl1cYor29-rFEjQnEHmPtR0Ty1N1SNvJmvGbKgYgl8FOK1eilF/s320/DSCF0895.JPG) |
They don't get powder snow like this in Knaresborough. Rod " putting down ' fresh tracks. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibl55wPU_SoJvqHf7OEriV3exGTkIF17vvtiG5s03b84sR1YiZuhEy99qKjJ7EFzcs8lVFDitqP5MGFLMhwJA5XxYHdvKDNj_vYBlXBvfsTNual64IFLUaAy8BGVWid8lVtE70zpkr6TN/s320/DSCF0904.JPG) |
Cloud 9, Highlands. We passed on this Veuve Cliquot, but did get a good sit down lunch in a place renowned for 'tired and emotional' Brits who have difficulty with the subsequent descent. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKx3H1iwOYPFv5jnIw1q4z_nFunKjmblbePEfxxJX8bZz6bMtXaTcYb-myr-5uua0mbr_aDY6pATgKAZEWXhhG9_ZA-r_zm2WYPinpePXUY4iNM5dz6FdklNeNTdwcMrhmwhLsOm2YmTF/s320/DSCF0914.JPG) |
A day boarding at Buttermilk.... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtP0ZSzGLIFFQ7scoajc4V6eGNCVfg26nzVfPbZhxsyIDpqMEHUsOLcVItyfDkTtAC8SqInF1JhmNyX29yL9Ouq1n7Hq5TyhAqxNu5OQ3wIK_4FwTIB4naDCvJrUULvbBJPbEfHgtnfsM/s320/DSCF0920.JPG) |
.... followed by a skin to Bonnie's on Ajax for breakfast the next morning |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPhcgIaGo3j4VRECJ9NsH3u9r4ANReHfO9oKK1XJMasXjU_DIpOyq7PAT19TAAVOSnmSzIMl2oU3WqqdsXjJ2MJVRtZCQ3c2e2ulYdwfvpsYqm5RL7RqThAPOoyUHnO8faiWCYNbZXmw6/s320/DSCF0923.JPG) |
The following week - nearing Gwyns. - pancakes beckon. Mary can just be spotted at bottom of Coffee Pot. Steeper than it looks. Keith will remember! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUknGrStmaplDF9YTCU-yy1uGbPIygEFbaiTc8BqzzlmIje1s2c6h-y3nBLvH9t8QK9WF1tiJNLj3WJOqAgYsm7pnVlAUj37ozq0fDGxiQueKt1j11Ag5Fs5pO-kpQnyd4ANmMI9o2T0f/s320/DSCF0925.JPG) |
Reverting to boards |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwElHn4wPc-d3TTVkT4Pfy4s_VvlmDwofZ671oS5rWbwK7mg_hcKC56293oKGc-AKR0AmkyvFQjjZqMlzQFa3kTvknxvcw1QcJnWICgffHyQtYguNdPp_9TARCwFwa-WtzyptMVSa_a5vi/s320/DSCF0927.JPG) |
These 'flat' catracks used to give us trouble. Must be improving although often it doesn't feel like it |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfQlPTZzfXDfRWX82yfn90Ej2rsJ4f0ULojnf2aX4Wod3wfkjRA2ZRpMBEJMCXNk820jyk3wO1Rq_bR50Fqppv6Q6D8nCxmyTkv0Tf06HGgk2QnEI91zGIiHjjvV3aBYelA67Q5tE6iSa/s320/DSCF0935.JPG) |
This one for Barbara. Picture this scene when you're sipping a glass of Chablis on the deck in June and looking out on the fluttering aspen leaves |