The Russell/Townsend visit

Another special week with D & K, Oli and Maggie. Conditions superb for them.  Highlight for me was the day I had with Duncan on the Friday.  We met on the 6.45 bus to Buttermilk, skinned up for the $6.00 breakfast, 5 runs in fresh deep powder on Tiehack, bus to Highlands and 5 or 6 great runs there incl Hyde Park, Mushroom and the Olympic Bowl .  Ever since these early days in Meribel, Flaine, and of course Glenshee, we've had a lot of good ski days together. This one was among the very best. And I can still ( just ) keep up !

Since they left on March 2, it's been snowing almost continually. Hugely relieved to get our flat roof shoveled ( 4 feet taken from it ), and we've had at least another foot of wet snow since.

Martha Stobbs arrived to day ( March 8 ), but with foot in cast ! Lovey though to meet for lunch at Buttermilk and discussing plans for France and Scotland in September where she will join us. A Munro to ensure invitation to the party for the last in 2021 !

The view up to Mt Daly form Powderhorn

Meadow Ranch with - thankfully _ roof cleared

Our side deck - where we sat in lovely shade for all meals with the Ryans last summer

A very special day with " my boy "

Reid and Mary who I happened to meet on chance for a run togetherr on Powderhorn

Reid showing how to tele

Maggie en route to Aspen

D & K

Maggie coming out of ski scool

Where the family stayed in Woodbridge - taken form the driver's seat of my bus - big thrill to drive with Grandad. Certainly was for Grandad anyway !

Sun Valley, ID

Full marks to Mary ........ for remaining a full time seasonal employee ! As part of her package of benefits, she's entitled to 4 free nights ( subject of course to availability and can only be booked one month out ), with partner, in any of the 3 Limelight hotels owned by Skico. Those 3 are in Aspen , Snowmass and Sun Valley , ID.  No brainer for us, so we booked air flights to Hailey,  ID, a few miles from Sun Valley. What a treat that was.  Huge success at tiny cost. 40% off on all meals at Limelight in addition to the free ( huge and luxurious ) room.

Incredibly lucky to fly out of Aspen ( prob only flight out all day ) to Salt Lake City and then diverted to Twin Falls, ID instead of Hailey. A 2 hour bus journey to Ketchum where the Sun Valley resort is located, but no huge inconvenience. Same on reverse journey - due to snow storm - but again no great hassle.

3 fabulous days skiing, one of them a powder day.  Got on " First tracks " one day which included 3 hours with a ski instructor - again free of charge.

Bring on a repeat in 2020 ! An incentive for us both to carry on working , M particularly !

Last pic taken on the evening we arrived back in Aspen . Collected Ben & Fiona Fairfax ( Brisbane , Aus ) from Aspen Square , drove to West Buttermilk carpark and skinned with them up Buttermilk for the full moon excursion and dinner at Cliffhouse. A lot fun and good to see them. Excellent company and a delightful young couple.  They flew out the next day.