Looking forward to it.

I got reminded today that there are indeed two perspectives when talking with a friend of mine.

“Ugh, I heard we’re supposed to get snow again on Sunday.  Why can’t it stay like today all year round?” he lamented.

“I take it you’re not  a winter person.”

“Definitely not.”

“Do you ski?”

“Nope.”

“Snowshoe?”

“No.”

“Well, there’s your problem.  You have to find something that you love to do during winter, and then it won’t seem so bad.”

Being an avid skier, both cross-country and downhill, it’s easy for me to forget that not everyone is like me.

Especially in Colorado, home to 25 ski resorts, and woods full of snow all winter.

But the longer I live here, I’ve come to realize that a lot of our residents are not big fans of winter recreation. Since so many of those that live along the Front Range come from out of state, it’s not something they grew up with.  And given the high cost of downhill skiing — lift tickets, gear, clothing — it’s easy to see why someone wouldn’t necessarily try it.

But here’s the thing.  If you don’t find something you love to do during winter, it’s going to be a long seven months to get through, especially if you live in the mountains.

The reality is the snow starts flying in October and it doesn’t stop until Memorial Day.  Cabin fever can be very real when you’re endlessly waiting for a warm, sunny day.  You can only do so much reading, knitting, or watching tv before you can legitimately go stir crazy.

I love skiing.  Skiing literally saved my life one winter when I lost my job in late fall.  Sliding through the snow makes me feel  free, without a care in the world.  It also connects me with nature — looking at pine trees laden in rime, spying tracks of a rabbit as it scurries across the snow.

We’re lucky here in Colorado, that even in the midst of winter, the shines brightly most days.  In between snowstorms, there are endless bluebird days.

Even if you’re not a fan of sliding on the snow,you can still enjoy frozen lakes and snow-capped peaks.  You can get a hold of a used pair of snowshoes for a nominal amount of money.  Snowshoeing requires no special skills.

As a good friend explained to a novice friend of mine:  “Put your right foot forward, then your left.  Repeat as often as necessary.”

It’s that simple. And whether it’s snowshoes or skis, you’ll have a means to enjoy winter in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, rather than gritting your teeth and dreading it.

Winter is coming and I couldn’t be more excited.

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