Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

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What a week!!! Our first week of snowboarding has been incredible. Some how we managed to time our arrival into Denver and our transfer to Breckenridge (two days later) in between two major storms.



This is our third trip to Colorado, and on the previous two visits we've had hair raising transfers in the driving snow. Last year our tiny plane that took us from Chicago to Grand Junction landed in the middle of a snow storm and I was convinced that we weren't going to make it out alive!



This time our transfer was wonderful, on a beautiful sunny day. No snow stress, just lovely scenery (and free wifi!).



We arrived in Breck at the start of college week, so check in was mental and it's been less than quiet in our little condo, but the conditions have more than made up for the odd sleepless night. We woke on Sunday to snow, of the big fat hairy variety, and it didn't stop until Thursday morning. We've had powder days on 5 of our 6 days out and 1.2 metres of snow has fallen. It's been amazing.



The altitude has taken some getting used to - our condo is at 3000m above sea level and the runs go as high as 3900m. On day one we were both exhausted just getting all of our kit on - not a great sign. But other than having to take things easy we've got off lightly. Altitude sickness can knock people out for days.



Whilst Paul finds gliding around in powder 'relaxing', I find it a little more challenging, so that has meant very tired legs for me by lunchtime. Anyone who has boarded with us before will be surprised to hear that most days we've been done by 1-2pm, but apparently that's how the seasonaires do it. Get up early, hit the fresh tracks and then call it a day after four runs. I think the guy telling us this on a chairlift was hitting much harder terrain that we currently are, but hey, if it's good enough for a local, it's good enough for us!



The other thing that encourages the early finishes is that apres starts at 2pm here - yep, you read that right, 2pm!!! And even better, the 'hour' of happiness lasts until 5 or 6pm!



Next week we will be back to lots of groomed runs, where you can cover the miles quicker, so I'm sure we will be more back to our old ways of 55km days, but for now it's time to glide through that powder and enjoy happy hour!



****SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE SNOWY PICTURES*****

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Photos

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Our ski in condo (behind Paul).

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(Our) fresh tracks

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Stopping for sandwiches at 10.20, thanks to the jet lag

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It's just a little bit snowy out there :)

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Pavement on the left, road on the right. Can you see the difference??

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Our first view of the mountains as the weather starts to clear

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Festival of the nordst god of snow. Yep. Definitely need more snow!

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Even the buses want more snow

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So much snow you can barely see in the shop window

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Enjoying happy 'hour'

Comments

[Jude]

Not jealous much
I called you lucky beggars and said I was jealous. Dan just said, 'a*seholes!' Take care, love you lots. Xx

[Mum]

Hi
Just realised I can read your blog as it's not dependent on Facebook! Glad all is well and you have plenty of snow. Sounds like you're having a great time. Snow and alcohol feature very highly on your photos!!! All ok at this end. Really enjoying not having to get up and go to work on these cold, dark mornings! Take care of yourselves and have wonderful time. Lots of love Mx

[Andi and Paul]

Hey hey. Added your email address after I wrote the last blog, so you should now get email notifications whenever I get around to publishing anything new! All is great here. We're having such a lovely time xx

[Born to travel]

Big fat hairy!
Ha ha! The "big far hairy" comment made me laugh out loud! I remember our uni and Oz days when everything was big fat and hairy!! I'd almost forgotten that phrase!

[Andi and Paul]

I think I wrote that blog shortly after we'd exchanged messages so I was clearly back in uni mode. I had to explain what 'big, fat hairy' meant to Paul! Loving your blogs - sounds like you're having fun in the Philippines despite the sickness xx