Late Early Season...

...is approaching. For some people, Ski Season is Ski Season.

1. For the complete layman, it can only be separated by when the lifts are running. Kind of like a light switch, it is either ski season, or not ski season.

2. For the college student, we can separate the season into two times: Winter and Spring Break. Winter is when you go with your parents and let them pay for everything. Spring Break is when you rent a one bedroom condo with 15 of your closest friends, pack into a suburban complete with a cooler full of frozen lasagnas you bought at Sams Club, and head up to the mountains for a lot of debauchery and a little skiing.

3. For the novice, we can add a third subsection. Now it is early, mid, and late season. Early means "before Christmas", mid means "until March", and late means "until the lifts at Vail close." This is a little like getting really excited at the end of a storm, pointing at the clouds, and saying, "Look! There are Three Colors in the Rainbow!" But we are getting a little closer.

4. For the Female Texan, there are only two seasons: "Too cold," and "Warm Enough to Wear my Fuzzy Boots." Beware gentlemen - apres ski clothes are very expensive, can only be worn once (apparently), and is only worn by tourists. Run.

There are countless other ways to look at the calendar. Not one is wrong, as long as it involves you getting on the snow. Or really, if it involves you longing to be on the snow. The snow is falling, and its alive. It lets you ride on it. It lets you live. It is generous.

We have our own conception of when it is ski season out here. The lifts dont regulate the season. The season consists of micro-seasons, usually each consisting of one minute. One run is different from the next. One hike changes the consistency of the downward trip. One morning is different from the afternoon.

Now, there is an ebb and flow to this free-form message. A ying to the yang. The mountain is a peaceful place. The snow falls quietly and embraces us. But, with all the peace and quiet, I am still a bitter, judgemental person. And I want you to know all about my hate and scorn, so look for my special section/rants throughtout the winter called "Dumb People that Ruin the Snow." Enjoy.