Misty mornin', don't see no sun;
I know you're out there somewhere having fun.

~Bob Marley (a tribute to Bob's 65th Birthday 2/6/10)

After a very misty morning....finally some SUN! My buddy Lo, who has almost 

100 laps in the bowl this season (as of 2/5), celebrates the sun's rays bursting through the

thickness as we make our way up the Steep Pitch. Just ahead....."Bowl Patrol"

main honcho; Peter Carvelli , leads the charge up the most challenging part of the hike.

I won't even venture a guess as to how many laps HE has in the bowl this season

AND he wears a big burly pack while hiking, no less.  I can't thank the Bowl Patrol

enough for all they do to keep the bowl controlled and safe for me and all my fellow

bowlers.  Due to their daily studly efforts, we get to ski and ride some of the steepest

and deepest inbounds terrain in the states; 40-45 degrees over 2500 vertical feet of

pure sweet rush.

Part of the mystique of Highland Bowl is the magical weather the bowl creates. 

This micro-climate is one of the coolest things about the area. Here (above) we see

the low lying clouds clingling to the spruce and fir as I work my way into the

Northwoods, in the G Zones.  An inch was reported overnight at Highlands, 

but as usual, the "multiplier effect" blessed the bowl with a bit more.

There is no one else in sight. Ahhhh....peace and solitude

make for one content dude.

The recipe that is the Highland Bowl experience includes ingredients such as

altitude, aerobic challenge, mind blowing scenery, POWDER, endorphins, escape and

steep riding. Heat and stir to a leg burn and add adrenalin to taste.

I had to mix powder skiing techniques with carving as it was a few inches of

the freshness over hardpack; locals refer to as dust over crust. This was

the prevailing story of Highland Bowl over the past week; several 1-3 inch days;

just enough to cushion the bumps and turn a frown upside down. :) As they say

(and THEY know everything), every little bit counts!  Watch for the accumulation to

continue this coming week as some snow is forecasted virtually every day. There

should be some great powder days to come! If you can time it on a Wednesday;

"Appreciation Day" this season, you can take advantage of free parking, coffee

and muffins at the base lift. That's good livin'! 

But, then again...

every day is a GREAT day to go to Aspen Highlands and the Highland Bowl, 

adding exercise, exhiliration and escape into one's life experience.

And the best food to refuel with on the Deep Temerity Chairlift? Some (like this tall Nord)

would report the PBJ as a prime energy snack. As you can see, I'm not just eating..

I'm crushing this sandwich, a fave since Mom used to make 'em for me for my 

grade school lunches. Of course now I use organic ingredients; the modern,

healthy upgrade to this childhood classic. I guess some things have changed

since my youth.......well a little bit any way.

STAY TUNED for fresh info. on the Highland Bowl; my favorite getaway

and home away from home during the winter season.