Skiing Beats Moving

Snowy Telluride

That would be moving to a new place, of course. Because as a general rule, I do believe motion is lotion and you get some of the best motion when skiing.

Ski season is off to a great start here in Telluride. It snowed a ton in November, then we had a dry spell, now with fifteen inches of fresh over the weekend, we’re set up nicely for the onslaught of holiday visitors due to arrive late this week.

I’ve been working out early season glitches such as numb toes, goggle marks and other assorted woes. It takes a while for my feet to become accustomed to wearing ski boots again and damn, I just can’t seem to adjust my goggles on my helmet the way I did last year. I’ll work it all out and as a Telluride ski instructor, soon I’ll be spending eight-hour days in my ski clothing and equipment for stints as long as ten to fourteen days in a row. In the beginning of the season, I sometimes wonder how I do it, but fortunately I throw it into gear, work through the initial aches and pains, and then fall into the swing of things like skis gliding on the snow.

Doug Sanders (on the left) Teaching the Troops

Veteran Instructor Richard Thorpe Leading a Training

The ski company sets us up with lots of fantastic training, so thankfully we’re given the tools and refresher courses we need to provide our clients with a lesson geared toward their specific desires whether they want to perfect their turns or gain more confidence about zipping around the mountain. Or, maybe they just want a good ski buddy–it’s all good.

It’s always a juggling act for me to switch into ski instructor mode after having lived my writer’s life full-on since last spring. But as I often say, becoming a ski instructor is one of the best things I’ve done for my writing; it takes me out of my head–I love balancing out the mental with the physical five months of the year.

Pretty Stuff Piled All Over

Pro Movers and Many Loads in My Car Did the Job

Late-Night Organization at My Storage Unit

Only the Kitten Truly Enjoys the Move

Layla Allowing Leo to Have a Sniff

Tazzy Checking Out Leo

This year, however, the whole transition has been more of a circus act. After six years together, my guy and I decided it was time for me to move in with him. Big decision, especially since I’ve embarked with a boatload of stuff and two cats. (He already had two fur babies himself, which means that we’ve officially established camp kitty.) We’re still shoehorning my belongings and me into the house, a process that’s likely to endure the better part of the ski season, although definitely with less urgency than what we’ve experienced these past two weeks.

Steve has been a good sport about it for the most part. He has cleared out many of his closets and cupboards, hauled stuff here and there for me, rearranged my storage unit, hired the movers, purchased amenities such as a new shower head, tons of stowaway bins, a ridiculous amount of cat food and kitty litter and much more. All to make my kitties and me feel happy and loved.

He’s even agreed to have some professional cleaning and window washing done, since he must know that it takes a small army to transform his man cave into a comfy home. Oh yes, the first step was that he had a shed–actually a small house–constructed on the property this summer in preparation for my arrival. I thought that that was going to store the overflow for both of us but as it turns out, it’s to be his super-duper sports locker. That’s fine–the guy’s entitled to delight in his jumbo-sized jock den.

Finding Serenity at Mountain Lodge Telluride

Leo Checking Out His Digs at Mountain Lodge

Leo and Clara Relaxing with Me at the Lodge in Front of the Fire

Clara Thinking She’s on Vacation at the Lodge

Clara Taking Off Down the Hallway at the Lodge

Another added perk is that the kitties and I stayed in deluxe accommodations at Mountain Lodge Telluride as we transitioned from one place of living to another. It was truly an island in the storm, something I recommend everyone try to swing when moving because after all the effort required to pack up, clean and leave one place, it’s hard to affront the chaos and confusion awaiting you on the other end. As the general manager of this handsome property, Steve made it possible for Leo, Clara and I to rest, recover and restore ourselves to some sanity before moving into a new home.

So this is why I’ve been quiet lately. We’ve embarked upon all this just two weeks after returning from our big trip to France, a period which coincided with the start of the ski season–always a hectic time around here, especially for a ski instructor/travel writer and the head of a big lodge. But we did it and now we’re on the good end of things. Sort of.

Did someone mention Christmas? Oh yes, it’s that time of year, too. I’ll be happy if the bulk of my boxes are undone by Christmas Eve and all the kitties are happy and calm. Here in Telluride, much of the spirit of Christmas is found on the ski slopes. And I’ll be happy to be spreading that cheer with my clients and everyone I encounter.

Love, laughter and that great fluffy white stuff is in the air throughout. And I’m sure the new year will be filled with many wonderful adventures in my new home and in my life in general.

Happy holiday season to all!

It’s worth noting that Telluride Ski Resort was voted as the #1 ski resort in America for the third year in a row by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

First Chairlift Selfie of the the Season