Windows into White Grass

Last Saturday was the official opening day for White Grass Ski Touring Center. Some years there is no snow, other years, just a skiff enough to ski the snowfarm. This year, there was a delightful ten inches of fluffy white stuff. We had a luxurious season opening tour out the 3-Mile Trail to Round Top. I skied most of the trip with my camera around my neck. Making good time with a photographer never happens. We set a languid pace, and I took lots of pictures.

The word of the day was "vertical." We only skied about 1000' of vertical, but I took lots of handheld vertical panoramas. These shots show the bright December sun low in the sky, even at midday. The white snow sticking to the trees muffled the clatter between my ears, making it quiet and peaceful.