Last day at Vail

Closing time, every new beginning is some other beginnings end.

Closing day at Vail Mountain may easily be the biggest party of the whole season. It's a tradition that has been celebrated for ages amongst good friends in the wildest of spirits. Donning Retro gear, riding kids-size short boards, and Barbequin' at Blue Sky are just a few of the treasured traditions in my crew. While some like to hit cliffs and huck themselves for all they're worth, others like to take it easy. But by the end of the day, everyone meets up to have one last toast to winter.

At 4 o'clock, everyone gathers at the top of Chair 4--the most popular lift in all of Vail (and also the gateway to the backbowls). Chairlifts 5 and 11 also deposit happy party goers to this spot as well. Crowds gather for hours and hours to stake out their space. But, when Chair 4 ceases to spin, when no more skiiers and riders can join, it's official...there's no more skiing for the 2008-2009 season at Vail. With respect to that, there's just one thing left to do: Party like it's the last.

And where am I at 4 o'clock this afternoon? Not dressed up in gaper gear, celebrating with friends at Vail's Mountain Top. Not shredding hard on the sloppy afternoon slush, camera out, trow down.

This year, at 4:00 precisely, I am ascending into the air, desperately trying to spot Vail's closing day party out the airplane window. Bummer I have a middle seat. The sky behaves perfectly to allow quintessential mountain views from above, a sight I dare to say I have never seen in such beauty before. I am at the party in spirit, but the next adventure must begin.

From Denver to San Francisco, I am on my way to Sausalito to begin training for my new job, beginning 9am Monday morning.


Sorry I haven't had time for proper goodbyes...It has been an intense week after finishing my contract at Vail only 7 days ago. There were lose ends to tie in my freelance gigs & new beginnings with my summer job. In addition to a business meeting in Omaha, too many maintenance dentist and doctor appointments (insurance is quickly running out), saying goodbye to friends, and packing my two carloads full of stuff and depositing it back home, you can imagine it has been a stressful time. I am super excited to begin my new job, but wish I had more time to get ready!


Revisiting 4 at 4 from 2008: http://travelingjules.blogspot.com/2008/04/closing-day.html