Picto Diary - 06, 07, 08 January 2019 - More Ski stories
Above: (10) Alone on Last Chance. Deer Valley, 06 January 2018.
8 inches new.
Pre Ski Snow Park jabber with Mark.
Started out skiing with PGA and pals (Tar Heel, Biscuit, and Bling), but dropped out after two lifts. Too much fog. Too much peer pressure. These guys are in their 60's, cummon!
After all, NFPD.
Rode up Carpenter lift with guy who works at Jan's. Told him about the skier yesterday who had brand new Jan's purchased skis swiped from the Snow Park ski rack. "Yeah," said my lift partner. "We know about that. He got his skis back. Somebody took the wrong skis."
Three days ago a Citizen stainless steel, automatic watch (rare... 99% of Citizens are digital... value new $800 ) broke off my wrist at DV. Bracelet axle slipped out. I have no idea when or where it happened. I retrieved the watch today from Howard (well known Parkite), at DV Guest Services. I didn't expect to see the watch again. Guest services had a very well organized log itemizing, with detailed descriptions, all lost items turned in. Kudos to DV!
The Actuary, DV's most enthusiastic and loyal employee, was preening at Cushings at mid AM break. One of the great success stories of DV is how they have been able to hire lots of competent, enthusiastic retired types who are very effective in transmitting the service ethic of the Deer Valley brand. Howard, who delivered my lost watch, and The Acturary, who is a liftie on Mountaineer, are prime examples of this. And, then there are the cashier geezers at the various lodge restaurants. Amazing to watch! They know how to make change. A lost art.
Worn out. Skiing in new, heavy snow requires 4 times (at least for me) the turns per distance covered, more emphasis per turn, and more shuffling. I get much more of a work out on powder days. Huff puff. Nap time! — at Deer Valley Resort.
07 January 2018. Took day off from skiing to catch up on stuff around home. I watched intermittently, when I wasn't watching an episode of Netflix' "The Body Guard," the national championship college football game between Alabama and Clemson... won by Clemson.
Above: (11) Mark and Mark. Deer Crest gondola. Deer Valley, UT 08 January 2018.
80 years of near daily Utah skiing between 'em. Sharing stories of Stein Eriksen and Junior Bounous..
Trying to one up the Marks with ski lore, I asked if either had skied Pine Creek, a ma 'n pa hill near Cokeville, WY. Neither had, but Mark II said he and a friend were going up there for a couple of days next week.
Stockli, Guzzi, and Mwah (sic) skied Pine Creek five years ago.
Mark (1) regaled me with ski stories as we skied out the morning. All stories worth hearing; some amazing...but, not for me to transmit.
Jabbered with cyber buddy Sue P. pre ski in 2002 room. She's teaching a bunch of women today.
Chatted with Eddie B. at Carpenter. He's still l racing cars.
Saw Mrs. Driggs as I was leaving Snow Park lodge. We compared notes on our recent, respective Africa trips and agreed to talk more on an upcoming ski rendezvous.
The Actuary was working the Mountaineer lift. He said , sheepishly, that Mountaineer run was not groomed. Neither was Fairview or Silver Hill. DV seems to have cut back on daily grooming coverage throughout the resort.
Excellent bluebird ski conditions. Day old snow. First grooming since yesterday powder day.
Addendum:
Enjoy the wonderful SNOW; Glad kids could join you -:)
Markco,Ojai, CA
I enjoyed your thoughts on ownership changes and rationale for management to tweak operations to increase profits. Getting more out of less!! Finding best managers. Excellent overview of changes at DV.
Mezzanine,
Miami, FL