Jim Grew shares his adventures of spending an entire winter Powdercat skiing.
I am a 61 year old, divorced, retired male from Florida. However, I still work full time as a volunteer, as President of USA Water Ski, the national governing body of towed water sports recognized by the United States Olympic Committee. This lead to my eventual relationship with Steamboat Powdercats.
I landed in Steamboat without knowing that there was even a Powdercats operation there. Well, since that first visit in the mid 90s, I have always returned exclusively to Steamboat, even now without the family. Lincoln Avenue in the center of town turned out to be as advertised, an extraordinary place with a down home feel despite all the build-up between town and mountain.
The rest, as they say, is history. Suddenly realizing, as my 62nd birthday was fast approaching, that I was probably never going to get much younger, fitter or energetic even though I am a fitness fanatic, I decided that I would see if I could spend an entire winter skiing solely in the back country, only in powder, only with Steamboat Powdercats. I have just completed my 40th day with SPCs with the intention, if the weather and number of guests allow, of skiing 5-10 more. The plan was to see (1) if I could physically do it, (2) if I would enjoy it and (3) if I could improve. So far, so good. After all, it is not like the mountain where you can choose to ski two runs and come home. A day in the backcountry, whether it’s eight or eighteen runs, is a full day.
So, why Steamboat Powdercats? The answer is two-fold and simple. First of all, the guides care about their guests and enjoy the adventure they embark upon daily; and, secondly, they are very professional in a relaxed yet actually nurturing manner down to the least significant detail. In fact, I consider them my winter family and have known all but one since they each arrived to work here. Just like a large family, they display different, interesting personalities yet mesh on a daily basis very effectively, not always perfectly of course as I got to know them, and I am thankful for that, but certainly better than anyone could expect. General Manager Eric Deering has made sure that his selected cast both works and plays well together. They are the ones that make it enjoyable for me.
So, forty days out, mission accomplished.
Check out Monday’s guest blogger sequel as Jim tells about his favorite run.
Check out Monday’s guest blogger sequel as Jim tells about his favorite run.
