Heather had mentioned we should listen to this podcast about the virus that was spreading in China, on our drive down to Bryce Canyon. Even typing that fundamental response we had of, “the virus in China,” seems so surreal with as much retrospect as I have on that situation. But at that time, I just shrugged it off. I tried to rationalize that it was probably people just over reacting to something that is not going to effect me.
We arrived at our hotel pretty late, but not too late to be invited by our host. Ivo sets us up and asks us what we would like for breakfast in the morning. He wasn’t too happy at our desire to wake up extra early to try and find a place to ski. After some back and forth, he begrudgingly agreed to early departure. Sure enough breakfast was on the table the next morning, complete with fresh espresso.
Backcountry skiing is strictly prohibited in the national park. We had heard about a place just outside of the canyon, Fake Breaks, where there had been reports of ski-able lines. The skiing was unlike anything I had experienced before. Hoodoos shoot up out of the snow and formed a natural amphitheater in the area we wanted to ski.
The snow was very sun effected, making our tour mostly a site-seeing tour. There was probably 400 vertical feet of decently skiable snow, until it turn to ice. I hope to go back one day with a bit better conditions.
The following day, much to Ivo’s delight, was a later start and consisted of a hike around the national park. It is always a treat to be in a national park in the off season. We didn’t have the entire park to ourselves, because we had gone on the same weekend as the winter festival. None the less, we enjoyed hiking the trail with a few less people, than you may expect in the summer months.
for my friends who are moms 