Will said in his last post (and I'm way behind now that I don't work in front of a screen) that it was not yet ski season, but I would have to beg to differ. Deer Valley has been open since Saturday , and I've been skiing the icy cat-tread for a couple weeks now. Excuse me, "firm-pack granular", Deer Valley is, of course, too good for ice.
I've entered the world of fixed heel skiing. At times I like it, for example on runs where I finally get the hang of the turn. I love not needing my hands to get my bindings on an off. (and let me tell you, patrolling is all about taking your skis on and off 15 million times a day). However, I loath the hike up to the shack from the top of the lift, and at least once a day I lean down to pick up some large ackward item I'm about to drop only to discover my heels don't come with me. (Doh!)
We've had some selected nice skiing out there. We're preserving powder by posting closed signs in front of all the good stashes, and then ducking the ropes when no ones looking. (exception, lines which can be seen from the lift are strictly no-poaching terrain as if guests see the tracks we have to yell at the which decreases the amount of time we can ski.)
I've joined the world of mid-weeks off so if anyone wants to go cut some turns on Wednesdays or Thursdays, let me know