My first impression, arriving at LAX at 5.30 a.m., to ensure that my son, Devon and I would be on the slopes before lunch, was the sight of so many young men and young women, in uniform, shipping out to the troubled world of the Middle East. They were in such good spirits and so spic-and-span. This was the beginning of their great adventure and hopefully, one day soon, they'll return home to do their own skiing and (more and more) snowboarding. We all let them go the head of the line to check in.
The proximity of the mountains was my first pleasant surprise. Once we'd claimed our baggage at Salt Lake City International Airport, it was off to the resort by a most efficient shuttle service, and we arrived in 35 minutes. We were hitting the slopes by noon.
In six days we were able to ski in all three resorts, take a hot air balloon over the Wasatch Mountains, experience the most exhilarating snowmobiling over a vast high-altitude world of virgin snow and even go "tubing". For the uninitiated (and I was one), it is where they take an old abandoned ski-run and you flop down into specially made tires and zoom down the hill...over and over again. My son's girlfriend, Lilly, was with us and we couldn't stop laughing like loons (I think loons are big laughers, 'though I've never actually heard a loon laugh).
And then there are the eating establishments; mostly on the mile long Main Street of Park City. Until the Great Depression this had been a very active and successful silver mining town. Now, with several of the old mine-heads still seen on the lower slopes of the ski-runs, there are dozens and dozens of buildings that have remained, externally, much as they have been for a century. The town has great character. The restaurants are a match for any in most of the major cities of the land. Each evening we ended the meal by saying, "now that was the best." It is all a matter of taste and budget. All are catered to.
If ever there was, for me, a symbol of how the world should be in the future, it was in meeting many of the youngsters who work at Deer Valley, Park City and the Canyons: it is truly a representation of most of the world's countries and continents. We met (and this is just a few that come to mind), ski instructors and waiters, crew members at the lifts, and chefs etc., who are here with a six month work permit. They return home and hope to come back next season. They were from Slovakia, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Austria, Canada, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Britain, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Montenegro, Brazil and numerous other places. They all appear to enjoy each other's company. Maybe, one day, the world could be that way.
One of the sporting highlights of my life was a meeting with the three-time Olympian,giant slalom star, Heidi Voelker. Devon, Lilly and I spent three hours with this amazing person and athlete. To ski behind such a perfect speed-demon, with the most amazing grace and personal charm, is something I cherish. Just being with her improved my ability by a good fifty percent. She is, understandably, a local hero.
That's briefly, very briefly, how it was for us. The days ranged from cold (14 degrees to 31 degrees) and from sunny, to healthy snowfalls at night. The grooming of the runs was sensational. Nowhere in the rest of the world matches the proficiency of the convoy of "cats" that work all night to perfect the slopes.
I'm home, in one piece - and that's always an encouraging relief. I'm fine, I'm still waiting with the hope that United will find my two bags. They could be anywhere. I'm willing to return to Park City, The Canyons and Deer Valley, just in case they found their way back there.
Next visit will be in Spring, Summer or Fall, with my wife, Alana. She'd love it for the music, the scenery and the people. If her recovery from the stroke she endured continues, we'll be hiking in the high hills. A man should dream.