Driving at night from the slopes!!

[billski]

how many people that have places up north come home early monday morning vs. sunday night?

kids/school might make it more difficult, but I think that's what we might start doing. 5:30-6 departure and and in the office comfortably by 9:00 works.

I tried that twice. There is a black hole somewhere in that process - I leave at 6, but never seem to get into the office until 1030 or 11am. From No. NH you always slam into the Concord-Manchester or the Rochester commuter traffic. then, as you approach Metro Boston, you can get clogged into the inbound commuter traffic.

 

[polski]

Great thread.

I'm a coffee drinker and find caffeine isn't much help on the ride home - good for a little boost for only 10-15 min. Much more effective on the ride up, though then I want to minimize/spread out intake so I don't have to make any pit stops.

Main thing I do is keep the heat to a minimum - once I've initially warmed the car up I turn it down as low as I can stand it. I don't open the windows for a sudden blast of cold air but keep a steady cool. I did a lot of NYC<->Boston trips with the family over the years and they learned to bring blankets with them ...

A few times this year I've actually consciously quit skiing at 2-2:30 so the bulk of the drive back is in daylight (one of the great things about spring skiing is that's no longer a factor). I've gotten real good at getting out the door as early as necessary (like 5 a.m.) to get first chair in N VT, and after skiing hard all morning except for a short early lunch break and then half the afternoon, my legs usually are pretty whipped by 2 anyway.

Several times I've driven up the night before and stayed in a motel or whatever, especially if it's supposed to snow in the a.m. - 1) I'm fully rested when I grab first tracks, and 2) I'm not driving in crap if I can avoid it. I'd spend the dough on an overnighter post-skiing only if the weather were really bad, and then yes, I'd be sorely tempted to ski another day ...

 

[nicks79]

I never have problems going to the mountain. Even if I am pulling a day trip to Jay from Boston! Its always on the way back, and it usually hits me 30-45 minutes after I start driving. Has anyone tried those yellow/orange colored driving goggles?

 

[billski]

I'd spend the dough on an overnighter post-skiing only if the weather were really bad, and then yes, I'd be sorely tempted to ski another day ...

If the weather was really "bad", isn't the next day a SICK DAY? :flag:

 

[umby]

a big red bull and my ADD meds usually do the trick. Also keep the car fairly cool... if its warm i get sleepy.

 

[chrisrunsi]

That's funny about the jog. I never tried that - always assuming I'm so damn tired from skiing already!

Audi always claimed that the red-lit dashboard is superior, but I never knew why. Must be what they are talking about. I never noticed.

I have the worst dash, repalced standard green with blue LED glow. I think blue is the most fatigueing color. I usually turn the dash way down low and use the GPS to keep my speed. Unfortunately my radio has glows blue as well and is Uber bright, that I cannot turn off :-S

 

[SkiDork]

munching on these keeps me awake:

 

[abc]

i'm surprised that since we're only tallking about a couple hour drive that i've not heard anyone suggest pulling over for a 10-15 minute workout...rather than the 10-15 minute catnap.

Doesn't work all that well for me.

After all day skiing, I do feel TIRED. So jogging around the parking lot doesn't really appeal.

 

[Greg]

what do you do to stay awake behind the wheel?

Found a new technique that worked great for me on the 3 1/2 hour drive home from Killington yesterday. Sunflower Seeds! I went through about 3/4 of a bag on the way home and filled an empty coffee cup with the shells. My blood pressure was probably through the roof and my tongue almost fell off from all the salt though so I need to try the reduced sodium ones. I found that constantly chomping away on these kept me doing something and I didn't feel tired at all despite the 9-4 ski day. It would never work if my wife was in the car though as I'm sure all the spitting of shells would skeeve her out. :lol:

 

[Beetlenut]

a big red bull and my ADD meds usually do the trick. Also keep the car fairly cool... if its warm i get sleepy.

Ah yes, Red Bull and Ritilan! Throw in a six pack to take the edge-off!! Seriously, a good talk radio station with an interesting topic usually helps, and a Med Hazelnut from DD's.

 

[Smellytele]

3 kids fighting in the back seat do it for me!

 

[Warp Daddy]

Simple anything further than 90 minutes oneway is an overnite for me

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

no issues skiing all day then driving home 6hrs...dont even think about it, never had a problem dozing etc...just do it...