So long, and thanks for all the... blueberries?

[roark]

Some of you may know I recently accepted a new job in Denver. Six years ago I moved to NH and encouraged by this site (BobR looking for one more team member for the AZ race team) re-found my love of sliding on snow and found some good friends along the way...

The AZ race team (especially tree_skier, BobR, ga2ski, skibum9995, some good battles with Charlie_S as well!) helped me progress from a from a skidding 1 point 'thanks for playing' nastar racer to an occasional gold. You all gave me a gift probably better than private lessons just by watching and listening I learned so much.

djspookman errrrr CheshireBikeCoop pushed me every time I was able to drag him away from the family, and despite nearly killing me out in octopus' garden I will really miss hanging with such an incredible ball of energy and a genuinely great person.

of course Rusty and orange_gondola and the magic crew - no, family. It will be hard to leave home.

I'll really miss exploring new areas with riverc0il - an incredible nose for trees and a fantastic guide for anywhere he's visited... my go to last minute pm at 10 pm the night before ski buddy... damn near photographic memory for stashes - I'll never forget the MRG tour, multiple cannon days, Mt Abram, many magic days... I know you don't get out west often but you better come visit buddy.

Early on Andyzee showed me the way to Coops

snowmonster, Terry @SR, trailboss, JimG, 2knees, all those who were at the loaf the last couple years (esp from_the_NEK - awesome Burke tour guide! - woodcore, waloaf and wjenness), bvibert, and even Greg, since it's always nice to have someone around who makes you look good

I know I'm forgetting many names with whom I've enjoyed a lift ride or chased through the trees... call me out and come visit once we're settled out west!

 

[Terry]

Enjoyed skiing with you. Hope all works out for you. Maybe we will have to plan a trip west and hook up!

 

[deadheadskier]

Your leaving Keene, NH for Denver? You sure you want to do that? :lol:

Best of luck. Enjoyed the couple times I shared some time on snow with you.

 

[snoseek]

Well I'm still on the fence about whether to go back to Colorado keep going west to utah. If I do end up in Colorado we need to do some skiing.

What neighborhood are you settling at? Denver is an awesome city with tons to do, you will love it for more than skiing I bet. Rockies games are cheap!

 

[roark]

Your leaving Keene, NH for Denver? You sure you want to do that? :lol:

Best of luck. Enjoyed the couple times I shared some time on snow with you.

Not to get defense, I know you're you're just having fun but Keene is a fantastic place to live. There's actual industry and career opportunities available in a small town setting that isn't a sprawling suburban hell. There aren't many situations like this left in the US. And actually not a bad place to be situated for NE skiing: I lucked out moving here. This was not an easy decision.

 

[roark]

Well I'm still on the fence about whether to go back to Colorado keep going west to utah. If I do end up in Colorado we need to do some skiing.

What neighborhood are you settling at? Denver is an awesome city with tons to do, you will love it for more than skiing I bet. Rockies games are cheap!

For skiing UT takes it easy. It's the rest that I'd be uncomfortable with there. If you do end up back in CO hit me up for sure.

I think I may have offended someone who was concerned about me moving just for the skiing by stating my opinion that CO is the most overrated skiing in the US. It is great, just doesn't really compare to UT for all the hype - lift served anyway... noVt snow totals and crowded with basically one road serving all the areas is the impression I get... wondering what the CO equivalent of Solitude is? I can't stand crowds/lines.

Job is in DTC. Looking at Wash, Platt Park, Speer, or maybe downtown, or maybe down near the job - but suburbia is far less appealing. Relo gives me 30 days temp housing so we have some time to explore.

 

[deadheadskier]

Oh, I know Keene is a nice little community. No doubt it's very unique and actually has come a long way since I lived nearby during high school, now almost 20 years ago.

Moving on is always tough, no matter where you are. Heck, it was hard for me to say goodbye to Ohio when I lived there for a year and didn't ski 1 day.

 

[snoseek]

For skiing UT takes it easy. It's the rest that I'd be uncomfortable with there. If you do end up back in CO hit me up for sure.

I think I may have offended someone who was concerned about me moving just for the skiing by stating my opinion that CO is the most overrated skiing in the US. It is great, just doesn't really compare to UT for all the hype - noVt snow totals and crowded with basically one road serving all the areas is the impression I get... wondering what the CO equivalent of Solitude is? I can't stand crowds/lines.

Job is in DTC. Looking at Wash, Platt Park, Speer, or maybe downtown, or maybe down near the job - but suburbia is far less appealing. Relo gives me 30 days temp housing so we have some time to explore.

Agreed about Utah, I've done equal time in both states. For year round living I like Colorado better anyway. Summer is what makes me want to just go back there (and all my shit is already in storage in Denver). I've only done winters in Utah though.....



Loveland is the goto area for everyone that actually skis on a regular basis and likes it low key. They average 400 inches but preserves good due to elevation. It is windy as hell but that can be a blessing. Abasin is steeper, gets a little less snow, slightly more people. Wolf creek is a haul but probably gets even more snow than solitude most years. Monarch is fun, sbout 2 1/2 hours, again mellow. Colorado is sort of overated but also has a lot of diversity and different weather patterns if you're willing to drive. I suggest a LL pass anyway.

All your neighborhoods are pretty cool. Highlands is also a great place to live as is the good (northeast) aves off of Sloans lake. To live down near the platte would be awesome! Parts of Littelton are ok although maybe too suburban for your taste. Morrison would be an ok commute and a fun little town.

 

[bvibert]

Congrats on the upcoming move! It was nice to be able to ski with you a few times before you moved on. Good luck with everything out there. Be sure to check in every once and awhile!

 

[roark]

Enjoyed skiing with you. Hope all works out for you. Maybe we will have to plan a trip west and hook up!

absolutely, drop me a line if you head west!

 

[riverc0il]

Oh man, wowzers! Majorly pumped for your new opportunity and career move but very bummed to be loosing a ski bud! If that ain't motivation to visit CO, then I don't know what is! I'll get out there soon enough once the time is right and you'll be getting a call. I hope your move goes well and good luck!

 

[andyzee]

Sorry to see you go and at the same time wish you all the best!

 

[Nick]

Best of luck... wish I'd had the chance to ski with ya sooner! Come back for the summit next year, would ya? It's my goal to make it a completely amazing blowout

 

[hammer]

Best wishes out west...and thanks for the encouraging words during my first year with the AZ race team. Based on your skiing that I saw at Pats Peak I find it hard to believe that you started as 1 point guy...

 

[andyzee]

Speaking of blueberries, got these yesterday

 

[TheBEast]

Speaking of blueberries, got these yesterday

Them's a lot of Blueberries!! Holy cow!

 

[roark]

Best wishes out west...and thanks for the encouraging words during my first year with the AZ race team. Based on your skiing that I saw at Pats Peak I find it hard to believe that you started as 1 point guy...

not that long ago... keep at it and keep skiing with people better than you

 

[Glenn]

Best of luck roark! Next time I'm at Elm City Brewery in Keene, I'll have one for ya.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Speaking of blueberries, got these yesterday

what are you going to do with all of those?

 

[from_the_NEK]

Wow, best of luck with your new mile high endevours. Glad I got to ski with you a few times and nice work making the slog all the way up here for that big powder day at Burke last winter :beer: .

I hope to make it out to CO this winter for a ski trip. My sister works at Copper Mtn and it has been 7 years since I last went out there to visit. I'll have to look you up if I go.