With nearly 100 days under our skis, winter 2018/19 was one for the outdoor recreation record books. The fun started in mid-November when the first batch of skiable snow arrived in the Adirondack Mountains.

Thanks to cold weather and the world-class grooming staff at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, we skied on almost perfect mid-winter conditions right off the bat.

Even the lifts at Whiteface Mountain started spinning a little earlier than usual on the weekend before Thanksgiving. My days were structured to take advantage of the delightful ski conditions and meet deadlines: eat, ski, work, eat, ski, work, sleep. Rinse and repeat. For those of us hooked on this healthy habit, it was a great season for sliding on snow.

To glide on snow is to escape the normal bounds of the body, but it also makes us more conscious of it. Skiing insists you pay attention to your feet as you kick and glide or set an edge, your arms as you plant poles, and your hips as you keep them square to the hill. By some magical sleight of hand, this acute attention allows us to transcend the corporal and experience the intangible. Peaceful exuberance, tranquility, exhilarating calm, laser focus, and a good night’s rest are the side effects of this routine.

The 2018/2019 ski season was not without annoyances in addition to the beech leaves. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts in the Adirondack Park endured a rollercoaster ride of fluffy powder snowstorms, bitter cold, and warm rainy weather. And rinse and repeat.

Time spent in a snow-covered forest is good for the body and soul, the spirit, and the nerves.

So here’s to the spectacular skiing of winter 2018/2019, may we be lucky enough to enjoy many more!

Now, where’s my bike?