We had thirty-eight days of skiable snow! We usually have fewer than fourteen. This has easily been the best skiing winter in at least ten years. In December and January, spring plants were already starting to pop up, but in February we had a real winter. I spent February running the ski rentals at Fox Island six days a week. I was able to get lots of good skiing in before and after work.

Three weeks ago, I was given a pair of old hickory Åsnes touring skis. I need to buy new bindings before I can use them. The old three-pin shoes fell apart before I even made it to the trail. I stood flat-footed on the skis and double-polled down the main trail. On fresh snow, these old wooden skis are quick. The laminated layers of different types of wood look good too.