The first day of the 2011 Week in the Snow showed Spring in full glory! A pancake breakfast courtesy of the our chalet was a nice primer for afternoon fun. While waiting for the ice to thaw, I wrote my class and the folks skidded on 13 favorites. Then it was prime time. A ski jacket was not an option. Gloves were not recommended. Shorts would have been nice for many. Yes, a first jaunt in on the slopes for the year was picture perfect. Leaving the speedster to rest up, we hopped on our cross-country skis and glided across the meadow boarder before traversing over to Squaw Creek and the (relatively) new lodge and furthest lift. The legs found their cross-country spirit and even got in some nice skating on the soft snow. Only as we approached Red Dog and rounded the corner to the back gate to the deck did skiing get a bit difficult. No wonder, all of a sudden my boot came off the ski! Then a few step-glides further, in the depth of the bank by the gate, the left boot completely delaminated from the sole binding!!! I could hardly fathom what I was seeing … The bottom of my boot was hanging attached to the binding of my vertical ski; the right one was off in the snow! It was a very funny sight but viewers are not recommended to try this at home =). So much for skiing and snow-shooing. The only good news is that ski shops are plentiful both in the park and neighboring towns. No matter for now, the hot tub takes away any stress, sores or worries.