With November almost at hand, and the aspen leaves long since scattered on the high-country winds, skiing season in the Rockies is right around the corner. Like all avid skiers, Ira Riklis wonders what this year will bring at Vail, his favorite ski resort. How can you measure optimal skiing conditions? You could keep track of the total snowfall, but having lots of snow doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got good powder for downhill runs. And even then, the weather has to be just right and the trails well groomed.
Like most things in life, you need persistence and more than a little luck to find those rare moments when everything comes together in one perfect afternoon, one thrilling run. Ira Riklis knows that for any sport, it takes enthusiasm and persistence to keep getting out there, risking life, limb and frostbite to find those really great rides that may happen just a few times each season.