Ice Hockey on Lake Angela 1/16/12

We are setting records this year in Tahoe, but not the kind we want. It's the middle of January and there is the least amount of snow fall since sometime in the 1800's or something. I certainly don't remember ever seeing it this bear in my lifetime. Well, we all have to make due, which means finding non-snow activities to keep us entertained. It turns out that backcountry ice skating is the latest craze. It was cold and clear for a long time, so all the lakes are nice and frozen. And with no fresh snow to get in the way, its clear skating! Heather, Ryan, Amanda, and I headed up to Lake Angela, a little mountain lake up on the summit, for a day of picnicing and hockey (with or without skates, whatever you could find).

We set up our gourmet picnic spread out on the little rock island in the middle of the frozen lake.

Heather was the only one who actually had skates, so she zipped all around the lake.

Showing off her sweet figure skating moves.

And now lets play hockey!

The little ice balls made great pucks, gliding fast and smoothly across the lake. The only challenge was getting to them fast enough and not eating crap with the tennis shoes...sort of a cross between broomball and hockey!

Talk about a gorgeous day!

Heather let me try out her skates for a bit...its just like riding a bike, the moves come right back to ya!

Winter Water Skiing on Jackson Lake 1/8/12

For my last day in winter paradise, we headed out on a little different kind of adventure...water skiing! Actually, we grabbed our cross country skis and went touring across a very frozen Jackson Lake. It was a little overcast this day, so there was a really cool, eerie calmness to the whole scene...very meditative and relaxing, but still great exercise. Plus, I have never before ventured out across a frozen lake, so once I got over the initial hesitation that it would crack and I'd fall in, it was a really great experience.

Chels and Trev showing off their extremely skinny skis...seriously, these suckers were even skinny for cross country skis!

Heading out across the great abyss.

We randomly found our buddy Hager doing a little ice fishing out on the lake. We were able to confirm that the ice was a good 6+ inches thick!

Heading to our island destination for a little picnic lunch.

Not a bad view from this lunch seat!

Chelsea all bundled up and trying to stay warm. Despite being uncharacteristically warm for Jackson in January, it was actually a bit chilly today!

You gonna put that in your sandwich there Trev?

So great to spend some quality time with my friend...just like the good old days!

Modeling in front of Trevor's favorite Teton.

We saw lots of wildlife on our safari today too... This huge moose, a couple deer, some buffaloes, and tons of elk.

Sled Skiing on Togwatee Pass 1/7/12

Day 2 of my Jackson adventure took place up on Togwatee Pass. Trevor and I headed up there with his snowmobile to do a little sled skiing (a.k.a. poor man's heli-skiing). It was a blast! Basically Trevor would zoom me up to the top of the peak on the sled, then I would get to ski down, and he'd get to play on is sled while heading back down to grab me again. Win-win situation for both parties - I got to ski some untracked pow and Trev got to have his sled play day in the pow. I could really get used to this lifestyle!

A nice, clear, sunny day with beautiful views of the Tetons.

More Tetons.

Trevor all decked out in his sled-head garb at the top of Angle Peak.

Skis + Sled + Kat at the Peak = Awesome!

Best powder turns of 2012 (and first)!

Enjoying lunch in style!

Looking up at Angle Peak and the areas I was skiing.

Waiting for Trevor in the powder meadow.

Hang on tight when Trevor is making his crazy powder slalom turns!

Heading to the Hole 1/6/12

Since there is still no snow in Tahoe, and therefore no tourists or business in the restaurants (my weekend job), I took advantage of a little last minute time off, jumped in my car, and headed to Jackson Hole, WY to find a little of the fluffy white stuff! As usual, Chelsea and Trevor were the best hosts and tour guides ever...never a dull moment when playing with them in Jackson, no matter what time of year you go! Day 1 started off with an early morning hike with Trevor up the Glory Boot Pack on Teton Pass, and then the requisite ski down. Those were my first off-piste turns of the year, and it was great!! Next we headed out to Granite Canyon on snowmobiles to relax in the secret hot springs. And let me tell you, riding on a sled with Trevor is always an exciting adventure! Finally, we finished off the night with a drink at Jackson's famous Cowboy Bar. Talk about a great first day!

Sunrise on Teton Pass.

Hanging out above the cloud layer and looking down on the Jackson valley below.

Trevor setting a good pace on the hike up.

The view of the Tetons from the summit.

High up above the clouds, enjoying the sunshine!

Trevor snapping some shots of the beautiful day.

Katharine enjoying the plethora of snow all around her... really hadn't seen any since last July!

Chels and Trev prepping the sled for our adventure... Isn't Chels such a cute little sled neck?!

Trevor, Chelsea, Jim, and Blaire taking a little break and checking out all the slides on the surrounding mountains.

Heading out for a wild ride of deep powder slalom turns...Trevor is quite skilled on his sled!

Here we go!

Who knew you could get powder face shots on a snowmobile!!

Chelsea and Katharine preparing to strip down and forge the freezing creek in order to get to the hot springs on the other side!

Ahh, we made it...warmth!

And, thanks to Trevor for arming us with the requisite supplies to enjoy an afternoon of hot springs bathing!

Views of the beautiful waterfalls right from where we were soaking.

Chelsea relaxing in the pool with the hot water falling down behind.

Cheers to another great Jackson adventure!

Trev getting cozy in his hot spot right under the falls.

Blaire and Jim enjoying their first trip out to the hot springs as well.

Getting prepared to head back across the freezing creek to reach our sleds...too bad there's no warm water waiting for us on the other side this time!!

Burrrrr! Luckily the warmth of 3 hours in the sulfur pools sticks with you even after the cold crossing!