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Winter Is Here! After an extended and uncharacteristically worm fall, we can safely say that winter has arrived and it is time to relish the season. Just as people started to get sick of skiing the “white ribbon of death” and tempting fate on one over-crowded icy run, Colorado was pounded with over 25in of snow this past weekend. Vail opened new terrain and people were pleasantly surprised by the amount of snow that had fallen on the upper areas of the mountain. Undoubtedly, the new snow yielded the first true powder day of the season as face shots were not hard to find. The early season snow was light and fluffy on top, but with the many fresh layers that had not settled to create a base, the skiing was tricky. The early season snow was not easy to maneuver, however when the balance point was right the sensation of weightlessness was rediscovered. Floating on top of the early season snow was sure to bring a smile to your face, but when the balance point was off, you paid the consequences. If you leaned forward at all, the punchy and hallow snow would swallow your tips below the surface and send you flipping head-over-heals. The tricky snow had people digging for skis and exploding graciously all over the place, while some particular crashes I saw from the lift had people digging for skis that mysteriously burrowed themselves in the early season snow pack. None-the-less people were elated to be outside and frolicking in the new snow that undoubtedly kicked off the winter for the people who enjoyed it.