Winter Returns to SASS

Sarah Laird from South America Snow Sessions brings us another report from Bariloche, Argentina.

As I looked out the window and I saw snowflakes the size of alfajores I began to remember that it really is winter.  Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’m skipping the dreaded heat of summer and living in winter year round.

It was Sunday night and the next storm had arrived.  The mood at dinner was a little bittersweet as the second session was wrapping up and many clients stared out the window with mixed emotions.  All were stoked to see the snowfall but sad that once again the end of SASS had come too quickly.  But at least we got to say goodbye with another fat powder storm.

Everyone woke up to camp’s personal alarm clock, coach Pete Connolly playing “Cities” by the Talking Heads telling us to get ready because it was dumping!  Breakfast was abuzz with chatter about how great Laguna would be and bets were flying about how much air you’d be able to get off the cliff jump in the Palmero Trees.  I finished my media luna with one of those sentimental tender moments remembering why I love winter so much.

My glorious state of happiness lasted all day as I got up to the mountain and sure enough there was plenty of powder.  A foot and a half sat at the base, and when Pete took off his skis to bury a backpack for the morning beacon drill, he sunk his 6’4” frame up to his chest.  The day went fast with repeated laps through the trees sinking turns through the three feet of Andean pow, hoots and hollers coming from the group after a dry spell the week before.  

After a day spent crushing tree lines, the crew met for a goodbye beer at Conexcion, the on mountain SASS hangout.  And because I just couldn’t resist and maybe I’m just a little mean, I called home to some friends and bragged about my epic day in the snow.  Who needs summer when I can live in winter year round!