Copper Has Now Closed

Well folks the final curtain has fallen on the 05/06 ski season at Copper Mountain Resort and the place has turned into a ghost town in a matter of hours.
I have a day to pack, close bank accounts and hand in my uniform etc. before heading home on tuesday.
Its been a fantastic experiance and I have taught and talked to people from all walks of life and made some great friends along the way. To those who read this "Thank You" for making me so welcome during my stay in the USA and I hope to see you again someday and we can make some turns together again.
I would like to thank Jacqui for trusting me and letting me have my freedom to live my dream. I love you Jac, thank you. You put a note in my luggage that I didn't know about before I left. It said "Do your best and you will be fine" well I did just that and I was.
Finally a thanks to Mam, Dad, Brett, Mark, Claire, Frank, Nichola, Suzanne and Andrew for looking after Jac and the girls while I have been away.
See you all soon.
Ian

Ian & Abby's Grand Day Out

Finaly I get to ski somewhere besides Copper, thanks to Abby taking her old friend for a run out.
We headed for Aspen Snowmass passing through Gypsum. Where they mine gypsum, funny that!. Then it was through Glenwood Springs where Abby pointed out the local haunted hotel where the ghost didn't like the new decor and stripped the new wallpaper overnight, folding it neetly on the floor.
Arriving a little later than we wanted, we changed in the middle of the muddiest car park in America hopping from foot to foot. Then we grapped a quick Sub. (thats a big sandwich) for lunch and headed up the slopes. As we didn't know the mountain we just headed up and down a few easy greens, not really what we professionals were looking for. On checking the piste map a nice black diamond caught our eye which had a 10 minute uphill walk to get to, but it was well worth the effort. Steaper than the "Wall", Frank. and covered in 8" of new snow. Abby was down in a flash, 'cos she is a better skier than I am. Did I tell you I raced her one day down the local Nastar course at Copper and I let her beat me by 3 seconds because I am a true English gentleman. Any way I managed to get down in my own unique style then followed Abby through some trees. Trees and I are like a magnet and steel so I managed to break a few branches as I crashed my way through. The afternoon was slipping away so we headed up again and found some wide open blues to carve down. I was quite pleased when Abby complimented my carving skill compared to the start of the season as she is really good at taking her edges for a ride. We finished our afternoon with a slide down an airial runway. Abby was in charge of the camera for my run and I made a big effort to look like the man from the Milk Tray add. and 007, cool, sophisticated etc. The footage that was cought on camera was fantastic, just that its only me touching the floor at the end is a little disappointing. Only kidding.
All that is left to say is a big THANK YOU to Abby for a grand day out and I hope you all like my photos. I think someone was having a laff (thats one for you Jac) when they named the slopes!

He's Back Soon

Two weeks tomorrow!