swap

The ski season is almost upon us: Ski Utah reports that Solitude and Brighton are hoping to open next Friday (11/12), and Alta is aiming for November 19, conditions permitting.  (Since it's nearly 70 and fairly sunny today, it's going to need to get quite a bit colder and precipation-er pretty quickly.)

To help get ourselves in the ski mood, we trekked through Parley's Canyon to the Park City Ski Swap.  Held Friday ($10 admission), Saturday ($5) and Sunday ($2), the PCSS is part clearinghouse for new and used - no older than 5 years, supposedly - ski and snowboard equipment and apparel and part fundraiser - 30% sales commission - for the Park City Ski Team. 

The Basin Recreation Field House was packed with outdoor clothing, skis, boards, boots, poles, helmets, goggles, backpacks and people.  We cruised the ski aisles several times but didn't end up picking anything out; we haven't really figured out what we want, other than "powder skis," and didn't feel like spending the money on skis we weren't sure about.  I did pick up a new lightweight base layer and a new-ish pair of aluminum Scott ski poles - my current sticks are +/- 25 years old and I thought it would be okay to have a pair from this decade.

So, I'm ready to break in those new poles and parka.  Still need to get my skis tuned but I'm ready - bring on the snow!