A familiar emotion triggered when I climbed into bed last night: excitement. I knew today was not going to be a powder day. I assumed I was hiking for a top to bottom groomer run. Hardly something to get excited about. But I could care less about conditions. I was heading up to my favorite mountain for some earned turns. During the last few seasons, that giddy feeling was rarely there even for powder days. This season, I am no longer just be going through the motions.

It feels great to want it again.

And wanting it paid off. With a rock solid base, natural snow trails skied well despite undulations and terrain hazards. While Vista Way was pleasant enough, Avalanche was damn near amazing with what felt like peel away spring corn on top of a supportive base.

I want some more of that.