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After spending the holidays in my home state of Alaska, I returned to the Bonanza to have my best week as yet as the staff photographer.
I got to cross-country ski (one of my favorite activities) at Spooner Summit - as well as shoot a Living section about it; ride in a helicopter for the first time ever while covering the power outages; and head up to Mt. Rose to cover Elvis Day.
What's better than Elvis on skis?
...Even before the day began, I knew it would be the highlight of my season.
After a few warm-up runs, the Elvises took me down the notorious Chutes, which I hadn't ridden before.
I thought the steep faces were great, comparable to the North Face at Mt. Alyeska in Alaska.
I was as impressed with the Elvises' skiing ability as their costumes and had a hard time keeping up - but they were nice enough to wait for me to make my turns.
On a mid-morning chairlift ride to the summit with "Telvis" (Elvis on Telemark Skis), the expert skier turned to me and said: "This is the first time in eight years I haven't worn a helmet," He said as he patted his pompador wig. "I hope the spirit of the King is with me."
Descending the Chutes a second time, I forget I wasn't as proficient on my telemark skis as my snowboard.
I was struggling to make quick turns on the steep slope.
The next thing I remember, I caught an edge and started to tumble.
I let go of my poles first, then one of my skis popped off - I was struggling and falling down the 1,500-foot hill at least a 45-degree angle.
Eventually I stopped and immediately felt pain in my left leg, especially when I put weight on it.
The Elvises saw what had happened and came to my rescue, helping me down the rest of the way before Ski Patrol put me in a sled.
The Mt. Rose First Aid station gave me a quick assessment and soon I was on my way to the ER.
It was there I found out that my season basically began, and ended, with Elvis and a partially torn Achilles.
As a reminder, I now have this really cool boot I get to wear for the next month or so.
I will still be working, but perhaps a little slower than usual.
So, if I take your photo, be kind like the Elvises, and give me a little extra time to catch up and get your name.
...Next year I will wear an Elvis costume, maybe then the spirit of the King will be with me.
I got to cross-country ski (one of my favorite activities) at Spooner Summit - as well as shoot a Living section about it; ride in a helicopter for the first time ever while covering the power outages; and head up to Mt. Rose to cover Elvis Day.
What's better than Elvis on skis?
...Even before the day began, I knew it would be the highlight of my season.
After a few warm-up runs, the Elvises took me down the notorious Chutes, which I hadn't ridden before.
I thought the steep faces were great, comparable to the North Face at Mt. Alyeska in Alaska.
I was as impressed with the Elvises' skiing ability as their costumes and had a hard time keeping up - but they were nice enough to wait for me to make my turns.
On a mid-morning chairlift ride to the summit with "Telvis" (Elvis on Telemark Skis), the expert skier turned to me and said: "This is the first time in eight years I haven't worn a helmet," He said as he patted his pompador wig. "I hope the spirit of the King is with me."
Descending the Chutes a second time, I forget I wasn't as proficient on my telemark skis as my snowboard.
I was struggling to make quick turns on the steep slope.
The next thing I remember, I caught an edge and started to tumble.
I let go of my poles first, then one of my skis popped off - I was struggling and falling down the 1,500-foot hill at least a 45-degree angle.
Eventually I stopped and immediately felt pain in my left leg, especially when I put weight on it.
The Elvises saw what had happened and came to my rescue, helping me down the rest of the way before Ski Patrol put me in a sled.
The Mt. Rose First Aid station gave me a quick assessment and soon I was on my way to the ER.
It was there I found out that my season basically began, and ended, with Elvis and a partially torn Achilles.
As a reminder, I now have this really cool boot I get to wear for the next month or so.
I will still be working, but perhaps a little slower than usual.
So, if I take your photo, be kind like the Elvises, and give me a little extra time to catch up and get your name.
...Next year I will wear an Elvis costume, maybe then the spirit of the King will be with me.
