At 6:30 am on Sunday January 11th the Bolton Valley Parking Lot became alive with women. All who were there for the Catamount Trail Association’s introduction to uphill travel at Bolton Valley.
Led by Megan Davin and Sue Clifford the clinic took place before the lifts started spinning while covering the basic equipment and skills needed to safely and efficiently go uphill. When everyone was ready we headed up the designated uphill route under the Wilderness Lift at Bolton Valley. On the way up we went over proper skinning technique, when to use the climbing bars on your bindings, layering for the way up, uphill etiquette at resorts, etc…
With a total of 8 ladies out for the morning tour there was everything from people’s first time ever going uphill, first time on skis all season to people demoing new to them equipment. The relaxed pace allowed for everyone to start learning about their personal touring systems of layering, speed and pace. You could hear laughter and chatter up the whole hill. After about an hour of climbing it was time to descend.
Once at the top we transitioned took a few photos and then skied back down. By the time we reached the bottom, the lifts were just beginning to spin, people were gathering and we all had the sense of joy in having already skied both up and down in the peacefulness of the crisp morning light.
