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“Get out there and grit your teeth like a man.
Be mean with the hill.”
I was more concerned about the hill being
mean with me. Even short, fat skis snag
on bare spots – and anticipating those
spots ate at my confidence.
Still, I reasoned, I was more confident
and having way more fun than I would
have had 20 years ago using less forgiving
equipment – and besides, it would soon
be afternoon. I’d signed up for a print-
making class and then a late-afternoon
“sage and sweet grass ritual” that promised
a 90-minute trifecta of indulgence: dry
brush exfoliation, followed by a Great Salt
Lake organic mudpack and then a sage-oil
massage.
In the meantime, there was just no way I
could grit my teeth.

IF YOU GO
Equipment: Rent at Ski ‘N See, which has
locations near most major Utah ski resorts.
Premier packages run about $25 a day if
booked in advance online: www.skinsee.
com; (800) 722-3685.
Alta: Check out lodging packages at Alta
Lodge: www.altalodge.com. Learn more
about skiing Alta at www.alta.com.
Deer Valley: Learn more about Deer Valley
Resort at www.deervalley.com.

Sundance: Learn more at www.sundan-
ceresort.com.
More info: www.skiutah.com; (800) 754-
8824.

Above: Skier having fun on the Deer Valley slopes. Left:
Deer Valley ski instructor Rex Frazier demonstrating
the flexibility of today’s skis. Opposite top: The Empire
Canyon Lodge at Deer Valley. Opposite lower: Aubrey
Peterson, 5, from Phoenix, getting her skis adjusted by
Alta instructor Matt Frieda.

Wine Dine & Travel Spring 2014 79