Hows it goin everyone,

I just thought I might add a little bit to the blog... In fact this is my very first blog ever, so please feel free to respond to this to let me know if I am doin' it right or if you have any feelings on the topic I wish to bring up today. Hmmm... my topic...okay... steeps... I guess that word might relate to the tea aficionados out there or fellow snowsports enthusiasts. This blog is relative to the intermediate to advanced snow "riders" out there but you tea folks are more than welcome to read on.

This time of the season I get to thinking about pretty much one thing... The steeper aspects of my favorite mountain. I really think about the "closer to vertical" portions of Bear Valley all the time but this is the time of year when I really get to refine my skills in these areas. With a great base of snow underfoot and the warmer weather, it really makes for sweet conditions to slide around on the steeps down in the Grizzly Bowl. Yes, the black diamonds and the double black diamonds in the lower mountain. The snow has been perfect for challenging this terrain as it starts to soften up around 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. and the top to bottom laps that have me breathing hard, feeling challenged, probably a little sweaty, and completely amped! Riding up the Grizzly chair, looking down on the terrain which is simply known as "the Grizz," and knowing that I had just growled back at it for a bit of time.

Now for most folks out there, a forty-plus degree pitch can seem a bit overwhelming, undoable, and downright scary. I am here to say that for those of you that are feeling a bit complacent in your intermediate to early advanced levels of snow sliding, the "steeps" are a great place to expand your abilities and love for your sport. I am also here to say that with a little bit of guidance- perhaps from a Bear Valley Snowsports Instructor- and a bit of motivation, you can and should get out there and make it happen. Getting versed in these spring time conditions on the steeps will allow you to feel comfortable and excel in the other aspects of your skiing or riding... guaranteed. Plus, if you happen to "accidentally" take a wrong turn with your buddy and end up looking down a piece of steep, bumped out terrain, the look on their face is always classic... confidence always shines... and last to the bottom always buys.

Come out to Bear Valley, sign up for a "Steeps" private lesson... Challenge "the Grizz"...make your friend buy...

Tip for the steeps: Shorter, tighter turns allow us to control our speed. Skiers keep your hands and body forward down the "fall" line. Riders keep your hips parallel to the slope.

Hope to see you guys up here- and we serve Earl Grey in the cafe!