Carolyn and I decided to take advantage of a sunny, calm and clear day (rare this season) and pop up to Vail Pass after work to score some evening turns and exercise.

Temps were quite cold, below 10 F, as we got started. The sun was setting, but we figured we could make it out to a less-trafficked zone for some solitude and fresh snow. As we gained the skin track and got above the trees, we got our first glimpse of the sunset.

We hadn’t really expected or planned for an epic sunset ski, so the energy was high as we continued up. A whole lot of hoops and hollers!

We got to the top and took in the last bits of the sunset, ripped skins, and scored some low-angle powder turns.

With headlamps on and spirits high, we skin-skied back to the cars while temps dropped below zero.

Living in the mountains can be isolating and tough despite the benefits and lifestyle. But as Carolyn aptly observed; “this is why we live here!”.