SNOW!

Park City collectively rejoiced this morning as the town woke up to a thick blanket of sparkling, fluffy Utah powder, perfectly matching the opening day of Park City Resort. In a ski town like this one, there is nothing so invigorating or unifying as the first fresh foot that falls from the sky. The streets filled with people going for a walk in the first snow storm of the year, occasionally punctuated with spontaneous snowball skirmishes or snow angels in the roads. It wasn't until the families started to head back for home that the true gravity of the situation started to pile up faster than the little flakes. Snow meant winter. Obviously the main attraction of winter is skiing or boarding, and this excitement is what brought on the celebrations. But skiing isn't so simple. For those who were caught off guard, as it is easy to do, all of a sudden the lack of skies, fitting clothes, passes, and plans started to sink in. Especially for teens, winter can be the most trying season of the year. The need for equipment entails a need for money, or some very generous parents. Although it's always worth it, breaking open that piggy bank to pick up a pass, or shelling out a year's savings for new skis is hardly pleasant. Along with the dough drain, there's just the plain work. School starts to pick up, and weekends become more and more busy, just as kids finally have something to do on the weekends. Shoveling and snow blowing also help add a new set of chores. Driving in the winter weather means snow tires, longer trips, cautionary warnings from parents every time you leave the house. The combined pressure of all these is incredibly poorly timed, because the time you really want to spend all day everyday on the mountain is the same time you have the most other obligations to attend to. But hey, you'll still find time to go enjoy that fresh snow, and that's all that matters.