“Want to do a warmup run?” I jokingly challenge.
“Sure,” Jake grins. “How about Mittersill?”
“Ha,” I agree, realizing that after a mere two runs, my thirtysomething legs will be toast. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
We dash down the Taft Slalom Trail, keeping up our speed for the traverse ahead. At the top of Hardscrabble we veer left, successfully sliding for another moment or two before our skis run out in the freshly packed powder.
“Mittersill Terrain Area,” the yellow sign warns. “This area contains unique risks inherent in backcountry woods skiing and riding. Only expert level skiers and riders should attempt this difficult terrain.”
Grinning enthusiastically, or foolishly, or both, we pop out of our bindings, throw our skis over our shoulders, and follow the bootpack up to the top of Mittersill, Cannon Mountain’s newly opened sidecountry terrain.
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