I can’t remember a year when we’ve had this much snow before Christmas. My memory isn’t so great, so that doesn’t mean much, but it’s been a while.

There had to have been six inches of brand new, beautiful fluffy snow on the parking lot when I left work this afternoon, with plenty more still to fall, and that set me in the mood for skiing.

I didn’t get out but once last winter, and I had a new pair of skis to try out… I picked them up at the same yard sale where I found the kayak, they were too good and auspicious a deal to resist.

I’ve never skied in Mine Falls Park before, but this evening seemed like a good time to try it. I didn’t care to drive too far, and parking was going to be an issue no matter where I went. I didn’t figure the DPW would be in a great big hurry to clear the Stellos Stadium parking lot, and I was right.

I was surprised to find snowmobile tracks on the trail — and I hope the sledder doesn’t make a habit of it – but once into the park all was peace and falling snow on pines.

It was good to be cruising around at a faster clip. I can’t ski quite as fast as I could run, at least not for long, but it sure beats walking. Walking is nice. It’s… just… awfully… damn… slow.

I used to be a whole lot faster on skis, with Clover pulling at the lead. Skijoring is a blast, but at 13 Clover is way too old for it. She had a whole lot more fun romping along ahead of me, occasionally pausing to look back and cock her head as if to ask, “What’s keeping you?”

Breaking trail was a breeze in that light powder, and the snowmobile track wasn’t bad, either. I don’t care to ski on snow trampled by many feet, but the MF Park is all right when the snow is still fresh.

And hey, I hear there’s a big storm coming Sunday!