M.K. Dymock's Blog, page 4

A Step Into the Movies At Malibu Creek State Park

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Malibu Creek State Park is a gorgeous, year-round place to hike in the Santa Monica mountains and home to several film and tv settings. Visit in the winter and spring for beautiful green grasses and cool temps. Come in the summer when the heat in the Valley is unbearable for a dip in its cool waters.

If hiking isn’t enough of a draw, the park used to be owned by a film studio and movie stars like Bob Hope and President Reagan and served as backdrop to many movies and TV shows. In fact one of the days I visited, a movie was being shot. Nothing like hiking past actors made up to be plane crash victims. Keep reading to find out which shows you can step into the background of.

Visiting the M*A*S*H Set

With one easy hike of five miles (very little elevation change), you can go from Southern California to South Korea—or at least pretend you have. This hike goes along a four-wheel drive road and follows a creek, which will probably be dry or low. One thing about the park is that there are many overlapping trails so it can be a little confusing what trail you’re on. Most intersect a few times so it’s easy to get off trail but back on. I recommend using All Trails to keep on the right path but there are signs posted.

When I was at the MASH site, there was an old Army ambulance you could crawl in for a photo op and some other old pieces from the set. Unfortunately a massive wild fire ran through the area, taking with it much of the old equipment. It’s still worth the hike.

Century Lake

If you’re visiting in the summer, you will definitely want to stop here on your way to the M*A*S*H set. This lake was created by developers back in the 1900s but later purchased by Twentieth Century Fox. It’s a beautiful, deep lake popular for swimming and cliff jumping. It does get crowded on the weekends in the summer as it’s surrounded by cliffs, allowing only a few places to access the water.

The dam at Century LakeKing Gillette Ranch

According to Wikipedia, King Gillette Ranch was annexed to the state park. However, I can’t find confirmation of this anywhere and I no longer live in the area to check in person. As far as I know the ranch, which sits across the road from the park, is still run by the Mountains, Recreation, and Conservation Authority.

The Ranch is an old mansion built by the razor king and designed by famous architect, William Neff. The main home is not available to the public and is used for private events. There are a few hikes starting at the ranch but the main draw is the visitor center housed in the old stables. This center is a great way to learn about the Santa Monica Mountains and its history.

To give you an idea how big the Ranch is, this building is merely the stables and now home to the visitor center. This is the only building accessible by the public.Stumbling onto a movie shoot in action.

The state park does have a visitor center housed in an old ranch home used in many films but its visitor hours are extremely limited. In the few times I’ve been there, I haven’t been able to go inside.

Mailbu State Park Visitor CenterGetting There

The park borders Mulholland Highway, a scenic highway with plenty of twists and turns through the Santa Monica mountains. This is well worth a drive alone. The easiest way to access the park is from Interstate 101 from the north or the Pacific Coast Highway (yet another gorgeous drive) from the south.

There is a fee for visiting this park. Considering how much this park offers, it is a minimal fee and well worth it to keep it maintained. I will offer this one tip to only be used if you truly can’t afford the fee. If you park along Mulholland Highway at the Grasslands trailhead, you can walk in without paying. This adds about a mile (both ways to any hike accessed from the main gates). But pay if you are able.

Nearby Attractions

This park sits above Malibu and the most beautiful beaches Southern California has to offer! After getting all hot and sweaty hiking, drive down the canyon to the ocean for a cooling-off dip.

For an outdoor adventure without ever having to get outside, check out the Lost Gorge Mystery series!

Follow on Pinterest here!

Malibu Creek State Park

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Malibu Creek State Park is a gorgeous, year-round place to hike in the Santa Monica mountains. Visit in the winter and spring for beautiful green grasses and cool temps. Come in the summer when the heat in the Valley is unbearable for a dip in its cool waters. Return in the fall for a final hike before the winter rains. If hiking isn’t enough of a draw, the park used to be owned by a film studio and movie stars like Bob Hope and President Reagan and served as backdrop to many movies and TV shows. In fact one of the days I visited, a movie was being shot. Nothing like hiking past actors made up to be plane crash victims. Keep reading to find out which shows you can step into the background of.

Visiting the M*A*S*H Set

With one easy hike of five miles (very little elevation change), you can go from Southern California to South Korea—or at least pretend you have. This hike goes along a four-wheel drive road and follows a creek, which will probably be dry or low. One thing about the park is that there are many overlapping trails so it can be a little confusing what trail you’re on. Most intersect a few times so it’s easy to get off trail but back on. I recommend using All Trails to keep on the right path but there are signs posted.

When I was at the MASH site, there was an old Army ambulance you could crawl in for a photo op and some other old pieces from the set. Unfortunately a massive wild fire ran through the area, taking with it much of the old equipment. It’s still worth the hike.

Century Lake

If you’re visiting in the summer, you will definitely want to stop here on your way to the M*A*S*H set. This lake was created by developers back in the 1900s but later purchased by Twentieth Century Fox. It’s a beautiful, deep lake popular for swimming and cliff jumping. It does get crowded on the weekends in the summer as it’s surrounded by cliffs, allowing only a few places to access the water.

The dam at Century LakeKing Gillette Ranch

According to Wikipedia, King Gillette Ranch was annexed to the state park. However, I can’t find confirmation of this anywhere and I no longer live in the area to check in person. As far as I know the ranch, which sits across the road from the park, is still run by the Mountains, Recreation, and Conservation Authority.

The Ranch is an old mansion built by the razor king and designed by famous architect, William Neff. The main home is not available to the public and is used for private events. There are a few hikes starting at the ranch but the main draw is the visitor center housed in the old stables. This center is a great way to learn about the Santa Monica Mountains and its history.

To give you an idea how big the Ranch is, this building is merely the stables and now home to the visitor center. This is the only building accessible by the public.

The state park does have a visitor center housed in an old ranch home used in many films but its visitor hours are extremely limited. In the few times I’ve been there, I haven’t been able to go inside.

Mailbu State Park Visitor CenterGetting There

The park borders Mulholland Highway, a scenic highway with plenty of twists and turns through the Santa Monica mountains. This is well worth a drive alone. The easiest way to access the park is from Interstate 101 from the north or the Pacific Coast Highway (yet another gorgeous drive) from the south.

There is a fee for visiting this park. Considering how much this park offers, it is a minimal fee and well worth it to keep it maintained. I will offer this one tip to only be used if you truly can’t afford the fee. If you park along Mulholland Highway at the Grasslands trailhead, you can walk in without paying. This adds about a mile (both ways to any hike accessed from the main gates). But pay if you are able.

For an outdoor adventure without ever having to get outside, check out the Lost Gorge Mystery series!

Follow on Pinterest here!

Seven Outdoor Dates Every Adventure Couple Must Go On

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If you’re a lover of the outdoors and looking for a partner that shares your passion, there are seven dates you must go on as your relationship progresses. These dates are guaranteed to show you who your partner really is and if you have a future together.

Date 1: A Short Hike/Walk

Going on a short hike* is a great way to get to know someone early in the relationship. There is something about walking and talking that relaxes the nerves and helps you open up to the other person. This date is far less awkward than sitting across a dinner table from each other trying not to spill your drink and wondering if there’s food in your teeth.

It’s also a great chance to tell how compatible you are for a second date. My poor friend went on a hike with a guy early in the relationship, and he took off up the trail, leaving her toiling alone for the entire hike! There was no second date.

*If you met online and haven’t actually gotten to know each other, don’t go alone into the wilderness. Stick to parks or other public areas.

Date 2: Climbing

Don’t worry; no need to be an expert at climbing to go on this date. In fact, it’s better for the relationship if you’re not. Most climbing gyms are happy to help you set up a harness and show you basic belaying skills. There’s something to be said about putting your life (or at least your safety) in someone else’s hands (literally). How do they respond if you’re afraid (Mock you? Help you?)? How do you respond if they’re afraid? Do you trust them? Do they let you down—and not gently?

I once went on a singles activity to a local climbing gym. There’s something quite bold or embarrassing about walking up to a complete stranger as a single person and asking them to belay you. It’s definitely a conversation starter!

This isn’t a date but is a singles trip where I both had to be belayed by a stranger and experienced a lot going wrong (way too many people, rain had left waterfalls). I was a trembling mess by the end and did not get a date from that weekend.Date 3: Everything Goes Wrong

I once read a statement in the Louis L’Amour book that has stuck with me for years—although I don’t remember the exact book it came from. It goes something along the lines that you don’t know the full measure of a man until you see him fail. How does your partner handle everything going wrong?

What if you get lost? What if your camping trip turns into a blizzard? What if you forget that delicious lunch you made just for your picnic in the mountains? What if every adventure goes bad and you realize the person you’re dating can’t adult?

How your date responds to the bad things happening or if your date is the cause of all the bad things happening can tell you a lot about that person.

I had a teacher back in high school tell the boys that they should take the girl they were dating on a very long hike and PURPOSELY forget food and water to gauge her response to the situation. First of all, he didn’t recommend this to the girls. Second, what kind of idiot forgets food and water on a really long hike and keeps going? Third, do you really want to purposely cause someone discomfort to gauge their response? No!

To save some guy some trouble, here’s a normal woman’s response to this—we bring our own food and water so you’re hurting yourself and there’s not going to be another date.

Date 4: Camping

There’s nothing like being stuck with one person in the middle of nowhere to realize that person is not the one for you. Do their taste in podcasts drive you batty? Do they refuse to help with the preparation and expect you to handle it all? Did you run out of conversation thirty minutes in? Forget lust or love, this will show you how much you really like each other.

I haven’t ended a relationship camping but I did have a friendship fizzle out. I provided all the gear and all she had to bring was the tent. A seven-hour drive later, we went to set up the tent and she’d only brought the flap. Cut to me driving an hour down the road to find a store still open on a Friday evening. Thank you Wal-Mart. Then she snored—loudly and for hours! After fourteen hours in a car and hiking or a few days, we realized we didn’t have much to talk about after we exhausted work.

While I definitely still wanted her as a friend—just not a camping friend—we didn’t go anywhere after that. I think our trip had showed us we didn’t really have much in common.

Date 5: Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddle Boarding

This date can be anything that requires good cooperation. Nothing tells you more about a relationship or another person than working together to a common goal. Do they insist on doing all the paddling or do they merely dip their paddle in the water leaving the work to you? Can you sync up together or will you constantly be paddling against each other?

When I lived in California, my mom was supposed to come out and stay with me for a weekend of sea kayaking. Unfortunately right before the trip, she broke her knee. That left me on a non-refundable, guided day-trip kayaking at the Channel Islands. I was the only person who wasn’t part of a couple on that day (story of my life, but I digress). I had never kayaked before, and, after a very brief introduction, they pushed me out into the ocean.

I’m not what you call a strong woman and was very nervous about keeping up with the group since every other kayak had two people. As we pushed off, I paddled my little heart out to keep up. Turned out I didn’t need to worry. The several couples struggled to move forward—one person would be paddling one way and the other a different way. Or someone would be paddling too hard on one side or not enough and pulling them off course. For the first while, the couples rowed mostly in circles while I kept up with the guides.

But by the end of the trip, most of the couples had figured out how to work together and kayaked smoothly through the water and easily passed me. However, some just spun in circles, arguing about who was doing what wrong. If you’re that couple, ask yourself some questions about your future.

Date 6: Engagement

Your relationship has been tested but you’ve come through and now you’re ready for the next step of commitment. What better place to get engaged than the outdoors where you fell in love. Also, think of the pictures!

One couple I knew attempted a surprised engagement in the outdoors but it didn’t quite go as expected. He went up to their picnic area ahead of time and buried the ring in its box in the dirt. When he picked her up for their “date,” he brought a metal detector and suggested they see what they could find. After dinner, they played with the detector where it dinged that it’d found something. After a bit off digging, he produced the ring and proposed.

She was stunned. How could he propose with someone else’s ring that he dug out of the ground! He tried to explain that, no, the ring was his and he’d purchased it for her. No, she argued. Didn’t she just witness him digging it up? After retreating to the car and finding the receipt, he was able to prove the ring was in fact his and she said yes. Last I heard they were still going strong.

Date 7: The Break Up

No, I’m not going to advise anyone to drag their partner out in the middle of nowhere to break up with them. That’s a good way to end up on a Dateline episode. If any of the above may produce an unplanned ending to a relationship, be respectful and save your yelling for when you’re safe back at home.

No, I’m talking the date you take yourself on to heal that broken heart. Don’t let the pain of the memories or the awkwardness of being alone, stop you from doing the thing that once brought you great joy. Go on that solo hike, join that Meet-up group, and you be your best self. The outdoors were meant to be explored over and over again!

Looking for love on an outdoor adventure, check out my small-town clean romances where love and adventure collide.

Mirabelle brings romance alive every Harvest Festival on her horseback rides, but she’s bent on staying single.

A fake engagement, a made-up love story, two sworn enemies—what could go wrong?

Follow on Pinterest here!

A New Character Brings All the Fun

Rielle, born Ariel but no one besides her mother calls her that, barely believes in love. Her mom, who ran away from home at the age of sixteen, saw herself as a fairytale princess like the Little Mermaid. The fairytale turned into a nightmare, but that didn't keep her from chasing a new prince throughout all of Rielle's childhood.

Now Rielle is over love, content with an on-again distant boyfriend, and focused on saving her mountain campground.

Now I only have to find the perfect guy for her.

Campfires and Kisses is available April 19.

A Four-Season Oasis at Wasatch State Park

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Tucked away in a beautiful corner of Midway, Utah, lies Wasatch State Park. This small park is a four-season oasis giving an escape from the busyness of Salt Lake and Park City. Mountain biking, hiking, golfing, camping, and even cross-country skiing can all be done from its boundaries.

I’ve been to this park more than a few times. Its beautiful golf course and campground played host to a family reunion. I always seem to find my way a few times each winter to access its cross country trails.

Activities

The golf course is fantastic and and a great play in the mountain air and out of the heat of summer. Be sure to bring extra balls. With the thick growth, hitting one slightly off the fairway can mean saying goodbye to it forever.

Two large cross country loops go around the course and are groomed often (not daily). The loop that starts at the visitor center is beginner and easier than the upper loop up by the Old Homestead. This trail is for more advanced skiers. Rentals can be purchased for a cheap fee at the visitor center.

Cross-country ski trails are groomed often.

Some of the Wasatch Mountains most gnarly mountain bike trails can be ridden here. With the road coming over Guardsman pass, it’s easy to drop a car at the visitor center and take another up to the trailheads. The extra car saves you having to bike up the steep trails.

Access

There are a few ways to access the park. The main way is off of Highway 40, but if you’re looking for a scenic drive, go up Big Cottonwood canyon over Guardsman Pass (not accessible in the winter). Coming this way, you pass several mountain bike and hiking trails. Be sure to have a state park pass if you park at a trailhead.

The road headed up to Guardsman Pass. The upper part of the road is closed in winter.Nearby Attractions

Just a mile down the road is the Homestead Crater. This underground hot water spring is covered by a 55-foot mound of dirt and is the only warm scuba diving destination in the lower U.S. Definitely worth a visit. If you’re not interesting in scuba diving, you can also book some swim time in the 90-degree water.

Stop at Lola’s Street Kitchen for lunch and order anything with the garlic fries and don’t skip dessert.

If it’s winter, don’t forget to stop at Midway’s Ice Castle (book reservations ahead of time).

If you still have extra energy, keep heading down the road to Soldier Hollow for nighttime tubing and hot chocolate.

If it’s summer, take a lap on the Heber Creeper, a scenic trail ride down the canyon.

For an outdoor adventure without ever having to get outside, check out the Lost Gorge Mystery series!

Follow on Pinterest here!

Wasatch State Park

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Tucked away in a beautiful corner of Midway, Utah, lies Wasatch State Park. This small park is a four-season oasis from the busyness of Salt Lake and Park City. Mountain biking, hiking, golfing, camping, and even cross-country skiing can all be done from its boundaries.

I’ve been to this park more than a few times. Its beautiful golf course and campground played host to a family reunion. I always seem to find my way a few times each winter to access its cross country trails.

Activities

The golf course is fantastic and and a great play in the mountain air and out of the heat of summer. Be sure to bring extra balls. With the thick growth, hitting one slightly off the fairway can mean saying goodbye to it forever.

Two large cross country loops go around the course and are groomed often (not daily). The loop that starts at the visitor center is beginner and easier than the upper loop up by the Old Homestead. This trail is for more advanced skiers. Rentals can be purchased for a cheap fee at the visitor center.

Cross-country ski trails are groomed often.

Some of the Wasatch Mountains most gnarly mountain bike trails can be ridden here. With the road coming over Guardsman pass, it’s easy to drop a car at the visitor center and take another up to the trailheads. The extra car saves you having to bike up the steep trails.

Access

There are a few ways to access the park. The main way is off of Highway 40, but if you’re looking for a scenic drive, go up Big Cottonwood canyon over Guardsman Pass (not accessible in the winter). Coming this way, you pass several mountain bike and hiking trails. Be sure to have a state park pass if you park at a trailhead.

The road headed up to Guardsman Pass. The upper part of the road is closed in winter.Nearby Attractions

Just a mile down the road is the Homestead Crater. This underground hot water spring is covered by a 55-foot mound of dirt and is the only warm scuba diving destination in the lower U.S. Definitely worth a visit. If you’re not interesting in scuba diving, you can also book some swim time in the 90-degree water.

Stop at Lola’s Street Kitchen for lunch and order anything with the garlic fries and don’t skip dessert.

If it’s winter, don’t forget to stop at Midway’s Ice Castle (book reservations ahead of time).

If you still have extra energy, keep heading down the road to Soldier Hollow for nighttime tubing and hot chocolate.

If it’s summer, take a lap on the Heber Creeper, a scenic trail ride down the canyon.

For an outdoor adventure without ever having to get outside, check out the Lost Gorge Mystery series!

Follow on Pinterest here!

7 Pinterest-Optimized Quotes About Winter

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Winter can be long, grueling, and dark; winter can also be fleeting, beautiful, and a season of light. These pinterest-optimized quotes celebrate all the good.

“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”

—Aristotle

“Winter forms our character and brings out our best.”

—Tom Allen

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.”

—Paul Theroux

“They who sing through the summer must dance in the winter.”

—Italian Proverb

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”

—Anton Checkhov

“Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way turn!”

—Better Off Dead

“In seed time learn, in harvest time teach, in winter enjoy.”

—William Blake

The snow is falling in Lost Gorge, filling the resort with skiers. When one goes up the lift but never comes down, it’s up to ski instructor Mina Park to search through the blizzard. What she finds changes the town forever. While Mina doesn’t believe in myths, she does believe in murder.

Paperback and ebook available on AmazonFollow on Pinterest!

Sunsets and Stables: A Harvest Ranch Romance Book

Available on Amazon

Mirabelle brings romance alive every Harvest Festival for her guests, but she’s bent on staying single. Will she fall in love before the last leaf falls?

After breaking up with a jerk of a fiancé, Mirabelle Mason used her life savings and then some to follow her dream hosting horseback rides in the mountains. When a social media influencer chooses her stable as a backdrop for a “surprise” marriage proposal, she’s destined to go viral.

All is likes and love until the half-million-dollar engagement ring goes missing. If Mirabelle doesn’t find the diamond in a week, the influencer will destroy her reputation, and she’ll go viral for all the wrong reasons.

Having been forced to retire from the FBI for going after the wrong billionaire, Danny Cabrera is biding his time as a small-time, small-town security guard. He needs to focus on getting his career back in New York, not on helping the chaotic woman covered in horse manure find a trinket in the wilderness. Except he’s got a knack for getting to the truth and he still likes saving the day.

Determined not to make the same mistake twice, Mirabelle has sworn off men. Only the clock is ticking, and she finds herself needing Danny—and even more worrisome, wanting him. Can she find the ring and love without losing herself?

Check out the entire series!

Follow on Pinterest!Pin it here!

5 Tips for a Safe and Fun Winter Hike

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It never actually occurred to me to hike in the winter before COVID shut the ski resorts down. As a ski part-time ski instructor, all of my free time to explore the outdoors was claimed by skiing. Without that I was at a loss as to what to do with my Saturdays. Desperate to enjoy the outdoors but without the crowds, I discovered winter hiking. The first time I went, I threw my winter clothes in the car and drove to a spot without much thought beforehand. I’ve learned a lot since then. Here are five tips to have a safe and fun winter hike.

Tip 1: Getting the Right Gear (which doesn’t mean expensive)

I had always thought to hike in the winter, I needed avalanche beacons, snow shoes, and different clothing—all of which I did not have the inclination to buy so I didn’t go. What I didn’t realize was that if it hadn’t recently snowed (IE, within 24 hours) and depending on the trail, I didn’t really need snowshoes. The trails get packed down very quickly, making snow shoes more of a hindrance than a help. I also chose trails outside the avalanche areas.

What I actually needed to hike was spikes to go over the snow boots I already had. These are usually metal spikes hooked to chains hooked to a rubber circle that stretch over your boots. Super easy yet incredibly helpful. These can be super cheap or more expensive depending on what you get. My philosophy with gear is to always start cheap until you know how much you’ll do a sport and what you really need to be successful at it. I found a pair online at Walmart for only $16 (this being March a lot of winter gear was discounted).

I also carry poles, which I already had in the form of hiking poles. I didn’t need anything special beyond that. I have to say, though, I haven’t really needed the poles. Most of my winter hikes haven’t been on steep trails and I usually end up carrying them.

Spikes are a must-have for hiking and enabled me to cross this frozen creek while others fell.Tip 2: Getting the Right Clothing

I have a confession: I am way too obsessed with getting the “right” clothing for my outdoor pursuits. I thought for hiking, I would need different pants, different, jackets, but I really didn’t. I’m not going to lie, it would be nice to get some waterproof stretchy pants, but I really don’t need them. What has been super helpful was having tall snow boots and base layer ski pants, which I already had. Since I’m hiking on trails that are fairly packed down, I haven’t needed any sort of snow pants. In fact, every time I’ve started hiking in my ski pants, I’ve ditched them 100 feet out for being too hot and too tight. I’ve been just fine hiking in one or two pair of base layers.

When it come to my top half, it’s been all about lots of thin layers. Leave your thick, heavy winter coat at home. You don’t want to end up getting overheated but unable to strip it off because underneath all you have is a t-shirt. During my last, very cold, hike, I stripped down to long-sleeved shirt and an insulated vest.

With the extreme shift in internal temperature (not to mention external), the one thing you’ll definitely want is some sort of backpack for the extra layers you’ll end up dumping.

By the end of the hike, I had stripped the ski pants and jacket.Tip 3: Picking the Right Trail

If you’re new to backcountry hiking, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. In the summer, I pick the more strenuous and farther away trails to avoid the crowds. In the winter, when the crowds are already thinner, I want the more popular trails. These trails are more packed down and easier to hike without snowshoes. The easier trails are also less steep and don’t come with the avalanche danger that other places might. When I’m looking for a winter hike, I look for trails rated easy on All Trails.

The hike to Donut Falls is too crowded in the winter but perfect in the winter.Tip 4: Getting the Right Amount of Hydration

I never go hiking without my hydration pack so on my first trip I, of course, filled mine up with water and hauled it up. Within ten minutes, I couldn’t take a single sip of water. The darn hose had frozen solid. Next time I tried filling up with hot water, but, by the time I drove to the trailhead and made it up a ways, the water had cooled and frozen. I now have an insulated sleeve for the hose to keep the water warmer. I also have a hand warmer for extra cold days to put in with the bladder.

Tip 5: Getting the Ambition to Go Up

Sometimes I think the hardest part of hiking is getting the energy and ambition to leave my house on a cold, dreary day. After all if I’m already cold on my own sofa, it’s going to that much worse on the mountain, right? Wrong, I’m warmer and more comfortable walking up a sunny trail than in my own home (which may mean I need to turn up my heat, but I digress).

To get the energy to get up and out, make a plan. Decide on a trail and a distance ahead of time. Put out your clothing and pack your backpack the night before. Plan a treat that you can only have when you’re done (I like cheesecake).

To keep you from giving up, make a plan to meet friends up there. Don’t know anyone willing to hike on a colder winter day? I joined a hiking group to make it more fun and safe. I’ve met more people hiking than doing anything else in 2020.

Wherever you go, always check the weather and conditions before you leave. Have a great trip!

The snow is falling in Lost Gorge, filling the resort with skiers. When one goes up the lift but never comes down, it’s up to ski instructor Mina Park to search through the blizzard. What she finds changes the town forever. While Mina doesn’t believe in myths, she does believe in murder.

Paperback and ebook available on AmazonFollow on Pinterest![image error]

What It’s Like Visiting a Ski Resort During the Pandemic

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It’s finally time to ski but we’re looking at a season like no other. Before you book your trip, here’s what it’s actually like to visit a ski resort during the pandemic and whether it’s worth it or you should wait until next year.

(Keep in mind, the experience will vary at each ski resort)

Are People Wearing Masks?

Not only are you required to wear masks inside, you will be required to wear a mask in the lift line. Social distancing is not possible and a gaitor won’t work unless it’s covering your nose. The staff is reminding people to cover their noses. I skied on a zero-degree morning so having a mask under my gaitor actually worked out well.

Is It Crowded or are People Staying Home?

If you’ve been in out in the outdoors anytime during the pandemic, you’ll know how crowded the trails and parks are. The ski resorts are no different. I stood in very long lift lines surrounded by lots of people (several not wearing masks when the employees couldn’t spot them). Some resorts are limiting numbers and some aren’t.

Despite resorts saying skiers in different groups won’t be loaded on a chair together, they are. They said riders can request their own chair but with the long lines no one seemed to be doing this.

Can I Get Food On the Mountain?

The eating situation has definitely changed. The restaurants that traditionally had seating with cheaper options have removed the seating and transitioned everything to on-the-go food. You will not be allowed to linger inside. The nicer restaurants require advance reservations and have limited seating. If you want to eat inside, you’ll have to plan ahead.

At some resorts, they’ve set up ordering online for limited options. On busy days, plan to stand in a long food line surrounded by a lot of people. If there was ever a year to brow-bag it, this is the year.

Will I Be Able to Go Inside?

This will definitely be resort dependent but I wouldn’t plan on it except for short stints. Bathroom lines were moved outside and employees waved people in as others left. All seating had been removed and people were asked to keep moving inside and encouraged to not linger.

If you’re taking small children who need lots of breaks, I would plan on getting there very early so you can park close enough for breaks and meals in the car. Because of the crowds, I parked fairly far away and walked in (despite getting there well before first chair).

Is It Even Worth Going?

This is a personal decision everyone will have to weigh on their own. Some things to keep in mind:

Are you local or traveling? If you have to get on a public plane, consider waiting until spring or next year. COVID initially spread by many people on ski trips. The first towns it showed up in the western U.S. were ski towns. A day of skiing/riding isn’t as fun as it used to be. It comes with new stressors. People, like everywhere, are a little more on edge. Do you have small children? If so, are you okay with only skiing a short time or can you take breaks in the car or close-by lodging? Are you high risk? Even though everyone is wearing gloves and gaitors, noses are running more in the cold and people are touching their faces and then the chairlift. It’s not a zero-risk situation. Are you someone who goes for skiing or do you go for the experience? If you want the leisurely ski day with food, drinks, and breaks, it may not be your year. This is the year get there, cram in a bunch of runs in a hurry, and go home.

After my first day of skiing and spending most of it in a lift line, I reevaluated my season. My Saturday ski days will mostly likely be limited this year. Instead of a winter vacation, I’ll take the occasional day off work on powder days. I’ll snowshoe more and ski a little less. I’m also going to try to head up after 1 pm as people are coming off the mountain.

Whatever you decide, take proper precautions and look out for everyone else.

The snow is falling in Lost Gorge, filling the resort with skiers. When one goes up the lift but never comes down, it’s up to ski instructor Mina Park to search through the blizzard. What she finds changes the town forever. While Mina doesn’t believe in myths, she does believe in murder.

Paperback and ebook available on Amazon



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