What do I hope for this ski season? I hope for the jet stream to take a more southerly route through the winter which would bring us more storms. Storms to bring the snow fall. Snow that will cover the ski runs. Snow that will eventually melt into the Mountain and bring life to the forest. I hope for the snow to be deeper than the Black-eyed Susan’s are tall. Have you all heard that one? Apparently, the taller the flower, the more snow we are going to receive that coming winter. Why would there be a correlation between the height of a flower and the amount of snow we are expected to receive? Apparently, it is part of the local Native lore. I asked one of my Apache friends: “ If the snow fall is determined by the height of a flower then what does the overabundance of acorns mean?” Without even changing expression, he said: “Fat chipmunks.” 

Sunrise has big plans and I hope they come to fruition. Some of those plans you can see on their website. Some I am aware of because I am in the “know.” I can tell you that the future is bright for our local area. There are plans to bring the resort back to its heyday with a modern twist. They are working toward new ski lifts to better access the Mountain’s terrain. As you can imagine, a new lift(s) is extremely expensive and that money does not just appear overnight. The process is long but it will be worth it in the end. In the meantime, they are coming up with creative ideas -- to not only get customers on the mountain but to keep them coming back. The scope of the transformation encompasses the summer activities as well. Watch for the changes; they may seem subtle but they’re coming and they will paint the big picture soon. So much of our community relies on each other that we must work together, support each other. If we do that, the White Mountains will be a better place for all. Stay hopeful and positive, support the Mountain and spread the word that the future is bright for Sunrise and our local community. Remember -- with hope comes expectation.

You see, I am full of hope. There are those that think I am full of something else but it really is mostly hope. Hope keeps me going. Hope leads to Faith and, according to George Michael: “Ya gotta have Faith.” Hope, Faith and Love are the foundation of a happy life. I hope it snows, I have faith that it will and I love to ski. Funny thing -- as much as I hope for lots and lots of snow, I also hope that somehow it misses my driveway.