When it snows it reigns. But when it doesn’t, well, it’s a bummer. As a ski patroller, my livelihood revolves around the weather, and we rely upon new snow to freshen the slopes and keep the paychecks coming. My home area, Crystal Mountain, while already receiving over 100″ of snow this season, has seen only a flurry of snow in the past 7 days. We have our eyes on a weak storm coming in later this week, keeping our fingers crossed that it covers over the rocks now starting to emerge and the firm bits of old avalanche debris at the bottom of the steeper portions of the runs. But if that storm doesn’t pan out, maybe we all just need to change our perspective.

We have great conditions if you’re a ski racer, or have narrow-waisted skis or just love the groomers. And for this time of year, by all accounts it’s still pretty good.

But we need more snow.

And yet I know I shouldn’t complain. Most ski areas across the States are begging for snow of any kind. Their fingers are crossed for snowmaking temperatures, dreaming of the hard crystalline manmade snow to cover over the rocks and turn the slopes white again. At Crystal have a great base of Mother Nature’s finest. The groomers are fast and the rocks are covered.

So what am I complaining about?

Well, the lack of skiers, for one thing. Reduced guests mean reduced staff, so when the conditions are less than optimal layoffs aren’t too far behind.

Maybe it’s the new ski technology, but ski visits seem to have changed in the past few years. It used to be that regardless of the snow conditions, sunny days were gold. In the winter in Seattle, a day without clouds and mist should be celebrated. Lately, the city has been suffering under low fog while the mountains have enjoyed the inversion with sun and warm temps. So where are all the skiers and riders?

Waiting for powder.

With fat skis and fatter snowboards, all everyone wants these days is deep snow and face shots. While I love fresh snow as much as the next girl, I also enjoy sunny groomer days. I’ll admit it; I like to ski fast.

Granted not when others are around, and not when I’m wearing my ski patrol uniform (that is unless I can confirm rule #1). Put me on an open slope with fresh corduroy and watch me rip. There’s nothing quite as thrilling as letting your skis hook up, riding that edge across the slope, and feeling the crisp, cold air fill your lungs.

Last week I rode the gondola up early for First Tracks breakfast at the Summit House Restaurant. Even with the beautiful sunrise and deeply grooved corduroy, the place was pretty quiet. So after a delicious meal of house-made granola and wild mushroom frittata, I took a run to the other side of the mountain, where I was stationed for the day. Middle Ferks Run, a steep groomer, hadn’t been touched. I reveled in the long radius turns, the early morning light and the sound of fresh corduroy collapsing beneath my skis. It would be a good day.

With everyone waiting for snow deep enough to plow through with their new 110cm-underfoot-reverse-camber-powder-only-skis, the slopes are free for those with a bigger quiver. I was surprised. The slopes remained free of crowds and we ski patrollers worried about our hours. No customers means no hours, and with the make-it-or-break-it holiday weeks arriving soon, we all said a little silent prayer for a change in conditions.

And now we look again at the approaching weather prediction with fingers crossed and hearts tight. If it doesn’t snow this week, well, I don’t want to think about that. We still have plenty of snow, that’s not the problem. It’s the perception of conditions that keep the crowds away.

So do us working folks a favor, find a little joy on the slopes before the holiday crowds arrive. You never know. You just might like it.