By Jared Eygabroad – Mission Ridge Media Team

I began wondering what the day would bring as I drove my bald tires up the winding road to Mission Ridge before the season began. The lifts hadn't opened, but the Ski Patrollers were already gearing up. I thought this was the beginning stage of their preparation, but soon found out they had been gearing up since the end of last season.

The training day I had come to film soon turned interesting when the Medstar helicopter came to land while they brushed up on how to set up an LZ (landing zone). Dust covered the waiting crowd and training soon followed. CPR and splinting were two of countless training stations set up to get everyone working as one when faced with any emergency.

Lift evacuation came in many forms: patrollers rappelled alone with the ropes they always carry, they belayed stranded "guests" from stuck chairs, and one even belayed his avalanche dog from at least 50 feet in the air. The dog waited happily and safely on the ground while the patroller slid down right behind.

I only expected to film some basic medical training but found something much more. The patrollers were preparing for every scenario that can happen on a mountain, an endless task. Although endless, each looked more than happy and willing to train in the falling snow (snowblowers). At one point, two of the lift-stranded "guests" were covered completely in snow from these machines as they waited for others in chairs ahead of them to be "saved." When they finally made it to earth, they were drenched and cold, smiling and ready for more.

I came away from this experience with a great respect for the patrollers that are dedicated to the safety of those enjoying their mountain. It was impressive to see just a tiny slice of how they prepare and continually train. It was even more impressive to see the attitudes in which they did so, smiling with the opportunity to check their Gore-Tex against the elements (again, snowblowers). It's great to know they are there every day; ready, trained, and having a genuine passion for their endless job.

To see a photo album from the day's training check out our Flickr photostream. 

December 3 [Saturday] is the annual Revolution Demo Day! Ride some whips you've always dreamt about and work on that Christmas list for old Saint Nick! 

Opening weekend 2011 was one of the earliest best we've ever had! 

Due to our AMAZING snow making crew and a little help from La Nina we were able to open earlier than we have since the 80s!  2,250 vertical feet and you could have skied on new skis!

And the stoke was plain to see on everyone's faces. To see a photo album from the weekend click here to see our Flickr stream.

Also, here is a quick edit produced by local skier, Matthew Ballard:

We kicked off our Women's Escape for the 2011-12 season on Wednesday night with a ladies' boot fitting at Arlberg Sports.

A group of women who've signed up to participate in the snow clinics enjoyed some vino and light bites from the Mission Ridge kitchen while learning a bit more about how their boots should fit from Arlberg owners Scott and Nalini Paton along with founder Ken Paton.

Scott talked about how women's feet are different from men's and how companies make boots designed to support women's feet.

He told a story about one of our regular Women's Escape participants and how she came in to the shop saying that she might need some adjustments to her boots.

When she took them off her shins were bleeding. Scott displayed alarm at seeing that but she merely said, "I grew up rodeoing, I'm used to it."

"There were a lot of tough guys in the shop that day who's feet stopped hurting pretty quick," Scott said. 

There was boot fitting as well as goofing around and good times were had by all.

The next Women's Escape event will be the first snow clinic and there's still time to sign up for our series of four female-athlete-centered snow clinics. You can learn more here and see a slideshow of more pictures from the event here. 

We’re pre funking the coming season with the ladies next Wednesday, Nov. 16th at 6:30 pm with a ladies boot fitting at Arlberg Sports!

It's the first of many great events in our locally famous Women’s Escape Snow Clinics and it's FREE! Whether you decided to participate in Women's Escape or not you can still come hang out with the girls and get your boots fit! 

Women’s Escape is a season-long program for female skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. It's been a way for female winter athletes all over Washington to hone their skills and abilities, learn new ones and most of all – hang out with other cool ladies! 

In addition to the boot fitting on the 16th, Women’s Escape includes a series of four on-snow clinics with Mission Ridge snow sport instructors. Lift tickets and rental gear are included (if needed) and even PREFERRED PARKING for our VIP guests! 

We even do lunch! 

Here are the details, reserve your spot now because now that snow is falling they’re filling up fast. 

Dates Offered: 

• January 19, 2012
• February 9, 2012
• March 8, 2012
• March 29, 2012

Package includes:

• Coaching from 9am - Noon
• Women's Specific Equipment Demo
• Delicious Lunch (please let us know in advance if you have special dietary needs)
• Preferred Parking
• Lift Tickets & Rentals are included (if needed)
• For more info call Kari at 509-663-6543, or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Cost:

• $60 per clinic with an advance reservation, or $75 the day of.

For more information check out our Ladies Escape page on the wesbite: http://www.missionridge.com/events/womens-escape.html