Dawn & On

Before The Bell

Getting up and after it before the lifts spin has been a longstanding tradition for the hearty folks who would rather earn their turns than wait for the morning bell. Whether it's about beating the masses to unclaimed powder, soul turns to reconnect with nature, or some good old-fashioned exercise, we have our reasons. Many of us can't live without snow even when life only leaves us small windows to get our winter fix, and this piece is about them.

If you head to the hill before 5am during the work week, you'll find a group of friends making their final gear adjustments before disappearing in the darkness to race the first rays of daylight. Amid their busy lives of working full-time jobs while being full-time moms and more, these adventurers don't just make the time but demand it from themselves and each other. Their core crew includes Niki, Betsy, Amy, Asia and Frannie, with others joining in on occasion. No matter what type of weather the Jay Cloud doles out, this pack rarely breaks formation for their weekly treks.

The Start Of A Tradition

Niki	When we started we were just kind of figuring it out. For me it was really my first experience ever skinning, and I was crappy at it.
Betsy	Niki and I started two years ago as a way to get outside and out of the house. There's no time when you're a working mom.
Amy	We would turn around if our camel backs froze or our headlights got dim. We would stop. Now we barely use them.
Niki	We've gotten much more efficient, and now we bring much less gear.

The Routine

Betsy	Alarms are set by 4:40am (even earlier for some). My skins are on the skis, my bag is packed, and my boots are by the front door the night before. I'll stealthily sneak out of the house not wake the kids or the dog. This is the only time I can go without guilt.
Amy	We've got to prepare the husband too. They're happy because they know it's a healthy thing and it's good for us. It's hard to leave, and my son Kai once ran down the road after me at quarter to five with just his little puddle boots on.
Betsy	We're guilty of worrying and thinking we should get back, while feeling selfish when we're out.
Niki	We feel like this is the least selfish time to do what we love. None of us would wake up for the gym, but we will wake up for this. Ninety percent of the time it's all five of us out there, and we always go with at least one other person. We're fast enough now to be back down and in the car by 6am.

Shared Experiences

Betsy	There was one morning where it was extra slick and hard to navigate, our phones were at the ready for school cancelations and times, and we were thinking of turning around. Asia looked at us and was like, "Are you kidding? We're this close and we're not turning around!" From then on we've gone to the top of the triple every time.
Niki	One time we met coyotes. We were putting on our skins and a whole pack of them started howling. I picked up my skies and started running in the pitch black.
Betsy	(Laughing) At first, Amy was like, "Oh a fox."
Amy	(Also laughing) We could see their glowing eyes while they were cackling.
Niki	During one climb, we kept seeing shooting stars before realizing we were under a meteor shower. We've also be caught off guard on our way down down the Haynes in a thunderstorm. It was the fastest we've ever changed gear out and skied down.
Betsy	Yeah, we've seen full moons set at the same time as the sun rises, depending on the time of the season. We'll get the best powder runs too when it storms.
Amy	Asia and I hiked up when it was negative 40 degrees, and the mountain didn't end up opening that day.
Niki	Yeah, she said she couldn't feel her eyeballs after (everyone laughed).

Side Effects

Betsy	For me, I kind of get this endorphin addiction, like oh my gosh.
Amy	It just sets the tone for the rest of the day. I go to work but I'm glad to get that urge out.
Betsy	I have my coffee, my kids get up and we start our day. I feel accomplished with what we've done, so what can't I do?
Niki	I get home and the sun is just starting to come up. People at work are in disbelief that I've already hiked.
Amy	To do it consistently three days a week from Thanksgiving to May is amazing. It's so satisfying. For the first time since being a mom I feel I'm able to get back on skis. It also gives us time to talk and support each other, while we juggle all of the things in our lives.
Niki	I didn't really know Asia and Amy that well before this, and I've fallen in love with both of them. All of them.

Words Of Wisdom

Niki	Just do it and work out the kinks.
Betsy	Nobody is a skinner until they skin. You figure out your gear.
Amy	It's really opened things up for me. It's worth finding ways to make it work.

Before embarking on your next uphill expedition, learn more about our Uphill Travel Policy, proper safety protocols and approved routes designated by Ski Patrol. You'll also find a copy of our Uphill Travel Waiver.