Do you remember Smila who had a “Sense of Snow?” I loved the book and movie about her, and the way she could interpert subtle changes in the snowy region where she lived, that other people couldn’t see or understand.
I unlike Smila, can make no sense of snow.
In fact, I am mildly afraid of snow, oh heck, make that more than mildly.
My fear comes from growing up in Southern California where there is no snow worth speaking about, and traveling regularly to ski various mountains since I was young. Mammoth in the Sierras has more snow than many high mountain ranges.
There is more snow averaged over the years in Mammoth than the Rocky Mountains. Here is the snow looking out the SECOND FLOOR kitchen window in our rented condo unit today.
Here is the snow resting against our second floor balcony’s sliding glass window. This is a moderate amount of snow for Mammoth in that we have not yet reached 300 inches. In seven winters over the past 45 years, Mammoth has received well over 500 inches of snow, and up to 668! Mammoth averages over 300 inches each year. The snowiest European Alps on average get approximately 380-400 inches of snow, while Andermatt in Switzerland gets around 480 inches a year.
I know all this because I am married to a professor of biostatistics who loves to ski.
Here is the ski route out from our condo to the lifts. I get intimidated with snow because unlike Smila, there are a lot of things I don’t know about it, like how to build a snow cave to survive overnight when I get lost on the come-back trail after the lifts close. I often get lost on the come-back trail as the sun starts to set. Once, years ago, I got lost and didn’t find my way back till well after dark.
I have always skied with guys, first my brother, than boyfriends, husband, son, friends of them, and so on. They always ski better than I do and I focus on keeping up and not breaking my bones. When we are on summits, with whipping winds blowing freezing snow-needles into our faces and practically zero visibility, they get strangely hyped up.
“Awesome,” they say.
“Shit,” I think.
“I can’t see anything and I know it’s steep. I’m dumping them after this run and going alone.”
I do this, and then I get lost on the come-back trail.
Skiing with young guys is particularly fun. “No black diamond runs unless you ask me before.” I emphasize.
“No problem,” they say.
We get down a particularly nasty run and I say, “That was horrible. I don’t ever want to do that again.”
“Look at the bright side,” they say, “You just did another black diamond.”
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
I clearly am not as brave as Eleanore Roosevelt. I don’t want to do something scary everyday. Once a year is quite enough for me, thank you Eleanore!
Cheers to you from the stunning, snowy, and sometimes scary Sierras~
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I grew up in Canada. I’ve lived here my entire life, and I can’t stand snow!
I can empahtize and well imagine why! Being buried in it all the time would get old fast.
Oh wow – the snow resting on the window!!!! And the ice! ❄️❄️❄️❄️
It is pretty intense and is lasting for days!
wow-
Gorgeous shots Cindy! But I’m with you on not wanting to one scary thing every day 🙂
I thought that was terrible advice that could get people hurt and is not good for mental health.
You’re a braver soul than I. Great pictures but keep that snow over there!!!
It doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere! 🙂
And neither are you!! LOL Be safe!
<3
Beautiful! It’s so hot where I live that I often wish it would snow! (❁´▽`❁)*✲ﾟ*
Oh how well I know that feeling!
The pics are beautiful …I first saw snowfall when I was visiting Finland for business travel … super excited. .I practically jumped out and danced in snow at first sight. …10 minutes into it and I was already started to hate it. .. numb hands, needle like chill! Oh my. … dream crashed. Since then I refuses any business travel during winters! But but yours pics are so beautiful. .. Make me wanna see again
Yes, snow is beautiful to look at, but to play in one needs lots of insulating equipment! Cheers and have a wonderful weekend!
These photos are fantastic and so clear 🙂
What a huge pile!
I am surprised the weight of the snow doesn’t break the sliding glass door, but it doesn’t. I am also surprised by how little it melts. The nights are well below freezing, but the days can get up to 40F so I would expect more melt, but it isn’t happening. I am having a lot of fun snowshoeing up and down powder covered mountains and taking photos. I wish I had discovered this before! It is wondrous. Cheers to you and thank you for your lovely comments~
It’s good that you are making the best of the moments 🙂
<3
I’m not scared of the snow, but I am scared of the cold winters. After living for six years in humid Nicaragua and then eighteen months in Asia, I feared for my survival come December 2015 and I was in Chicago visiting family. Just in time by Christmas, I escaped unscathed and fled to Myanmar and Bali for the warmth. Ahhhh.
Love the photos!
Some of my family came originally from Chicago. I have only visited once, in the summer and was amazed by the sticky heat. I have heard the winters can be truly intense, so I can well understand your retreat to the tropics! Stay warm, but not too warm! 😉 😉
Good grief, that is some amount of snow! We get paltry amounts, occasionally, and the country practically comes to a standstill. You’re a braver woman than I to ski at all let alone to tackle the dodgy ones or find your way home by yourself. I’ll just admire the beautiful pictures. 🙂
I bascially have a very deficient sense of direction. I can easily lose my car in a parking lot. So put me in the mountains, late, on skiis, with poorly marked come back trails off the main lift lines, where you have to keep up your speed to keep going, and it is a recipe for me getting lost. It only happened badly once and that was enough to have me carefully study the markers on the trails I am supposed to take. In my defense, both my husband and son complained about the difficulty and my son got badly lost once too. I think they want the come back trails trails to be limited to residents and guests so they hide them. This is a good way to lose a guest or two-too!
Those first two sentences cold be mine. You’re a brave woman that skis at all. 🙂
It is nice to have company and I empathize! <3
yearz ago i took my 1st honeymoon there an used to go to sno cat conferences at mammoth…have even skiied there in august off the gondola believe it er not @ daves run on top of the hill. They opened it for us fer the weekend we were there… take care stay warm! Q
Well, what a small world. I took my first honeymoon here too, and that was years ago as well. Jung would call this a synchronisity and would claim it is significant. Sounds like we both had second honeymoons too, second synchronisity. August is quite late to ski. I remember late June in a bathing suit top and jeans though. I have skiied Dave’s Run many times and that is the run I am referring to in the post. This is the third synchronicity. It was this run I was taken down for the first time without prior clearance and I was not a happy camper! Laughing. Now I have discovered powder snowshoeing and I can trespass all over the mountain, crossing the runs, and heading up mountain off trail and taking photos. Heaven!
BTB I think snowcat operators are heroes. They have “a sense of snow” and they save lives.
sooooo smooth cool and lovely….
Smila is certainly one of my favorite books of all time…her perception and analysis of snow variations is fascinating…
I read the book a long time ago, but the character has stayed with me. She was lumious and mysterious, just like freshly fallen snow! <3
I’ve forgotten the details but yes, she was a very perceptive & unique female character
She was and she intrigued me~
Oh, so lovely! 🙂
Like fairytale frosting! <3
Wonderful photo essay, Cindy! I love how you include the average snow falls around the world and your brave admission of your fear of the pristine white (but deadly) “stuff.” I’m not afraid of snow, but for me, it’s ice…particularly black ice. 🙂
What a sensitive and thoughtful comment! Yes, black ice is scary and dangerous too. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Patti & cheers to you~
You too, Cindy. Have a great and snow-less week. 🙂
<3
I love to look at snow…. out of a window… but certainly not driving in it and I have never skied… I grew up with snow and that’s enough for me! Enjoyed your photos.
Driving in icy snow conditions. especially on curvy mountain roads makes me nervous too. I understand your sentiments completely!
You bring out the greatness of winter with this post (especially your 3rd shot…I wish I could be right in the middle of all that white/cold snow enjoying the serenity of winter 🙂 ). Such a great thing to come back from travels and seeing the places I’d like to see and experience within your posts. Wish you a great year of the Monkey ahead Cindy, and safe travels wherever you go. 新年快乐！猴年大吉！
Hi Randall, wonderful to hear from you. Hope you had a wonderful trip and very much looking forward to seeing your incredible photos and reading your narratives about your experience. Happy New Year to you my friend and hoping it is full of health and more travel!! 🙂
That is a lot of snow – real snow!
It is, driving up the winding road is quite a challenge! Have a wonderful week my friend~
That is a boatload of snow, Cindy! I live in Sacramento so I hear every day how much snow we’ve had in the Sierras this year! We only need another 1000 inches to get California out of the drought. 🙂
It is 87F at The Holler today, with forecast the same for the nest 10 days. We had two minor storm cycles this year and are still in major drought. It is terrible.
Stunning photos. I live in Florida, but I am from New York and Jersey. I love snow, but the brutal cold penetrates my debilitated body, so in Florida I must stay. Thank you for taking me on this beautiful photo journey.
I am glad you are in a place that is kind to your body. It is much more fun when you come along with me. Cheers to you my friend~ <3
Thanks for sharing your snowy adventures Cindy. I had no idea CA had so much snow in the mountains! I’ve never learned to relax and enjoy skiing, but I love looking at and playing in snow for a short while. 🙂
I basically don’t love to ski. It’s okay, but it is more something I do because the people I love, love it, so I can fully relate to you Brad. Be well my friend and have a wonderful week!
Thanks Cindy. You’re a good sport about it!
😎
What a fun post this was, Cindy. I’m still chuckling. I’m with you. I grew up in Wisc. where there was snow, snow, and more snow; and I moved to Calif. to avoid all this, and I don’t miss it. You’re a champ for going to the snowy mtns. Lovely photos, as always.
So good to be understood! We like the African heat much more. Bring on the ellies! 😎
Crazy amount of snow
Titan would love it though, just enough for him!
I go though a lot of cups
Maybe you should switch to a large tub!!! 😉
Lovely blog and wowowow what a breathtaking view. One of those posts that makes me wish I was there. Plenty of ice for your G+T there or what!
Yes, free refrigeration! We still need more though, Southern California is now 87F and still in massive drought.
Its strange clicking like after reading that. It must be terrible for many with the danger of forest fires.
Yes, California is the land of extreme variations now~
Hmm, I sympathise. I skied as a child when my father was stationed in Germany and I enjoyed it. Many, many years later, after my mother had died, my father asked me to come with him on his annual skiing trip. I did, but discovered that I no longer enjoyed the thrill. At night I couldn’t go to sleep because of the sensation of falling… My father continued to ski into his eighties and my youngest brother often went with him.
Some things we love and others we don’t. The key is finding what you love and doing it, but you already know this my friend. <3
OH MY. That’s a lot of snow! Nothing subtle about it, Cindy. The mountains are beautiful. Building a snow cave is easy, but I don’t recommend it as a rule. 🙂 Have fun and stay warm.
Have you built a snow cave???? I would think it would be hard……
Well, maybe, depending on the snow consistency. If its too hard, you need to chop the “bricks.” You can also dig into a snow bank. Doesn’t that sound like fun? NOT Ha ha.
Like building an igloo which I could not do! 😉
At least falling must be nice and cushiony. And yikes! You have a lot of male energy in your life.
Laughing, yes I do! And growing up I was the only girl in my neighborhood for the early years so I am used to it and enjoy it.
I had three stepbrothers. Then my hubby and two sons. But my daughter came along and brought a flush of pink to my day. 🙂
Yep, daughters are pretty amazingly fun aren’t they! <3
That is a ridiculous amount of snow! Now I know what the signs meant that I saw on the hotel in summer. 🙂
Yes!! It’s not want one thinks of when they think California, but The Sierras get tons of snow.
I’m happy the Sierras are getting snow this year. I heard that last year there was very little and even bare spots. When we flew over last spring we didn’t see much snow. The signs we saw at Mammoth in summer said not to park in those places in winter because of ice/snow. I think it meant those giant icicles hanging off the buildings might fall on you!
Mammoth is still below average for snowfall, but there is still time for more storms. SoCal is in terrible shape. We are having about 10 days of 87F days, with no rain in sight. We have had two minor storm cycles in total this year so our drought it getting beyond comprehension. We need rain.
This snow is terrible impressive! I would become claustrophobia!
Yes, i have to get outside and get active or I get this sense of claustrophobia too.
Wow! So much snow, and so beautiful.
Ahhh. thank you and I am glad you enjoyed~
Brrrrrrr!
Big time brrrrrr! 😉
Once again– incredible photos Cindy– the cold just came off my screen! I think you’re rather brave to ski at all!!
Thank you Rhonda and I think I have found a new passion, snow-shoeing with my camera!!! It requires minimal bravery and thus is perfect for me! 😉
Awesome! It does produce your brilliant snowy pics! I’m a minimal bravery kind of sportsman myself. Love a good hike!
Hikes are good! <3
I grew up with snow. Although not that much, when I was little it seemed much deeper. I do scary things more often then I would like, but never thought it brave, just forging ahead. Thanks for the interesting images and thought provoking sharing.
Well, yes life itself is scary at times, and one must just “forge ahead.” I think in challenging times, this is the essence of bravery. <3
A trip to Mammoth region of the Sierra is on our list… for June!
Oscar
Oh, so much to see and do! Hiking the lakes, visiting Devils Postpile, seeing the San Andreas opening. Uncrowded, inexpensive and pure delight. I want to return too in the late spring, visiting all the dinky towns enroute from So Cal and seeing the Bristlecone Pines, the oldest living trees in the world, over 4000 years old. They are about an hour and a half drive from Mammoth if you’re interested.
Thanks for the destinations to research. We love old mining, ghost towns too. Might our paths cross in reality, and not only in virtual space? Oscar
Actually we might be able too. We are going to Spain and Portugal for a month in late April so June might be the soonest for us to get to Mammoth and environs. Let’s get in touch nearer the date. Maybe we can go for a hike!
I loved that book and then another called Snow by Orhan Pamuk, the Turkish writer. I hate the word but that snow does look awesome! Oh yes and just finished The Tenderness of Wolves, snow journey in Canada but the woman is from the UK and agoraphobic, and never seen much snow! I would fear snow like that too. Enjoy the skiing!
Thank you, love Pamuk, and that title, “The Tenderness of Wolves,” sounds most intriguing. I will check them both out. Thank you for the leads and be well Georgina. <3
As someone who spent several months in a wheelchair & almost a year in a hip cast (recovery & walking on top of that), thanks to a ghastly 7-break spiral fracture skiing accident, I fear for your safety on black diamond trails that those thoughtless guys you ski with won’t tell you about in advance. Don’t want to scare you more, but worse than alone on the come-back trail is alone half-way down with a bad break. Please tell them it’s a deal-breaker if they do it again. Really. Not. Funny.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
-ADD Coach Training Field founder/ADD Coaching co-founder-
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
Sounds like a horrifying experience for you Madelyn. I am so sorry.
Thanks Cindy. It halted a budding acting career as well. Please be careful.
xx, mgh
So sorry……
Thanks – decades ago now and, except for a “bump” you can feel but not see, I’m fine and rarely think about it anymore. Your article brought the memory back.
I thought twice about posting my comment, but finally decided to do so out of concern for YOU. A simple “please take care” would probably not have the same effect.
xx, mgh
Wow, that’s a lot of snow for sure! I’m a beach gal; love the warm sun and sea 🙂
Yep, me too, born by the California sea, but also grew in the California mountains.
Me too. I was born in LA and spent my teens living at the beach. I do love the first snowfall, but then I want it to go away!
I hear you, nice at Christmas and Thanksgiving though~
That is some serious snow you have there! I love Smilla’s sense of snow too. I love snow, in its place, on the slopes. We gave away all our ski gear when we sold the house and moved on the boat. I used to love to ski but haven’t missed it one little bit. Husband Andy still tells the story of me doing a breast stroke through the moguls in the trees in Vail.
You know, you are an awesome person. Meeting people like you is why I blog. <3
I love snow, but not in such huge amounts!!!! Lovely photos thanks for sharing.
I hear you! California wild places desperately needed it though, so it is a good thing~
I wanted Smilla’s coat from that movie…still do. I would be scared to death to live in the climate where these photos were taken…19″ inches here last month nearly did me in!!
It can be quite intimidating to a SoCal person, going on these annual or bi-annual ski trips since I was a kid at a place where 300″ of annual snow is not enough! I’m getting better with it now, it only took 59 years!!!! Laughing…..Julia Ormand would look good in a sack, but the coat was gorgeous I agree!
Wow! Beautiful pictures!
Thank you Vashti and be well my friend~
First 0f all I like the movie, “A Sense of Smell.” May someday need to read the book. I liked the way you covered both personal and fascinating elements of anow, Cindy. ♡
I grew up liking snow with 2 brothers who liked to sled and toboggan. We would go “double dutch” 2 on one sled, saucer of toboggan. We 3 were born in 4 years (1955, 57 and 59). Mom snd Dad let us have freedom so we even sled down steep hills into creeks that were (usually) frozen. I loved the sudden jagged drop from the smooth snow to the slick icy creek! I like roller coasters but not round and round rides. Anyway, I skate and used to ski. My brothers cross country ski more as they feel old and bruised. (Artist brother fell off very high scaffolding!) I would love snowshoes and will try snd remember this should I get invited to go “skiing” again. And try alternative routes! 🙂 Hugs, Robin
It sounds like you have wonderful childhood memories with your brothers. I hope you do try snowshoeing and Happiest Valentines Day to you and your family Robin! <3 <3
What a lovely post. enjoyed reading it. Makes me want to be in the snow, but at the moment enjoying the salubrious January weather of Bombay!
Ooooh sounds exotic and divine! Lucky you~
A few more weeks of great weather before the sweltering heat starts to set in, and that is when its unbearable hot.
That part doesn’t sound so inviting…..
It’s so beautiful ❤️❤️
You are so nice! <3 <3
Cindy, I think you are brave to do all the skiing you do! I grew up in the Midwest, used to snow, yet I have never really liked to downhill ski. The only skiing I will do now is cross-country. But now there’s a new thing – snowshoeing! I’d like to try that someday!
I tried snowshoeing for the first time and I am fully hooked. It is perfect for photography and the snowshoes enable you to go off trail up mountains and down. They are amazing. They have crampons to go up ice and down it, and they hold you like glue. I used powder shoes which also allowed me to go through drifts. I got off by myself which I love. You must try it. It is addicting if you enjoy these sorts of activities.
Wow I can’t believe how high the snow is! That’s amazing! Such wonderful photos Cindy! I didn’t want to comment on them all but the little Meep meep guy is so cute! I love the stripes! So wonderful your travels! 😀 <3
Thank you Michelle. I am most pleased you enjoyed and cheers to you my friend~
Hi Cindy 🙂 thank you for however you tripped over my posts from other people; thank you is in liking them but primarily in bringing me to this post 🙂 I, like ,Smila, have a sense of snow 🙂 I love it! Yet I hate being cold! I do not use the word hate lightly it is a very strong emotion. Your fear is surely rational, though I compare it to a fear of the sea: I once fell out of a small sailing boat in rather rough waters and knew that though I could see the land in two directions I wouldn’t make it to either shore. I ski a whole lot better than I swim 😉 The forces of nature are immense and like the power of the sea, snow and it’s bosom buddy the freezing cold are beautiful, awe-inspiring and potentially deadly. Our momentary ability to play upon them is in itself equally awe-inspiring. That so many of us do play upon them and very few die is truly quite a miracle in itself. A healthy respect for what nature provides us with and allows our existence alongside is as inspiring as the deepest, longest powder run.
Thank you for your words that took me to places I wish I was still a part of 🙂
Yes, fear, love and joy are closely linked, just as anger is also a big component of fear. We can’t seem to fully appreciate “positive” emotions one without some awarenss of fear. Fear can be an emotional enhancer. It can make love more poignant, and joy more profound. Too much of it though, can lead to paralysis and depression. Like all human emotion and the actions that stem from, it is matter of moderation.
Thank you for the thougthful comments~
These are beautiful. I may use some of them in the newsletter. I’m not sure yet. I’d like to confirm though that they are in Mammoth, California. True? Are you in the U.S. now?
Yes this is Mammoth Lakes California and thank for the thoughtufl consideration. I am home at The Holler. Happy Sunday my friend~
Thanks!
I love to see snow in the movies or pictures, though so I did not expect snow will fall in my place, because my body could not be friends with cold temperatures 🙂
Some things are best appreciated at a distance! Have a wonderful week my friend~ <3
Great post, Cindy. I always think snow is the most beautiful thing — when I am safe and warm inside looking out at it. But I remember going snowshoeing and tobogganing with the kids when we were all much younger, and cross country skiing too. Those were delightful times.
I tried snowshoeing for the first time and am hooked on it! It is excellent for photography and so much fun. I am sure your kids must have loved it too and it sounds like you have some wonderful memories!
We do.Glad you’ve tried snowshoeing. I’ve still kept our old ones — they look like antiques!
<3 The new ones are super techincally proficient!