Exiting the chair and being on the snow chases some of the anxiousness away. The ski to the snowcat rendezvous is not exciting, but it is relaxing. At the 'cat' the guides and the driver are smiling and joking. A window is opened and the clear fresh mountain air fills the cat. Suddenly the 'cat' slows, makes a big looping turn, and comes to a stop.
Eyes seem to brighten and smiles widen.
The group floats down through the trees. An occasional 'whoop' and more than a few giggles float up into the clear blue mountain sky. One skier barrels off the last roll and hits the cat road a little too straight on, earning big style points with a world class face plant. The rest of the group is quiet until the skier emerges from the snow grinning goggle strap to goggle strap. The ride back up is filled with laughter and smiles.