Schaefer Hall skied that day, too, and she was late to her own wedding rehearsal. When she was pregnant with her son, her only concession to her altered state was to not ski the bumps. A former Denver resident who knows what it's like to stand in long Summit County lift lines, she's also partial to Durango for its uncrowded nature. Schaefer Hall knows this mountain from top to bottom and from the eyes of a beginner to those of an expert. Though she's personally a solid advanced skier, she worked as a ski instructor for a couple of seasons, teaching adults and kids.
Kids are easier.
They're not so scared, there's not a big fear factor. For Schaefer Hall, her choice of favorite run varies with the snow conditions. I always like the back side because the runs are really long. I like Ray's Ridge into Elliott's because it's always a challenge. They're black, but not exceptionally steep.