Happy (late) Thanksgiving from Craftsbury!

With no organized team camp for Thanksgiving this year, the Abramson family graciously offered to host us in Craftsbury to take advantage of some early-season training.  Before I rave about our little vacation, we owe them a HUGE thank you for their incredible hospitality and putting up with a few crazy skiers for the week. After classes got out on Tuesday, Sarah, Tsaina and I headed north in search of the first snow skiing of the season.  We knew that Crafstbury had a kilometer open with man-made snow, but as we drove into the night a snowstorm materialized in our headlights, giving us hope for an even better week of training to come. Unfortunately, our winter wonderland melted into rain overnight, so on we resorted to a soggy morning run through the dirt roads of northern Vermont.  Luckily the rain changed back into snow later in the day and we were able to push daylight and break out the skis that evening!

Stoked selfie after our first ski!

Since then, the weather has stayed cold and allowed us to put in some long, quality hours.  The freshly groomed morning snow is perfect for extra blue classic skiing, and although the trails are skied-in and glazed-over by the afternoon, something about being on snow and the imminent race season keeps us skating lap after lap.  

Doing some no-pole work

In our spare time, we've been attempting homework, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing numerous rounds of Dominion, celebrating Hanukkah (Tsaina's and my first time!), eating delicious meals thanks to Louise (Sarah's mom), and driving to St. Johnsbury to see the newest Hunger Games movie.

A little baking after a long day

Perhaps the smallest jigsaw puzzle ever (it comes with tweezers to help)

Josh drove up and joined us this afternoon, and rumor has it Eli will be on his way tomorrow.  We're planning to put in another full day tomorrow, and then some of us will hop in the Craftsbury Opener on Sunday to remember what racing feels like!

A beautiful sunset while driving back to the house where we're staying

We've thoroughly enjoyed our break from school, and being able to get on snow has not only been great training, but it's gotten us fired up about the upcoming season.  Many thanks again to the Abramsons for a great week!