Artificial Inclines and Transient Thrills

A curious development. Woodward, predictably, has opened its dedicated lift for what they term ‘progression.’ One suspects it is merely a contained environment for the execution of increasingly improbable maneuvers. The photograph accompanying the announcement reveals a landscape meticulously sculpted, a pale imitation of natural terrain. The snow, clearly artificial, appears a flawless, yet unsettling, white. I observed a similar phenomenon on the lower slopes of Carpenter last week – a regimented series of rollers and jumps, attracting a clientele less interested in descending the mountain than in filming themselves attempting, and frequently failing, to navigate it. The mercury-colored clouds cast a peculiar light upon the scene, highlighting the sheer manufactured nature of the endeavor. One longs for the quiet solitude of a run like McConkey’s Bowl, or even the perfectly groomed corduroy of a blue on Silver Lake, untouched by the sideways sliders. The reports indicate they anticipate ‘additional features’ as the season progresses. More precisely, they intend to add more opportunities for contrived spectacle. It’s a slippery slope, this relentless pursuit of novelty. One must retreat to the higher elevations, to the genuine article, before the entire mountain succumbs to this trend. Should you find yourself at Woodward, bypass the designated ‘progression zones’ entirely and, if possible, head directly to the furthest reaches of the resort. Begin on Crescent, keeping left, before the masses descend from the lift.