I finally got the gumption. Copper Mountain, here in Colorado. I was skiing this weekend and Monday, I took the MUni up the lift in the afternoon, twice!
It took me a bit to get used to the moves needed to get down the mountain and learn my capabilities. Semi-steep was okay and icy was okay but the two together was bad. I avoided all mogals. Once I found the proper grade and snow consistancy, I was able to ride most of the mountain. With buddy skking with a camera along.
I had to get used to sliding, alot. on the steepr ridable stuff, I would take a pedal stroke, slide, stroke, slide over and over again. Most slides straight, but some at side angles, just had to go with the flow. My longest slides were about 5-6 feet, falling when I did it for 10 feet or so. Anyone who can idle, or glide can probably do a lot better.
I waited till later in the afternoon on Monday. NO lift lines. I just walked up to the “Super-Bee” lift with the Muni, trying to blend in, (YEAH, RIGHT!) or at least not draw too much attention. One gate keeper asked if I was gonna ride that on the snow. I smiled and saied “yep.” kept walking and walked straight up and got in position to catch the lift. THe Girl at the lift asked me if I was gonna take that up the mountain, as the chairlift scooped me up. I said yep, it’s a lot of fun! The shock value to seeing someone getting on the chairlift with a unicycle was definately in my favor. THey didn’t have time to question if it was allowed until I was already gone. 
A big plus in my favor. I got lots of stares and several people toook my picture on the way down the mountain.
All comments were positive and complimentary, or that I was crazy. No one asked me the tipical questions of "where;s you other… and no circus crap, or music.
ANyone familier with COpper MOuntain, I rode the cat track across overt to “Ptarmigan” dwon to the Solitude Station Lodge, DOwn, “Rhapsody”, merged into “Main Vein”, onto “Skid Road” back to the Super Bee lift. One hour ride. SuperBee rises 2,300 feet elevation with the top at about 12,000 feet.
The gate keepers at the lift wouldn’t let me get back on at first. I told them about all the staff on the mountain on the way down that were impressed and skiied along with me here and there and all the runs I already rode down, I quick deminstration next to the lift to show how slow I actaully rode and how safe it was and even hopped around a bit and such, showing that I knowe what I was doing. A call back to the supervisor or manager and I was on the lift again.
THis time with Girlfriend and all our group entow. SHe had never seen me ride, at all. and she was iimpressed.
I’ll write more later. I have to go to work in 4 minutes.
YES, pictures will be posted when the get developed/downloaded.
Ed Hansen
Sad, really.
