Powder power grips skiing community

Two to three feet of powder in the Inland Northwest.

Many happy people.

Now that the snow is coming, it's time to switch into powder mode. I hereby declare "The Laws of the Powder Day" are in effect through the end of the season.

The Gainfully Employed Powder Hound (GEPH) is a variation on the ski bum. He differs from the ski bum in that he must juggle the pressures of career, family and other obligations with the obligation to be in line 20 minutes before the lifts open on a powder day. I, for one, qualify as a GEPH and I spoke with another, Bruce Deming, so that this column isn't all about me.

When I woke up last Friday morning and I actually had to look for my snowbrush to brush off the car, I was like a kid again. Like any decent powder hound, I was aware of the possibility of snow so I was careful not to schedule any morning appointments. Powder Clause No. 340-9790234 states: "Never schedule early-morning appointments in season."

You need to leave yourself plenty of time to make it up to the lift line before opening (PC No. 340-93432). The drive up could be tricky, so you need to leave extra time. "What if my friends are late? What friends? I don't know you or remember saying I would wait for you if you're not there at the prescribed time." That's PC No. 340-9790235.

I became suddenly nostalgic when I made it to the line before opening and there was the regular crowd. It seems like it's been a while since I've seen these guys. It is, after all, the first real powder day of the season. I don't know where these people go during the rest of the year.

I was positioned in line right where I wanted to be - about 10th chair. I can't handle the dynamics in the front - these guys are serious and can get violent if necessary.

The cold temperatures have kept the snow nice and fluffy and it just kept snowing all weekend. That's where it starts to get hard for GEPHs and we start to lose a little bit of sleep and become a bit unproductive. We go to our work later in the afternoon, but now we have to work into the evening to keep up with the workload. Normally, we are trained for this sort of behavior, but it's mid-January, we haven't had much powder and we're still suffering from Early-Season Syndrome (ESS) - soft legs and late lazy mornings.

If there were a certification process for GEPHs, Deming would certainly be certified. Deming, 49, sells advertising for Citadel and lives in Coeur d'Alene.

He used to keep a spreadsheet and track his vertical and number of runs using his altimeter watch. In 2002 and 2003, he logged a million vertical feet in each season.

"My wife made me stop tracking it," said Deming. "I was driving her crazy. But now I know the averages, so I still know what I'm getting in without officially tracking it."

I asked Deming how he runs his life to make room for skiing being a priority. I thought he might provide us with some tips. There should be a forum for this kind of thing.

"Well, I can't admit too much, otherwise my boss will find out," said Deming.

You'll find him in that Powder Day preopening line at Silver. Like at every resort, it's usually the same group of people.

"I don't know their names, but I could pick them out of a lineup any day," said Deming.

Last weekend skiers/boarders were loving it. Yes, we still need more, but gratitude will bring us great snow karma (Powder Clause No. 1). Most people I have spoken with are in the same boat - we all have early-season legs, making these mid-January powder days exceptionally challenging.

Funny, but we all persevered.

SIDEBAR: THIS WEEKEND Today -- Mt. Spokane: Toyota Ski Free Day; Jib Spin Win Session -- Schweitzer: Torch Light Parade and Fireworks; Winter Carnival in Sandpoint begins Saturday -- Mt. Spokane: Lou Lou's Demo Days Sunday -- Lookout Pass: Big Air Contest; Wintersport Demo

Lisa Gerber's column appears every Friday during the ski season. If you have an event or story idea, contact her at skiinglisa@bigleapcreative.com.

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