Ringing in the New Year on a Snowy Mountain

We drove toward the mountains on New Year's Eve. The peaks were already sharp with snow, standing out against a bright, cold blue sky as we got closer. The landscape on the approach was all high-desert scrub, dry and dormant under the winter sun, making the snow line feel even more dramatic.

We settled in for a quiet evening. Instead of a big party, it was just a cozy night inside with family and a couple of very friendly dogs. It was a simple, calm way to wait for the new year to arrive, warm inside while the temperature dropped outside.

The next morning, New Year's Day, we were up on the mountain. The sun was out and the panoramic views from the slopes were incredible. I spent the day on my snowboard, and the rest of the family was out skiing. It’s not a bad way to start a year, out in the crisp air with everyone together on the snow.