It's all good, though. The new gondola makes it possible to ski well into the spring, even summer, and with plenty of snow in the upper bowls, we did just that.

Skiing on the second of July is a first for me, and a perfect way to celebrate a summer birthday. Won't say the snow was great - summer skiing's about fun, not quality - but the weather was gorgeous, 72 degrees and sunny. We'll know better than to pack our sub-zero long johns next time.

By day's end we were tired and sunburned, and a little banged up, but none too worse for wear. Definitely nothing a cold beverage couldn't cure. Crystal finally did wrap up its season - two weeks later. We can only hope this is a preview of things to come.