I'm 48 years old.
I first skied at Garnet Hill in traditional cross country gear in 1989. I was 30. Over the next two years - I's ski GHLs groomed trails. Then I started to go into the Siamese with Karhu XCD GTs and Asolo Snowfields. We (I had two partners) did some bushwacking, orienteering and winter camping. We explored most all of the draws, routes and hunters path's in the north part of the Siamese from 13th Lake, Kings Flow and 11th Mountain trailheads.
By 1994 we were JONESING for skiing by Thanksgiving and there wasn't usually snow by then. My one buddy and I - also an XC skier - skied at Gore early in the season on the very same Karhu's and Asolos. They were 210s. I'd stick to Sunway when I could.
By say 1998 I started to do the top. After two HUGE dumps in March some years back I went with a ski patrol and went places I still can't remember.
Now that our camp has plumbing we stick to Gore and the Siamese.
Oh yea, I never skied alpine. I first used plastic tele boots three years ago. Now my gear is fat and curvy. And Gore gets better every year.
Fast forward - NOW I've got a baby and Gore has killer day care - so the former backcountry skier, is now skiing all Gore, all the time. Today was day 28.
Great thread Jimmer - how are ya?
Harv