Memorial Day Weekend 2004 and perhaps the last chance to make some turns after a very poor late ski season. More importantly, it was my first opportunity to ski with Alain this season and help him begin healing from the loss of his wife, Kazuko, to lung cancer.

In typical fashion, the weekend featured excellent food: incredible prime rib by Alain, best pie I've ever had by Jean (a blackberry/peach/tangerine/ginger topped by an ample amout of Cutty Sark supplied by Alain), and lots of wine.

Oh, and we had a great time skiing, too. It was almost overshadowed by the food. The snow was great as was the company, a quick 1.5 hour hike to the top of Estelle Peak followed by several pitches of turns and we were hiking back out to Alain's cabin ready for even more food: salmon marinated in sake. Hmmm. And thanks to Jean for taking most of the pictures which turned out very well.