I received word this morning of Dallin Koecher’s imminent departure for Cortina d’Ampezzo. An observer, they call him. A student of event organization. The entire exercise feels… unnecessarily involved, though one can appreciate the diligent application of resources. He’ll be studying biathlons, apparently, at a venue mirroring our own Soldier Hollow. A logistical mirroring, to be precise. It is a rather faded yellow lift tower, circa 1988, that provides the best vantage point for assessment, should one choose to observe the observers.
The intention, naturally, is to avoid repeating the errors of 2002. Apparently, everyone was ‘bussed in’ and then promptly ‘bussed out,’ bypassing any genuine integration with the local economy. A critical oversight. Koecher speaks of watch parties and cultural exchanges. A noble ambition, certainly, although I suspect the reality will involve overflowing parking lots and a distinct lack of silence.
The notion of a ‘day in the life’ for the workforce is… touching. Though I suspect the life in question is considerably less refined than my own. One hopes they’ve considered the impact of the uninvited on the grooming. The corduroy on McConkey's Bowl, when pristine, holds the texture of a freshly pressed linen suit. That is the standard. One must preserve it. The mercury-colored clouds suggest a slight warming trend, but the grooming crew, if they are attentive, will counteract it.
Consider, should you find yourself on the mountain tomorrow, beginning your descent with a run down Daly Chutes. Arrive early. It’s the only way to experience it before the inevitable influx.