Groomie Zoomie

We invented a new phrase today: the Groomie Zoomie!

Ears pinned back & kicking up dust in our tracks - ZOOM!

We spend at least 95% of our skijoring miles on either ungroomed backcountry trails or following snowmobile trails. But, we do get the occasional chance to really uncork the skijoring engine on professionally groomed trails. It always amazes me the speeds we hit & distances we cover on groomed terrain. Part of our usual route at the Vail Pass Recreation Area contains a section of professionally groomed trail. As we were flying along today, it occurred to me how to refer to our rare chance to skijor on groomed trails - the Groomie Zoomie! Watch the video below and you'll get it :-)

Flying along the groomed section of Shrine Pass Rd. Wow, do these two FLY on
groomed terrain!
[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Our favorite route at Vail Pass takes us on snowshoe trails for about 25% of the time, on Groomie Zoomie for about 25% of the time and on snowmobile trails for the remaining 50% of the outing.

Hauling the human up the snowshoe track to the top of Shrine Pass.

You have to see what must be the world's dumbest squirrel we encountered along the snowmobile trail going up Lime Creek. Max & Zorro are typically really good about ignoring wildlife when we are skijoring. But, put "fresh meat" on the trail right in front of them and no sled dog could avoid that temptation!

First the Siberians get the squirrel in their sights.
Then the stupid squirrel runs AT US!
Then he gets a momentary brain and runs away.
And, finally, he loses his brain and runs across the trail - barely avoiding becoming lunch!
[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

A great tour of Vail Pass today covering 12.4 miles with 1600 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 24 MPH on the Groomie Zoomie section of trail.

"Time to turn around? Really, already?" ask my curious pair when I called out
the "time to turn around" command.

"Ok, but a turnaround requires a snow angel and chomping down on snowcones first!"
demonstrate the funny Siberians.

"Snow angels done, snowcones consumed - but we are still unsure about the
'turnaround idea' - why don't we keep going instead?"

2013/2014 Season to Date: 62 days on the trails covering 533.8 miles with 62800 feet of elevation climbed.