Let's see... Big snowstorm last Thursday night. Four to six inches. The weather guy says the roads should be clear by morning, so no problem driving to work on Friday.

Well, even with the best intentions, some plans can go astray. A big dump of snow, a ski buddy with the day off and a thus-far underutilized season's pass... I never made it to work.

Traffic on the road was mid-week light. The coffee was kicking in. Music blaring. An occasional glance through the sun roof at the skis on the rack brought forth a very big smile. You just have to love stealing away unexpectedly for a day on the slopes!

Wide open trail on "T-2"

Sunday River was wide open for us. A good number of other skiers had the same idea, but the place was still empty. No full contact skiing today.

All morning we cruised over beautiful new snow. T-2, Sunday Punch, Cascades at Barker. American Express and Risky Business at Spruce. Back and forth, up and down, again and again.

Lunch at North Peak Lodge. A sandwich and a pre-apres-ski beverage at the new Peak Easy Bar. Warm sun streamed in the big windows. Noontime. Could be working right now. Nah!

The afternoon turned cold and windy. On Aurora Peak the good snow cover was disappearing fast. A patch of ice here, a mound of snow there. A bit of flailing about on dull edges, but no matter, it was still good fun.

On to Jordan Bowl and multiple bone-chilling lift rides. The view across to Mount Washington and the Presidentials from the lift shack was stunning. There was little time to enjoy it, though, with the arctic winds blowing in our faces.

A couple more runs for posterity, and we make our way back across the long mountain and down to the base lodge. Four o'clock. Could still be working. Not today.

We head for home, but, as if by divine intervention, my car makes a sudden right turn into the Matterhorn Ski Bar. Apres-ski time has arrived. Hot wings and cold brew. Just rewards for a hard day at, uh, um... work. Yeah, that's it.