Funitel Gondola Ride at Palisades Tahoe Resort

Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley is Lake Tahoe’s largest ski resort, with 6,000 acres, a base-to-base gondola and a 1960 Winter Olympics history

Sometimes, the best-laid plans simply don’t pan out—and that’s okay.

Heading into this trip, I had every intention of Spring snowboarding at Palisades Tahoe Resort. I packed my gear, mentally mapped out my runs, and envisioned carving my way down the mountain. But nature had other plans. The snow was slushy and unpredictable. And from past experience, I already knew that kind of terrain isn’t my strength.

The last time I faced similar conditions at Mountain High, I spent more time slipping, falling, and quite literally sitting in the snow than actually snowboarding. Slushy snow is unforgiving when your skills aren’t quite up to par, and I wasn’t eager to repeat that humbling experience.

So no, I didn’t snowboard this time. But that didn’t make the trip any less worthwhile.

After picking up my IKON Base Pass, I decided to take the Funitel gondola up to the base of the mountain. The ride itself was a kind of meditation – quiet, scenic, suspended between the sky and the slope.
I got a great recommendation for a hot springs spot near Truckee and Napa: Harbin Hot Springs and Sierra Hot Springs.

Once at the top, I found myself completely absorbed in watching others as they skied and snowboarded with ease on the slush.

In that moment, I didn’t feel envy or disappointment. I felt inspired. I recognized that their level of mastery didn’t come overnight, and I reminded myself that I’m still on my journey. I’ll get there. One run, one fall, one lesson at a time.

Though I had brought all my gear with me, I ultimately felt at peace with not using it. My snow clothes were better suited for warmer winter days, and with the current temperatures, I suspected I’d end up sweating through everything. And that would suck.

So I chose something else that I love – photography –  over striving just to prove that I did it. I chose observation over slipping and falling. And in doing so, I still gained something valuable: perspective.

Sometimes, growth doesn’t come from pushing through at all costs. Sometimes, it comes from pausing, watching, and giving yourself the grace to say, “Not today bitch, you can sit this one out and chill.”

And I was better for it.

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