"The number six and nine lifts service most of the double black diamond runs," Dean said to Fred with a smile as the old man glided to a wide stop. Though it would kill Dean to admit it, he was proud as punch at his stepfather's guts and ability. It was apparent that Fred had skied before at some time in his long life and, more importantly, he knew enough to do so cautiously.
"After you." Fred answered with a look that said he, too, was justifiably proud to be on the slopes at his age.
Donnie, while not demonstrating textbook form, was managing nicely to remain on his skis, and not on his butt. His father was no doubt an expert, while Dean's ability was somewhere in between. He was able to ski from the summit, but only on those slopes and trails designated blue or green, novice or intermediate. The black diamond expert trails were for the Donald Rylands of the world.
By the time the group stopped for lunch-two large five-cheese pizzas at Big Billie's-Donnie had progressed to the point of being able to ski alone from the top of the beginner slope. While he experienced a few sit-downs, there were no serious spills. He always made sure one of the adults was close by, but his youth and a natural sense of balance helped him to catch on to the sport quickly. However, when his father asked if he was ready for a greater challenge he declined. He was more than content to spend his first day of skiing on the bunny slope. It was obvious Donald, and to a lesser extent Dean, would enjoy steeper, longer and more challenging runs. Fred understood this and volunteered to ski with Donnie while the others took a couple of runs from the higher elevations.
The two men first boarded chair lift number ten and ten and a half minutes later were eighteen hundred feet higher than Fred and Donnie, at nearly eleven thousand feet elevation. Conversation on the trip up was limited to Ryland's enthusiastic appraisal of his son's abilities and skiing in general, with no mention of Edith Shipton and her problems. Dean was just as glad to spend the day problem free.
The view from the top was spectacular, the snow perfect and the trail empty of other skiers. They chose an intermediate trail called "Sundance." It was long, yet wide enough to turn easily. They skied together and to Dean it was a long and infinitely pleasant run. At the base they checked in with Fred and Donnie, who were doing fine without them, so they moved to even more challenging terrain. Dean found the deep powder beyond his limited abilities and Donald Ryland seemed content to stay with him and ski the packed trails, sometimes cutting off to test the moguls and deeper snow at the trail's edge.