Maroon Ventures Blog

“Everything is relative”

Okay, okay, context is important. Like much of the country, Crested Butte has been getting pounded by winter storms for the couple of weeks. In fact, I can only remember two days out of the last 14 that it didn’t snow. Yesterday, we woke up to 18 inches of fresh snow on the mountain. Like any good powder addict, I popped out of bed at the crack of 4:30, checked the snow report, gave thanks to Ullr (pagan god of winter/snow) and immediately made preparations for heading up to the mountain to catch one of the first chairs. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this wintertime ritual, avid powder skiers start lining up at the chairlift at least one hour before it opens in hopes of untracked powder. The higher the fresh snowfall, the greater the crowds and excitement.

So, as I stood in line for the fourth chair (I am such a slacker) I heard the following conversation take place.

“This winter is epic so far!” - New CB Resident

“This is nothing like last year. Last year we were getting 30 inches overnight, not 18” - Old CB Resident

“That was nothing like back in the 80’s when would get 50 inches overnight” - Older CB Resident

“Well, everything is relative I suppose” - New CB Resident

I started to think about that as I patiently waited another 30 minutes for the ski patrol to finish their avalanche routes and for the chair to start spinning.  Is that really true? I suppose it is largely true. Now that it is winter here in Crested Butte, the snow piles are starting to reach over 20 feet high in several areas. My 3 and 5 year old daughters eye these snow piles much as a mountaineer eyes 14,000 foot peaks. My daughters plot their routes up these snow piles and celebrate their successful assents with unabashed glee. They’ve started naming them and progressively picking harder routes to climb. That’s relativity in action.

I was speaking with my financial advisor the other day and he proudly proclaimed that my portfolio had out performed the index by 15% and his portfolio average by 10%.  That is to say, I lost 10% less money this year than his other clients. Ah…. the sour smell of success. That’s certainly relativity in action albeit painful.

This morning I woke up and it was –2 degrees outside when I walked to work (not counting wind chill). Two months ago I would have pronounced it a bone chilling frigid morning and driven to work. Now that I am in the full swing of winter I decided that is was delightfully balmy and walked to work. Okay, I didn’t really think that – I thought, “damn, it is cold outside but at least it isn’t –35”. Plus there was a 3 foot pile of snow that the city bulldozers left in front of my driveway overnight that prevented me from driving even if I had wanted. But that’s not important now. Back to temperature – that’s certainly relative.

The other week I was discussing the difficulties facing newspapers with a few colleagues. By any measure, these are trying times. However, as we cynically pointed out, at least newspapers can take solace that they’re not oh say US automakers, mortgage companies, investment banks, hedge funds and insurers – those guys are really screwed. Relativity at its finest!

So what isn’t relative. That I put to you is right in front of your face. Friendship, family, love, companionship and the sparkle in a child’s eye as they open their Christmas or Chanukah present. That my friends, is not relative. So on this Christmas Eve and fourth night of Chanukah, let us take time to reflect on the few things that we can all be certain are free from relativity.  

One more thing that isn’t relative – 18 inches of fresh powder will always, ALWAYS constitute a great powder day.

Happy holidays everyone! 

Yes, it is that time of the year here in Crested Butte. In a town where dogs can sometimes outnumber people, the snow is melting and things are getting quite odiferous. Crested Buttians figured out how to solve this years ago - throw a party. Well, pick up poop and then have a party. Actually, it is really pick up poop, win some great prizes based on the weight of your haul, and then have a party. PooFest 2008 is officially scheduled for tomorrow, May 17th. I am not kidding… really. As the owner of a 120 pound pooch/doormat named Gunther, people have been scoping my yard out all week.

Just thought I’d share. Also, for those who were curious about Hank the Bear - he was eventually captured and relocated to a forest about a 100 miles a way. Hopefully we won’t see him as the Colorado Dept. of Wildlife does have a three strikes policy.

Community activism is alive and well at 9000 feet. Here in Crested Butte, CO, the booming metropolis that is the world headquarters of Maroon Ventures, the community is celebrating a victory over the latest threat to our way of life - a giant molybdenum mine project just outside of town. 

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Spring hasn’t quite sprung here at Maroon Ventures HQ but for one fellow Crested Buttian, it’s close enough. While leaving the office the other day, I spotted a large black dog across the street. Very large. Upon closer inspection it was an adult black bear (full grown). In the summer, bears are relatively commonplace - especially at night. However, its March. Aren’t these bruins supposed to be sleeping? You can learn more as to why this big fellow is awake in town… at this hour. Our furry friend is still around and has thus far eluded all efforts to capture him. I’ve started calling him “Hank”. While a full grown black bear can be very dangerous, Hank appears to be pretty mellow and well, groggy. No telling how long Hank will be in town but his presence sure does put a new spin on leaving the office after dark.