As 2025 comes to a close I am celebrating ten years of posting thoughts, events, and observations about one of the most wonderful and wondrous places I’ve ever known, Little Cottonwood Canyon. Breaking my tradition of always writing in the second person, I thought it appropriate on this occasion to speak in my own first-person voice.
On one hand it is hard to believe so much time has passed. At least 1,000 days on skis for me. When considered from another perspective, it’s an eye blink. Where has the time gone?
I never seem to know the answer to that question. What I do know is how fortunate I am to have the space and opportunity to reach out to you every month and share musings or sights I find interesting. Thank you, Frank, Wendee, and Meagan, for providing this platform.
I definitely have favorite blogs. Moose matings in Sept 2018. The postings from our 2023 record storm were written from trapped quarters during a marathon spring snowfall. But the most fun was way back in 2017 when I interviewed a rocky mountain goat I happened upon on the slopes of Mt. Superior.
Along the way I’ve had opportunity to share my writing profession with you across the publication of three books. Apologies for missing my November blog, but I spent the past two months converting one of them, Alone at Dawn, into a feature film directed by Ron Howard and Starring Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway. You can certainly expect to hear about that again when it hits theaters.
And to be fair, the snow so far this season is nothing to report on anyway.
Significantly for me, writing this blog has introduced me to people that make the canyon the playground and pristine setting we so appreciate. I am saddened to share that Tina Biddle, Snowbird’s ski patrol director, passed away unexpectedly last month. The outpouring of support to her husband Matt and the love everyone felt for this remarkable leader and adventurer was evidenced by the 800 people who attended her memorial at the Cliff Lodge on December 18th.
Tina was one of those magical humans you have the good fortune to meet along your life journey, and I will miss her and our friendship (She’s pictured here with Kami, Snowbird’s safety director). Tina exemplified all the traits that define the best attributes of those who work and play in our most wonderful canyon. “519, down and clear…”
Which leads me back to my gratitude that begins this post. I hope that this year finds you especially well dear reader, appreciating those you love, and celebrating the life you lead wherever that may be. I hope to see you on the slopes and trails in the coming year and thank you for reading my ramblings across the past decade.
From both of us, happy holidays and to the new year,
Dan & Julie Schilling (and Ron Howard says so too)
