Riding the lift into the blue sky basin Sunday, a million points of light glittered from the untouched powder below. As a parting gift, we were given two unforgettable days of powder to share with our friends. We made the best of our time with the snow. Not only over this last weekend at Vail, but in all of our days with the mountain. As the sun slowly sets on another season, we remember the pain and the joy, the frustration and the accomplishment that has consumed us on ivory peaks. We should remember hiking off the back side of the blue sky basin, through untouched meadows to watch Mike try a front flip off of a 25 foot cliff, only to land on his back with his head downhill. We should remember watching Brandon butter into fun boxes with the ease and grace of a master. We should remember watching Mike straight-line into a small band of cliffs, turning mediocrity into majesty as he tripled the size of the cliff and stuck the landing. We should remember hiking off of the back side of beaver creek to play in untouched glades and fields of powder. We should remember hitting Area 51’s enormous jump lines; both the joy from a clean line and the pain from a cased landing. Most of all though, we should remember why we were there. It wasn’t about getting famous, making money, or trying to win a prize. It was about our passion and our dedication. It was about getting up early after a long work weak to drive 2 hours to the resort. It was about getting injured and struggling everyday to regain confidence. It was about exhausting hikes to find the perfect line. It was about lying in the snow, far from the city, and taking a moment to relax. Most of all, it was about riding and spending time with good friends. Vail is closed now; the light of the season has faded to dusk. All that is left are the bruises, the sunburns, and the memories. Still, the sun will rise again.