Winter Dispatch: 036
The Olympics (+ love) edition!
Chairlift Chatter, Olympics Edition
It’s the best time of the decade – the Winter Olympics are here!!! For the next two weeks, I’ll be glued to the TV at every possible moment, happily rediscovering my deep and abiding love for ice dancing, curling, luge, skeleton, and every other beautifully niche winter sport.
And don’t get me started on the NBC hometown-tour segments – the childhood footage, the proud parents, the tiny local rinks. *tears*
Still holding out hope that ski ballet makes its triumphant return someday, maybe 2030.
Friend of the letter Lee Glandorf watched the entire Opening Ceremony (an act of stamina that deserves its own medal) and wrote a fab piece on everything she observed re: Olympic fashion. Worth a read!
A few of my favorite moments so far:
Women’s downhill gold medalist Breezy Johnson's twin talents: her fearless racing and her hand-knitted headbands she makes for each race!
The Quad God, Ilia Malinin. Specifically his on-ice backflip.
Mexico’s alpine skier Sarah Schleper is making history at her 7th Olympic Games and this time, she’s racing alongside her son, Lasse Gaxiola. They’re the first mother + son ever to compete in the same Olympics!
Norweigan skiathlon gold medalist Johannes Høsflot Klæbo absolutely crushing the uphill sprint with a sub 6 minute mile pace. Insane!
The supernatural knees of moguls athletes. S/O gold medalist Liz Lemley!
Figure skaters Evan Bates and Madison Chock. Partners on ice and in life for over 11 years. Adorable. Madison is also an insanely talented costume designer, and this year she was tapped to design not just her own outfits but costumes for other competitors too.
The unbothered steeze of freestyle athletes. Googles under helmets. Slut strands out.
Curling, just overall. I still don't fully understand the strategy, but I'm captivated by the furious sweeping, the stone's slow glide, and the tension on the ice. I recently learned that all curling stones come from the same single manufacturer on an island in Scotland.
Luge women's doubles making its debut this Olympics. About time.
Sibling synergy! Sweden’s curling siblings + Slovenia's ski jumping siblings both competed together this year.
Olympic rings shaped pasta served in the Olympic Village. Wish they sold this.
The Annual Love Edit 💌
It’s almost Valentine’s Day! Long-time readers might know this is my favorite holiday. I love love! The more pink + red, hearts, and candy messages, the better. We could all use the extra joy. I’ll take any excuse for a day that gives us permission to celebrate the people, feelings, rituals, and small things we adore.
So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here’s my annual edit of things I love that make winter even better. Some new, some tried-and-true.
Getting in a hot tub (or piping hot shower) after a ski day.
Making homemade marshmallows for your hot chocolate! Store-bought will never hit the same again.
Friends with ski houses :) :)
The Yardsale Day Bag. I know I won’t shut up about it, but it’s really upleveled my ski weekend packing game. Everything fits, nothing gets forgotten.
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream. I was introduced to this product by my best friend’s dad who is a lifelong Alaskan and the most rugged man I know. If your hands are falling off your body in the winter because of dry skin, this is a nonnegotiable and in my bag at all times.
Seeing 2-5 year olds ripping down the mountain on 70cm skis. Nothing in the world cuter!
A shoe that’s squishy, fluffy, or warm to put on after boots. Bonus points if it hits all three categories.
First tracks on a powder day (or fresh corduroy) when you have the entire run to yourself for approximately 15 glorious seconds before everyone else shows up.
Keeping a can of cinnamon rolls in the fridge for a snow day. One eaten on the first snow day of the year brings good snow karma. Unfortunately, the ritual didn’t seem to work as well this year, but not giving up on the tradition.
A good pair of fuzzy socks for peak winter lounging.
Happy ♥️ Day to all!
If you enjoy this letter, please share with friends! Feel free to respond here with ski-related intel, new products you’re loving, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading 💌