“The November pile.” That was the name my mother gave for everything that was procrastinated from completion during the beautiful summer months when the family was too busy gardening, hiking and playing outdoors. Before my parents spent the winter driving me to ski competitions and my brother to hockey tournaments, unfinished chores were put onto a laundry list for us, like donating old clothing, cleaning out the basement, filling out forms, and stacking wood. The November pile represented looming obligations that were necessary, but not necessarily fun, yet had to be completed.

Now that I am at Promontory, I am learning that there is no need to dread November at all! While the ski areas prepare to open in the middle of the month, our Outfitter Sean Smith can whip you into shape now with complimentary ski fitness classes and probably more than a few laughs. November is the time to focus on your health and happiness before the hectic holidays, and Sean’s Saturday morning classes can help you with both.

November is a wonderful, quiet month to prepare before the holidays. After you put away the Halloween costumes and before it is time to start thinking about turkeys and twinkle lights, it is a time to be grateful for this wonderful place that we live.

I just got back from an incredible week in New York City where I helped raise a lot of money for some fantastic causes.  I also met incredible athletes like Billie Jean King, Laila Ali, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee!

All of those experiences should have been energizing, but being away from the views, the wildlife and the recreation in Park City and Promontory made my soul ache.

Taking a page from my mom, I am determined to reframe my November pile from a “list of chores” to a list of things that I am grateful for and I urge you to do the same. Reflect on your time at Promontory. Maybe you made friends and memories at the summer concerts, at the 4th of July Conservancy Picnic, or on the golf courses. You live in an incredibly beautiful place. The foliage might have fallen, but pretty soon, Mother Nature will be ready to drop the lightest snow on Earth right in our backyards. Maybe she is just too busy night now – working on her November pile.