The resort is ready for the Christmas guests.

Look at Winnie's big brown eyes. She's awesome.

Big, wet doggie-kiss.

This is a "dog" blog, so I'm posting all the pix of me with Winnie the beautiful and adorable Boxer

These bluebird days are uplifting. I need as many as I can get.

Skiing with Ron - doesn't happen often, so it was a treat.

Rhett and the giant champagne bottle below the finish

Well before the start of the race. Serene.

Another peaceful shot before the race

Here's part of the VIP crowd. See that purple jacket. It's this season's style at Gorsuch. I give it a thumbs up.

Check out the zoom lense on the camera. I saw some even bigger ones too.

Aksel Lund Svindal from team Norway.

I had to document this well put together, but very flashy outfit. This is the top part.

Here is the bottom part. I'm still undecided how I feel about the paw-like fur mittens

I believe this is Werner Heel of Italy after the second downhill run

Spectators near the finish

Bode Miller after his run

Bode suddenly turned around and flashed a smile directly at me and I already had my camera pointed at him!

Marco Sullivan - Team USA

I was just above the press/athlete area, so there was a lot of equipment in front of me

Although this lady's outfit is technically fine, it is the reason my "redneck" friends make fun of the Vail Valley.

Instruments from the German band playing in the VIP tent

My friend Rhett acting normal

Now he is showing me the underside of his nostrils. Just so you know, he spent hours to get a a shot from under my nose. He finally took one that he said he could clear up to my brain. That photo will NEVER be seen on the web.

Dog booties and a dog booty

If you saw the artist working on this piece in the last post, it only had the "2" and the "0". Here's the finished 2015, which represents the fact that Beaver Creek is a candidate for the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships

Rhett insisted on getting a photo of me too.

Here's a photo of my new favorite dog at Beaver Creek. His name is Gus and he is truly a gentle giant at 167 pounds. His owners just happened to sit in the two seats next to me at a table in the VIP tent the day after I met Gus. I love Saint Bernards.

A view of Beaver Creek Village

The little girl was showing her family how she could be a statue like the dog in front of Karin's, one of the Beaver Creek Village shops

It was my best World Cup as a VIP guest of (default) Race Manager, Ron Rupert of the Beaver Creek Race Department.

The short walk from the shuttle to the grand stand and race finish area

The band at the Fuxi Racing tent

The snowmobile "limo" for guests who need a ride

Franzi and me at the Fuxi Racing booth. We don't get to see each other much, but we're happy when we cross paths.

I just liked the patterns on these coat. Happy.

My friend Rob Rogan from Park City. I was hoping to see Stephanie too, but working in the ski industry means she's busy this time of year. The Banner Crew did a meticulous job for the sponsors, adding to the professionalism and polish of the Beaver Creek World Cup venue. You guys rock.

Posing with the World Cup Banner Crew. I can't believe I've known these guys for eight or nine years. They're the best! Especially since they kept me company in the VIP tent, where I'm usually alone. Left to Right: Pete, Rob, me, Marshall. They're doing the World Cup circuit and are based out of Utah.

Watching the downhill runs with Susan Johnson. She's the director of finance for the resort, but also volunteered to work the World Cup. Amazing energy, even with a busted shoulder. She had a sign pinned to her right shoulder saying: "I'm hurt, please don't hug me."

Race Crew near the finish

I had the pleasure of meeting and having lunch with three of the USSA trustees. Charming gentlemen.

Lame view of the Red Tail Lodge deck where there was a live band

I saw Ron for a minute during one of his high-speed "fly-bys". He was moving fast with a shovel and possibly laden with tools. Said he had to go, but I got a few photos.

Working on the 2015 ice sculpture. The artist was using what looked like a giant cheese grater to do some of the finer work. Beaver Creek is a candidate for the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships. It's a big deal.

The girls at the rum booth. I don't drink, but I thought their coats were cute.

Walking past Franzi's Fuxi Racing tent on my way back down to the village.

Back at Beaver Creek Village, about to go to the parking lot to get my car.

Riding the shuttle to the parking lot. It was a good day.