It’s a bluebird day, and I’m skiing through a towering stand of spruce trees that opens into a vast meadow. In the distance, I spot a black creature diving up and down through the deep snow beside the groomed trail. I recognize the animal immediately: Sir Walter Raleigh, a black Lab mix with floppy ears and boundless energy. When I reach his two humans, Nike and Jeff, the latter asks me, “Is this your first time skiing today?” It’s our own private joke. We’re both here all the time.
That wasn’t always the case. Nike and Jeff’s regular cross-country ski habit started after their veterinarian told them their previous dog was overweight and needed more physical activity. The couple realized they too could use some exercise, so they committed to cross-country skiing three days a week. The first time out, they could only go a few kilometers before running out of breath, but their fitness improved rapidly, and soon they were coming to the trails even more frequently. Turns out, the Grand Mesa isn’t just good for their health, Nike says:
