Today was possibly the best day of skiing we’ll see all year, including all winter.
![](http://noahhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NZ-Off-Day-006.jpg" "NZ Clear Skies")
I didn’t take advantage of it, as it was my day off. I heard all about it from Kris Freeman though. I got to pay him back for the bragging by beating him in chess.
![](http://noahhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/DSCN0094.jpg" "Kris and Noah Chess")
I also did some much needed laundry. One of the great amenities of the Snow Farm is readily available washing machines.
![](http://noahhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NZ-Off-Day-003.jpg" "NZ Laundry")
There was a controlled burn happening down the hill that made for an interesting smoke cloud.
![](http://noahhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NZ-Off-Day-005.jpg" "NZ Controlled Burn Fire")
Overall it was a beautiful day.
![](http://noahhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/DSCN0099.jpg" "New Zealand Sunset")
But I was grateful for, and needed, the day off.
![](http://noahhoffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NZ-Off-Day-011.jpg" "New Zealand Sunset 2")
Lastly, http://johnnyklister.com/ did a fun post playing fun at me today: http://johnnyklister.com/2012/09/us-ski-team-budget-expanded-to-include-individual-transportation-for-noah-hoffman/