Back to Earth

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. -- With more than two hours before another race in possibly his final World Cup season, Bode Miller sits at a table in a Beaver Creek lodge and waits. He's already blown through his inspection on the Birds of Prey course. Now there is one job left before he throws himself down the mountain when it actually counts: relax. At 10,200 feet, the view through the oversized windows at the Spruce Saddle Lodge is straight out of a winter postcard. Endless rows of massive, snow-covered pines. Pristine, untouched powder as far as the eye can see. The cafeteria here serves more than burgers and pizza. There's sushi, pho and lobster tacos. Somewhere in the fog down below, reality exists. You just can't see it from up here.