Fata Morgana
An interesting phenomenon, not dissimilar to a mirage in the desert. Both have to do with light bending as it passes between distinct air masses at different temperatures, much as it would passing through a refracting lens. This generally happens over flat, sun-warmed surfaces--tarmac, desert sand, shelf ice.
What distinguishes a Fata Morgana from a mirage is that, as this involves light moving from cool to cooler air (rather than from warm to warmer), things are elongated rather than condensed. Thus there appear phantom cliffs, not shimmering lakes.
They take their name from King Arthur's shape-shifting sister, Morgan le Fay.
I'd heard about Fata Morgana before coming down, but to some other newbies they really do seem to be cliffs. About a month ago one of the other new guys in the shop asked "why is that cliff so much taller now than it was earlier this morning?"
An older timer replied: "low tide".
That's how helpful some of the crusty guys are.
This has nothing to do with the illusion.
As you see, it's not necessary to bundle up, just to cover up.
The terrible part about this Saturday's ski was that I hit a rock on my way back home, and fairly cut a second groove down one of my skis. I should have been on the lookout, but who could have known? A rock, floating on the ocean? Totally lame.