The annual Turner Mountain Fun Night usually signals the unofficial start of the ski and snowboard season. Snow bums pack the Red Dog from wall to wall, stuffing down pizza and telling stories of past glories on the mountain.

At the very least, it’s a chance to wear goggles indoors while drinking a beer with friends who share the love of Turner Mountain.

Even though I kicked off the season a bit early with trip to Schweitzer Mountain last weekend, the Turner Mountain Fun Night on Saturday is still a can’t-miss event. After all, the regulars at our local ski area are a diverse group of outdoor recreationalists who know how to throw a party – heck, even accountants have been known to kick up their heels at this event.

The problem – a great problem – is that there is an equally impressive event going on the same night this year: the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees.

The Festival of Trees has a much different flavor than Turner Mountain Fun Night. It’s more low-key than the party at the Red Dog, but the relaxing atmosphere of the Memorial Events Center and the amazing food make it one of the classiest events of the year.

Ever since I stuffed my face with steak and wine at last year’s Festival of Trees, I have been looking forward to an equally delicious repeat performance.

So, when I heard that both events were going to be held on the same night this year, I was in a mid-life quandary. The older, more distinguished side of my persona wanted to relax, mingle and buy a few raffle tickets for a good cause at the Festival of Trees. But the part of me that still doesn’t realize I’m 35 years old wanted to get rowdy at the Red Dog.

The truth is, these kinds of choices are rare. Too often, I find myself choosing between the lesser of two evils. Should I take out the garbage or wash dishes? Should I shovel the driveway or fix the leaking faucet? Which politician should I vote for?

You see what I mean.

But choosing between two really cool ways to spend an evening, for whatever reason, is just as difficult as avoiding the baddest of two bad options.

So, ultimately, I decided not to choose. Instead, I’m going to attend both events on what could turn out to be the best night ever – if all goes as planned.

Dress isn’t a problem because the Festival of Trees allows casual to mix with the elegant – in fact, the organizers even encourage wearing denim. And the crew at the Red Dog wouldn’t care if you showed up in your long johns or a tuxedo.

Time shouldn’t be a problem either. I did the math already. I should be able to spend two or three hours at the Festival of Trees before heading up Pipe Creek for the encore performance.

The only real difficulty is what to do about all that food. After putting away a pound of market-fresh seafood or steak or prime rib – I’m getting hungry just writing about it – how am I going to eat $25 worth of pizza?

I don’t know exactly how to handle the food problem, but I can hardly wait to find out. It’s one of those predicaments that I wish I encountered more often.

(Matt Bunk is publisher of The Western News.)