Here is the link to the interview with Greg Stump regarding his upcoming film, Legend of Aahhhs, which hits the State Theater in Portland tomorrow!
Enjoy, and get out and ski!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A Great Way to Start The Day
One of my favorite things to do is wake up early and climb my local ski hill and enjoy the sunrise before sneaking first tracks. I've made the trip a few times this year, but this morning was the first time I actually got a sunrise.
It is always a bit of a race to the top, as I don't really want to hang out too long at the summit after a climb that leaves me a bit sweaty- so I try to time it just right. I've gotten pretty good at it, and today I hit it just right.
As I was taking my skins off just moments after getting to the summit, I looked up and could see the top of the orb as it began to break the horizon. I grabbed my phone and snapped this shot.
It put a smile on my face and the ripping wind seemed to loose a bit of its chilly bite once I saw the sun.
Then it was time to head down and get home to start the day. What a great start indeed.
It is always a bit of a race to the top, as I don't really want to hang out too long at the summit after a climb that leaves me a bit sweaty- so I try to time it just right. I've gotten pretty good at it, and today I hit it just right.
As I was taking my skins off just moments after getting to the summit, I looked up and could see the top of the orb as it began to break the horizon. I grabbed my phone and snapped this shot.
It put a smile on my face and the ripping wind seemed to loose a bit of its chilly bite once I saw the sun.
Then it was time to head down and get home to start the day. What a great start indeed.
Monday, December 27, 2010
We Needed That
The storm wasn't quite as epic as we had been lead to believe, however it was still enough to put smiles on everyone's faces!
As I write this I am looking over at Shawnee Peak, the sun is setting and there is a pink glow that runs along the ridge. The snow has stopped falling, but it is still moving around out there as the wind continues to reminds us that we have just had a storm.
Tomorrow will be another good day.
As I write this I am looking over at Shawnee Peak, the sun is setting and there is a pink glow that runs along the ridge. The snow has stopped falling, but it is still moving around out there as the wind continues to reminds us that we have just had a storm.
Tomorrow will be another good day.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Could This Be The One
It's dark outside, the wind is cranking and the snow is falling. The talking heads on the boob tube are talking about how the world is ending because of this storm, lots of superlatives to describe it, and all of them negative. Meanwhile I'm sitting here cheering and hoping we get slammed, we could use it!
So the ski box is loaded with the fat skis. My 120mm skin are on the table, the alarm is set. The game plan is to get first tracks, early, then come back and load up the family for a day of powder skiing. I hope it lives up to the billing. All I can say, thank you Santa.
So the ski box is loaded with the fat skis. My 120mm skin are on the table, the alarm is set. The game plan is to get first tracks, early, then come back and load up the family for a day of powder skiing. I hope it lives up to the billing. All I can say, thank you Santa.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Interview with Greg Stump
As many of you know Legend of Aahhhs is being shown at the State Theater in Portland, ME on New Years Day. This will be one of very few opportunities to see this film before its official launch later in the year, and it's something you won't want to miss.
I had a chance to talk with Greg about the movie, it's impact, and why he chose to show it in Maine.
Enjoy.
Buy your tickets here.
I had a chance to talk with Greg about the movie, it's impact, and why he chose to show it in Maine.
Enjoy.
Buy your tickets here.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Snow Snakes
Have you ever seen a snow snake? I’ve never seen one, however I’ve been attacked by them several times a year for well over 30 years- so I know they exist. The reason they are so tough to see is that they are white as snow and they actually travel under the top layer of snow and only come up at the opportune time to cause you to fall. Of course once you are falling it becomes difficult to focus on the snow snake to get visual identification as you are more concerned with not landing awkwardly.
I’m sure many people have tried, as I have, to see the elusive snow snake. The closest I have come was skiing behind a friend and thinking I saw something near his feet just before he launched himself head over heels down the hill in spectacular yard sale form. However I was never sure if it was in fact a snow snake or he just caught an edge.
I’m optimistic that an image of the mysterious snow snake may soon be captured, as there seems to be a large number of people skiing around with video cameras attached to their helmets. Although I have yet to see one of those cameras aimed down at the feet, which I assume would be the best angle for capturing video of said snow snake.
How does one know if they have been a victim of a snow snake? Ask yourself if you’ve ever been skiing and fallen, completely unexpectedly and without warning. These aren’t the typical blown turn, or launched off a bump type of falls, a snow snake induced fall is one that catches you completely off guard. When you stop falling you will find yourself looking around for something to blame the fall on, something that either stopped you skis abruptly or just simply took your feet out.
If you are riding the lift you can identify these victims by the way the look back up the hill after they are done sliding, or they look down at their boots- fearful the snow snake may still be at their feet. They survey the area shaking their head, convinced that something took them down.
It should be noted that not all skiers believe in snow snakes, some feel it is just a ploy to pass off wrecks caused by skier error. These are the same people that question the validity of the Snow Gods and think that you should wash your lucky ski socks during the ski season. I for one know they exist, and am sure that we will see a documentary on the Discovery Channel one day with video proof of their existence. In the mean time, ski with your eyes scanning the terrain, hands in front and knees bent- as I hear this is the best known defense against the elusive snow snake.
I’m sure many people have tried, as I have, to see the elusive snow snake. The closest I have come was skiing behind a friend and thinking I saw something near his feet just before he launched himself head over heels down the hill in spectacular yard sale form. However I was never sure if it was in fact a snow snake or he just caught an edge.
I’m optimistic that an image of the mysterious snow snake may soon be captured, as there seems to be a large number of people skiing around with video cameras attached to their helmets. Although I have yet to see one of those cameras aimed down at the feet, which I assume would be the best angle for capturing video of said snow snake.
How does one know if they have been a victim of a snow snake? Ask yourself if you’ve ever been skiing and fallen, completely unexpectedly and without warning. These aren’t the typical blown turn, or launched off a bump type of falls, a snow snake induced fall is one that catches you completely off guard. When you stop falling you will find yourself looking around for something to blame the fall on, something that either stopped you skis abruptly or just simply took your feet out.
If you are riding the lift you can identify these victims by the way the look back up the hill after they are done sliding, or they look down at their boots- fearful the snow snake may still be at their feet. They survey the area shaking their head, convinced that something took them down.
It should be noted that not all skiers believe in snow snakes, some feel it is just a ploy to pass off wrecks caused by skier error. These are the same people that question the validity of the Snow Gods and think that you should wash your lucky ski socks during the ski season. I for one know they exist, and am sure that we will see a documentary on the Discovery Channel one day with video proof of their existence. In the mean time, ski with your eyes scanning the terrain, hands in front and knees bent- as I hear this is the best known defense against the elusive snow snake.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Ski Maine Association
Media Contact
Greg Sweetser
(207) 773-7669 ext 100
gsweetser@skimaine.com
January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Maine kicks off with a Free Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week January 3 - 9, 2011
Portland ME: December 14, 2010 - January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month across the United States and Maine is among thirty four states participating in this celebration of winter.
The health benefits of being active in the outdoors are well documented and according to Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association, "Mainers have close access to outdoor winter sports but many have not taken the first step to try skiing or snowboarding. Highlighting January as a Learn to Ski Month has motivated people to think about getting outside. The Free Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week is hosted by eight Maine ski areas. Interested participants can register for available packages through the Ski Maine website."
The participating ski areas are, Bigrock, Camden Snow Bowl, Lost Valley, Mt. Abram, Saddleback, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River. The Ski Maine Association will process all requests for these packages on the Ski Maine website.(www.skimaine.com)
This annual event acknowledges Maine's longest season and highlights the importance Maine ski and snowboard areas have on the State's economy.
Complete details, including all learn to ski / snowboarding programs, snow conditions, maps, and driving directions are available on the Ski Maine web site.
Ski Maine Association, located in Portland, is the non-profit trade association representing the Alpine and Nordic ski industry in Maine.
-end-
Media Contact
Greg Sweetser
(207) 773-7669 ext 100
gsweetser@skimaine.com
January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Maine kicks off with a Free Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week January 3 - 9, 2011
Portland ME: December 14, 2010 - January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month across the United States and Maine is among thirty four states participating in this celebration of winter.
The health benefits of being active in the outdoors are well documented and according to Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association, "Mainers have close access to outdoor winter sports but many have not taken the first step to try skiing or snowboarding. Highlighting January as a Learn to Ski Month has motivated people to think about getting outside. The Free Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week is hosted by eight Maine ski areas. Interested participants can register for available packages through the Ski Maine website."
The participating ski areas are, Bigrock, Camden Snow Bowl, Lost Valley, Mt. Abram, Saddleback, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River. The Ski Maine Association will process all requests for these packages on the Ski Maine website.(www.skimaine.com)
This annual event acknowledges Maine's longest season and highlights the importance Maine ski and snowboard areas have on the State's economy.
Complete details, including all learn to ski / snowboarding programs, snow conditions, maps, and driving directions are available on the Ski Maine web site.
Ski Maine Association, located in Portland, is the non-profit trade association representing the Alpine and Nordic ski industry in Maine.
-end-
Tickets to Legend
For those looking for tickets to the Legend of Ahhhs show in Portland on New Years Day, here is the link.
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Snow Was Falling
I'm not trying to complain, but watching the Weather Channel recently has been a bit tough. It seems it is snowing everywhere but here in Maine and New Hampshire. Wait let me correct that as Eastern Maine got crushed a week ago, but that didn't help the mountains of Western Maine.
I know it'll come soon, but I sometimes get a little anxious.
That being said I did enjoy two good days over at Shawnee with the girls. Add to that news of Stumpy's long awaited "Legend of Aahhhs" is slated for a showing at the State Theater in Portland on New Years Day along with additional showings at the Magic Lantern, I'm getting pretty stoked.
For a taste of the movie, check this out.
I know it'll come soon, but I sometimes get a little anxious.
That being said I did enjoy two good days over at Shawnee with the girls. Add to that news of Stumpy's long awaited "Legend of Aahhhs" is slated for a showing at the State Theater in Portland on New Years Day along with additional showings at the Magic Lantern, I'm getting pretty stoked.
For a taste of the movie, check this out.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Urban Terrain Parks
I love ideas that bring skiing and riding closer to the people!
PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2010
Ski Maine Association
Media Contact
Greg Sweetser
(207) 773-7669 ext 100
gsweetser@skimaine.com
Portland Recreation Department and Ski Maine Association jointly announce the expansion of Payson Hill Terrain Park.
Portland ME:(December 7, 2010) Portland's Payson Park is one of three urban winter terrain parks in the United States. The popular sliding hill will see the addition of several new ski and snowboard "elements" that have been donated to Portland Recreation by Maine ski areas.
City Arborist, Jeff Tarling, has been a tireless advocate for active recreation for kids, and the Payson Hill Terrain Park is a huge attraction for kids afterschool. Jeff has also played a key role in the installation of a snowmaking system on the hill. Jeff will provide a brief history of the project and introduce key supporters of this important winter facility.
The Ski Maine Association has been a partner is creating the new afternoon program called "Wednesdays in the Park." Every Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:30 pm for seven weeks, January 5 through February 12, the Ski Maine Association and participating Maine ski areas will have skiers & riders at the Park demonstrating Park Safety and riding along with the kids.
Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association will introduce the partnering ski areas, and the three local businesses sponsors the snowmaking costs this winter.
Press Conference:
Wednesday, December 8th at 9:30 am at Payson Hill Terrain Park, Portland ME
Ski Maine Association, located in Portland, is the non-profit trade association representing the Alpine and Nordic ski industry in Maine.
##
PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2010
Ski Maine Association
Media Contact
Greg Sweetser
(207) 773-7669 ext 100
gsweetser@skimaine.com
Portland Recreation Department and Ski Maine Association jointly announce the expansion of Payson Hill Terrain Park.
Portland ME:(December 7, 2010) Portland's Payson Park is one of three urban winter terrain parks in the United States. The popular sliding hill will see the addition of several new ski and snowboard "elements" that have been donated to Portland Recreation by Maine ski areas.
City Arborist, Jeff Tarling, has been a tireless advocate for active recreation for kids, and the Payson Hill Terrain Park is a huge attraction for kids afterschool. Jeff has also played a key role in the installation of a snowmaking system on the hill. Jeff will provide a brief history of the project and introduce key supporters of this important winter facility.
The Ski Maine Association has been a partner is creating the new afternoon program called "Wednesdays in the Park." Every Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:30 pm for seven weeks, January 5 through February 12, the Ski Maine Association and participating Maine ski areas will have skiers & riders at the Park demonstrating Park Safety and riding along with the kids.
Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association will introduce the partnering ski areas, and the three local businesses sponsors the snowmaking costs this winter.
Press Conference:
Wednesday, December 8th at 9:30 am at Payson Hill Terrain Park, Portland ME
Ski Maine Association, located in Portland, is the non-profit trade association representing the Alpine and Nordic ski industry in Maine.
##
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
It's Coming
It snowed the other day. I got pretty jazzed by the sight of snow and my youngest and I headed out the door for some fast grass skiing on the soccer field behind our house. It felt good to go out and stride. It felt good to get some speed on one of the hills. I felt momentarily scared when I realized I was ripping downhill, in the dark, on not very much snow and that I couldn't see where the rocks were. I made it down in one piece and all I could think was, "let's do that again!".
And so starts the ski season.
The lifts are spinning. The Nordic trails are slowly getting covered. The back country is still a ways off, but it's here, and I'm smiling.
And so starts the ski season.
The lifts are spinning. The Nordic trails are slowly getting covered. The back country is still a ways off, but it's here, and I'm smiling.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Pair of Olympic Skiers lead 2010 Class to be inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame
Portland, ME: (September 29, 2010) When the Maine ski community gathers Friday October 22 at Lost Valley for the 8th annual Maine Ski Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, the class will include Olympic Skiers Kirsten Clark-Rickenbach (US Ski Team) and Marcus Nash (US Nordic Ski Team). Joining this pair will be Morten Lund (ski writer) Joan McWilliams Dolan (US Freestyle Ski Champion), Bernard Paradis (Fort Kent ski coach), Bob Harkins (US Ski Team coach), and John Atwood (10th Mt Division).
The banquet, always a sellout starts with a social hour at 5 PM, dinner at 6:30 followed by the awards. Since its inception in 2003 the Maine Ski Hall of Fame has honored 73 Maine skiers who have brought distinction to the sport in the state, nationally and internationally. The members inducted to date include competitors, coaches, ski area founders, instructors, ski patrollers, competition officials, volunteers and even inventors. This year's class, listed below is typical, with competitors, coaches and a writer whose work has been read around the world.
The Hall of Fame is a division of the Ski Museum of Maine which is located above the Sugarloaf Ski Shop in Kingfield. Attendees will all receive a full color program book with biography of each of the inductees. Programs from previous induction banquets can be found on the museum web site.
Reservation information can also be found at the site. Cost of the dinner is $35 per person. The Ski Maine Association handles the reservations and can be reached at 207-773-7669 extension 105.
Class of 2010
Kirsten Clark is a Hall of Fame skier with a brilliant career. Her US National Titles include five Downhill titles, one Super G, and one Combined. In addition, in 13 years on the US Team the Raymond native stood on World cup podiums 8 times, including one DH victory, in 28 top ten finishes. In 2003 she won a Silver Medal in the World Alpine Championships and skied in three Olympics. It's the best Alpine record of any Maine skier.
Fryeburg's Marcus Nash skied on the US Cross Country team in two Olympics in nearly a decade on the team. His best international result was a Gold Medal along with teammate Justin Wadsworth in the Goodwill Games at Lake Placid in 2000. Nash was a nine time US Champion at various distances.
Most Maine skiers have heard of Mort Lund, whose ski writing career started in 1954 with Sports Illustrated, but how many know he grew up in Augusta and graduated from Bowdoin College? He went on to write for Ski Magazine on every aspect of the sport, covering Olympics, short ski teaching, GLM and working with PSIA. His books include, "The Skier's World", "The Skier's Bible", "The Ski Book" and more. For more than three decades he was SKI's leading writer. He is one of the most prolific ski journalists in the World and continues as editor of "Skiing Heritage" the first US nationwide history journal published under the auspices of the International Skiing History Association.
Bernard "Ben" Paradis has been described as the "Glue" that held the ski community together in the St. John Valley. As a coach for Fort Kent High School for 26 years his teams won 5 state titles in classes A & C. He developed numerous state champion skiers and won over 20 Aroostook championships, all while serving on the board of Lonesome Pine Ski Trails.
John Atwood's career in skiing spanned a lifetime, skiing on the University of New Hampshire ski team, 1941-1943 and as a Second Lieutenant with the 10th Mt. Division in Italy 1943-1945. Following the war he skied on the US Army ski team in Europe before returning to UNH 1947-1949. In 1962 he founded the Fryeburg Junior Ski Program, developing a feeder program for Fryeburg Academy, one of the state's top ski teams which he coached over the next 20 years winning the state Class A girl's title in 1976. He also found time to serve on the Ski Patrol at Pleasant Mountain through the sixties.
If Freestyle Skiing had been part of the Olympics a couple of decades before it was recognized, Maine might have had a Gold Medalist a lot earlier. Joan McWilliams, (Now Dolan) skied out of Sugarloaf and dominated the sport winning five National Championships in seven years on the US Team. She started in the Sugarloaf Masters Program in the early seventies and went on to win her first National Title in 1976 as a freshman in high school. In 1979 Joan represented the US in the first ever FIS sanctioned freestyle competition and won the combined title. Had it not been for a horrific crash in the 1983 National Freestyle championships she might have gone on to win many more titles. Instead she turned to coaching and has produced a bunch of our countries top freestyle competitors at CVA.
While at Edward Little High School in Auburn, Bob Harkins worked as a weekend volunteer ski patrolman at Sunday River and continued volunteering while at the University of Maine. After graduation he turned to coaching in the alpine racing program at Sunday River beginning a teaching and coaching career that led to serving as athletic director and head ski coach at Gould Academy before becoming director of the racing program at Alpental Ski Area in Washington State. Next came a stint with the US ski team heading up the Development Program and working as alpine operations manager during the Calgary Olympics. From the US Team, he returned to Sunday River where he was the key figure in creating the Perfect Turn Program an innovative way to develop skiers, which is still used at Sunday River and Sugarloaf and has been franchised to other ski resorts.
The banquet, always a sellout starts with a social hour at 5 PM, dinner at 6:30 followed by the awards. Since its inception in 2003 the Maine Ski Hall of Fame has honored 73 Maine skiers who have brought distinction to the sport in the state, nationally and internationally. The members inducted to date include competitors, coaches, ski area founders, instructors, ski patrollers, competition officials, volunteers and even inventors. This year's class, listed below is typical, with competitors, coaches and a writer whose work has been read around the world.
The Hall of Fame is a division of the Ski Museum of Maine which is located above the Sugarloaf Ski Shop in Kingfield. Attendees will all receive a full color program book with biography of each of the inductees. Programs from previous induction banquets can be found on the museum web site.
Reservation information can also be found at the site. Cost of the dinner is $35 per person. The Ski Maine Association handles the reservations and can be reached at 207-773-7669 extension 105.
Class of 2010
Kirsten Clark is a Hall of Fame skier with a brilliant career. Her US National Titles include five Downhill titles, one Super G, and one Combined. In addition, in 13 years on the US Team the Raymond native stood on World cup podiums 8 times, including one DH victory, in 28 top ten finishes. In 2003 she won a Silver Medal in the World Alpine Championships and skied in three Olympics. It's the best Alpine record of any Maine skier.
Fryeburg's Marcus Nash skied on the US Cross Country team in two Olympics in nearly a decade on the team. His best international result was a Gold Medal along with teammate Justin Wadsworth in the Goodwill Games at Lake Placid in 2000. Nash was a nine time US Champion at various distances.
Most Maine skiers have heard of Mort Lund, whose ski writing career started in 1954 with Sports Illustrated, but how many know he grew up in Augusta and graduated from Bowdoin College? He went on to write for Ski Magazine on every aspect of the sport, covering Olympics, short ski teaching, GLM and working with PSIA. His books include, "The Skier's World", "The Skier's Bible", "The Ski Book" and more. For more than three decades he was SKI's leading writer. He is one of the most prolific ski journalists in the World and continues as editor of "Skiing Heritage" the first US nationwide history journal published under the auspices of the International Skiing History Association.
Bernard "Ben" Paradis has been described as the "Glue" that held the ski community together in the St. John Valley. As a coach for Fort Kent High School for 26 years his teams won 5 state titles in classes A & C. He developed numerous state champion skiers and won over 20 Aroostook championships, all while serving on the board of Lonesome Pine Ski Trails.
John Atwood's career in skiing spanned a lifetime, skiing on the University of New Hampshire ski team, 1941-1943 and as a Second Lieutenant with the 10th Mt. Division in Italy 1943-1945. Following the war he skied on the US Army ski team in Europe before returning to UNH 1947-1949. In 1962 he founded the Fryeburg Junior Ski Program, developing a feeder program for Fryeburg Academy, one of the state's top ski teams which he coached over the next 20 years winning the state Class A girl's title in 1976. He also found time to serve on the Ski Patrol at Pleasant Mountain through the sixties.
If Freestyle Skiing had been part of the Olympics a couple of decades before it was recognized, Maine might have had a Gold Medalist a lot earlier. Joan McWilliams, (Now Dolan) skied out of Sugarloaf and dominated the sport winning five National Championships in seven years on the US Team. She started in the Sugarloaf Masters Program in the early seventies and went on to win her first National Title in 1976 as a freshman in high school. In 1979 Joan represented the US in the first ever FIS sanctioned freestyle competition and won the combined title. Had it not been for a horrific crash in the 1983 National Freestyle championships she might have gone on to win many more titles. Instead she turned to coaching and has produced a bunch of our countries top freestyle competitors at CVA.
While at Edward Little High School in Auburn, Bob Harkins worked as a weekend volunteer ski patrolman at Sunday River and continued volunteering while at the University of Maine. After graduation he turned to coaching in the alpine racing program at Sunday River beginning a teaching and coaching career that led to serving as athletic director and head ski coach at Gould Academy before becoming director of the racing program at Alpental Ski Area in Washington State. Next came a stint with the US ski team heading up the Development Program and working as alpine operations manager during the Calgary Olympics. From the US Team, he returned to Sunday River where he was the key figure in creating the Perfect Turn Program an innovative way to develop skiers, which is still used at Sunday River and Sugarloaf and has been franchised to other ski resorts.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Snow
My phone rang at 6am one morning last week. I didn't answer as my phone was downstairs, but I heard it beep to let me know there was a message. I checked- it was Josh, the PC version of the message, "it snowed last night on Mount Washington and I am so excited."
Again that is the PC version, but I have to tell you it sent chills down my spine, as it is approaching. The last day of summer is near and soon we'll be sipping hot apple cider and anxious to get out for the first "glaze glides" on the XC skis (skiing on frost on a well manicured lawn) and then keeping tabs on Sunday River's snowmaking plans.
It's coming.
Again that is the PC version, but I have to tell you it sent chills down my spine, as it is approaching. The last day of summer is near and soon we'll be sipping hot apple cider and anxious to get out for the first "glaze glides" on the XC skis (skiing on frost on a well manicured lawn) and then keeping tabs on Sunday River's snowmaking plans.
It's coming.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Ready for winter?
Temps in the 90's and humidity that leaves me in a puddle has me thinking a great deal about the cold air and white slopes that are only a couple of months away.
I'm not sure what it means but the ski dreams started early this year, like Fourth of July early. Part of it may be the projects going on at the local hills such as the new lift at Shawnee Peak or the base rebuild at Cranmore, or the announcement of Sugarloaf 2020. Or may it is the fact that Legend of Ahhhs is slated to premier this fall.
All I know is that I'm looking forward to winter and getting out on the hill with my girls and those days when your turns are silent and deep.
It's coming my friends.
I'm not sure what it means but the ski dreams started early this year, like Fourth of July early. Part of it may be the projects going on at the local hills such as the new lift at Shawnee Peak or the base rebuild at Cranmore, or the announcement of Sugarloaf 2020. Or may it is the fact that Legend of Ahhhs is slated to premier this fall.
All I know is that I'm looking forward to winter and getting out on the hill with my girls and those days when your turns are silent and deep.
It's coming my friends.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Bode
This column originally ran in the Mountain Ear on February 25, 2010.
He now has every color of Olympic medals, along with World Championship medals, and a couple of those crystal globes they give to the skier who wins the overall World Cup. Bode Miller has gone from punch line to “redeemed” and while I’m happy for him I still feel like the mainstream media is missing it when it comes to Bode. Bode loves skiing at the limit more than he loves winning, and I don’t think that he’s kidding when he says that.
When I talk to friends or co-workers who think ski racing only takes place every four years they have a hard time understanding why “Bode doesn’t care about winning.” I find that perplexing considering the number of wins he has racked up in his decade and a half or racing at the highest level of the sport. But then, I have to remember that most casual ski racing fans don’t pay attention to the World Cup and the only time they get to hear Brian Williams mention a ski racers name it is during an Olympic year.
This got me thinking, Shaun White is lauded for “going for it” and for “progressing” the sport. He could have easily been in a situation where his second run mattered in the Olympics and been in a situation where he needed to throw down the double McTwist 1260 to win- and he’d have been celebrated regardless of if he blew up or stuck the landing- because he was pushing the sport. Yet Bode isn’t celebrated when he pushes so hard that he blows up.
I understand that there is a difference between a judged sport and a timed sport, Apollo Ohno won’t get any style points if he nails a triple axel in the 1500m short track race. I know that it is hard to compare progression in ski racing since we don’t have World Records for the athletes to beat, in terms of year over year comparisons on the exact same course. At that same time, the skiers are getting faster, technique is always being refined and even revamped, equipment is always evolving, and that takes athletes who are daring enough to push the envelope.
Bode pushes the limits to see how fast he can go, and when it all comes together, he is fast and he often wins. I also think he truly enjoys that sensation of putting down a run where he let it all hang out and that is more important to him than the time on the podium.
Personally, I’m glad Bode has gotten his gold, if for no other reason, that the casual fans can now say that he is a great ski racer. For myself, I will always enjoy watching a man from Franconia do whatever he thought needed to be done to go fast on a pair of skis, even when it meant that he might blow up. In my mind, Bode has progressed the sport- and for that I say thank you.
He now has every color of Olympic medals, along with World Championship medals, and a couple of those crystal globes they give to the skier who wins the overall World Cup. Bode Miller has gone from punch line to “redeemed” and while I’m happy for him I still feel like the mainstream media is missing it when it comes to Bode. Bode loves skiing at the limit more than he loves winning, and I don’t think that he’s kidding when he says that.
When I talk to friends or co-workers who think ski racing only takes place every four years they have a hard time understanding why “Bode doesn’t care about winning.” I find that perplexing considering the number of wins he has racked up in his decade and a half or racing at the highest level of the sport. But then, I have to remember that most casual ski racing fans don’t pay attention to the World Cup and the only time they get to hear Brian Williams mention a ski racers name it is during an Olympic year.
This got me thinking, Shaun White is lauded for “going for it” and for “progressing” the sport. He could have easily been in a situation where his second run mattered in the Olympics and been in a situation where he needed to throw down the double McTwist 1260 to win- and he’d have been celebrated regardless of if he blew up or stuck the landing- because he was pushing the sport. Yet Bode isn’t celebrated when he pushes so hard that he blows up.
I understand that there is a difference between a judged sport and a timed sport, Apollo Ohno won’t get any style points if he nails a triple axel in the 1500m short track race. I know that it is hard to compare progression in ski racing since we don’t have World Records for the athletes to beat, in terms of year over year comparisons on the exact same course. At that same time, the skiers are getting faster, technique is always being refined and even revamped, equipment is always evolving, and that takes athletes who are daring enough to push the envelope.
Bode pushes the limits to see how fast he can go, and when it all comes together, he is fast and he often wins. I also think he truly enjoys that sensation of putting down a run where he let it all hang out and that is more important to him than the time on the podium.
Personally, I’m glad Bode has gotten his gold, if for no other reason, that the casual fans can now say that he is a great ski racer. For myself, I will always enjoy watching a man from Franconia do whatever he thought needed to be done to go fast on a pair of skis, even when it meant that he might blow up. In my mind, Bode has progressed the sport- and for that I say thank you.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Is the end near?
I'm sitting at my dining room table looking over at Shawnee Peak trying to figure out if I can muster the strength to head over for a few runs. I feel like I should as they will wrap up their season next weekend and I'll be up at Sugarloaf, so today is my only real chance to say "until next year" to my home hill.
The issue of course is that in the last five days I've become spoiled. Temps in the 60's, bluebird skies, wet spring corn, and a great group to ski with every day. Today it's cloudy, it has been spitting snow (I haven't had snow in my yard for well over a month), and it's not warm. Wow when did I become such a whiner?
With that being said the past week has provided some fantastic ski days. Skiing with friends and family every day, even getting a day for just K and I- it has been great. I'm starting to get the hang of this alpine thing again and have stopped trying to drop a knee on my first turn every run.
So now I'm starting to get stoked to get out there. Just need another cup of coffee first.
The issue of course is that in the last five days I've become spoiled. Temps in the 60's, bluebird skies, wet spring corn, and a great group to ski with every day. Today it's cloudy, it has been spitting snow (I haven't had snow in my yard for well over a month), and it's not warm. Wow when did I become such a whiner?
With that being said the past week has provided some fantastic ski days. Skiing with friends and family every day, even getting a day for just K and I- it has been great. I'm starting to get the hang of this alpine thing again and have stopped trying to drop a knee on my first turn every run.
So now I'm starting to get stoked to get out there. Just need another cup of coffee first.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Back on Track
My ski season hit a bit of a speed bump a few weeks ago when all the snow in my yard melted. I'm not sure what the story was as I knew there was great snow up in the mountains, but since my yard was bare I figured cycling season had started.
Last week I got back on track by heading up to enjoy a day up at Wildcat with a buddy from work. We lucked out and got a bluebird day and perfect snow for gripping and ripping. I took out the alpine skis and had a good time trying to see how deep of a trench I could rip into the side of the mountain. There weren't too many people there so we were making full use of the trails making big, fast turns that left tracks that ran fully edge to edge. It was fun making turns like that as I can't quite do that on my tele boards.
We took a short break to give me a chance to try and fix a hot spot in my boot and while I was doing that I saw the coolest ski pants I've ever seen.
Enough said.
We made about a dozen runs and then pulled the plug as we both had to get back to pick up our kids from school, and we wanted to make sure we had time to stop by the Moat for a bit of late lunch.
That day on the hill got me fully juiced to ski again and knowing that we had a stretch of wet weather heading our way for the weekend I took advantage of the kids having Friday off from school and we headed over to Shawnee Peak. Elizabeth, my oldest, invited a friend of hers to come with us. He was talking big game in the car about how we were going to need to wait for him, I sort of chuckled to myself as he didn't seem to be able to comprehend that my girls can rip on skis and that he was going to find himself trying to keep up. That proved true very quickly and he settled his ego a bit, instead focusing on keeping up with the girls. It made me realize I need to find out if Team Betty is still around so I can get some new "Ski Like a Girl" stickers. Emma was taking special pride in schooling Liz's friend. What can I say it made me smile.
The weekend came and went with wet weather reminding us that spring is right around the corner. It took me most of the weekend to figure out how to set all of our clocks ahead, still have a few to go.
Then this morning I found motivation to head up the mountain for an AM skin and ski with a brief pause to watch the sun rise. I never tire of watching the sky change color and watching the snow slowly go from blue to white. The snow was a bit stiff in places this morning, but I'd bet by the time first chair spun it was in good shape.
Now I have a couple more days of AM skin and ski trips and then on Friday K and I are heading over to Bretton Woods for a good day out on the hill over there. In all it will complete a very good weeks worth of skiing.
Last week I got back on track by heading up to enjoy a day up at Wildcat with a buddy from work. We lucked out and got a bluebird day and perfect snow for gripping and ripping. I took out the alpine skis and had a good time trying to see how deep of a trench I could rip into the side of the mountain. There weren't too many people there so we were making full use of the trails making big, fast turns that left tracks that ran fully edge to edge. It was fun making turns like that as I can't quite do that on my tele boards.
We took a short break to give me a chance to try and fix a hot spot in my boot and while I was doing that I saw the coolest ski pants I've ever seen.
Enough said.
We made about a dozen runs and then pulled the plug as we both had to get back to pick up our kids from school, and we wanted to make sure we had time to stop by the Moat for a bit of late lunch.
That day on the hill got me fully juiced to ski again and knowing that we had a stretch of wet weather heading our way for the weekend I took advantage of the kids having Friday off from school and we headed over to Shawnee Peak. Elizabeth, my oldest, invited a friend of hers to come with us. He was talking big game in the car about how we were going to need to wait for him, I sort of chuckled to myself as he didn't seem to be able to comprehend that my girls can rip on skis and that he was going to find himself trying to keep up. That proved true very quickly and he settled his ego a bit, instead focusing on keeping up with the girls. It made me realize I need to find out if Team Betty is still around so I can get some new "Ski Like a Girl" stickers. Emma was taking special pride in schooling Liz's friend. What can I say it made me smile.
The weekend came and went with wet weather reminding us that spring is right around the corner. It took me most of the weekend to figure out how to set all of our clocks ahead, still have a few to go.
Then this morning I found motivation to head up the mountain for an AM skin and ski with a brief pause to watch the sun rise. I never tire of watching the sky change color and watching the snow slowly go from blue to white. The snow was a bit stiff in places this morning, but I'd bet by the time first chair spun it was in good shape.
Now I have a couple more days of AM skin and ski trips and then on Friday K and I are heading over to Bretton Woods for a good day out on the hill over there. In all it will complete a very good weeks worth of skiing.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Spring
I'm in my office looking at a very blue sky. The ground outside my office is void of snow, in fact most everywhere I look is void of snow at the moment- except the mountains.
When I worked in the ski industry we struggled with the NIMBY issue of no snow in Boston meant people were less likely to want to go out and ski. I knew it was a real issue but felt certain that it was something I would never face, being all dedicated to sliding on snow and such.
My how the mighty have fallen.
No snow in my yard and I'm in the garage ready to put the summer wax on all the snow sliding toys and go into full on bike mode. It doesn't seem to matter that just a few hundred vertical higher than I am at my house (I live on top of a big hill) there is snow, and not just a little snow, but a lot of snow- enough to have a really, really good time. Alas I still find myself unmotivated to hit the hill- what is my problem?
Is it the fact that I hurt my back a couple weeks ago, and haven't skinned since? Hmmm, that could be it- maybe an early morning skin and ski is just what I need to get out the door. If I go early enough it will be dark and I won't see these that popped up on Sunday.
Hmmmm, flowers in early March- strange.
The moral of the story- the skiing is still good so get out and get some, now I just need to take my own advice!
When I worked in the ski industry we struggled with the NIMBY issue of no snow in Boston meant people were less likely to want to go out and ski. I knew it was a real issue but felt certain that it was something I would never face, being all dedicated to sliding on snow and such.
My how the mighty have fallen.
No snow in my yard and I'm in the garage ready to put the summer wax on all the snow sliding toys and go into full on bike mode. It doesn't seem to matter that just a few hundred vertical higher than I am at my house (I live on top of a big hill) there is snow, and not just a little snow, but a lot of snow- enough to have a really, really good time. Alas I still find myself unmotivated to hit the hill- what is my problem?
Is it the fact that I hurt my back a couple weeks ago, and haven't skinned since? Hmmm, that could be it- maybe an early morning skin and ski is just what I need to get out the door. If I go early enough it will be dark and I won't see these that popped up on Sunday.
Hmmmm, flowers in early March- strange.
The moral of the story- the skiing is still good so get out and get some, now I just need to take my own advice!
Monday, March 8, 2010
NENSA J2 Race at Jackson
Top NH racers include:
Women:
3rd, Hannah Benson, Jackson, NH
5th, Tess Hamilton, Hopkinton, NH
6th, Shannon Nadeau, Hopkinton, NH
15th, Mikaela Paluszek, Farmington, NH
Men:
1st, Sean Doherty, Center Conway, NH
7th, Jack Schrupp, Gilford, NH
9th, Spencer Hardy, Ford Sayre Ski Club/Lebanon, NH – lives in Norwich, VT
20th, Calvin Swomley, Hanover, NH
Ellen Chandler
603-867-8707
JSTFLocal Man Wins TD Bank Eastern J2 Championships Freestyle 5K
153 Main St., PO Box 216, Jackson, NH 03846 (603) 383-9355
Contacts: Ellen Chandler (603) 867-8707; Thom Perkins (603) 383-9355
Jackson, N.H., March 5, 2010 – Local racer Sean Doherty (Conway, N.H.) topped an international field of racers in the TD Bank Eastern J2 (age 14, 15) Championships and National Invitational 5K Freestyle race today in Jackson, N.H. Beating more than 100 other racers en route to victory, Doherty was nearly 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, a stunning margin in a championship event. Winning the women’s race was Frederic Vezina who races for the Mt. Ste. Anne ski club in Quebec. The first American woman was Mackenzie Hitchcock from the Mt. Greylock ski club in Lanesboro, Mass. She was followed by Doherty’s Kennett High School team-mate Hannah Benson in third.
“These young people raced up a storm today,” said Jackson XC Executive Director Thom Perkins. “In both races the winning margin was decisive, but we had more than 100 racers in both the men’s and women’s fields, and both cases no more than eight minutes elapsed between the first and last skiers to cross the finish line.
The TD Bank Eastern J2 Championships and National Invitational continue on Saturday and Sunday in Jackson. This event represents the culmination of the competition season for young skiers in the East along with invited guest racers from the western U.S. (Washington and Idaho) and Quebec. All racing is taking place on the Wave Competition trail network located near the Eagle Mountain House. Spectators may walk to the race arena from the Eagle Mountain House, or they may access it by skiing in from Jackson Village on the Yodel Trail; there is also ski-in access via the Woodchuck Trail from the parking area on Carter Notch Road.
In addition to having groomed trails for the races, Jackson has recreational trails open and groomed for all abilities. Information on the races and trail conditions is available at www.jacksonxc.org; information about youth ski racing and clubs that are available to racers of all ages is available at the website of the New England Nordic Ski Association, www.nensa.net.
Women:
3rd, Hannah Benson, Jackson, NH
5th, Tess Hamilton, Hopkinton, NH
6th, Shannon Nadeau, Hopkinton, NH
15th, Mikaela Paluszek, Farmington, NH
Men:
1st, Sean Doherty, Center Conway, NH
7th, Jack Schrupp, Gilford, NH
9th, Spencer Hardy, Ford Sayre Ski Club/Lebanon, NH – lives in Norwich, VT
20th, Calvin Swomley, Hanover, NH
Ellen Chandler
603-867-8707
JSTFLocal Man Wins TD Bank Eastern J2 Championships Freestyle 5K
153 Main St., PO Box 216, Jackson, NH 03846 (603) 383-9355
Contacts: Ellen Chandler (603) 867-8707; Thom Perkins (603) 383-9355
Jackson, N.H., March 5, 2010 – Local racer Sean Doherty (Conway, N.H.) topped an international field of racers in the TD Bank Eastern J2 (age 14, 15) Championships and National Invitational 5K Freestyle race today in Jackson, N.H. Beating more than 100 other racers en route to victory, Doherty was nearly 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, a stunning margin in a championship event. Winning the women’s race was Frederic Vezina who races for the Mt. Ste. Anne ski club in Quebec. The first American woman was Mackenzie Hitchcock from the Mt. Greylock ski club in Lanesboro, Mass. She was followed by Doherty’s Kennett High School team-mate Hannah Benson in third.
“These young people raced up a storm today,” said Jackson XC Executive Director Thom Perkins. “In both races the winning margin was decisive, but we had more than 100 racers in both the men’s and women’s fields, and both cases no more than eight minutes elapsed between the first and last skiers to cross the finish line.
The TD Bank Eastern J2 Championships and National Invitational continue on Saturday and Sunday in Jackson. This event represents the culmination of the competition season for young skiers in the East along with invited guest racers from the western U.S. (Washington and Idaho) and Quebec. All racing is taking place on the Wave Competition trail network located near the Eagle Mountain House. Spectators may walk to the race arena from the Eagle Mountain House, or they may access it by skiing in from Jackson Village on the Yodel Trail; there is also ski-in access via the Woodchuck Trail from the parking area on Carter Notch Road.
In addition to having groomed trails for the races, Jackson has recreational trails open and groomed for all abilities. Information on the races and trail conditions is available at www.jacksonxc.org; information about youth ski racing and clubs that are available to racers of all ages is available at the website of the New England Nordic Ski Association, www.nensa.net.
Ski to the Clouds
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2010
Contact: Ryan Triffitt
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Office: 603.466.2333 x 177 / Cell: 207.837.5045
ryan@mt-washington.com
Freeman and Gill Win Ski to the Clouds
Pinkham Notch, NH—On a spectacularly clear day on Mt. Washington, 2006 Olympian Justin Freeman of New Hampton, NH and the Factory Team won his third consecutive Ski to the Clouds. Kirsten Gill from Lewiston, ME and Bates College was the top woman.
Ski to the Clouds presented by Maxiglide offers $1400 in cash prizes and features a 6-kilometer climb up Mt. Washington making it North America’s Toughest 10k.
Freeman let eventual second place finisher, 1992 and 1994 Olympic Biathlete, Duncan Douglas of Honeoye Falls, NY and the National Guard Biathlon Team take the early lead, and they were together at the start of the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Freeman pulled away steadily on the climb to finish in 43:39. Douglas was nearly a minute back in 44:29. Jesse Downs of Jericho Center, VT and the National Guard Biathlon Team swapped places with Douglas this year after losing to Freeman by a single second in 2009. His final time was 47:29.
On the women’s side, Gill won a close race over Maggie Ryan of Northampton, MA and Berkshire Trails. Gill’s time of 1:01:38 was just over 30 seconds ahead of Ryan who finished in 1:02:16. Amanda Moreland of Bloomfield, NY was third in 1:04:12.
Along with his second place overall finish, Douglas was also the top male 40+. For the women, Meredith Piotrow of Jackson, NH took the top 40+ spot with a time of 1:07:17.
The Ski to the Clouds course includes 4k of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The 6 kilometer climb up the mountain covers 2200 vertical feet making the race North America’s Toughest 10k. The race finishes just below the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, at approximately 3800 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is a true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There are no separate categories for each discipline.
Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds features $1400 in prize money. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three men and women: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. The top male and female age 40 or older collected a $200 prize.
Complete results and photos available at www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
A ski challenge of another type is on tap next weekend at Great Glen Trails in the Carl Johnson Memorial Ski-A-Thon. Carl Johnson, a great friend to Great Glen Trails and a lover of all things skiing, passed away in 2006 of ALS. This event is held in his honor and is a fund raiser for the ALS Association. Please visit www.GreatGlenTrails.com to learn more how to support this cause.
Contact: Ryan Triffitt
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Office: 603.466.2333 x 177 / Cell: 207.837.5045
ryan@mt-washington.com
Freeman and Gill Win Ski to the Clouds
Pinkham Notch, NH—On a spectacularly clear day on Mt. Washington, 2006 Olympian Justin Freeman of New Hampton, NH and the Factory Team won his third consecutive Ski to the Clouds. Kirsten Gill from Lewiston, ME and Bates College was the top woman.
Ski to the Clouds presented by Maxiglide offers $1400 in cash prizes and features a 6-kilometer climb up Mt. Washington making it North America’s Toughest 10k.
Freeman let eventual second place finisher, 1992 and 1994 Olympic Biathlete, Duncan Douglas of Honeoye Falls, NY and the National Guard Biathlon Team take the early lead, and they were together at the start of the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Freeman pulled away steadily on the climb to finish in 43:39. Douglas was nearly a minute back in 44:29. Jesse Downs of Jericho Center, VT and the National Guard Biathlon Team swapped places with Douglas this year after losing to Freeman by a single second in 2009. His final time was 47:29.
On the women’s side, Gill won a close race over Maggie Ryan of Northampton, MA and Berkshire Trails. Gill’s time of 1:01:38 was just over 30 seconds ahead of Ryan who finished in 1:02:16. Amanda Moreland of Bloomfield, NY was third in 1:04:12.
Along with his second place overall finish, Douglas was also the top male 40+. For the women, Meredith Piotrow of Jackson, NH took the top 40+ spot with a time of 1:07:17.
The Ski to the Clouds course includes 4k of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The 6 kilometer climb up the mountain covers 2200 vertical feet making the race North America’s Toughest 10k. The race finishes just below the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, at approximately 3800 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is a true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There are no separate categories for each discipline.
Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds features $1400 in prize money. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three men and women: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. The top male and female age 40 or older collected a $200 prize.
Complete results and photos available at www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
A ski challenge of another type is on tap next weekend at Great Glen Trails in the Carl Johnson Memorial Ski-A-Thon. Carl Johnson, a great friend to Great Glen Trails and a lover of all things skiing, passed away in 2006 of ALS. This event is held in his honor and is a fund raiser for the ALS Association. Please visit www.GreatGlenTrails.com to learn more how to support this cause.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ski to the Clouds release
For Immediate Release: February 16, 2010
Contact: Ryan Triffitt
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Office: 603.466.2333 x 177 / Cell: 207.837.5045
ryan@mt-washington.com
Ski to the Clouds: $1400 Up for Grabs for Skiing Up Mt. Washington
Pinkham Notch, NH—On Sunday, March 7, 2010, Great Glen Trails will host Ski to the Clouds presented by Maxiglide with $1400 in cash prizes up for grabs. Ski to the Clouds features a 6-kilometer climb up Mt. Washington making it North America’s Toughest 10k.
On both the men’s and women’s sides in 2009, Ski to the Clouds was won by Olympic athletes, and Great Glen Trails expects more top notch racing in 2010. Two-time defending champion and member of the 2006 Olympic team, Justin Freeman of New Hampton, NH is scheduled to defend his title. No word yet on the women’s defending champion, Nina Badamshina, a 9-time Olympic and World Championship gold medalist.
The Ski to the Clouds course includes 4k of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The 6 kilometer climb up the mountain covers 2200 vertical feet making the race North America’s Toughest 10k. The race will finish just below the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, at approximately 3800 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is a true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There will not be separate categories for each discipline.
Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds features $1400 in prize money. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. The top male and female age 40 or older will also each receive a $200 prize.
Maxiglide will also double any prize money won if that racer uses Maxiglide’s Sensor Speed Powder during the race. (Racer must also provide a testimonial for Maxiglide’s website.) Free samples are also available to all race entrants for testing prior to the race by visiting www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
Race begins at 10:00 am at Great Glen Trails at the base of Mt. Washington. Field is limited to 150 competitors. Competitors are allowed to preview the course. Please purchase a trail pass at Great Glen Trails during regular operating hours. For more information and to register, go to www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
About Maxiglide
Beginning in 1975, Maxiglide was the first American company to address the issue of snow and ice on the bases of the first waxless cross country skis. Maxiglide created a Teflon-based coating that not only sealed the bases from accumulating snow and ice but also enhanced the glide. Maxiglide now offers user-friendly fluorocarbon rub-in waxes effective in a wide range of conditions for all types of skis and snowboards. Maxiglide was the first to develop liquid coatings for skis, then paste waxes, and eventually similar technology for canoes and kayaks. More information is available at www.Maxiglide.com.
Great Glen Trails is open daily for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. A complete events calendar and detailed snow conditions are available at 603.466.2333 or www.GreatGlenTrails.com.
###
Contact: Ryan Triffitt
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Office: 603.466.2333 x 177 / Cell: 207.837.5045
ryan@mt-washington.com
Ski to the Clouds: $1400 Up for Grabs for Skiing Up Mt. Washington
Pinkham Notch, NH—On Sunday, March 7, 2010, Great Glen Trails will host Ski to the Clouds presented by Maxiglide with $1400 in cash prizes up for grabs. Ski to the Clouds features a 6-kilometer climb up Mt. Washington making it North America’s Toughest 10k.
On both the men’s and women’s sides in 2009, Ski to the Clouds was won by Olympic athletes, and Great Glen Trails expects more top notch racing in 2010. Two-time defending champion and member of the 2006 Olympic team, Justin Freeman of New Hampton, NH is scheduled to defend his title. No word yet on the women’s defending champion, Nina Badamshina, a 9-time Olympic and World Championship gold medalist.
The Ski to the Clouds course includes 4k of racing on the trail system at Great Glen Trails before the climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The 6 kilometer climb up the mountain covers 2200 vertical feet making the race North America’s Toughest 10k. The race will finish just below the site of the historic Halfway House on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, at approximately 3800 feet above sea level. Ski to the Clouds is a true freestyle event: skiers can use either skating or classic technique in this mass start race. There will not be separate categories for each discipline.
Thanks to the support of Maxiglide, Ski to the Clouds features $1400 in prize money. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. The top male and female age 40 or older will also each receive a $200 prize.
Maxiglide will also double any prize money won if that racer uses Maxiglide’s Sensor Speed Powder during the race. (Racer must also provide a testimonial for Maxiglide’s website.) Free samples are also available to all race entrants for testing prior to the race by visiting www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
Race begins at 10:00 am at Great Glen Trails at the base of Mt. Washington. Field is limited to 150 competitors. Competitors are allowed to preview the course. Please purchase a trail pass at Great Glen Trails during regular operating hours. For more information and to register, go to www.SkiToTheClouds.com.
About Maxiglide
Beginning in 1975, Maxiglide was the first American company to address the issue of snow and ice on the bases of the first waxless cross country skis. Maxiglide created a Teflon-based coating that not only sealed the bases from accumulating snow and ice but also enhanced the glide. Maxiglide now offers user-friendly fluorocarbon rub-in waxes effective in a wide range of conditions for all types of skis and snowboards. Maxiglide was the first to develop liquid coatings for skis, then paste waxes, and eventually similar technology for canoes and kayaks. More information is available at www.Maxiglide.com.
Great Glen Trails is open daily for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. A complete events calendar and detailed snow conditions are available at 603.466.2333 or www.GreatGlenTrails.com.
###
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Snow Storm
I had a great early morning climb followed by a nice sun rise run at my local hill. As I was skinning up I was thinking about this storm that the Mid Atlantic was getting nailed with, and how weather that we dream of can be so crippling to another part of the country. I found myself just shaking my head at times as I picked my way up part of a trail that was in desperate need of some snow.
Despite the lack of snow it was still very nice to get out in the morning and enjoy the fresh air. In fact I had a chance to get a little bit of a later start, meaning I got to enjoy my first sun rise where I got to see the sun actually break the horizon. Up to this point it has been more of enjoying a really orange and pink horizon line.
Having a bit more light meant I could play with the video feature on my point and shoot camera. Of course I didn't check the battery before I headed out, so the video didn't last very long! However I did get enough battery to shoot the sun rise and a skin removal. The good news for me- the camera quit just as I went to do the other ski and promptly fell down.
The ski down was excellent. Having first tracks is something I'll never get sick of. Once in the car I tuned into NPR and heard Dulles International Airport got 32 inches out of the storm. Wow! That is a big storm no matter where you are.
Maybe the next storm will track north to an area that will actually appreciate it!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fashion Curmudgeon
Am I becoming a skiing curmudgeon when I shake my head in apparent disgust at certain ski fashions? The one that has been irritating me like an ill fitting ski boot is the fully unzipped ski parka look that seems popular with many of the younger crowd hanging out in the terrain park.
I’m not sure why it is bugging me so much, but it is. I mean the pants that look like they should fit Fat Albert but are being worn by Pee-Wee Herman don’t bug me, although I do find myself wondering what they’d look like if they ever tried to do a spread eagle or a daffy.
The studio sized headphones that some wear over their acrylic pom-pom hats don’t bug me, although I am curious if it is that they like the sound performance, or they wanted to have headphones big enough that they could put stickers on them.
I’m even ok with the skiing around with your hands down by your boot tops, I mean I used to have a poster on my wall of Rob Boyd catching air with his hands down by his boot tops. Of course that was a poster of Boyd shot during a downhill where he was going about 80 miles per hour and he was trying to keep his chest from catching air and causing him to wreck.
Heck I’m even ok with the kids who complain the park isn’t groomed out on a powder day, well that’s just me being selfish as it means that they are all over in the park trying to pack down the in-runs while I get a better shot at my favorite powder line in the woods.
But the fully unzipped parka just irks me. Maybe it’s because it brings out the Dad in me and I want to yell at them to zip up their coat so they don’t get cold. Maybe it’s because I’m not a NJ Nets or LA Clippers fan and the unzipped jacked shows off their NBA team of choice, and it seems to rarely be the Celtics. Maybe it’s because if they aren’t wearing an NBA jersey it’s because then I have to look at a cotton t-shirt that has more X’s in the size then the Roman numeral for thirty. Maybe it’s because I often see those who sport this fashion skiing straight down the mountain to the park and I would rather see them make turns to control their speed than use their unzipped coats as some sort of primitive parachute. Or maybe it’s because I hear them complain about being cold while they are in line for the lift, and I’m sitting their thinking- “you’re wearing a $600 down parka- zip it up and you won’t be cold.”
The reality is that it irks me because I don’t get it. I’ve gotten to the point where I no longer “get” the fashion of the day. It irks me because now I understand why my Dad thought it was so stupid that I’d buy flannel shirts a size too big so that I could pile on enough clothing so that I could ski in a flannel shirt and fleece vest, even though it was -10 degrees outside.
At the end of the day, however, they are out their skiing and having fun. So despite being a curmudgeon I can look at them and shake my head in exasperation, but I do it with a smile.
I’m not sure why it is bugging me so much, but it is. I mean the pants that look like they should fit Fat Albert but are being worn by Pee-Wee Herman don’t bug me, although I do find myself wondering what they’d look like if they ever tried to do a spread eagle or a daffy.
The studio sized headphones that some wear over their acrylic pom-pom hats don’t bug me, although I am curious if it is that they like the sound performance, or they wanted to have headphones big enough that they could put stickers on them.
I’m even ok with the skiing around with your hands down by your boot tops, I mean I used to have a poster on my wall of Rob Boyd catching air with his hands down by his boot tops. Of course that was a poster of Boyd shot during a downhill where he was going about 80 miles per hour and he was trying to keep his chest from catching air and causing him to wreck.
Heck I’m even ok with the kids who complain the park isn’t groomed out on a powder day, well that’s just me being selfish as it means that they are all over in the park trying to pack down the in-runs while I get a better shot at my favorite powder line in the woods.
But the fully unzipped parka just irks me. Maybe it’s because it brings out the Dad in me and I want to yell at them to zip up their coat so they don’t get cold. Maybe it’s because I’m not a NJ Nets or LA Clippers fan and the unzipped jacked shows off their NBA team of choice, and it seems to rarely be the Celtics. Maybe it’s because if they aren’t wearing an NBA jersey it’s because then I have to look at a cotton t-shirt that has more X’s in the size then the Roman numeral for thirty. Maybe it’s because I often see those who sport this fashion skiing straight down the mountain to the park and I would rather see them make turns to control their speed than use their unzipped coats as some sort of primitive parachute. Or maybe it’s because I hear them complain about being cold while they are in line for the lift, and I’m sitting their thinking- “you’re wearing a $600 down parka- zip it up and you won’t be cold.”
The reality is that it irks me because I don’t get it. I’ve gotten to the point where I no longer “get” the fashion of the day. It irks me because now I understand why my Dad thought it was so stupid that I’d buy flannel shirts a size too big so that I could pile on enough clothing so that I could ski in a flannel shirt and fleece vest, even though it was -10 degrees outside.
At the end of the day, however, they are out their skiing and having fun. So despite being a curmudgeon I can look at them and shake my head in exasperation, but I do it with a smile.
Monday, January 18, 2010
X-Games
I was going through some older columns, found this one that ran last year, it ran in February of 2009. It made me laugh as I still feel this way- enjoy.
I hate to admit this, but I didn't ski on Sunday. It was a beautiful day, but I had a few projects that took precedent and by the time I was done I decided to kick back on the couch and watch some television. A buddy had come over and we were chatting about skiing and low and behold Winter X-Games was on. We watched skier-x, skier slopestyle, snowboard super pipe and some crazy snowmobile freestyle contest.
The things these athletes were doing were unreal. It was impressive to see how far these sports have progressed, it was cool to see athletes like Shawn White who have grown up before our eyes. It was all good, well not all good. There was a darkness growing as we watched the events. Neither of us said anything at first, but it was there, then it came out- Dan said it first- "where were these events when we were kids?"
The door had been opened. Two late thirty somethings sitting on a couch watching television feeling like the gods of fate had cruelly either put them on the earth too early or had let the evils of a litigious society shape too much of their skiing youth in the 80's and early 90's. Ok you might be wondering where this is all going, but if you skied a great deal in the era of neon then you will remember the great ski movies that showed crazy jumps followed by the reality of ski patrol taking your ticket away because you caught a little bit of air- the era of the "NO JUMPING" sign.
I hated those signs. As an adolescent skier jumping was as much a part of skiing as being wet was a part of swimming. Being on skis allowed you to escape gravity for short periods of time. Sometimes you went way up in the air, other times you travelled great distances, sometimes you did both. But no matter what jumping was one of the coolest feelings around, yet doing so was equated with crime- and we're not talking white collar crime where you just get a little slap on the wrist, we're talking gritty crime where the patrol served as judge, jury, and executioner and would take you golden ticket away and leave you grounded at the base of the mountain without another ride up.
To alleviate this we used to bring several jackets and hats (this was well before helmets) and we'd go session a jump and when the patrol would come to nab us we would boogie down to the base at warp speed, blast out of our bindings, run into the lodge and change our jacket and then come back out and do it again. It was a great game and most of the time you could keep your ticket, but sometimes you'd get caught and either lose a corner of the ticket (again before scanning so they would actually cut part of your ticket off), or if you had already lost a corner they would take the ticket away.
I recently took a run with a long time patroller over at Shawnee Peak who had taken my pass when I was a young one and told me I could get it back if I brought him a pizza. No big deal, except he was in the patrol hut at the top of the mountain and I didn't have a ticket to ride the lift. I walked that pizza up to him and got my ticket back. I did get even though, we had the same size foot- so while he was scarfing down the pizza I took his skis and skied back down.
I bring all of this up as I have realized I have become one of those who now say, "when I was young…..," and Winter X-Games brings that out in me. So while I watch these amazing athletes twist, grab and slide through the terrain park, or as they bump shoulders as they race down a banked course full of jumps, I think back to those who went before them and paved the way by sacrificing their tickets so that jumping and skiing fast could live on, and someday make it to the big time. Ok that's corny, but funny.
As a side note, watching the Winter X-Games we also were treated to local skier and Ability Plus director at Attitash, Erik Corbett, making it to the semi-finals and placing top 5 in the mono-cross event in the Winter X-Games. Congratulations to Erik- great job.
I hate to admit this, but I didn't ski on Sunday. It was a beautiful day, but I had a few projects that took precedent and by the time I was done I decided to kick back on the couch and watch some television. A buddy had come over and we were chatting about skiing and low and behold Winter X-Games was on. We watched skier-x, skier slopestyle, snowboard super pipe and some crazy snowmobile freestyle contest.
The things these athletes were doing were unreal. It was impressive to see how far these sports have progressed, it was cool to see athletes like Shawn White who have grown up before our eyes. It was all good, well not all good. There was a darkness growing as we watched the events. Neither of us said anything at first, but it was there, then it came out- Dan said it first- "where were these events when we were kids?"
The door had been opened. Two late thirty somethings sitting on a couch watching television feeling like the gods of fate had cruelly either put them on the earth too early or had let the evils of a litigious society shape too much of their skiing youth in the 80's and early 90's. Ok you might be wondering where this is all going, but if you skied a great deal in the era of neon then you will remember the great ski movies that showed crazy jumps followed by the reality of ski patrol taking your ticket away because you caught a little bit of air- the era of the "NO JUMPING" sign.
I hated those signs. As an adolescent skier jumping was as much a part of skiing as being wet was a part of swimming. Being on skis allowed you to escape gravity for short periods of time. Sometimes you went way up in the air, other times you travelled great distances, sometimes you did both. But no matter what jumping was one of the coolest feelings around, yet doing so was equated with crime- and we're not talking white collar crime where you just get a little slap on the wrist, we're talking gritty crime where the patrol served as judge, jury, and executioner and would take you golden ticket away and leave you grounded at the base of the mountain without another ride up.
To alleviate this we used to bring several jackets and hats (this was well before helmets) and we'd go session a jump and when the patrol would come to nab us we would boogie down to the base at warp speed, blast out of our bindings, run into the lodge and change our jacket and then come back out and do it again. It was a great game and most of the time you could keep your ticket, but sometimes you'd get caught and either lose a corner of the ticket (again before scanning so they would actually cut part of your ticket off), or if you had already lost a corner they would take the ticket away.
I recently took a run with a long time patroller over at Shawnee Peak who had taken my pass when I was a young one and told me I could get it back if I brought him a pizza. No big deal, except he was in the patrol hut at the top of the mountain and I didn't have a ticket to ride the lift. I walked that pizza up to him and got my ticket back. I did get even though, we had the same size foot- so while he was scarfing down the pizza I took his skis and skied back down.
I bring all of this up as I have realized I have become one of those who now say, "when I was young…..," and Winter X-Games brings that out in me. So while I watch these amazing athletes twist, grab and slide through the terrain park, or as they bump shoulders as they race down a banked course full of jumps, I think back to those who went before them and paved the way by sacrificing their tickets so that jumping and skiing fast could live on, and someday make it to the big time. Ok that's corny, but funny.
As a side note, watching the Winter X-Games we also were treated to local skier and Ability Plus director at Attitash, Erik Corbett, making it to the semi-finals and placing top 5 in the mono-cross event in the Winter X-Games. Congratulations to Erik- great job.
Friday, January 8, 2010
My morning ski
I've been trying to get up early in the morning before work to skin up Shawnee Peak and get in my one run a day. It works out well as it is about a 40 minute ski up the mountain, followed by a few minutes back down. Basically it's an hour to an hour fifteen round trip- so I can get it done before the girls need help getting ready for school.
The tough part is that the sun really isn't up until almost 7am (although it is getting a few minutes earlier every day) so the ski down is done in very pale morning light. In fact earlier this week it was done more under moonlight- which I have to say was very cool.
I love having the mountain to myself early in the AM. I love being outside and getting in an ok work out that will have a better than OK payoff when it comes time to point the skis down the hill and head back down to the car.
The part my ego enjoys is how people react to it- which I find interesting, if you go to the gym at 5am people see that as normal, but skin up a mountain at 5am and suddenly your hardcore. The reality is it isn't that big of a deal, and in my humble opinion it is a lot harder to be motivated to run on a treadmill inside than it is to skin up a mountain under the stars and to enjoy a great sunrise when you get to the top. Add to that the turns you get on the way back down.
As a side note I want to wish my Dad a happy birthday today!
That's it from me. Now get out and ski.
sven
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Out of Practice
Last night I helped out a friend who had gotten a new pair of backcountry XC skis by mounting up his bindings. This is something I used to do many times a day, sometimes up to 50 pair in a day if we were getting a new rental fleet ready or getting ready for a demo day. Of course when I was doing that I had a shop that was set up as a ski shop. It had good lighting. It had heat. It had the proper tools. It had good work space. And- it had jigs.
Last night I had my dimly lit garage with a small space heater creating a very small area that felt less cold. I had a Swix waxing table that was cluttered with bike tools, I had a drill with a bit that had a duct tape stop on it and the wrong size driver bit. And the best part- a paper jig.
I know there are many of you who have mounted with a paper jig, and so have I- but usually it was on a pair of my skis or at worst skis for my kids- so half the time I would eyeball the whole process, but these weren't my or any blood relatives skis. So I felt like the pressure was on and I really needed to get it perfect.
Long story short we got the skis mounted, with only one stripped screw, a mad hunt for a black bumper in the poor lighting (which we did find), and only a small amount of blood being lost on my part.
The part that cracked me up is that I got a good case of ski envy. The skis are the new Karhu 10th Mountains- a full metal edge waxless ski. Their wood core and pretty light. Very sweet. I really don't need a new pair of skis, but I also know that need has never been a part of the equation. Anyway- the skis are mounted and now it's time to get out and give them a run. With any luck I'll talk my buddy into heading up to ski Wildcat Valley Trail this weekend. Looks like I need to call Thom and get the update.
Until next time, get out and ski.
Sven
Last night I had my dimly lit garage with a small space heater creating a very small area that felt less cold. I had a Swix waxing table that was cluttered with bike tools, I had a drill with a bit that had a duct tape stop on it and the wrong size driver bit. And the best part- a paper jig.
I know there are many of you who have mounted with a paper jig, and so have I- but usually it was on a pair of my skis or at worst skis for my kids- so half the time I would eyeball the whole process, but these weren't my or any blood relatives skis. So I felt like the pressure was on and I really needed to get it perfect.
Long story short we got the skis mounted, with only one stripped screw, a mad hunt for a black bumper in the poor lighting (which we did find), and only a small amount of blood being lost on my part.
The part that cracked me up is that I got a good case of ski envy. The skis are the new Karhu 10th Mountains- a full metal edge waxless ski. Their wood core and pretty light. Very sweet. I really don't need a new pair of skis, but I also know that need has never been a part of the equation. Anyway- the skis are mounted and now it's time to get out and give them a run. With any luck I'll talk my buddy into heading up to ski Wildcat Valley Trail this weekend. Looks like I need to call Thom and get the update.
Until next time, get out and ski.
Sven
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