When I was a kid.......

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.

First published in the Mountain Ear- 1/22/2009

Home Spun Trails

My wife and I got a chance to sneak out and do a bit of skiing with just the two of us, a luxury that I am sure many parents out there can appreciate. We chose to hit up some local trails that are maintained by a long time family friend and former ski coach. They are his passion, or as his wife says, “his obsession.” Either way they made for a great day out skiing.
It was like a throwback in time, as the woods we were skiing in were the woods I grew up playing in. A large soft wood grove that had trails winding around interesting trees and finding fun ways to use the terrain. The trails reminded me of the first groomed trails I had ever skied, as they were narrow and gave you a sense of being a part of the woods, not just in the woods.
We skied for a couple of hours and in that time saw a great horned owl, which we later learned had taken care of the squirrel population at the trail builders home. We say hundreds (or at least I’m saying hundreds) of spots where wild turkeys had bedded down. Deer tracks, rabbit tracks, and a whole mess of tracks that I had no idea what they were.
We glided through the woods enjoying the trails all to ourselves, feeling like we were in the middle of nowhere, but never more than 15 minutes from the truck. We found old stone walls, and barbed wire, we found a tree that looked to be several hundred years old. It was a day of skiing that I won’t soon forget as my mind just shut off and all that I was aware of was what was around me, very therapeutic.
We crossed a road and headed out on another section of trail. It wasn’t long before I could hear the sound of a snow machine and guessed it would be Roger (the trail builder) out doing some dragging. He had his home built groomer behind his snow machine, with other tools of the trail building trade: shovel, chainsaw, ax, etc, each attached in very deliberate ways. I asked him if he had had a chance to get out and ski, he said not yet but he figured he would in a few days after he groomed out the next big storm. It takes him about a full day to groom his entire system. It was at that moment that I realized how there is perfect harmony in the world when you have people who so enjoy building trails so that others (like myself) can get out and enjoy skiing on the trails.
Karen and I thanked him for his efforts and continued on our way. At times feeling lost, at other times seeing a house or other landmark that told us exactly where we were. It was a great day of skiing and one that I look forward to doing again very soon, this time with a field guide to animal tracks.
First published in the Mountain Ear 1/22/2009

Cool video that my Dad is in

A couple good clips of my Pops skiing- on the timeline from 17 seconds to 31 seconds and again from 54 seconds to 1:05. Not bad for a man collecting social security.

A Cause Worth a Few Minutes of Your Time and a Few of Your $'s

Give this a read and if you can try to support, either by spreading the word or sending in some cash. I know that we all check the avi conditions via the web before we head up, but the boards are certainly a nice final check before you start the trip up!

Thanks!

sven

super cool event

February 2nd, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Thomas Prindle
Director of Marketing & Sales
Wildcat Mountain
(603) 466-3326 X216
tprindle@skiwildcat.com

6th Annual 100K Vertical Challenge To Benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire

Marathon Skiing & Riding Event at Wildcat Mountain Scheduled For Monday, March 2nd

Pinkham Notch, NH – Are you capable of skiing or riding over 100,000 vertical feet in one day? If you are, the bar has been set again for a potential 40 participating skiers and riders who are up for the challenge that includes also raising associated pledge donations to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire.

Held the first Monday in March, last year’s 100K day saw 25 of the 28 participants completing at least 48 runs via the famed Lynx Trail’s 2,100 plus vertical descent from summit to base. It is hoped that even more participants in this year’s Monday, March 2nd event will help to raise donation amounts equal to or possibly exceeding last year’s total pledges of just under $30,000. Since the first 100K challenge took place in 2004, the annual event has seen total donations exceeding $81,000 directly benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire in their endeavors. The annual 100K event is unique to Wildcat Mountain coupling the accessibility and speed of the Wildcat Express high-speed, summit lift and the ski area’s greater than 2,100 vertical foot drop.

Registration for the event is only $65 ($35 for Wildcat Mountain season passholders) and includes lift access for the day, a ticket voucher valid for another day this season, exclusive lift-line privileges while completing the 48 runs (maximum 50 runs), light breakfast/lunch items, snacks, and refreshments during the event, and prizes awarded for the top fundraisers and participants during an awards pasta dinner held following the event. All ages and disciplines are welcome to participate, but a limit of 40 participants and a minimum $250 in pledge donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire must be acquired and provided the morning of the event, Monday, March 2nd. For more information and to register, visit skiwildcat.com/100Kday.html.

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire (www.newhampshire.wish.org) is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. It strives to provide children with the hope for better times, the strength for the tough times and the joy to experience the present. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire is part of the nation's largest and most recognized wish-granting organization, with chapters and volunteers throughout the United States and the world.

Wildcat Mountain is a year-round, family-owned business, located 100% within the White Mountain National Forest in Pinkham Notch, NH. It is home to the 75-year-old Wildcat Trail first cut by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1933 and is renowned for its proximity to Mt. Washington and Tuckerman Ravine. For further information, please visit www.skiwildcat.com or call 1-888- SKI WILD.

###


Thomas Prindle, Director of Marketing & Sales
Wildcat Mountain
Route 16, Pinkham Notch
PO Box R Jackson, NH 03846
Tel. (603) 466-3326 X216
Fax (603) 466-5813
tprindle@skiwildcat.com
skiwildcat.com/media.html
See the most up-to-date photos, videos, audio, and special offers at skiwildcat.blogspot.com.

A good article for the Ladies

For all the ladies out there who are looking to tune up their technique, here is a good piece by Heather Burke. Enjoy!

New Poll

Just put up a new poll- this time snow type. It looks like so far we have a classic skiing, mitten wearing readership. Now we need to know if it's a Powder or Perfect Corduroy crew.

Ok time to shut off the computer and go skiing!