Ski the East

Gunstock Freestyle Academy Begins

From Gunstock, NH:

GFA started its season on Saturday, December 19^th, at Gunstock with the annual Ride with the Coaches.  An exciting and casual day to meet Steve Lee, head coach, and fellow members while getting you legs back in the groove. 

 

GFA provides skill based education and training in a safe and positive environment with a 5:1 athlete to coach ratio and a variety of memberships to meet individual needs.  Competitive, Recreational and Half Time options are still available for all ability levels and interest.  GFA meets Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm until the end of the season.  Information regarding the program can be found at GunstockFreestyle.com or by calling Anne Guyotte at 293-4752

Bud Light Concert Series at Sugarloaf

From Sugarloaf:

 

Sugarloaf will welcome four of the nation’s top touring musical acts this winter, with Little Feat, Rusted Root, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, and the Rustic Overtones set to headline four different concerts during the 2009-2010 winter season. The shows are part of the annual Bud Light Concert Series, which brings nationally renowned acts to Sugarloaf’s main stage throughout the winter season, and will feature four dates this winter, in addition to the annual Bud Light Reggae Festival in April.

 

Little Feat will kick off this year’s Bud Light Concert Series at Sugarloaf on Saturday, January 16. Rusted Root will take the stage on Saturday, February 6, Grace Potter will perform on March 13, and Rustic Overtones will headline the show on Saturday, March 27.

 

Tickets are on sale now for Little Feat, Grace Potter, and the Rustic Overtones. Tickets for Rusted Root will go on sale Monday, Dec 20. All Bud Light Concert Series shows are 21-plus and proper identification is required at the door. To purchase tickets call 1-800-THE-LOAF. Complete pricing information is available at www.sugarloaf.com.

 

For more information on the Bud Light Concert Series visit www.sugarloaf.com or call 1-800-THE-LOAF.

Duxbury, Mass. Native Sets His Sights on U.S. Olympics

In Suomu, Finland, U.S. Ski Team veteran and Killington Mountain School (KMS) Alumnus Michael Morse (‘99) took sixth place in the first of five critical World Cup events that will determine which four U.S. freestylers will compete on the Olympic team in Vancouver in February. The Duxbury, Mass. native and 2008 National Champion in moguls and dual moguls is off to a solid start for the 2009-2010 season. For Morse, the road to the Olympics is the final push after years of hard work and dedication that began on the slopes of Killington Resort with KMS coaches.

“I’ve put the time into training. That’s what helps my head the most for me,” said Morse. “Knowing that I’ve put in the hours… that’s what makes me confident in my mind.”

After missing half of the 2005-06 season and all of 2006-07 due to major back surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back and severe damage to his sciatic nerve, Morse returned in 2007-08 to win the individual and dual moguls titles at March's Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Deer Valley Resort in Park City. In 2009 he had 5 top 10 finishes on the World Cup Tour, including third in Voss, Norway.

Morse and the coaches and staff at KMS have maintained a close relationship over the past 10 years, with Morse even calling upon his former KMS Coach Matt Gnoza to train him in Australia this summer. Gnoza currently is the head KMS mogul coach and the director of the KSC/KMS Competitions Program. KMS, consistently ranked among the best five-month ski academies in the country, is following Morse’s road to the Olympics and highlighting his journey on its website, www.killingtonmountainschool.org.

“At KMS, my main goal was to get better in order to make the U.S. Ski Team,” said Morse. “My dream was to make the team and ski on the World Cup Tour to see how I could do against the best guys in the world. Once I got to that point, that’s when I really wanted to go to the Olympics.”

In order to make the U.S. Olympic Team, Morse must put himself on the podium in the five upcoming World Cup events. He needs either one top three World Cup finish or two top five finishes in the next five events. The top four US freestyle skiers make the team, one of which is the winner of the Olympic Trials held in Steamboat Springs Dec. 23-24. The final three will be those with the best collective finishes. The team will be officially named on Jan. 26, 2010.

Morse will compete in the regularly scheduled World Cup in Finland, Saturday, Dec. 12. After that, his next event will be the Olympic Trials Dec. 23-24. To follow Morse’s road to the Olympics, visit www.killingtonmountainschool.org.

Okemo To Host Ski Magazine Super Demo Dec. 12-13

From Okemo Mountain Resort:

Famous for its annual Buyers Guide issue, SKI Magazine is taking its ski gear test to the people. On Dec. 12 and 13, Okemo Mountain Resort will host SKI Magazine's premier Super Demo and People's Ski Test.

Representatives from 10 major manufacturers and the editors of SKI will be at Okemo's Jackson Gore Base Area to get skiers on next year's gear and to get feedback from them when they finish putting all that equipment to the test.

SKI's gear test is the most comprehensive, objective test in the ski world. SKI's veteran test teams are comprised of professionals: racers, coaches, retailers, instructors, and even ski town locals. Now, the editors of SKI want to hear what recreational skiers think of the newest gear and they're coming to Okemo Mountain Resort to find out.

"I think everyone who reads SKI's Buyer's Guide issue in September imagines how cool it would be to be one of the gear testers," says Okemo Marketing Events Coordinator Jeff Alexander. "This is a unique opportunity for the common man to live the dream and have his voice heard."

On Friday, Dec. 11, skiers can pre-register for the demo in the Roundhouse Mezzanine, from 4-9 p.m. The Super Demo and People's Ski Test is complimentary and open to the public. From 7-9 p.m., the Roundhouse Mezzanine will welcome the public for a chance to mingle with SKI Magazine staff and equipment reps. A cash bar will be available.

The SKI Magazine Super Demo and People's Ski Test will operate from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13. Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, SKI will host an après ski party in the Roundhouse Mezzanine.

Discount weekend lodging will be available for event participants. More information is available at skimag.com.

More information about Okemo Mountain Resort may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting okemo.com.

Okemo Demo Day photo courtesy Okemo Mountain Resort

Sunday Evening 11/22/09 - Boston Ski Show and Expo - Great Time but Snow a No Show

Just back from a weekend at the Boston Ski Show and Expo and the place was packed with enthusiastic skiers and boarders. It was a little weird because the outside temperature was hovering around 60 degrees so I guess it was just a good day to come out do a group 'think snow' thing.

Whatever, all I know is there was no snow from Stockbrige to Boston or any points north. Definitely bumming out a lot of good people from Mount Snow to Sugarloaf and 99.9% of resorts in between. In fact, tonight, Snocountry.com is reporting that for the Northeast - Bretton Woods and Sunday River are the only areas spinning lifts with a combined total of 5 trails for 20 acres of skiing! 

Here's a good one - entering the Boston Ski Show Expo floor the first setup I saw was the Whistler Tourism booth. At last count I heard Whistler Blackcomb has had 250 inches of snow - 17 feet already.

On the way out, at the end of the day, I quietly asked the Whistler Tourism representative if the numbers were correct. She kind of sheepishly grinned  - like she didn't want to rub it in. I told her I was strong, I could handle it and then and she shook her head yes confirming all that snow.

I slapped the counter and said great - I was heading there in exactly 2 weeks and she broke into a big grin  - 2 conspirators going where the snow is and the 2010 Olympics are on the way.

Until then I'll suffer here in silence - dreaming of those Whistler centimeters piling up.

If you can get away for a quick trip to Whistler Blackcomb go for it now - the deals are great in this Olympic season. I'm sure your friends won't hold it against and with all that snowing you probably won't need to hide a goggle tan.

Me, I got to go up there folks - somebody has to it - just for some pre-Olympic insights and maybe a few face shots! 

Photo - Mike from Bolton Valley does the Moose thing - Copyright Mike Doyle

Salomon and Atomic Ski Bindings Recalled

Ogden, UT - Salomon USA, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of about 10,000 sets of Salomon and Atomic bindings, as premature release of the binding toe piece could cause an unexpected hazard or injury.
Salomon has received two reports of injuries, including a broken leg and a knee injury.
 
 The recall involves the Salomon alpine ski bindings with models LZ 7, LZ 8, LZ 9, LZ 7 SR, LZ 8 SR, LZ 8 SC, and J LZ 9 and the Atomic ski bindings with model Evox 2.8, Evox 2.8+, Evox 2.8++, and FFG 8. "Salomon" or "Atomic" and the respective model number are displayed on the ski bindings. The toe components bear a production date code ending in "8" that can be found on the plate where the toe of a ski boot contacts the binding toepiece.

The bindings were sold at authorized Salomon USA and Atomic USA ski dealers nationwide from September 2008 through October 2009 for prices ranging between $90 and $160.

Consumers should stop using these ski bindings immediately and return the Salomon-brand ski bindings to any authorized Salomon ski dealer, or return the Atomic-brand ski bindings to any authorized Atomic ski dealer, for a free inspection and replacement of the toepiece.

For additional information, contact Salomon USA toll-free at (877) 789-5111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, email qualityinfo.usa(at)salomon-sports.com, or visit them on the web at either www.salomon.com or www.atomicsnow.com.

Sunday Evening - 11/15/09 - It's Snowing Somewhere - Chamonix I'm Sure

I've heard that no matter what day of the year it is snowing somewhere on this big beautiful orb. I'm not sure that's really true but it keeps me upbeat, more so in summer when snow is a dream than in mid-November when it's 54 degrees and I'm getting antsy.

A few weeks ago I joined a hearty band of skiers and big mountain skiing lovers at the Spectrum Theater in Albany for a one day showing of The Edge of Never. The film being the raison d'etre of the book by the same name and as engrossing a tale on the big screen as it was in print - you can buy the Edge of Never book or a DVD of the movie.

Filmed on location in Chamonix, France, a true land of eternal glaciated snow and the mecca of ski mountaineering. This is a different big mountain skiing movie from what you are probably used to - no long screaming Alasakan Chugach powder runs here, no tonsil wagging ski porn - this is Chamonix, rugged, earn your turns, kill you in a second, prove yourself every minute skiing.

The crux of the story is that Glen Plake convinces the filmmaker Bill Kerig to take fifteen year old Kye Petersen, the son of late big mountain legend Trevor Petersen, to ski the extreme couloir above Chamonix that claimed his dad's life.

Kerig films as the best ski mountaineers in the world gather, take Kye under their tutelage and introduce him to the steep, icy, powdery, slushy conditions you find above Chamoix. You don't like snow conditions up there wait ten minutes or ski down 20 feet and they will most likely change. Expect nothing but ice and crud snow, pray for a little soft and pray harder it stays on the mountain. 

Plake, Mike Hattrup, top Chamonix guide Stephane "Fan Fan" Dan, and legendary extreme skier Anselme Baud plan out a progressive ski mountaineering learning curve to get Kye ready to ski the Exit Couloir. Of course, nature has a lot to say about the best laid plans around Chamonix and Mont Blanc and threatening weather forces a go day way sooner than planned.

While a chilling lone eagle soars above Kye releases a tin of his dad's ashes into the wind and, yes, surrounded by his mentors, all friends of his dad, the boy skis the Exit Couloir. This circle of ski mountaineers, in a baptism of fire, embraces the son of a lost friend. It brought me to think of Peter, Paul and Mary's The Great Mandala:

Take your place on The Great Mandala
As it moves through your brief moment of time.
Win or lose now you must choose now
And if you lose you're only losing your life.

i don't meant to wax poetic, or maybe I do - I'm not even going to tell you what happens to one of the mentors skiing the day after Kye's success - but you should see this serious ski movie about ski life that you can't outgrow. Plake, like you never seen him - beneath that mohawk is a serious, thoughtful, caring man. The same is true with Hattrup and Baud - who is a short time removed from seeing his son killed on the mountain. 

Take the message -  live the life the mountains give you and hold close that circle of friends.

Photo Mont Blanc Massif Copyright Mike Doyle

Thanksgiving, Okemo Style

From Okemo Mountain Resort:

Okemo Mountain Resort will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a weekend full of events and activities.

The festivities begin on Turkey Day, Nov. 26, with lifts opening at 9 a.m. Those first few runs of the season can wear a person out, so skiers and riders should plan to make it a short day and head to Coleman Brook Tavern for a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet between 3 and 8 p.m. Adults can indulge for $29 and children 12 and under dine for $15. Reservations are recommended and can be arranged by calling Coleman Brook Tavern at (802) 228-1435.

Okemo offers a variety of ways to burn off all those Thanksgiving Dinner calories. Lifts start turning at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season.

On Nov. 28, the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the First Annual Okemo Trot it Off 5k and Tots' Trot will start at the Jackson Gore Round House. The 5k race is perfect for an avid runner or a family looking to get a little extra exercise on Thanksgiving weekend. The entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for kids under 12.

All proceeds support the Vermont Fuel Dealer Association's Patch Chit Neighbor-in-Need Fuel Assistance Program. Participants will receive a t-shirt with their entry. The Tots' Trot, a kids' fun race, will take place just before the 5k. The course will circle the Jackson Gore Inn with a finish line through the stone archway.  A post-race awards ceremony will take place in the Jackson Gore Roundhouse. Registration opens at 8 a.m. The Tots Trot Kids Fun Race begins 9 a.m. The Trot it Off 5k starts at 9:30 a.m.

Also on Nov. 28, skiers and riders can strut their stuff at The Killarney What-I-Learned-This-Summer Rail Jam. This competition, open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, encourages participants to showcase the new tricks they learned over the summer.  The entry fee is $20.  Registration is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Okemo Clock Tower Base Lodge mezzanine. The competition starts at 11 a.m. and the best trick wins $200.

Okemo Season Passholders will gather in the Great Room of the Okemo Clock Tower Base Lodge later that same evening. Festivities with food, fun and a skiwear fashion show are by invitation only for Okemo skiers and riders who have purchased their season pass for 2009/2010.
More information may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting okemo.com.

Sunday River Celebrates 50 Years

From Sunday River:

Sunday River has always been known to "go big." In 50 years, Sunday River has expanded from one mountain to eight peaks, added 16 modern lifts, and blown the competition out of the water with an impressive 1,900 snowmaking gun fleet to ensure the most dependable snow in New England. Now, Sunday River is adding to its season-long 50th celebration with a justly named Mega Pass that combines the ultimate in convenience and premium service.

The new Mega Pass, priced at $2,900, includes unlimited skiing and riding at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon Mountain, unlimited preferred parking, unlimited tuning, unlimited use of a season-long ski/snowboard locker, unlimited use of Sunday River's tubing park, plus retail benefits and two days of both First Track early lift access for four people and use of the luxurious, private ski suite located in the South Ridge Base Lodge.

The Mega Pass is now on sale and can be purchased by visiting www.sundayriver.com or by calling (800) 543-2SKI. For skiers and riders who have already purchased a New England Pass and want to upgrade to the Mega Pass, the cost of their 2009-2010 pass will be deducted from the $2,900 price for a final balance.   

Sunday River celebrates 50 years to the day on Saturday, December 19, 2009 with a kick-off birthday party unlike anything any guest to Sunday River has ever seen. For more details on the Mega Pass, Sunday River's 50th celebration, and season-long activities and events, visit Sunday River's new 50th website: www.sundayriver.com/50.

Photo Sunday River copyright Mike Doyle 

'Ski New Hampshire Anytime' - Ticket Deals

From Ski New Hampshire:

Winter is approaching fast and now is the time to plan some money-saving options for hitting the slopes this winter.  Ski NH's Anywhere, Anytime ticket packages offer approximately 20% off weekend and holiday lift ticket rates at New Hampshire's ski areas.

The packages consist of fully transferable lift tickets, making them a favorite of families, ski clubs, co-workers and more.  Tickets are valid any day during the 2009-10 ski season, including holidays and weekends, with no blackout dates.  Skiers and snowboarders can customize a mix of lift tickets to their favorite ski areas; tickets are broken down into five price categories of $25, $30, $42, $52 and $60 per ticket.  Packages begin at a minimum of 12 lift tickets, with no more than 50% of the tickets from one ski area. 

Ski areas included in the offer are Loon Mountain, Attitash, Bretton Woods, Wildcat Mountain, Cannon Mountain, Mount Sunapee, Waterville Valley, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Cranmore Mountain, Pats Peak, Crotched Mountain, Ragged Mountain, Black Mountain, King Pine and Purity Spring Resort, Dartmouth Skiway, Balsams Wilderness, Granite Gorge, and McIntyre Ski Area.
 
Since there are limited ticket quantities available, skiers and riders should make their purchase sooner than later to be sure to get their favorite ski areas.  For details on Ski NH's Anywhere, Anytime Ticket Packages and order forms, visit http://www.skinh.com/ or call 800-88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464). 

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 36 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire. 

Photo Bretton Woods Copyright Mike Doyle