WINTER IS GOOD!
I try to make New Year’s
Resolutions that will make me happy (and that
I am fairly certain I will keep). I have checked
off 7 out of 10 this month already.
#1 Visit a ski area/touring
center I have never been to before! My friend
Kris and I enjoyed a girls-weekend deep in the
Catskills Mountains of New York State to ski
Belleayre Mountain. This was a first time visit
for both of us to the mountains where Rip Van
Winkle took his long nap. From NH it took us
5 hours to drive to our hotel which was about
20 minutes away from the ski area. Before we
checked in we stopped by the World’s Largest
Kaleidoscope at the Emporium at Emerson Place.
The Kaleidoscope is 60 feet tall and we laid
back right in the viewing piece and looked up.
We watched a ten minute show of mixed color
& shapes set to music. It was very cool
and greatly larger than the tiny cardboard tubes
I twirled in my hands as a child.
We stayed at the Lodge at
Emerson Place on the banks of the Esopus Creek
and enjoyed the casual luxury of their log cabins.
Our room was nice and cozy; the warm robes and
slippers were greatly appreciated after a long
day of skiing. Breakfast is served at 7 am,
making it perfect for early morning skiers.
We definitely picked a wonderful place to stay.
Belleayre Mountain is a state
owned and operated ski area in the Catskill
Park with a summit elevation of 3,429 feet and
1,404 feet of vertical drop. Protected in the
“Forever Wild” lands there are no
slope-slide condos or development of any kind
adjacent to the ski area. It reminded me of
a gentler Cannon or Wildcat. Belleayre has some
great expert terrain but they excel in intermediate
terrain making it a family favorite for generations.
Next season they are installing a high speed-quad
chair to replace a fixed grip lift. This will
permit skiers to enjoy more runs and still enjoy
the uncrowded terrain. The locals told us that
it snows all the time in the Catskills and I
believe them because it snowed a couple of inches
each night while we were there making for dreamy
ski conditions. For more information about Belleayre
Mountain visit www.belleayre.com and for area
lodging visit www.cagtskillhighpeaks.com.
My second resolution to take
a newbie out for a winter adventure is tough
because I don’t know many never-evers.
I will be teaching at the New England Nordic
Women’s Ski Day at Stowe on Jan. 22nd.
#3 I keep going to Cannon
Mountain. Cannon is a snow magnet with grand
views close to home!
#4 Wear red socks, I just
love them. I bought a pair with hearts all over
them and Charlie gave me a pair red of ski socks
that are designated as left and right.
Number five, take a lesson
or attend a clinic—not yet but I will.
#6 This was an easy one for
me because I race every Wednesday night in the
NASTAR corporate league at Pats Peak. I always
ski more than just my two race runs! We skied
in the rain two weeks ago; the snow was good
and we had a fun race course on Twister.
Number seven to take part in a new event—I
working on it! Maybe Jackson’s Valentine
Tour “Hearts of Jackson” on Feb.
12th. Or Do the Dew, the Mountain Dew Vertical
Challenge at Ragged on Feb. 5th.
#8 Remember to put my ski
boots by the heater to dry after skiing. For
Christmas my mother gave me a handy dandy drier
for boots and mittens. So even if I forget to
do it the night before, all I need is 15 minutes
before I go out the door using my new boot dryer.
#9 Wax and Tune my skis more
often. Check!
#10 Have Fun every chance
I get! Yup! I hope you are too.
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