The newsletter of NJS&SC                                  January 2016

I’ve been taking a hiatus from writing this newsletter and this is the first issue of the 2015-2016 season.  I’m sitting, well actually it’s hard to tell if I’m sitting, because the plane I’m on is being bounced from side to side over the Pacific like a rag doll being blown in the wind.  Not reassuring news for anyone planning on flying in the next few weeks and I’m trying to figure out what’s causing the ‘chop’ as the pilot just called it.  Chop…. this is more like bursts of WW II flak being fired from ground batteries.   I’m sitting in the butt of the plane and hear stuff hitting the floor in the galley just behind me as the flight attendants are running for cover trying to avoid getting hit with flying debris.  We just left John Wayne airport in Orange county, Ca. and flew out over the Pacific while climbing in relatively clear skies.  However, as we gain altitude we disappeared into the clouds with zero vis so maybe we got caught in turbulence between layers of air?  Ah whatever let’s get into the January Ski scene.

 

So what happened to Summer you ask……thankfully for skiers it’s over or is it.  Mother Nature has thrown a curve ball to the East coast and those of us who like Winter.  The warm air just doesn’t want to leave and the recent deluge of rain was no help to the ski resorts hit with the most ski-adverse weather system in many years.  The National Weather service calls it an El Niño year which is noted for warm weather in the East and colder and wetter than normal weather in the West.  Whatever they call it, it’s hell on Eastern Skiing.  No local resorts in the Tri-state area were open for Thanksgiving and all in Vermont struggled to open for Christmas.  Those that were open were lucky if at 25%.  Areas like Mad River Glen without snow-making have little chance of making money this winter and unless the weather turns drastically, I predict Mad River and others like it will not open.

 

Just after Christmas things in the East were beginning to look up as a cold front moved in.  I spent the New Years weekend in Vermont and skied four resorts over as many days.  That cold week gave the Vt. Resorts exactly what they needed.  Okemo and Killington had the best and most trails open and the conditions were good.  Sugarbush had both mountains open but since the cross-country lift to Mt. Ellen was closed I stayed at Lincoln peak so can’t comment on Mt. Ellen.  There was little open on Lincoln peak but the lower trails (all three of them) had good snow.  On the left side of the mountain, the Super Bravo Express Quad takes you 2/3 of the way up off-loading at Allyn’s Lodge.  A blue trail named Downspout takes you to the Heavens Gate Triple that ascends to the Summit.  Downspout was a river of frozen ice with a layer of snow on top which by the time we got there had been skied into a mogul-studded glacier.  Admittedly, I am a terrible mogul skier and even worse ice skier so 2 hold-on-for-dear-life trips down Downspout were enough to convince me to stay on the lower mountain.  Pico was scheduled to open on Saturday Jan 2 and since I had NEVER made an opening day at any ski resort we went to Pico although we knew it would have little open.   That was a correct assumption as only the Golden Express Quad was operating and the choice of trails was well let’s say….limited.  As you got off the lift you skied Fool’s Gold to Lower Pike and back to the lift…the word ‘repetitive’ took on new meaning that day!  The following day we skied at Killington and conditions there were extremely good and a fair amount of terrain was open.  While it was very cold and snowmaking was in progress some trails you’d think should be in the process of getting covered had no snowmaking in progress all.  An example was that Ram’s Head Mountain was open but the main trail under the lift was closed.

NOTE:  When I began writing this, I was returning from one-day business in Tijuana, Mexico.  Aware of the woeful weather predictions for the East, I was hoping to see snow as we crossed the Rockies and wasn’t disappointed.   The West is having a good year and to date a number of resorts including Lake Tahoe, have been slammed with major dumps of 28-36 inches and more over the course of a week.  If extended winter weather does not materialize in the East, my suggestion is to Head West –because the Western resorts have snow.

 

 

RESORT NEWS:

BURKE MTN:   In case you haven’t been keeping informed of news up North, things have been happening.  The people who own Jay Peak apparently bought Burke Mtn. about 18 months or so ago.  After they dumped bazillions into the Jay Peak makeover which included the Mega-indoor water park, they looked for international investors and found at least one willing to dump money into Burke Mountain.  Burke now renamed ‘QBurke” after its new owner Ary Quiros lies in the part of Vermont known as the Northeast Kingdom which is a part of the Green state so-far largely untouched by man.  While researching Burke, I found that resort has a very troubled history including:  Bankruptcies dating back to the 1980s, a bounced tax check to the town of East Burke for $97,374.30, more bankruptcies, a public auction to sell it off and the Ginn Companies’ (former owner at one point) $675 million default with Credit Suisse bank.

 

The new owners are hoping to turn that around with improvements to the lifts and snow-making and unhappily for environmentalists, a massive building project expected to cost over $100 million.  That is couple with a grand scheme to make a city out of the North-Kingdom.  When the project at Burke Mtn. is done it will include four hotels, an aquatic center, a tennis facility and an indoor mountain biking park.  [ I don’t know about you, but I’d hate to bicycle indoors just as much as I’d hate to ski indoors].   As of Jan 11, 2016 the hotel is built but not complete and the opening date is in doubt at this time.  Apparently the new CEO is following in his ancestor’s footsteps and Burke defaulted on $3Milliion in payments to the Contractor who halted further work on the hotel until they get paid.  Official word is that the hotel might open for Martin Luther Day weekend however, that depends on if ‘Q’Burke can find more money somewhere.  Burke has seen its’ ups and downs over the years and as far as mountains go, it’s a good ski mountain but it future as a ski resort will be proven in the years to come.  If those years are like the current season……don’t expect to see Burke around ten years from now.

 

Real estate development has been boom and plague to ski resorts for years and there’s no doubt it will go on, especially if global warming eliminates the sport of skiing.  The resorts figure if they don’t “Build it, they won’t come”.  Base development tends to bring families and well-heeled who end up buying condo’s and season passes so everyone’s happy.  Everyone except those of us looking to find a wild place to enjoy.  If you haven’t visited the North East Kingdom I suggest you do it now because Mr. Quiros has a grand plan to pave it over.

 

 

 

Ascutney:  Ascutney Mountain Ski resort closed after the 2009 season and has not re-opened.  During my lifetime, Ascutney had a hard go of it and this is the third and most likely last time it will ever close……as it’s not likely to ever open again.  In 2012 the only high speed quad Ascutney had was dismantled and moved to Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire.  Later in June of 2014 removal of all remaining lifts and snow making equipment began.  The largest remaining lift was sold sold to Pat’s Peak in New Hampshire. Reportedly the base lodge fell into a state of disrepair, was condemned and scheduled for destruction (it may be gone now).  Ascutney’s lack of major snowmaking and lodging for many years and its location may have doomed it.  Any ski resort in the North East without a major commitment to snowmaking is pretty much destined to failure.  Location should be factored in because while it was further south than Jay and Burke it was farther North than the central Vermont resorts and there was no easy way to get there.  The only lodging in the area was a set of unglamorous condo’s built at its’ base which like the ski area itself is said to have an insufficient septic system (good luck on that one).  The last time I skied there the condo complex seemed to be sinking into oblivion along with the resort.  Too bad, because Ascutney mountain has good vertical and a nice set of trails but was in need of a major infusion of cash and there were no investors standing by.  We’ll keep our eyes on Ascutney but it appears that Ascutney is now part of New England ski history.

 

Hidden Valley, NJ:  It isn’t often that news comes out of NJ resorts but this year some does.  If you remember, Hidden Valley closed several years ago and that shouldn’t have surprised anyone.  Hidden Valley was tiny, many years beyond needing a fresh coat of paint and badly in need of a benefactor.  Living in the shadow of Mountain Creek, there was no way for this little hill to be profitable, it simply couldn’t run with the big dog.  The resort went bankrupt, the Sheriff of Nottingham stepped in putting it on the auction block several times.  It was strange that such a big piece of real estate was up for grabs and there were NO bidders.  It was beginning to look as if Hidden Valley might go the way of towns in the path of Chernobyl and return to the wild.  However, someone got an idea, attracted money and the Phoenix awoke.  Hidden Valley was acquired and will attempt to operate as the National Winter Sports Activity Center….an establishment with the goal of teaching inner city and under-privileged youth to ski or snowboard and hopefully get them hooked on the snow-sports in a hurry.  Two Ski-Patrollers I know told me the slopes were cleared of debris and rocks and look better.  The place will NOT be open to the public for skiing and supposedly they are looking for instructors.  You don’t need to be certified, just willing to teach newbies and work for free.  Personally, I hope the concept takes off because we are long overdue a good method of introducing inner-city youth to the slopes.  I also think working with under-privileged kids is a good idea.  Such programs put them in a better place and gives them a chance.  It also helps to instill a love for nature in a population who likely has no idea what Nature means.  I wish the new Winter Sports Foundation well and hope they make it!

 

Tech Talk: I created this column for those of you who enjoy reading about what’s new in the way of ski equipment.  I also created it for those who don’t like to read much technical stuff but wouldn’t mind a non-biased digestion of longer articles.  It always amazes me how much new gear is put out every year and for 2015-2016 new gear is exploding!  This month I’ll only mention what I think is really new in ski’s and leave other stuff for later issues.   Ski designers have been working hard to create skis that do more and do it better than ever before!  Many technical changes are being built into new skis.  For instance, Elan has what they are calling wave technology which looks like waves on the top of the ski.  They ‘waves’ give torsional rigidity but with good longitudinal flex in a lighter ski.  They are engineering performance into the cap of the ski and removing metal from within the ski while delivering good performance and edge hold.  They are paring their wave technology with rockered tip and tails but cambered mid-section of the ski.  Other manufacturers are making skis with a depressed hollow running lengthwise down the center with elongated tubes running on both sides.  These raised ribs add longitudinal stiffness to increase edge-hold while the depressed center reduces weight on a ski that is meant to be skied hard and fast.  Although it’s still being used, rocker technology is being applied differently.  The “bent-upwards water skis” of five years ago are almost gone but rocker in the tips and tails is being coupled with camber in the same ski.  Picture a ski held horizontally with the top facing up:  the profile alternates with ups and downs as the tips and tails curve upward (rockered).  The mid section of these skis have traditional camber (think an ellipse from 6” behind the tip to 6” before the tail).  Rockered tips allow you to initiate a turn easier and without catching a tip which usually results in a fall.  The rockered tail doesn’t bite in and allows you to skid a turn.  This type of ski is not intended for classical carving but makes more of a smeared turn while still retaining a fair amount of edge.  A rockered ski can’t match a totally cambered ski in edge-hold which is why the experts recommend buying such a ski 10cm longer than you would expect.  The marriage of rocker and camber makes an easier skiing ski but is not the best choice for those who ski hard, fast, and carve voracious turns.

 

The Expo:   I’d like to thank Joe Harvis and the Expo Committee for suggestions to improve our show.  This newsletter serves as a public forum so I’ll relay post-Expo comments I heard.  Everyone liked the fashion show but many said they didn’t know it was going on until a club member walked by and said, “Hey I’m in the fashion show”.  I heard more than one person say we need a runway next year.   The DJ at the very end doesn’t seem to add much to the show so maybe there’s a better way for post-shows festivities and I hope someone can work on that.  The raffles had better items but I heard people say if we offered better prizes more tickets will be sold.  The jury is still out concerning what we got in return for what we paid WDHA.  Attendance was good but it didn’t overwhelm the capacity of the Marriott.  I personally noted that there were families present (not a lot but they were there) with younger kids.  I believe that was a result of radio advertising as I cannot contribute it to anything else.  It was great to see new vendors such as the folks with the nutrition table and the bicycle shop.  Diversity IS a good thing.

 

Finale:  I’d like to add that it was terrific that NJ Ski Council had a table and got air-time at the Warren Miller Film Festival in Morristown.  That was long overdue and it’s something that can go a long way in getting us into the limelight.

 

 

Pray for cold weather!!!!

 

Bob Zega

The newsletter of NJS&SC                                                                   November  2014

This was intended to be the October issue but due to mental fatigue fighting with the town of Denville to whom I pay far too much property tax, it quickly became the November issue of Council Tracks and the first of the 2014-2015 season.  I began writing this while sitting in my 4^th story office at work when the trees had color but since lost all leaves.  During the long run of warm fall weather it was hard to envision winter but several weeks ago parts of Maine got 2 feet of snow and Killington opened 3 trails at the summit to season pass holders.  Now that this issue is late getting to press I can also announce that Hunter, Blue and Shawnee have opened.  Last week Mountain Creek had snow guns blasting and were open for those willing to hike to make first tracks of the season!  I visited Heinos Ski and Cycle in Wayne last Saturday when I was told Mtn. Creek was looking for Patrollers (also to hike up) and apparently there were few if any takers.  Each year, waiting until sufficient intuitive information has deposited itself in the grey matter of my brain, I offer a prediction for the coming winter and now that were close enough I’m willing to take a shot at this season.  So read on……..

Too many people are unaware of the natural environment but I’ll remind you that the past summer was different in several ways.  For the most part it wasn’t overly hot but in the later months El Sol ramped up and things got ugly quick…..mucho caliente y seco (very hot and very dry).  By September local rivers and streams were exhibiting more rocks than water challenging paddlers to find water deep enough for kayaks.  The waterfall of Kaatersill Creek at the hair-pin turn as you ascend the mountain from Malden, NY on the way to Hunter was all but gone with the smallest trickle of water…….barely enough to wet the rocks.  That is NOT a good sign because if the dry weather pattern persists there’ll be scant natural snow this season.  If you can’t get better than a 3% raise because your boss tells you “there’s no money in the budget” then you sure can’t expect snow with no moisture in the air.  Last year, we had the reverse situation with an extremely wet summer and fall.  At that time I told people if the weather pattern continued and the temperature dropped, the only thing that could happen was for snow to fall.  Last winter we got snow every other week and that plus extended cold made for great later season conditions.  Without access to heavenly intervention, I can’t tell you how cold it will get nor when the cold will settle in for good but local night time temps are now low enough to make snow and in recent weeks we did get rain.  Also the run of cold weather of the last few weeks gave the local Mtns. the chance to put snow on their trails.  In addition, the Weather people report that the Siberian cold air mass is bigger and colder than ever before at this time of the year.  This supposedly indicates a cold winter ahead.  So without more enlightenment from the heavens my forecast for winter 2015 follows:

Don’t expect sustained snowmaking temperatures before early to mid-December.  Nights up North should be cold enough for snow-guns to spritz by mid-November but without Nature’s help we won’t have enough machine-made on the slopes to allow Vt. resorts to open significant terrain until after Thanksgiving (no surprise here).  Hopefully recent local rainfalls mean an end to the dry trend if but if that’s short-lived, natural snow could be hard to come by and when it comes may not drop more than a few inches.  With as much rain as we had last year, many major snow storms skipped Vermont and the resorts fought to open.  Mad River Glen which doesn’t make snow was closed for a month or longer.  While anything is possible, consider the following:

• Over the last couple of years there was no skiing at Thanksgiving and little even by Christmas.
• NJ Ski Council cancelled Windham ski-skills day 2 years in a row because there was no sustained cold to allow sufficient terrain.
• Last season it got cold early and everyone thought we were ready to rumble then warm temps returned and skiing at Christmas was hard to find.

Then just as everyone was about to put their skis back into storage we experienced 2 weeks of sustained cold allowing the resorts to put enough snow down to ski by January resulting in the loss of almost one-half of our ski season!  You might not remember it BUT I DO.  After that, Old Man Winter sent the mercury into a nosedive and the snows came regularly.  Hopefully the dry weather is behind us and we’ll enjoy carving figure 8’s on the slopes in 2015!

Change:  I need to talk about this because the transmission has been stuck in neutral too long.  Change never comes easy because humans tend to resist something new unless we are talking cell phones…..then change can’t come fast enough!  If you haven’t accumulated enough wealth to leave the corporate world you know how things are changing in the workplace.  There is more cultural diversity than ever before; more highly educated and technically competent women.  It’s also a fact that people are living and working longer resulting in a large spread in ages between the younger and older worker to name a few things.  The working population has changed and industry has had to accommodate it….ask any HR Manager you know and SHE will tell you how it’s been (if you haven’t noticed, more women occupy HR positions than men).

How does this relate to skiing you might ask……well for the last couple of seasons we’ve been hearing a message, that the number of skier visits to mountains is dropping, the skiing population is greying and the number of young people entering the sport is diminishing.  The National Ski Council Federation who tracks such things agrees…….ski club members are getting older and less young people are coming in.  There are a lot of forces at work here causing the carnage.  Some things are out of our reach, but we might be able to influence others to the extent that it could benefit member clubs.  One thing we have to recognize is that change doesn’t happen overnight and it will take years of work before an effect is felt but if club members and administrators of State Ski Councils pitch in to make change happen I think the clubs stand to gain members and the Council to gain clubs.

Demographics is one area we can’t change and one must realize that the US population is shifting from traditional Europeans coming from countries with skiing to a mixed culture of Hispanics, Indians and Asians many of whom are clueless to Winter and the snowsports.  For them life IS a beach or a palm tree.  I recently spoke with a NYC based ski travel agent who’s been in business for 30 years.  His NYC based ski trip business used to be able to fill 30 buses every weekend with skiers from Manhattan and send them to Vermont.  Now he’s lucky is he can fill six on any given weekend.  Why…..because CHANGE took place while no one was watching!   It’s been referred to it as the “foreign or Asian invasion” where new residents coming from regions of warm climate have no appreciation for Winter.  When someone runs around in Bermuda shorts or a sari all year how do you interest them in snow!  In addition the aging population means older skiers drop out of the sport, some retire and move to Florida and are not being replaced by younger people.

Consider also that younger people today are much different than we were at their age.  Buses might be cost effective but the social charm of a Friday night bus run to New England isn’t what it used to be.  When a single can find a ski buddy or soul-mate on the internet why chance you’d meet one on a bus?  Another factor is that younger people have no interest in the Mom and Pop el cheapo motels that tour operators traditionally used to keep rates low.  Instead they’d rather hustle a last-minute deal on their smart-phone, pack their car with gear and sneak 10 friends into a 2 bedroom slope-side condo.  Anyone who’s technologically connected doesn’t need a travel agent when the internet gives them the capability to make cut-rate bids on Priceline to get a better deal.

Does this mean that we give up and accept that ski clubs will wither and die allowing a sheriffs sale of our Vermont lodges.  No…..but we must admit that the landscape changed over the years and how we market our clubs and the Council to attract younger people and those who ski or might, MUST also change. The state ski Councils and member clubs have to change and re-invent themselves…..there is NO OTHER WAY!!!  Our own Ski Council needs to make changes to carry it and its member clubs through.  How we did business 30 years ago doesn’t matter anymore.  People in the 25 to 40 year old category weren’t around or were too young to know about what we did.  THEN was THEN but NOW is NOW and NOW is different!   NJS&SC must change by doing things differently and here are some thoughts I offer as suggestions for REAL CHANGE:

 

These suggestions can work and should be implemented without delay.  As we listened to Susan unhappily announce a downward trend in skier days last season, the huge reduction in the Council’s voucher sales and hear some club members say they are having trouble filling their lodges…….do we sit back and watch it happen OR do we run with the bulls in Pamplona!!  CHANGE, SERIOUS CHANGE IS NEEDED and it can’t be put off for another season IT MUST BEGIN NOW!  Just as the world needs sustainable energy, NJ Ski Council needs a plan to secure its future.  CHANGE NOW should be our new mantra, CHANE NOW and grow!

Did you know:   NJSSC has a beautiful new website thanks to the efforts of our President Susan Donlan who was instrumental in negotiating with a colleague to create it.  If you haven’t logged onto www.newjerseyskicouncil.org in some time I urge you to do it.  The new website is well designed with nice graphics and great functionality.  The home page is loaded with features such as a calendar of upcoming events in the left hand corner and the amazing Find a Ski and Snowboard Club in the right corner where all you do is to input your zip-code and search to find a club near you.  There are a number of buttons across the top of the page including: News and events, Discount Programs, Trip listings, Member Clubs and the Race Program.  The new website was a major step forward for NJSSC and we have Susan to thank for spearheading the effort……THANK YOU SUSAN!

Instant E-vouchers:  A presentation was given by a club member at the Executive Board meeting this month for an enhancement to the Voucher program.  His suggestion is for an E-ticket of sorts where in addition to getting voucher by ordering through your club, a member of a Council club could log onto the Council website, go to the Voucher ordering section, select a resort they want to ski and using PayPal or other method, pay for an E-voucher at the mountain of choice.  In essence it would work like Liftopia where the member prints a receipt to take to the mountain which is redeemed for an already paid lift ticket.  This idea was just presented so has not been seriously studied and being a new concept to the Council no details have been worked out.  In addition the mountains would have to be contacted to see if such a program could link with their websites and our own website would have to be modified to enable such a program.  If possible it could not be implemented before 2015-2016 however, the Ex. Board would like to know what you think about such a program.  Email your responses to Susan at sdonlan1@comcast.net or me at the email address below.

A request to all clubs:  Although I am the author, Council Tracks belongs to YOU the Clubs and I’d like it to reflect and promote the interest of The Council clubs.  Please send me articles of interest and pictures you’d like posted.  If your club did something neat last winter, this summer or fall and you have pictures please send to me at rjzega@yahoo.com to get them published in Council Tracks.  This newsletter is a great vehicle to call attention to your club and activities.  Ski –stories such as falling into a tree-well, escaping an avalanche or skiing off the backside and having to get rescued because you couldn’t hike up 5,000 feet in waist deep snow are of interest to all.

As the season progresses I will add the usual columns such as Featured Resorts and Tech Talk.  Also now is the time get your equipment tuned and for you to get your ski legs and stamina pumped up!

 

As we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, on behalf of the Executive Board, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  While we can afford our expensive sport, think about those less fortunate for whom even a daily meal is a challenge.  Donate food and if you can, spend some time volunteering at a soup kitchen.  It’s a simple way to give back.

Bob Zega

 

While visiting our website be sure to check out the Discounts Program page to find out how you can save on your skiing & snowboarding adventures!

 

Also, check out our ski & snowboard Trips Calendar.  Our member clubs are skiing all around the world and so can you!

 

 

2014 Winter Olympics:   The Olympics will start soon and this is our chance to see the world’s best compete in the snowsports. Today we received word that Staci Mannella and Kim Seevers were named to the final team going to Sochi. Currently they’re in Aspen to compete in the US National Championships and on Feb 28th will leave for Russia.   The Paralympic  Winter  Games  begin  on  March  7th    and  run  through  March  16th.     Opening ceremonies will be broadcast by NBC on  3/7/14.   Make sure you  tune in and watch  Staci Mannella, heroine of NJ Ski & Snowboard Council as she competes in the 2014 Paralympics! 

 2014 U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skiing Team nominees

Subject to USOC approval

Women

Lindsay Ball       (Benton, Maine)

Stephanie Jallen    (Harding, Pa.)

Allison Jones      (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Staci Mannella    (Randolph, N. J.)

Alana Nichols      (Farmington, N.M.)

Melanie Scwartz   (Aspen, Colo.)

Laurie Stephens    (Wenham, Mass.)

Danielle Umstead  (Park City, Utah)

Stephani Victor    (Park City, Utah)

 

Pictured Below left to right:

Danielle Vajtay, Dir. of Marketing, Plattekill Mountain

Bob Zega, Chair of Public Relations NJ Ski & Snowboard Council

Sunny Ross, retired racer, slalom/GS/Super G

 

Happy  75th   Anniversary!   Having  been  in  existence  since  1939  NJ  Ski  &  Snowboard Council celebrates 75 years of service since being founded!   The Council has been directed by many people over the years and continues to thrive.   Serving the public first  as  New Jersey  Ski  Council  and  now  as  New Jersey  Ski  &  Snowboard  Council  our  mission  is  to represent  the  interests  of  ski  clubs  and promote  the  sports of  skiing  and  snowboarding. The  Council  accomplishes  its’  goals  via  a  number of  programs that  include: a)  partnering with ski resorts to make skiing/riding affordable through a negotiated lift ticket program, b) hosts an  annual  fall  Kickoff  event (The  Ski  &  Snowboard  Expo)  to  get skiers, resorts  and travel  agents together  under  one  roof,  c)  sponsors  a  weekly  racing  program during  ski season,  c)  runs the  NJ  State  race  for  adults  and  children,  d)  runs  the  Stanley  Shiraga Memorial ‘Presidents  Race’  in honor  of  the  past  president,  and  e)  donates  to  charitable causes affiliated with the snowsports.  The Council has always had ski clubs and skiing as its central focus but also supports charitable causes including the Adaptive Ski and Sports Foundations   of   Windham   Mountain  and  Vermont.      In   so   doing,   we  discovered   Staci Mannella,  a  partially  sighted  skier  from Randolph,  New  Jersey  and  over  the  last several years  became a GOLD  sponsor.   Due to her dedication and support from NJ   Ski & Snowboard Council Staci is now headed for the 2014 Para- Olympics (see also page 5). Although economic times have been challenging, NJSSC has grown steadily over the years increasing membership to include almost 50 NJ and NY based ski clubs.  Our organization is a member of and supports the National Ski Council Federation, the parent organization of State Ski Councils.  We  are also  members  of  the  Eastern  Ski Writers  Association  and  its parent the North American Snowsports Journalist Association.   As often happens, changing attitudes, demographics  and  lifestyle  force  change  and  several  years  ago  recognizing  the high level of interest in Snow Boarding as a snow-sport, we elected to change our name. We  are  still  the  same organization  but better  positioned  to  serve  our  members  in  the coming years.   A big thank you to Susan Donlan, Dennis Young, the board members and department chairs who make it happen.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NJSSC, you’ve done well!

January is “Learn a Snowsport Month” and resorts are offering deals for beginners and those who introduce a newbie.  As snow people it’s our duty to familiarize people who vegetate all winter to the fun of winter life.   These  are  the  people  likely  to  vote  ‘No’  to  curb  global warming and need to realize that Winter is Nature.  No one actually likes to be cold, but no one actually likes to be hot either.  These folks have no idea of the grandeur of mountains in winter, nor how much fun we have on and off the slopes.   If we introduce someone to a snowsport they might consider joining a club when they realize what they’ve been missing. Vegetables are good but vegetating from November till April is not good for one’s health. Children should be encouraged to get fresh air and learn there is more to life than shopping malls. Experiencing life in winter is a “Natural” thing to do.

RESORT NEWS:  In earlier issues, I mentioned mountain improvements at various ski resorts one of which is Killington. The Big K has been talking about a new mountain top lodge since they demolished the old one in the summer of 2011.  Seeing pictures of the lodge under construction last autumn, I didn’t think an opening in Dec. 2013 was possible.  However, much to their credit, Killington delivered because today I read a press release that the new lodge opened Friday December 28th, a real accomplishment for the resort!  The new lodge is 15,000 square feet and accommodates 300 people.  I don’t know of many summit lodges with room for that many so it may be the largest in the Northeast.  Earlier statements by Killington were that its new lodge would be designed with the environment in mind and not overpower the mountaintop which we all hope is true.  Besides trail systems and vertical, ski lodges at the base, mid-station or summit are defining factors for any resort.  When we visit a mountain resort the human eye is unavoidably drawn to the summit as the pinnacle of the area and what sits atop is an asset featured in marketing brochures for years to come.  The price tag for Killington’s latest addition is a cool $7 million and that includes a restaurant, bar and lounging area with sofas and coffee tables.  It makes me wonder what kind of house I could build for $7 MIL?  If you haven’t been to Killington yet this season, the new lodge can be viewed by visiting www.killington.com where they posted a video and interview of Resort Managers (and customers) in the new lodge.

Many who participate in snowsports realize that Resort Owners are shepherds of the mountain and the land. We know there will be development but hope it will be done responsibly and with respect for the environment which draws us to the sport.  The sport of Skiing leaves a footprint on the land but that footprint can be attenuated. The new owners of Killington inherited a good resort but one needing upgrades.  So far they have delivered the ‘umbrella bar, the new summit lodge, eliminated a number of cross-over trails making the slopes safer and added a ‘park’’ called The Stash.  This is a sample of upgrades and there may be others I am not aware of.  The new owners seem to be on the right track and hopefully they’ll do something about the eye-sore maintenance garage that we ski past when descending Snowdon Mountain on the way to the Rams-Head base.

A good way to do that would be an evergreen tree planting program such as the one at Elk Mountain in Pennsylvania.  Elk has been beautifying their slopes for years by planting conifers along the sides of trails and other key areas.  Of course a maintenance garage is needed but it could be tastefully camouflaged by the planting of trees that stay green all year.  I also have a suggestion for another part of the resort that could be upgraded which is the tunnel connecting the Rams Head base to the Snowshed base.  It would be relatively

Easy to involve the surrounding communities by running a contest where elementary and/or high-school students would submit designs for murals on the inside of the tunnel. Killington would pick winners, local merchants could sponsor a scene by donating the paint and high school students or art majors from the local community college could paint the scenes.  This would involve students from all age groups, different factions (students, merchants) of the Community and well done eco-art would be better than a bare concrete tunnel.

COUNCIL TRIP:   The Council trip to New Hampshire later this month is fast approaching therefore I conclude my review of the remaining resorts we’ll visit.  I discussed Attitash Mtn. and Waterville Valley earlier so that leaves Bretton Woods, Cannon and Loon in this issue.

An easy way to do this is to compare mountain stats in the table below.

 

Resort	Summit	Vertical	Skiable acres	# of Trails	# of Lifts
Attitash	2350	1750	310 Acres	67 trails	11 w 3 quads
Bretton Woods	3100	1500	464 AcresLarge Nordic trail system	62 trails35 glades3 parks	10 w 4 hi-speed quads
Cannon	4100	2180	264 plus 86 acres  backcountry total =  350	73 trails	10 w Only tram in NH!
Loon	3050	2100	370 acres with99%snowmaking20 km of Nordic & trails	61 trails	12 w 1 gondola and3   Hi-speed quads
Waterville	4004	2000	220 Acres	52 trails 5 glades	11 w 2 quads

 

I commented in depth about Attitash and Waterville Valley because I was at both in the last year so they are fresh in my mind.  However, it’s been many years since I skied at Cannon or Loon (never at Bretton Woods) but I can tell you what I know about them.

Cannon: was state owned but I don’t know if it still is.  Historically some felt that being a state owned mountain it never got the attention that a corporate run resort does.  Some complained Cannon didn’t make enough snow to maintain fresh conditions but their website states 97% snowmaking on Cannon Mtn. with the addition of 130 hi-efficiency guns on the ‘front-five’ and other key places.  It’s a (2) mountain resort and no snowmaking is mentioned for Mittersill peak which is a backcountry natural snow only area (currently closed). Cannon is a great mountain with the most vertical in NH other than Mt. Washington.  The resort has a true tram and if you haven’t ridden one it’s a must do as the sight of a tram travelling up a mountain is breathtaking and conjures up visions of the Alps and James Bond.  When I last visited Cannon, I only remember one base lodge which was a rustic log building with an all wooden interior and huge stone fireplace  that gave it a warm homey feeling.  Presently, Cannon has four retail shops at the Notch-view Lodge, the Tram Base lodge; a rental & service shop at the Peabody Base Lodge and a summit lodge so apparently the resort has grown over time proof that the state or whomever has not neglected it.  The website lists dining options as: the Lafayette food court, the Notchview café, Cafe 4080 at the summit, the Tramway Country store (tram base) and Cannonball Pub at the Peabody base.  The last time I skied Cannon was on a pristine cold day 20 years ago. I looked out at impeccably groomed trails of undisturbed corduroy.  I buckled up, inhaled the crisp, cold, air, looked up and gave thanks I was alive then enjoyed one fabulous mid- week ski day as I and a handful of locals had the entire mountain (and parking lot) to ourselves.   Cannon is a long-time favorite amongst NH skiers – DON’T miss it!!!!

Loon: On the Snow.com gave Loon a (4) star rating overall and I read a number of very positive reviews on the above website.  All considered it seems that Loon gets high marks for everything from just about everyone.  One reviewer summed it up as: “good terrain, fast lifts, good layout, easy to get to with great views”.  Loon boasts 99% snowmaking to insure good conditions, has indoor and outdoor climbing walls, a zip-line which travels 700 ft. across the “raging Pemigewasett river”, a 20km system of Nordic & Snowshoeing trails, a day/night tubing park and if that’s not enough there’s a newly constructed Ice Castle that’s open for visitors ($8).  If you are a boarder you’ll be happy to know that Loon’s terrain parks have consistently been recognized as some of the best in the country, winning high honors from Freeskier Magazine and Transworld Snowboarding, among others.

Bretton Woods: I saved this for last as judging from what I read I’d describe it as a real sleeper with more skiable acreage and amenities than all other resorts on this trip!  Of the (5) areas, this is one I’ve never skied so you’re getting a totally unbiased report. Comparing the stats above, Bretton Woods has a few less trails but makes up in acres of skiable terrain.  It also has 1 or 2 less lifts than the rest but four are high speed quads enabling big uphill capacity.  As a coastal state lying to the East of Vermont, New Hampshire gets the first wave of moisture laden air coming off the ocean.  Couple that with cold temps descending from Maine and Canada which makes for abundant snow. Last January I took a trip to NH and drove the length of Vermont without seeing any snow on the ground. Within 15 mins. of crossing into NH there was a foot of snow on the ground which got deeper the further into the state I went.  Bretton Woods is regularly voted “Top 5” in the East for Weather” by SKI Magazine and this doesn’t mean summer.  Snowmaking covers 92% of the area which is open for day & night skiing/riding. Improvements this year include: 40 new snow guns to Crawford Blaze, 20 upgraded guns to the “Ben” trails and other snowmaking upgrades for a whopping 54% increase in snowmaking!  Bretton Woods has its own Nordic (cross-country) ski area and while I’m not a cross country skier, was amazed to read the following statement:  The Nordic center is located on the grounds of the historic and restored Mount Washington Hotel and the White Mountain National Forest.  Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the largest cross country areas in the East!!!. The 100-km trail network crosses open fields, meanders through woods of spruce and fir, passes beaver ponds and mountain streams, and traverses open hardwood stands. Enjoy classical and skate skiing or snowshoeing on trails painstakingly prepared with our state of the art groomers. Don’t forget to stop off at the warming yurt or the rustic, backcountry cabin on Mount Stickney.  How many ski resorts can make this statement!!

Bretton Woods has stunning views of Mount Washington and if that isn’t enough to make your skis glide, they are celebrating their 40th  anniversary.  Now through March 1, 2014, guests who sign up for the resort’s eClub newsletter will be automatically entered for the chance to win a stay at The Lodge with 39 of their closest friends over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend!  Make sure you visit their website and sign up for the E-Newsletter!!  Bretton Woods won the 2014 Reader Ski Resort Award from Ski magazine!  Oh, did I mention dog sled rides and the winter canopy tour?!  Don’t miss Bretton Woods because this one is a sleeping beauty!

Last Tracks: On page 1 I mentioned that January is Learn a Snow-sport Month and I encourage everyone to take that seriously.  Sometimes we need a push, sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we are willing to improve our lifestyle and attain better health.  With obesity in the US reaching epidemic proportions all of us need to do more.

Don’t sit back and do nothing for yourself or those around you.  Take a non-skiing neighbor, family friend, niece or nephew to the slopes with you this month.  Introduce them to the wonders of Winter in the outdoor world and a healthier way to live! Someone will thank you and our industry will be the better for what you did.

Staci Mannella:  Recently the Morris County Daily Record ran an article about people heading to the Olympics in Sochi, Russia in March.  Staci and Guide Kim Seevers did well in world cup races earning a sure berth on the team.  The newspaper story also announced that Staci was accepted into Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.  This fine young woman is a stellar example of one who did not let adversity keeps her from living life to the fullest.

We have followed Staci for three years as she pursued her dream that at one time might not have seemed possible.  With help from Windham Adaptive Sports Foundation and her very capable Guide Kim Seevers this young lady is now ready to take on the World competition at the 2014 Para-Olympics.  We look up to Staci and wish our best to this heroine who has captivated us with her determination and accomplishments. A speed princess on snow, a scholar in the class room, (Staci’s Mom told me she is a straight A student)…..we are all the better for knowing and supporting this fine young girl.  New Jersey Ski & Snowboard Council is proud to be a Gold sponsor of Staci Mannella and her Guide Kim Seevers!

The hopes of NJ and NJ Ski & Snowboard Council go with you……..bring home the Gold!

Be healthy and Ski,

Bob Zega