Thursday, December 30, 2010

Great day at the mountain.

Tuesday was my first time to the mountain this season and I couldn't have asked for a better day.  The sun was out the whole time and the temperature was cold but not freezing.  I went down every trail that was open (all but a few at this point) and the conditions were outstanding!  They had their new snow guns running at full force the entire time I was there.  It was great to see a few of WB's students at the mountain, let me know what you guys thought of the mountain.  Attached is a quick clip of the guns blowing snow all over the terrain park.  That big jump is being built up quick!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Well, a lack of snow is not an issue!

I hope everyone is staying safe during this storm (and helping their parents with some shoveling).  I know some of you were getting some new gear or accessories for Christmas and you probably can't wait to use it!  We're only 11 days away from our first trip and the Wachusett just got dumped with 14 inches of new powder.  That now gives them 30-46 inches of base depth!

I received a call on Christmas Eve that our lift badges were all printed up so I'll be heading up there tomorrow to pick them up and of course, get in my first runs of the season.  If anyone happens to be heading up there tomorrow, let me know so we can get a run in together.

While we're on the subject, if your hitting the trails this vacation, let us know where and how it went by responding to this post!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Welcome!

Let it snow, let it snow!  If you've even glanced at anything weather related on tv or online, you already know that snow at one point was covering a good quarter of our country over the last couple of days.  This is great news for a select few but I think if you're reading this blog, you're either one of the few or your child is.  Locally, we're looking at snow showers all day today, tomorrow, and again possible on Sunday.  If you have plans to get some snow activities in over vacation, I think you'll be in great shape.



As far as Wachusett goes, they are going strong with their newly acquired snow makers when Mother Nature isn't providing the white stuff.  They have 17 trails open with only a half dozen left - two of which they are working on now and hoping to have open very shortly.  It is pretty cold right now: 19 degrees at 3pm!  Well that's enough of the snow report, let's get onto a things that everyone should know whether it's your first time to the mountain or you're a seasoned vet.

1. We are leaving for our first trip on Friday, January 7.  We leave PROMPTLY after school so save your wardrobe changes for the mountain.  We leave outside of the tv studio parking lot which is exactly where students are to be picked up when we get back.  Students that drive themselves to school: park in this parking lot since you get back after dark...don't forget!  Students are allowed to leave their books and school bags in the tv studio before we leave.  Don't forget anything in your locker - you will NOT be able to access the building outside the tv studio.  Parents, the students will call you when we are about 20 minutes or so from the school on the way back just as a heads-up.

2. Eat a good lunch and think about bringing a snack.  Bottled water isn't a bad idea either to keep yourself hydrated during the trip.  We will be supplying (complimentary) one bottle of water and one snack on the way up - I would still bring something for the trip back.  We're not back to school until around 10:00 so everyone should plan on eating dinner by bringing something to eat (don't leave it on the bus when we get to the mountain) or money for the food they sell at the lodge.  Food at the lodge is typical cafeteria food/price: pizza, chicken fingers, salad, burgers, etc...

3. Don't forget my two most important rules: ski with a buddy and wear a helmet.  No one should be on the trails alone.  Stay with a buddy or a group.  Find out who is at your skill level and have fun!  Wear your helmet.  If a chaperon or myself find you on the mountain without a helmet, you will sit in the lodge.  You don't want to be in the lodge and neither do I so protect that noggin.  There is NO warning for either of these rules and they are enforced at all times, every trip.

4. Last thing for today: the bus driver.  While a tip isn't mandatory, I think a little extra thank you goes a long way.  On the way up, if everyone throws in a buck, the driver should get a nice tip once we arrive safely home.  They work hard and have a lot of responsibility at the wheel so I think a buck isn't too much to ask.

That's it for now but I will be posting several more times before our first trip so I highly recommend that everyone  subscribes to this blog in the upper right portion of this page.  Talk to you soon!