Monday, January 31, 2011

Smooth as can be...

Not a whole lot to say this week.  Things are running fantastic (knock on wood), everyone seems to be smiling at the end of every trip, and I think the conditions last week were amongst the best we've had yet.  It's hard to believe that we're 3 trips in with 3 to go already!

So how are things going for everyone else?  How is the caf. food?  The terrain park?  Lessons?  Feedback is always welcome!

I'm looking for some feedback about something else as well.  I know many of you have been skiing and riding further up north either this past year or in previous years.  Let me know what mountains you've had the most fun at and why you enjoyed it so much.  Tell me whatever you can to convince me that it's a cool place to go!

Enjoy your half day and see you all on Friday.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

An Eye On The Storm

Mother Nature is at it again!  The good news is the mountain received 8 inches of fresh powder on Tuesday.  The bad news is I'm going gray trying to follow all of these developing storms heading to the Northeast!  As I said last week, the mountain won't close so if it's safe to drive, we'll be there.  If driving conditions are not looking good (for either 2pm or 10pm), our trip will be canceled and we'll make it up on the back-end.  A decision has to be made by 11am Friday morning (mountain rule) so keep your fingers crossed!  Personally, I'm hoping for an inch or two so we can have some fresh snow on the mountain and keep everyone safe at the same time.

Just a couple of things to note this week:
1. Let's not get lazy on our tip for the bus driver.  While it isn't mandatory, I'm hoping for a dollar from each student and while week one was plentiful, week two was a little weaker.  I think a buck a student is very reasonable for the driver who is getting all of us there and back nice and safe.
2. Students, please make sure you keep track of your belongings.  I hate to sound like a nag but last week alone we dealt with a lost pair of gloves, a helmet left on the bus, and a jacket left at the lodge.

I hope everyone is having a great time so far!  It goes by fast so enjoy all of the time you have out in the fresh air.  As always, your feedback is more than welcome so if you have a comment or concern, feel free to let me know here or via e-mail.  Any suggestions for this weeks movie?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Responsibilty Code

I should have conveyed this information to students before our first trip but for some reason I thought it was in the mountain application.  This is the Responsibility Code taken directly from the mountain's website.  All students are expected to follow this every single time they are at the mountain.  If anyone has a question about any of this information, please see me before we get to the mountain.

1.    Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.

2.    People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.

3.    You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.

4.    Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.

5.    Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.

6.    Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.



7.    Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Snowflakes and Smiles

You can identify the kids that are skiers and boarders by the fact that their smiles are just a little wider than everyone else when it snows!  So Mother Nature has been good to us two weeks in a row now.  Having snowfall while we were at the mountain last week was a treat and I don't think I need to say anything about what conditions will be like this Friday (can you say 18 inches at the mountain today).

Speaking of last week, it seems as though everyone had a great time!  I heard a lot of stories from beginners and veterans alike and everyone was really excited to get up to the mountain again.  It was funny running into kids on Monday who told me they were wiped out all weekend - I'm sure the parents were happy about this!  The process went very well last week so we'll go about things the same way again this week.  Just a couple of things I'd like to note.

1. I didn't anticipate the number of student drivers we had in the club so the tv studio parking lot was too full for the bus to pull into.  We made a last minute change and had the bus park across the street.  With chaperon help, we had the kids cross in the crosswalk in bunches so as to not tie up 106 at an already busy time.  Let's do the same again moving forward.  Students, if you don't see a chaperon out there don't cross until you do please!

2. One of the first things I'll ask when we get back on the bus at the mountain is whether or not anyone has an injury or banged their head.  If you have something hurting, you need to let me or another chaperon know so I can let your parents know when we get back.  If you banged your head at all, I expect you tell someone - even if it doesn't hurt that much at the time.

3. Ralph's Run and Conifer Connection are designated as family trails.  This means slow skiing and riding or a staff member can pull your badge for the week.  They have zero tolerance for this so stay slow on these two trails.  I'll say more about the responsibility code in the next post since this one getting a little long.

If anyone has any comments (students or parents), please let me know.  Your feedback is crucial to running a fun, safe club so let me know about the good and if anything needs to be improved or changed, make the suggestion.  I'd like to know how lessons went, how the trails were, any good stories?  Don't forget to keep a dollar for the tip (nice job from most of you last week) and if anyone has a suggestion for this weeks movie, let me know (keep it clean).  Finally, if anyone has pictures or video, send them to me so I can post it here.  Don't be shy!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Less than 48 hours!

Last post before our first trip!  The storm coming down from Canada still looks like it won't bring much accumulation.  The eye is out on the water so while it may snow all day Friday, we aren't expected to get more than an inch.  Since the mountain is west of us, nothing worse happening there either.  One more quick reminder not to forget your goggles - a lot of people don't wear them for night skiing but you'll want them with the snow falling.  I know some people have extra equipment so if you might have a pair of goggles to let a ski-mate borrow, that would be awesome.

Now onto Friday.  Students should be dropped off in the morning over by the tv studio parking lot; I'll be there by 7am.  All gear and bags will be stored in the upstairs area in the studio safe and secure.  Please be on time for your first class, I will NOT be giving late passes.  All student drivers should be parked in the tv studio parking lot so you can jump right into your car when we get dropped off later that night.

At 2:05, get down to the studio, get your gear and get on the bus.  All gear goes under the bus but don't forget your book, iPod, sleeping mask, etc.  If you want to leave your school bag in the studio, you will be able to get it afterwards.

At the mountain the bus will drop us off and pick us up at the same spot.  THE BUS LEAVES THE AREA COMPLETELY SO DO NOT FORGET ANYTHING!!!  Students need to be back at the bus by 8:15.  Don't try to squeeze in an extra run and make sure you leave yourself enough time to return rentals.  If you're late, you'll sit out a portion of the next trip.

Anyone interested in the snow park?  Don't forget to bring an extra five bucks.  You'll pay for the 6-week pass inside ($5. for the whole 6 weeks) and you'll have to watch a quick video at the park before they allow you in.

Last but not least, don't forget dinner money if you're eating at the mountain and a whole dollar for the driver tip.  See you all soon!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Almost snow time!

So first things first, we do indeed have some snow on the way and it looks like it'll hit us right on time for our first trip.  At this point, it looks like snow showers and nothing that will accumulate until sometime on Saturday.  Of course it is New England and anything can change.  I'm in touch with the bus company and if the weather worsens by the time Friday comes around, we will cancel and make it up on the back end.  As it stands right now we're still on and everyone will be treated to some fresh powder!  Don't forget your goggles!

Time for some feedback from students.  We have the luxury of a dvd player on the bus so we'll watch a movie on the way up and finish it on the way back.  I'd like students to reply to this posting with a movie they'd like to see.  It has to be PG-13 or better and not for mature audiences.  Let the voting begin!

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog on the right side.  More info on the way in the next day or two but if you have any questions at all, don't be shy!