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!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
One more trip...and we get an extra hour!
Great skiing and boarding this past week; the temps were perfect and the conditions were great. I can't believe that we had our first trip five weeks ago already and we only have one more to go. Speaking of that one more trip, I'm sure the students already created the buzz so I'll verify the good news: we did get the green light from the bus, the mountain, and of course our principal to leave an hour early for the mountain this Friday! I'll be putting together permission forms for parents tomorrow. There will be an announcement at 1:00 pm on Friday during D Block for dismissal. All students will report to the tv studio at that time. STUDENTS SHOULD REPORT TO THEIR D BLOCK CLASS. We will leave promptly for the mountain at that time and arrival back to school will not change.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Ground Hog Says "Keep On Skiing"!
That's right, we've got 6 more weeks of winter if you believe in that sort of thing. I'll buy into it just to say we have plenty of time left to hit the slopes. Unfortunately, one thing we don't have much left are trips to Wachusett. Only two left so lets make the most of them!
While last Friday was a cold one, we did have the mountain to ourselves. There were hardly any lines at the lift and it was a lot easier to find a seat at the lodge. The chaperons and I took notice of the breaks that the kids took to warm themselves up, nice job everyone. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on dealing with the extra cold last week so feel free to comment.
One last thing: the tip for the driver has been much better the past two weeks...the driver thanks you!
Oh, one more last thing! How about a photo?
While last Friday was a cold one, we did have the mountain to ourselves. There were hardly any lines at the lift and it was a lot easier to find a seat at the lodge. The chaperons and I took notice of the breaks that the kids took to warm themselves up, nice job everyone. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on dealing with the extra cold last week so feel free to comment.
One last thing: the tip for the driver has been much better the past two weeks...the driver thanks you!
Oh, one more last thing! How about a photo?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)