Why We Ski: Camaraderie!

Yes, sometimes when we ski we just want to be alone, but a big reason we do ski is the camaraderie. It is fun to hang out and have fun with other people. Skiing friends can range from long time buddies who you meet with often or people you get to talk to for just a ride up the chair. If you have nothing else in common, you can still talk over the snow conditions and weather. Harvey Penick wrote And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend and I feel that saying goes for skiers, too. Also, there is nothing better than getting together with skiers off the hill, whether for a drink at the end of a great day, for a lunch to get you through, or for a hearty breakfast to fortify you for the day. Here is a picture of my Breakfast Club reunited at the open house last October.

Signs of the Season: Snowmaking

Earlier this week they were able to fire up the guns one morning, and tonight's low is forecast to be 24 degrees! Will this be enough for Thanksgiving? Probably not, but keep your eye on the webcam and conditions pages!

Advice From the Purple Chair: Tips

Tipping an instructor is not expected, but always appreciated. This person just spent the last 90 minutes of making you or your child a better skier in a safe and hopefully fun way. If you feel there has been an improvement in ability and/or attitude, a $10 tip is a nice way to thank your instructor. If he has gone above and beyond, make it $20. If you are not sure or unable to give a tip at the end of a lesson, there are envelopes available at the ski school desk where you can leave something. The best "tip" though is to sign up for another lesson and request that instructor.

Signs of the Season: Contract

More preseason events keep happening! At the end of October the Winter Sports School had an instructor meeting, Tuesday was the start of snowmaking season (come on cold temperatures!), and I have handed in my contract for the year! You can now officially book lessons with me through ski school, and if you need a particular day or time it would be a good idea to do it right away. After thirteen years at my former "day job" of teaching elementary computers, I have been switched to teaching fourth grade. I love it, but it leaves me with a little less time. Until I see how things go, I had to cut a few days off of my usual ski teaching schedule. I hope this won't inconvenience people too much. I will be available December 23, 27-30, January 14, 21, and 28, February 4, 11, 18, and 25, and March 3 and 24. Ski you out there!

Signs of the Season: Buyers Guide

Another sign of the impending season is the SKI Magazine Buyers Guide. It is always fun to look through and dream about new equipment. To tell the truth, my last four ski purchases, spanning 20 years, have not been in the buyers guide. I tend to ask people in the equipment business who know how I ski what I should get, but I still love looking through SKI. I like to wonder if that new technology is what I will be skiing on in a few years. Long ago it was shape skis, now it is rockers.

Dress for Success: Kids Equipment Plans

This is the time of year that the local ski shops run special programs for kids equipment. For a membership fee, you can purchase or rent new or slightly used equipment for the entire season. At the end of the season, you turn the equipment back in and get a credit towards next year's gear. It is a great deal and guarantees a good fit each year. No more buying skis too long so they can be skied on for a few seasons or trying to squeeze siblings into hand-me-down boots!

Advice From the Purple Chair: Ski Swaps

Do you want to get some cash from your old equipment? Do you want some of your own equipment but don't really need top of the line new? Then a ski swap may be your answer. Local ski teams hold ski swaps each fall as fundraisers. It is a great way to sell and find gently used equipment. Equipment reps and sales people from the pro shops are often there to help you find the right item, as well as coaches and experienced ski parents. I think it is a great opportunity for adults who have tried skiing on rental equipment and are ready for their own gear. The Harbor Springs sale will be during the Nubs Nob Open House October 8, in the Guest Services building. The Petoskey sale will be at Central School October 29. Just remember, there are no warrantees on equipment you get at a swap, so shop at your own risk!