Signs of the Season: Last Day

Today was the last day of skiing at Nub's Nob after an amazing spring break week. It was a great season and I want to thank everyone: my students, the other instructors, the whole crew at Nubs, and all of you for sticking with my blog through the winter. I won't be posting as much, but I added a "Follow by Email" slot in the column to the right so you don't have to keep checking back. I also updated my pole: When do you think the snow will be gone from the hills viewable from the web cam? Please take your best guess. Have a great spring and summer and I will "Ski You Later!"

Back to Nature: Robins

I haven't seen one yet, but I know other people have spotted robins that have returned for the summer. One of my favorite ski experiences had to do with a robin many years ago on the last day of the season. That year we did not have as much snow as we do this year, and there was a "land bridge" to get from the beginner hill to the main chairlift. I was skiing rather fast on the empty hill to make it easier to get over to The Green. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted something. We were both cruising along at an angle and were on a collision course. We both immediately straightened out our paths and soared along side by side for a second. I could see right into its eye and it watched me. After a moment it flapped its wings as if to say "So long!" and accelerated away. It was an amazing feeling to be flying along side by side with a bird, and I will never forget that moment.

Thanks to my brother Brian for taking this picture of the robin sculpture outside of the Hramiec Hoffman Art Gallery.

ChairTalk: Three Resorts

Did you know you can see three ski resorts in one place? By just looking around you can easily see Nub's Nob, and across the Pleasantview Valley you have a good view of The Highlands. This is the perfect time of the year to also spot The Mountain. While standing on the flat part at the top of Southern Comfort, look directly south. You should see some white well beyond Little Traverse Bay. Since most of the natural snow in the area has melted, you are looking at a ski hill with man-made snow: The Mountain!

Why We Ski: Party!

The sky was blue, the snow was smooth, the pond was cold, the beads were bright, the costumes were great, the food was delicious, the flamingo (Floyd) was pink, and at the end of the day the beer hit the spot. I had a great time at Mardi Gras, as everyone seemed to be having. I had a fun lesson first thing and then spent the rest of the day helping out with the Silly Slalom and Crazy Couples races. They were both a lot of fun, and thank you to all the participants and Winter Sports School instructors who made it that way, especially JP Adams. This ends the spring special events schedule, but there are still two more weeks of great skiing and plenty of snow.

Signs of the Season: Mardi Gras!

Saturday is the annual Spring celebration at Nub's Nob that we call Mardi Gras. There are many great events for the whole family: The Fat Tire Boogie (a mountain bike race down the bottom half of Sno Pro), Petoskey Steel Drum Band, The Soaker Cup (where skiers go across a very cold pond), a costume contest, and lots of beads! The Winter Sports School sets up and runs the Silly Slalom and Crazy Couples races on Big Time. Here SSAA (Silly Slalom Association of America) Certified Czar of Course (of course) J.P. Adams tests out the framework for a new tunnel feature for the races with his assistant Bob Mogford. Ski you there!

Why We Ski: Sport for a Lifetime

When I was young, believe it or not, I hated skiing. My dad would tell us we didn't have a choice, we were going to ski because it was a sport for a lifetime. Golf, tennis, and skiing are sports you can do for most of your life. There are very few senior citizen groups playing football. I stuck with it (kind of, but that is another story) and by the time I was seven I loved skiing. Watching the CBS Sunday Morning bit last week on Lou Batori and the 70+ ski group brought Dad's advice back. I sometimes can't wait to get that $15 season pass when I turn 70 and then to continue skiing into my 80's and hopefully 90's! Maybe Sunday Morning will come a do a report on me in 2070!

In Your Pockets: Scraper

At the most I only use my scraper half a dozen days a year, but when I need it, I really need it. Usually I get it out to scrape the bottom of kids' boots on a day when there is new snow. Nothing gets that built up snow off their boots faster or easier. This weekend I had to use it for something else. Temperatures were above freezing, but luckily it kept snowing. Unfortunately for me, that snow was extremely wet and sticky. Any time I stopped moving, a mass of snow would accumulate on my bases. Sometimes I could get it off by sliding my ski back and forth. Sometimes the only thing that would work was to scrape the snow off. At times the snow would be over two inches thick! You can by plastic wax scrappers at the tune center or any ski shop. Instructors should ask JP if he has any more laminate samples to give away. They work just as well!