ChairTalk: New Chairlift!

If Nub's doesn't open for Thanksgiving weekend, a lot of times it might be the Friday after. I have missed skiing those days while teaching elementary computers and library classes. Now that I have retired, I don't have to miss! This year it was extra exciting with the inaugural riding of new green chair! I knew I wouldn't get the first chair (rumor is those guys were there at 6 am!), but I was excited to see it off and follow soon after! 

You can see the announcement of the new chair and why Nub's chose to keep the fixed grip style here.

Signs of the Season: Thanksgiving Weekend

The goal at Nub's is to open Thanksgiving weekend, but mother nature doesn't always cooperate. That is the case this year. A nice tradition that has developed over the years is the lodge opens even if the slopes aren't ready. I think it started with the office and spread to the Guest Services building and General Store. Now you can even get some of your favorites from the kitchen and a drink from the bar the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Although skiing would be the best thing to do, eating curly fries comes in a close second!

I'm Back!

I took a break from this blog a while back, but now I hope to pick it up again. Last June I retired from teaching library class at Charlevoix Elementary School. After 36 years of instructing on the side at Nub's Nob, I am so excited to have it be my one and only job! I will be working Fridays and Saturdays and one or two other days each week when they need me. Ski ya soon!

Opening Day!

Usually I don't like the opening day of ski season. Mediocre snow and too many people on just a few hills. This year is going to be a bit different! Nub's Nob has received over 30 inches of natural snow so far this winter and will open with over 30 runs on Saturday, November 22! Ski ya' out there!

Advice From the Purple Chair: It's Live! Live!

This morning I watched Olympic skiing live for the first time in my life! Due to time differences and the popularity of skiing, the networks tend to save races for primetime broadcasts. The downhill races earlier in the week were broadcast 19 hours after the race started! This makes it hard to avoid spoilers. Also due to time constraints, they usually only show Americans, medalists, and crashes. These things can take some of the mystery and drama out of watching the sport. Thanks to the Internet, NBC is having all events live on their web page. Today, instead of staying up late to see the Super-Combined, I got up a few minutes early and watched the slalom portion at 6:30 am. It was amazing! I saw every racer and had no idea what would happen. It was great! A lot of races are at 2:00 am, but some second runs are going to be at 5:30 am. I know that is early, but it is worth it! See http://www.nbcolympics.com/results-schedule for times and links to the video. You may have to log in through your TV provider.

Why We Ski: The Picker-Uppers

It is an Olympic year and with it come the commercials. Here is a great one honoring Moms and all they do to pick us up.

We owe a lot to our moms, dads, and teachers for helping us to get up and keep going, especially in our winter sports where there is a lot of falling down! I have always loved the thought that the person who wins gold in the Winter Olympics is the one who doesn't fall. Whether you end up an Olympian or not, and whether your parents teach you or sign you up for a lesson, thanks to them you have the skills for a sport that will last a lifetime! Falling makes us stronger!

Chairtalk: Around the World

Nub's Nob is off to a great, possibly best, start! Most of the front and a few of the back hills are now open!

Today I was able to complete a modified* "Around the World" challenge. Around the World is where you ski every hill. To make it more interesting, you try to never take the same chairlift twice in a row. This screen shot from my Ski Tracks app shows how I got around. Obviously they are using a satellite picture from a different time of year!

*No black diamonds, glades, or race area for me. As Dad would say, I am acting my age!