SAD TO SEE IT GO...BUT A GREAT YEAR!

It's time to say goodbye to the '08-'09 season but what a great time we had.

The Women's Team finished the regular season undefeated and placed 6th in the standings at the Regional Championships (just missing a top 5 berth to the Nationals).

The Men's Team missed having an undefeated regular season by .01 seconds (winning all but the very last race). They did however, place 4th at the Regional Championships earning a top 5 berth to the National Championships in Winter Park, Colorado. The Castleton Men's Team finished 10th overall in the Nation (not bad considering there are over 225 teams)! Thank you Castleton Ski Teams for some fond memories.

The end of ski season . . .

Although the west is still getting hammered with snow in some places, the season is over for me.
Hanging up the skis for the season is always tough ---- but this time, leaving the slopes for the next five months or so only makes the anticipation of next season's first turns that much more exciting.
Sometimes the warmer months -- and the thought of a hot summer -- bring on a period of melancholy -- but this year I have a new perspective and new goals: work harder now so I can play more -- meaning SKI MORE -- next winter.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY TODAY ---- GET OUTSIDE!

Try to take some time today to get outside and appreciate the beauty, wonder, and peace that the natural world has to offer ---- think about our connection to the earth and to each other ---- even the small, simple things we choose to do every day can add up to bring about change.
Treating each other with respect, being kind, making the effort to make connections with people -- all can add richness to our daily interactions and before you know it, can become a way of living.
Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world", and it is a strong, powerful and simple call to action ---- which I am thinking about as I celebrate Earth Day today.

WHAT WILL YOU DO ON EARTH DAY?

We all share this beautiful blue planet.

Our actions affect all living creatures.

Take some time, use your imagination and make a connection with this world in a positive manner!

Let's all celebrate Earth Day now and for the future.

Photo: Lake George, New York

TOMORROW IS EARTH DAY! APRIL 22

Now, more than ever, we need to think about our impact upon the earth and our individual commitment to attempting to live greener ----- especially for those of us who love the outdoors and spend as much of our lives as possible outside ---- skiing, hiking, exploring . . . we each need to find ways to give back and protect the wilderness we cherish.

The theme for Earth Day 2009 is "The Green Generation" and here is a link to explore many cool things you can do tomorrow and in the coming years -- check it: http://www.earthday.net/earthday2009

Collectively, we can make a difference and keep generations to come out on the slopes!

Killington is Still Open!

Well, I went skiing at Killington today and I have to say that the skiing was quite good. They only have the Superstar chair turning and ten trails - there were only a few people skiing, I guess that's the rationale for the limited terrain (they could have more open if they wanted to, there is certainly enough snow), but it does seem like a bit of a self fulfilling prophesy - you know: would more people come if there was more terrain open? I say, let's find out...

Anyway, I must admit that I sampled the closed trails and they were much better than the open ones. Let's just let that be our little secret.

CASTLETON SKI TEAM @ A-BASIN, COLORADO

The Castleton Men's Ski Team enjoying a day off at the USCSA National Championships. Photo is set atop the Montezuma Bowl at Arapahoe Basin, Colorado. A-Basin has received 32 inches of snow in the past three days and appears to be in the best ski conditions of the year. Get there if you can......it'll be worth it!

The BEST of SPRING . . .

Back in K-Town yesterday for more sunshine and sweet corn turns! A short walk ---- and the buttery turns on Bunny were well worth the (minor) effort!

HAPPY EASTER!

Taking a few moments this Easter to be thankful for many things: the beauty and newness of spring, spending time (off today!) with friends and family, chocolate bunnies, hard-boiled eggs and fresh-baked rolls, baseball, and traditions like watching Easter Parade. Enjoy the day and take a minute to think about what makes the holiday cool to you!

PIPE DREAM........No it's the real thing!

Blue Sky........Puffy Clouds.......

50 Degrees......Great Skiing..........

Awesome Friends........My girl Chels.....

IT MUST BE A PIPE DREAM!

Nope, it's all real at Killington.

Extended season and new snow in K-Town

Caught up w/friends for sunny-skied spring skiing with great conditions today. Can't argue with Modine too much -- was nice --- oh, and good. Also was glad to find that Killington exec's extended the season from the orginal closing date of April 19 to May 2 --- that's more like it -- just make more snow next year and we can keep it going until Memorial Day!!!

Sunny and 50 Degrees @ Killington

Today was sunny and 50 at Killington and the skiing was terrific!!! The woods - Low Rider, Superstar Woods, and the Light were very nice. Helter Skelter, a personal fav of mine, was very good. Even Cascade was nice. Bunny Buster was particularly good. It was all very good and warm and good. It was good. And nice.

28 DEGREES AT SUMMIT CHAIR

April 7, 2009 at Killington Summit.

The winds were howling, the temps. were low and snow was all about. The lucky and hearty experienced a "Spring (winter) Wonderland".

NOR'INCHER HITS KILLINGTON

It's not over yet! Mid-winter conditions and a big blanketing of 1-2 inches of snow fell at Killington giving those in attendance a great day. Take my advice......you'd better have a good edge on your skis or snowboard.

I don't like it, but there's not much I can do about it.

Well, Gore and Whiteface are closed this week and may open again for next weekend. West Mt has been closed for over a week. Boo. Killington is still open, thank goodness, but they have closed Bear and Needles Eye effective today and Ramshead and Skyeship stage one have been closed since last week. That's a reduction from 111 trails to 37. Boo. Oh well, it's that time of year - things are winding down.

KILLINGTON PEAK

From a distance, Killington Peak appears to be in great shape for an extended Spring. Unfortunately, the snow pack conditions are about a month ahead of schedule. Most locals think they're skiing May "mashed potatoes" vs. April "corn". Get out there and get it while you can!
It's going to be a long summer.

HELTER SKELTER

Modine exiting from Helter Skelter. The sun is doing a number on the trails (60 degrees) but there definitely is still plenty of good skiing to be had at Killington, April 2, 2009.

THE CABRIOLET

Once a long cumbersome walk from the parking area to the lifts and village.......is now merely a memory. Take the Cabriolet, it's great!!!

EASY VILLAGE ACCESS

The Cabriolet drops off at the entrance of the newly constructed expansion to the Winter Park Village.

SPRING SKIING . . . how (bitter)sweet it is . . .

Recent sunny, warm weather in the Northeast has been a VERY welcome treat following a real old-fashioned winter with consistent cold temps. But -- you gotta get it while it's good! Enjoy those spring turns!

Why I like Gore Mt in North Creek, NY

I like Gore. I was there today and the conditions were variable. It wasn't warm and it threatened to rain. The upper mt was socked in all morning. The staff was cheery, as usual and I had a very nice time. They were running the High Peaks double chair which accesses the best terrain on the hill, in my opinion. Staying on the groomed was advisable for the most part and the lower mt is almost cooked. Oh, I almost forgot - I saw a bear while on Chatiemac! Not really, but I think putting in a bear sighting makes almost any story more interesting. Try it.