Ski

I can't find the exact NSAA article I read, but here it's referenced in the Washington Post: By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, January 8, 2007; Page D01 It's tough to begrudge these weeks of spring-like weather during what should be the dead of winter -- unless you're part of the multibillion-dollar ski industry. With its record-high temperatures and shortage of snowflakes, this winter is shaping up to be the bleakest in 25 years for regional ski resorts. Resorts typically collect nearly 30 percent of their revenue during the second half of December and first week of January, according to the National Ski Areas Association. This year, however, lodges within a few hours' drive of Washington are relying on small patches of rapidly melting man-made snow, and several resorts have been forced to close their ski operations altogether. Full Article

I remember it sounding wrong when I first read it...I'll try to find the stats and the source, but wherever I read it, I'm pretty sure it was reliable...maybe SAM, or something like that.

Track, I just wanted to point out that Andrea never told the reporter there were seven new trails this season. Andrea is a great hire by Sno and just happens to be a member of the Racewax.com Ski Team The reporter and editor did a bad job and took copy from an older press release and made an implied quote. Also, I recall reading that they did upgrade lighting. I don't remember what was written because the only place I wanted better lighting was along the race course for our night league. But they moved the course anyway, so I'm just waiting to see what it's like. I talked you into trying Montage? If so, you may have missed my caveats. I've always said that Montage was a little gem that rocked, with a lot of blemishes. But it's always been a personal favorite because of Boomer and Cannonball's headwall skiing. Jibbers may not buy lockers, but their parents sure do buy lift tickets (eh, and the jibbers themselves). Ask Boulder's management. And Bear Creek. And Mountain Creek would have long since gone bankrupt without their parks. I remember the old VV/GG days. Jeez, it wasn't skiers OR snowboarders that kept Montage alive: it was freaking snowtubing, of all things. The added revenue was the what kept the county from giving up five years ago. Lastly, I recall that more than 30% of a Pocono ski area's entire annual revenue comes from Christmas week. If Christmas week is bad, a ski area has next to no chance of turning a profit. And look what Sno went through last year. They made ZERO dollars because of Washo and the weather. Let them at least get a little revenue flow going before the next round of "What have you done for us todays".

It's cool anyway, the thread was already titled for a spoiler...but nobody would ever get shit for accidentally or unknowingly posting a result. A friendly reminder. That's it.

Yeah, what Glenn said. Now I'm off to collect my brownie point for stepping away from a potential flame war. I rule!

Well, yeah, I'd say Bode was one of the best on his team.

Hermann going to race the slalom portion or just practicing the speed course?

Do you miss your message board? I'm hoping they open on the 9th so I can give them away.

Svindal won the overall last year and is leading the standings again this season. That makes him best in the world no mater what Bode has said about him.

I hope they do 5000 units and make a fortune. Well, I was drunk and got tired of ringing your door bell, so what else am I gonna do at 2am?

Thanks for the find, Glenn. He's currently the best skier in the world, btw...

Yeah, exactly. I mean, there's a good chance it'll be 25 or 30 degrees. It can be 25 degrees in June where Sib lives and you're a 10 mile hike to your car. The AT in winter is pretty green circle when it comes to roughing it. Plus, you can dry a lot of your gear in the lodge before hiking back to camp. And I'm pretty sure there's cell service through there which would bring a Park Ranger in about a half hour... I'd sell you life insurance for that trip. If, uh, I sold life insurance.

I'd def run it past the Epic people since they have a wider variety of adult racers. My only advice would be careful not to go too stiff. All mountain boots feel like mush to me and I feel like I can't trust them when I have to recover and get back to a higher line in a steep spot, but a lot of people make the mistake of going too stiff. Most ASRA and all NASTAR courses require quite a bit of gliding and I think a slightly softer boot than an all out race model is a big advantage. You want feel connected to your skis---and thus the snow---but too much of a good thing decreases agility. I'd match the flex range that's right for you, then get a few on your feet. I have a friend who swears by the Dobermans....but he's a rep for Nordica Just my 2 cents.

Good info, skibum, thanks!

Be glad you weren't around last year, Melissa...it was absolute torture. Not only did Sno miss out on an early cold snap because of Mike "The Dick" Washo's lawsuit, but the groomer at our small community ski hill lost it's hydraulics and we didn't get parts until February. Are you at all nervous about not having skied in a while?

Well, it came after 5pm...

Hi, Melissa! When the cold sets in, they'll open. If we get a 5 day forecast with 30's and low 20's/teens, then I'm 100% certain they'll hit the switch. With all the new guns, they have the ability to open half the mountain in the same time as it took them to get one green circle open. The downside to it is that they want to make sure they aren't wasting half a mountain worth of snow if it turns 60 degrees.

IDK, Finn, have you ever skied with Doug? Take a few runs with him and you'd end up with a whole lot of respect. The insane amount of time he spends on crappy conditions has made him one of the best skiers I've ever known... I mean, do you want to be a great skier? There's a lot of hard work behind it. It's not just showing up at Okemo after a six inch snowfall. Race kids become great skiers from skiing one ski drills...and here's their real secret: the one's that become great, enjoy the challenge of the drills. What's a pain in the ass to you (the lousy Pocono conditions) ends up separating you from people like Doug. But the good news is that it's never too late. Embrace the ice, Finn. Embrace the Blue ice.

Not if you're just using slang, Finn. Otherwise, it sounds like a pompous asshole. Right?

x2 what Glenn said. But what you said in that line gets you a pass from any kind of 'bum's refuge' status in my book. I say give it a shot...and, heck, it's not like your camping in Northern Quebec.

Hahaha...

The reporter apparently failed to ask. How does that make it CBish? Sno just hardwired one of their black diamonds for the race team...CB's front office had to be petitioned by parents just to be given 45 minutes of training on Rocket. Rob, the things happening at Sno are really exciting. There's an owner that really wants to please the passholders and his idea of catering to the masses is to run a bus to and from the local colleges. Not a train from NYC (like Gore is proposing), but a way for college kids from the area to come ski and board... Dennis Carlson is the man, Rob.

Bode used to be 1st/crash/1st/crash/crash/1st. Now he's amazingly consistent, finishing 20th, 25th, 26th...and he's become a dead ringer for the other Miller from the sitcom Still Standing: