home court pride

[Gary]

Hey guys, our local mountain in western New York just updated their web site with some awesome video.

I'm very proud of our 1200' vertical, 35 minutes from my house.  Nice variety, high speed quad, computerized snow fan guns, and they finally got a fresh coat of asphalt on the majority of the parking lot....look out Vail....we're knockin' at your door.

If ya get a minute....check out the Bristol Mountain Resort on the web. Click on the virtual trail map and see what my "go to" mountain is like. It's really the first time I've seen this done. You feel like your actually skiing the trails. Would like to see more resorts add this feature.

Open invitation to all if you are in the area any time this winter, give me a shoot and we'll make some turns.

Thanks,
Gary

[jim-ratliff]

Are you skiing powder in your back yard?

[Gary]

Hey Jim, funny thing is I've had ski buddies outside New York call me thinking I was already making turns.

Buffalo, about 60 miles from here got slammed. They had power outages, trees down, it was a mess.They get Lake affect snow from both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Holiday Valley Ski resort which is 60 miles south of Buffalo got nothing. When we get Lake affect snow, it's primarily from Lake Ontario. Once in awhile, we get some left over Buffalo storms. Thank goodness not this one; much too early in the season.

It was quite a freaky storm....still..... it's coming baby....it's coming! Hoping to turn em Thanksgiving morning here.

When are you able to dip your boards into the pearly snow?

[jim-ratliff]

When are you able to dip your boards into the pearly snow?

Believe it or not, Gary, I don't worry about first days too much.  Seems like expectations usually result in disappointment, but unexpected opportunities to ski are always a pleasant surprise.  Local resorts are usually challenged to get open by Christmas (and that is their target) and the season only runs through February, but my son and I found out one year that a local resort was opening for Thanksgiving, so we decided to spend the 2 hours driving and see what they had.  They didn't quite make it (we sat there and watched the final grooming from 8AM to 10AM but it was still a pleasant surprise and a great time together (with almost no one around).  I still hope to do a last minute quick trip to Utah sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but if other things don't allow it then that's just the way it is.

It helped a few years back when I read something about how excited people get for the beginning of ski season, but are ready to move on to golf by the end of March when the snow is actually much better than it was in November.  It helped me to develop a full-season perspective.  Seems we are all too frequently in a hurry to get started rather than accepting what life offers.  End of waxing philosophical, but when I look back there have been a lot of good experiences and most of them just happened; few were because I was running to get to a certain place.  But you also have to be ready to step through the door of opportunity when it opens.

[Gary]

Amen to that brother...amen!

It's the old go with the flow philosophy...enjoy the moment...something I hope I can pass along to our 5.

When the weather changes, and the weekends are here, if it's too cold to golf and the grass doesn't need cutting, I can only wax the skis and clean the basement so many times. Those weekends seem  to last forever. But patient I must be...watch the weather map...see the snow fall out west...I know it's surely coming.

Still there's something about the cold air, the heavy clouds, the first flakes, the first walk to the lift, getting off the chair and that first seasons glide.

Yep....come on winter....please don't test my patience!

Best,
Gary

[trtaylor]

Open invitation to all if you are in the area any time this winter, give me a shoot and we'll make some turns.

Thanks,
Gary

I have a speaking engagement in your area in early January and was thinking about hitting Bristol the day before on my way up. Are you a mid-week skier?

Tim

[trtaylor]

If ya get a minute....check out the Bristol Mountain Resort on the web. Click on the virtual trail map and see what my "go to" mountain is like. It's really the first time I've seen this done. You feel like your actually skiing the trails. Would like to see more resorts add this feature.

Take a look at the Comet Express Quad video and watch the boarders below as the guy with camera passes the first tower.

[Gary]

Hey Tim,
That would be great....I can get away and ski mid-week no problem. We're in Jackson Hole Jan 14-21st and Holiday Valley Jan 28-30th.

Otherwise let me know and we'll grab some turns and a great dinner if you have the time.

Where you coming from? Where are you speaking and what about? How long are you in this neck of the woods for? Have you ever skied here before?

I checked out the Comet Express, 1st tower and saw the boarder head for the trees...good eye Tim!

Once you have your date pinned down, let me know. Would be my pleasure to show you around the mountain.

Let me know,
Gary

[trtaylor]

Hey Tim,
That would be great....I can get away and ski mid-week no problem. We're in Jackson Hole Jan 14-21st and Holiday Valley Jan 28-30th.

Otherwise let me know and we'll grab some turns and a great dinner if you have the time.

Where you coming from? Where are you speaking and what about? How long are you in this neck of the woods for? Have you ever skied here before?

I checked out the Comet Express, 1st tower and saw the boarder head for the trees...good eye Tim!

Once you have your date pinned down, let me know. Would be my pleasure to show you around the mountain.

Let me know,
Gary

This trip I am referring to is during the week of Jan. 8th. I am speaking in Auburn, NY on the 9th or 10th. Not sure which yet, but it looks like that works with yor schedule.

Currently live in Bucks County, PA but spent 14 years in the Finger Lakes. Only problem was I had not yet started skiing again (after having quit many years before) at that time. I picked it up again after leaving NY. Go figure. But, FWIW I ski a pair of Head iC160's I bought from Bristol's demo fleet?

I try to get back up to the area once or twice during the winter. Have not skied Bristol yet, but would very much like to. Will stay in touch - will be here before we know it.

Thanks.

[Gary]

Hey Tim, ( I think I answered your PM but not sure it got through)
glad to hear you got back into skiing again.

I'm in town that week so you let me know what day we can meet out there or meet for a morning breakfast before hitting the slopes.

Nice ski choice for carving it up. I'm sure it will be a great time.

Looking forward to it.

Gary

[fredm8]

15cm (5 - 6 in) of fresh powder on Turoa last night. Shame it closes in 12 days. Time for one last run of the season down under.

Still a 2m base, but no staff, they are all heading North to work.


Douglas

[Gary]

Ok Doug....sure go ahead, rub it in...."one last run" sure.....I suppose next you'll be telling us you're heading for the US Rockies for a full winter of skiing.....and if that's true...you are one lucky dude down under!

We're pumped up cause skis season for this part of the world is about to start not thinking about those whose glide and ride is ending.

So.....did ya have a great season....I just checked out the Turoa web site....WOW what a beautiful area. My daughter spent some time in New Zealand in the semster abroad program. Said we'd love it there. Pretty wide open spaces to ski in. Still, I might find myself being a little jumpy thinking about the volcanic activity.....well just for a momment. Once skiing, all of that would disappear.


SO:
how many times out......

any big powder days....

try any new skis this year....

favorite ski experience at Turoa....(does not include any time spent with any Lord or any Rings)

Hope you get more days dancin' on the mountain Douglas,

Best,
Gary

[fredm8]

... suppose next you'll be telling us you're heading for the US Rockies for a full winter of skiing.....and if that's true...you are one lucky dude down under! [.quote]

Not this Christmas. Spent 10 days in Aspen last January, and the year before also.  Fantastic time, great skiing, great people, mountains that makes Mt Ruapehu look small.
Cant wait to go back, just not this season.

We're pumped up cause skis season for this part of the world is about to start not thinking about those whose glide and ride is ending.

Its great to see the enthusiasm from afar. Will make me very envious in 10 days time.

So.....did ya have a great season....I just checked out the Turoa web site....WOW what a beautiful area. My daughter spent some time in New Zealand in the semester abroad program. Said we'd love it there. Pretty wide open spaces to ski in. Still, I might find myself being a little jumpy thinking about the volcanic activity.....well just for a momment. Once skiing, all of that would disappear.

There was a bit of a shake down there week before last, and every one got nervous again. It was during a decent storm, so no-one saw actually what happenned, but the warning equipment that monitors the mountain picked up some activity. It happens, thats life.


Thanks for your kind thoughts.

how many times out......
About 10 - 12 days on the mountain, 9 actually skiing.

any big powder days....
No. but 6 great soft spring days in August / September

try any new skis this year....
Where do I start.
Background.
I'm 6'3", 220 lb, reasonable fit 42yo male.
Only skied for the past 4 years, and have probably done about 100 - 120 days total,
I ski in a kind of aggressive approach, ski all the groomed, and some ungroomed trails on the mountain.  Getting my ability up to an 8 or so.
Still honing my technique around the very steeps, and bumps, but we don't get much powder / moguls on Tuora.

Got to demo some Metron 10s, then got spoiled on Metron B5s.

Found Real Skiers.com website and started reading all the reviews (Thanks Peter)
Promptly sold my Head ic160s

Demoed some Head Monster 82s - didn't really like them, too wide under foot, need more powder than the ice / crud Turoa provides.
Next day on some Salomon Scrambler Hots - much better for Turoa than the Monster 82s.
Both days back to back testing the Atomics on the same snow, same runs.

Tried some Volkl S5s. Too soft and flexible for my liking, fell over in the crud !!
Swapped the S5s for AC3s. Much stiffer ski and better suited to me.
Again back to back testing the Metrons against both Volkls.

Plan is to find some Head XRC1400s or SuperShapes next week and see again if I can back to back test the Metrons.
I've got to know the Atomic rep, and he is keen on the feedback.
Had my hands on a pair of new 2007 (red) Metron B5's 172s, but the dealer wanted too much coin for what is now a year old ski here.
2008 spec ski will be $200 kiwi cheaper list ($2000 vs $2200),

Whatever I buy needs to be handle ICE well, as well as be a great all mountain ski.
The real value of all the reviews has been to ski on the reviewed ski, then compare how I felt on the ski vs the reviews.
Then use the next review summary to understand how that relates to my skiing.

favorite ski experience at Turoa....(does not include any time spent with any Lord or any Rings)
Teaching my 9 year old son to skiing this year, and seeing him enjoy the experience. Great instructors.


Sorry if this is a bit long winded, but I tried more different skis this year, than ever before.


Douglas

[Gary]

Hey, you're a ski enthusiast with big passion for skiing...glad you're on board here.

Ok, so those rumbling hills...that's got to be a bit freaky...still one MUST make turns.

Sounds like you ran the gambit trying skis out and that's a big positive. Finding the right skis that are suited to your weight, ski skills, and conditions you ski in is the way to go. You went through a few beauties as well. WOW, your skis are quite expensive over there. Does it make sense to buy them here and have them shipped? (not sure what the exchange rate is)

Never started skiing myself until I was 36 and that was with the kids. It was a real joy and today, we have a ball when we're all together on the mountain. A great sport to keep a family together.

Next time you are coming to the states, give us a heads up. Some of the guys have some flexibility in their schedules. It's always fun to connect with skiers from around the world. I met a great group from Australia at Aspen last year.

Doug, are there other areas in New Zealand that you can ski in that have snow year round?

Wishing you and family the best,
Gary

[fredm8]

Gary,

The commercial ski fields in NZ tend to operate from mid/late June through to late September. Depends on snow and staff, as the staff plan on being here for 3 -4 months max, then go North.
The snow is the hard question, as I have skied on Turoa in the first week of Dec, then been on a plane to Aspen 4 weeks later 
Last year the snow had gone by now and the fields were closed.
On http://www.snow.co.nz only the North Island fields are open now, and Mt Ruapehu will close Oct 29.
There is typically snow on the Southern Alps (think Lord of the Rings Mountains) all year round, but really only skied on through the winter.

We have an indoor ski field 20 mins north of Auckland on the side of a hill, called snowplanet. So we can ski 365 days a year. We are spoiled too.
http://www.snowplanet.co.nz

Take care, enjoy the snow when you get there.

Douglas