Holiday Valley Ski-aganza.

[midwif]

Any hangovers???
Any stories (that can be shared on a public forum?)
Any good skiing?

Very nice that so many could gather and meet. 

[Ron]

I talked to Gary, he said conditions were good; groomers only but snow was nice!  Having a nice time. I warned Sven yet again about not feeding Gary any cofee

[Gary]

It was another memorable trip....Svend got to meet the rest of the HV crew. He fit right in with his sense of humor, sipping whisky, bottles of wine, awesome cheeses, Italian olives and the best for last...Dark Swiss Chocolate...LARGE bars!

He overwhelmed us...next year he's doing a pig roast!

Ok...so Sunday we skied Holiday Valley with wonderful groomers, soft snow and medium size crowds. Sun night was Super Bowl dinner at the Barn where we enjoyed one of the best games I can rememeber in a long time. 1/2 time some of us headed back to the room to enjoy more chocolate, a beautiful cab and the rest of the game.

Mon an Tues we went to Holimont, had no lift lines...none...up and down, up and down....for 2 days straight. We were at the mountain for 6 hours and skied 5 of those on Monday.? Tuesday we skied till about 2pm and again with great snow, groomed? and around 10am, it started snowing and snowing...By noon we had 2-3inches of fresh powder. For those that have not been there, the terrain won't hurt ya but the fun factor is high and if you're working on any kind of technique, either mountain has the perfect terrain for that.

We got to a micro brewery and tasted the goods along with some nacho's......nice stuff. Had a nice meal at the Silver Fox Monday night.
We all stayed at the Wingate...nice rooms, pool, hot tub, dinning area with nice breakfast included. Convenient to walking in town as well.

I was amazed watching Svend ski...this is is 3rd season on boards and he applies ski skills well above his tour of duty. No pitch confronting us thwarted his pleasure of pointing his boards down the fall line. Always finishing with that huge Viking smile and ahead of me.

I always like to leave the door open for any and all to join us evey year around the same time. It's just a fun re connect with ski buddies mid way through the ski season...lots of cruisers to build confidence and stories and jokes to keep all entertained.

Like any ski trip, it's always a sad thing leaving the mountain....but I think all that attended left with a great experience between old and new friends....and with the promise of being back again next year!

Best,
G

[Svend]

No hangovers (at least not in my cranium), but it was a lot of fun nevertheless.? ?

Can't really improve on Gary's report -- pretty much tells it all.

I had a great time with Gary and the guys.? They were all very welcoming, warm, engaging, generous, funny, quirky, and basically a lot of fun to be with.? Didn't take long to feel like part of the gang -- about five minutes, it seems.? Great bunch!

Gary unselfishly took time to teach me some stuff, and that was awesome -- really improved a couple of basic things, and I left a better skier than I arrived.? Awesome! Excellent teacher.? Thank you Gary.

Was delighted with the town -- Ellicottville is charming, unpretentious and friendly.? Pretty scenery in the area too.? And the hills were great -- nothing challenging, lots of variety and interesting trails and slopes, and tons of fun.? The excellent grooming made it possible to really work on some skills, and just let 'er rip when the mood hit (which was a lot!).? Will definitely bring the family there next year for a quick trip from Ontario (only 3 hours away - nice).

And yes, I did give Gary a little teensie weensie bit of espresso, but diluted with lots of hot milk (less caffiene that way, don't ya know? ).? My little experiment in spontaneous combustion...."Here Gary, drink this."? Put on helmet and goggles, plug ears, pinch eyes shut, crouch behind the desk.....and.....He y! No Kaboom.....What the...? Why didn't he blow? Must be something wrong with the gunpowder.? Will try a double next time.? ?

[Ron]

Sounds like a great time was had by all, Sven, I've seen caffiene in gary, trust me it's not pretty

Did Gary drink a WHOLE beer???

[Gary]

Why yes I did drink a beer...a Toasted Ale at the micro brewery...very nice indeed...one....dra nk the whole thing too!

Now boys, boys....the Espresso....my metabolism must be getting used to it...you know all that milk...I wondered why at Svends insistence of me trying his homemade brew, delicious yes it was....he put on his Kevlar vest and headed for the tub....no faith ye weary Viking...I came through with flying colors and my motor mouth unaffected by the evil caffeine never missed a beat.

Now...if we're talking Ron's homemade coffee...you know that's the stuff MRAP's run on....criminy...I'm wired like a freakn' nuclear power plant at peak demand.....Still... ..I feel that in this mode, I ski, speak, eat, and walk in the most efficient manner. Thank you Ron!

Why they keep testing me...jesh....just don't know....I think they're waiting for me to really step on myself...heck...don't need any NJ Coffee or Viking Espresso for that....do that pretty much on my own.

Now a double espresso please....now we're talking Svend....bring it!

G

[Svend]

Forgot to mention -- had a couple of hours on some Magnums owned by a buddy of Gary....same length as my Speeds, same binding position, same tune, same wax.....a perfect side-by-side comparison.  They are awesome skis! Very stable, super edge grip, great carvers -- short turns, long turns -- super smooth, easy to initiate and keep on edge.....very, very nice.  Loved every minute on them.

[speed163]

Yes, I have arrived on the Forum from the northern shores!!? The captain of the longboat arrived home with a permanent, silly grin affixed to his visage.? What did you guys do to this man? As for the good "eats" and drinks, they seem to follow the Viking wherever he roams.? As to whether he actually picked up any instructional tips, I will report back at a later date.? I don't know that I can compete with the colorful attire of the HV participants but, then again, our gender is slender!!

T

aka Mrs. Viking

[Gary]

Wait....Svend said you were the Captain of the Longboat.....

Now.....let's just say you wear the larger helmet in the family. We were thrilled to see his warrior helmet at HV.....I'm now wondering if it was yours...hmmm....

The whole gang enjoyed meeting Svend and with the hord of food he pilaged from your pantry.....he won their hearts and stomachs over easily. He's a great guy and we're glad to have him skiing with us. AND with all the acolades he showers you with.....you've got to make some turns with us too.....Keep 2nd week in December open for Real SKiers 4 in Steamboat.

Now for that colorful attire you referred to....your jacket color is_____________? All fashion is to be approved and co-ordinated with Ron and Lynn.   

AND yes....you're gender is slender...but I have to say...I had to stand on the mantle to be AS tall as the rest of the group....

Hope you can make one of the trips and we all can rip some turns together. Enjoy your ski season and hope you get out to HV this season with the ladies....oh yeah....and the big the guy!

Best,
G

[speed163]

Hmmm..........long boat navigational skills switch randomly and I do admit to wearing many different hats AND helmets.  However, my noggin differs greatly from the Viking.  You would be lucky to see my nose if I were to don the "horns".

As for my outer wear, it is dependent on the temp. and snow conditions.  Every woman has a reliable LBD (=little black dress for the male contingency), therefore I have my reliable LBJ (j = jacket). I'm sure Lynn will appreciate the practicality of my attire.  As for Ron, it sounds like he might be willing to offer ski fashion advice?!

Thanks for Your gracious Steamboat offer.  I feel honoured......it would be a ripp'in good time!! 

Now these accolades you mentioned.......new s to me.  I'll quickly have to assume the helm in order to chart his course. 

T

P.S.  Enjoy Whistler!!  You can't go wrong skiing in the Rockies, especially with your avalanche awareness jacket 

[Svend]

Gary, what Terryl fails to mention is that she has at least four very nice ski jackets.....one for each 5 degree temperature change.? And 4 pairs of ski pants too, including some red Bjorn's that go just soooo nicely with the graphics on her SS Speeds! She and Ron left to run loose in the clothing racks of a ski shop? Sounds like BAAAAD news!

[jim-ratliff]

As for my outer wear, it is dependent on the temp. and snow conditions.? Every woman has a reliable LBD (=little black dress for the male contingency), therefore I have my reliable LBJ (Little Bogner Jacket). I'm sure Lynn will appreciate the practicality of my attire.? As for Ron, it sounds like he might be willing to offer ski fashion advice?!

And what color is your Little Bogner Jacket??


And yes, Ron also matches his ski pants colors to the patterns and colors on the skis.

[Gary]

Well now this is a hoot...Terryl, I'm sure if your nose is as long as the Vikings Horn adorned helmet...it would be the ying as to the yang...such balance...such adornment...such? !!!

And I would tend to believe Svend regarding the ski attire selection tied to the 5 degree temp adjustments...Alice is on the same longboat...as she is also my life navigator and also wears many helmets....you 2 gals would be beating the drums as Svend and I rowed are arses off....well Svend would row...I'd hire someone.

You must be charting the correct course..which as we men know, when prepared by the woman...IT"S the right course!
Well except for the boys ski trips....yes, the toilet seat stayed up for 3 days.

Finally the weather in Whistler is looking decent..snow snow snow....hoping to get some deep....but will avoid avalanche prone territory....too much great in bounds skiing to be had there.

Actually Svend, Ron's not too bad in the ski shop when hunting for ski clothes....it's easy....I point to something..he tries it on and pays for it....it's worked almost everytime.....ah the power of suggestion and "can we get out of here, I'm starting to feel like a couple"!

AND Jim..with the number of skis Ron has...I think he matches the skis to his attire and with so many skis..he could where any color the human eye can detect, he's got his bases covered.

Will report on Whistler when we get back. Hope to hear from Jim, Perry/Gloria, Lynn and Todd on their SolVista Harb experience.

Best,
Gary