The Best of 2011-12

The Winter of 2011-12 was really not a Winter at all, but thanks to modern tech I stilled skied 38 days. Only Four of these days included any type of powder. Every time it snowed rain soon followed. This years season in Nepa was four weeks shorter than last season ,15 wks this year. My personal goal of 40 days was not reached,neither was our goal of two backcountry outings. We visited the now closed ski area of Tanglewood where it all started but never got to ski down it due to the lack of Winter. Exen without the presence of Winter the 10 ski areas I visited this year produced a descent product and plenty of family time. The real reason I guess I ski is to spend time with my sons and daughter, If I had to ski it alone ,like so many others I see and read about, I just would do something else. So good bye to Skiing and R

iding until next season may 2012-2013 bring us tons of SNOW

St Platties day Moguls and last Ride Camelback Sunday March 18th 2012

Last chance to ski the 2011-12 season .After two great days last weekend at Elk mt and Camelback resort we ventured back a little north to our favorite mountain Plattinsured Caleb that with a little love ekill. We arrived early and the morning on the mountain started very quietly. Caleb signed up for the mogel comp and we headed up. When seeing the mogul setup Caleb was very worried his runs would be a disaster. We met up with a local Tele man and he convinced Caleb that with a little love the moguls would come around. We spent the next three hours hiking in lapping the mogul trail and kicking some moguls out and down.

The comp started a little late which gave Caleb some more practice laps. His second to last practice run confidence and steeze filled him up.He was ready to perform

Caleb threw up massive airs and styled well good enough for 1st place inthe 13 to 18 age group. He also scored an awesome new pair of twin tips with 2nd overall in all categories.

Sunday morning after early Church service Little D and I headed to Camelback for one last ride. By the time we got there the car temp said 73

Derek and I spent the next 3 hrs skiing small bumps and slush and I got a little more goggle tan

At about #45 D and I rode up the chair one last time and called out LAST RIDE

As we were pulling out we took one last look at the snow and just at that time the song of our season came on the radio ,good life onerepublic, what away to go out!

Playing Hookey at The Catskills finest Plattekill

Storm hit us and the Cats this week. Ice and snow in NEPA, Snow in the Cats,so I decided to play sick and head to the Western Cats. Snow was there untouched, when we arrived ,and looked great. Skiers were rippin it hard, Caleb included, however the ungroomed was a little tougher for the less skilled like myself and countless others. Derek and I however got our share of pow , just didn't look as pretty.

Alternate routes down ,Bike trails,log trails were good after alittle traffic worked them in. Plattekill delivered another fullfilling ski day for us NEPA skiers caught this year in a vicious cycle of RainSnow.

Plattekill is the place to be after a storm

Look at these Pump prices at the station were always hit for food on our way home. Getting harder and harder to go on these ski adventures!

Greek Peak

After a day in Pa skiing alittle hardpacked and icey conditions at Sno mountain just 60 miles north Winter was on at Greek Peak. Natural trails and glades were open with soft and fluffy fresh snow. We almost headed to Plattekill this morning but we are glad we headed up Greek for a fun day.

Late Season

Now that the Winter ski Holidays are over ,snow making is done , what leads people off the slopes to other activities , I donot know some of the seasons best skiing is still out there. Spring bump skiing, tee shirt skiing, no lift lines no more icy spots , why does the casual skier quit so early? Not I I will continue to ski to all ski areas within 2.5 hrs are closed.

Near miss in the Catskills

I Have never taken Health and Happiness for granted , I know things can happen in life. My wife and I live our lives and have strong faith in the lord. We never worry about things that you cannot control. Leaving our driveway Sunday morning for the ski area Plattekill, I said our usual prayer " Lord gives us a safe day and brings us home safe" Today we really needed it. Plattekill was in fine shape when we arrived and they were blowing snow heavy on one trail. We were excited with the conditions and headed out into the mamade snow storm. Talking at the lift with a patroller he inquired about my fulltilt and I asked him about the trail they wre blowing on. He stated conditions should be stellar up there now but yesterday the trail had to be shut down because it had turned into a no fall zone. I didn't think too much about that statement but soon was gonna find out. My son Derek 7 years old and skiing hard now for 5 seasons wanted to try out the trail where the blizzard was happening. I thought he should be fine due to the fact he has good speed control on the steeps and 3weeks in a row he turned the fastest times in his age group at three different race ventures where turning was the key to fast times. His skiing was fine he just picked tke wrong place to stop and start. Derek never likes getting his goggles coated with snow, so knowing this, his older brother Caleb lead him to the side of the trail just under the guns and out of the way of the falling snow. That is when things went crazy. I saw Derek stopped talking to Caleb and a second later saw him slip fall and slide on his back disappearing into a cloud of snow. Caleb dove at Derek grabbing his ski and turning him from head first to feet first. A brother's love is strong and big brother blew down the trail trying to get ahead of Derek but didn't quite succeed. I skied down the trail to the spot where Derek had stopped on the side of the trail hugging a tree. Looking a few yards up the trail there was Caleb caught in a couple of tree branches. The same tree branches bent down from snowing and put there by the good Lord to slow Derek down and keep him safe. I Believe God bent them over Knowing that Derek was gonna come sliiding thru. On this Day our family was sure Blessed and returned home safe to ski another day.

Shawnee Race for the cure

With a Winter like this year it feels strange to ski South of our home 3 weekends in a row. However Shawnee mt had a great cause in racing to cure cancer.Had a fun day watching Caleb and Derek in the mashed pototoe snow. Shawnee has some features in their parks that kept us riding the lift in the afternoon. The high speed Quad is a good addition to the mountain. A less than 50 minute ride home at the end of the day is also nice.