SKI CHATTER. Thursday Night 2013 Bike Rides

Transcription

1 SKI CHATTER 3/1/2013 ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS SWC, PO 228,Schenectady, NY Clubhouse Phone (802) A SCHENECTADY WINTERSPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION Phone numbers in the Ski Chatter are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted. WEB Site: SWC's - Historic Ski Film Festival March 7 See the old Silent, Black and White films of the early ski days. Some of this historic footage has not been viewed since it was converted to digital format. SWC was a leader in early filming of skiing in the North East and these films are the only ones like them. All are short and we will allow time for socializing and sharing thoughts of the old days. This is back country skiing at it's best! The meeting is at the Ancient Order of Hibernian's 1748 State St. and starts at 7:30. The Ancient Order of Hibernians hall, is just east of Rt 7 (the Cross town) in uptown Schenectady. To find the Ancient Order of Hibernians, take State Street toward Albany. It is on the right side approximately 4 ½ blocks past the Rt 7 overpass. From the Thruway, take I-890 to Rt 7 East, exit Rt 7 at State Street (Rt 5). Turn right at the top of the ramp and go East 4 ½ blocks. From the Troy direction, take Rt. 7 all the way to State Street (Rt 5) and turn left at the top of the ramp and go 4 ½ blocks to 1748 State St on the right. Capture Your Back Yard Creatures March 21 st Ever wonder what sort of wild creatures roam your yard or woods when you're not around? Jennifer Ford and Keith Freeman will show how they have used an inexpensive trail camera in their woods in Guilderland to capture some interesting creatures that would have otherwise slipped away unnoticed. Trail cam photos of deer, turkeys, eastern coyote and some other elusive creatures will be shown. They'll also discuss how they experimented with setting up the trail cam to get some of their best, and not so best, shots so you don't make the same mistakes. The meeting will start at 7:30 at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall at 1748 State St., Schenectady. See directions above. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Mar 7 SWC Historic Ski Film Festival Mar Ski Club Appreciation Days(Cheap) at Stowe Mar 21 Meeting April 4 Biking in Provence with the Kornrumpfs April 13 & 14 Bicycle Tour of the Battenkill volunteers April 18 Annual Meeting Elections and Ice Cream May 2 First SWC bicycle ride of the season May 3-5 Spring work party at the Clubhouse A Bike Ride in Provence (Mountains, Valleys & Lavender) The Kornrumpfs April 4 See the sights of southern France and hear about the 2011 bike trip to the top of Mt. Ventoux (one of the featured bike rides on the Tour de France). Hear about the vineyards and lavender fields they saw along the way. The meeting is at the Ancient Order of Hibernian's. Elections are Upon Us April 18 SWC Club Board and Officers and Volunteers April is fast approaching and so is the election of officers. At the same time, many volunteers performing critical club functions request a reprieve or an interest in another activity. We need your help in volunteering - or you to nominate a friend. Better yet, the work is most fun when shared and you and a friend or spouse can share a club function. Contact Bill Schaefer by phone ( ) or (williamwschaefer@gmail.com) for more information. You can also ask any board member, or volunteer. Wanted: New Ski Ticket Seller for 13/14 Season Do you have 5 minutes per day? The system has been simplified and the ticket buyers are pleasant and cooperative. What more could you ask for? Help the club and take this over for a year or two. Bill will be happy to assist the new person who would like to take this on. You have the flexibility to modify/update the program to make it even better. Contact Bill Schaefer ( ) or a Board Member to find out more. Thursday Night 2013 Bike Rides As I write this it is mid February and I am getting ready to ski at Bromley tomorrow. However, when you read this, it will be March already and spring will be right around the corner. I ve just checked my calendar book and can t find anything that says anyone has signed up to host any particular ride this year. So, if you are thinking of hosting a Thursday night bike ride, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. However, if you could also give me a call as soon as possible, you can get the date you want. My phone number is The rides will start on Thursday, May 2 and continue every Thursday night till Aug 22. By the way, if you have told me that you d like to host a ride on a particular night and I have forgotten it, please don t hesitate to remind me. 1 Thanks much. Terry Tamer

2 SKI CHATTER A SCHENECTADY WINTERSPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION 3/1/13 Presidents Column by Pete Weykamp Our president's column will return next month when Pete returns from skiing. Greatest Snow On Earth 2013 Utah promotes the claim greatest snow on earth and eleven SWC members found out how good it can be on their trip in February. Thanks to a cold upperatmosphere low-pressure trough that lingered in Utah s Wasatch Mountains, it snowed off and on for four days resulting in excellent light and deep powder snow conditions. On this eighth annual Utah trip lead by Bob Wright six resorts were skied in daily temperatures generally between 5 and 18 degrees F. During the stay new snow totaled up to eighteen inches with most resorts receiving more than a foot of snow over a seven-foot (plus) base. Skiing highlights included tracking powder at Alta s Devil s Castle face opened following avalanche clearing, skiing all day through the untracked Aspen glades of Powder Mountain, and experiencing accumulating powder during heavy snow squalls at Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The cold and sometimes intermittent visibility made the skiing challenging, but all agreed it was among the best snow and skiing ever. Battenkill Bicycle Race Volunteers We need your help this year! Last year, 10 SWCers volunteered at the Tour of the Battenkill bicycle race and the Club has received a check for $300 as thanks for the assistance. We want to thank the 10 SWCers for their time and help both to the Battenkill and SWC. This year the Battenkill is on April 13 & 14. Volunteer positions range from corner marshals to wheel drivers who carry spare wheels for the racers and follow each category of rider. Bill Kornrumpf will be coordinating the SWC volunteers. The Club will only be able to get credit for the volunteers if Bill sends in the list so give him a call at or at wkornrum@nycap.rr.com so he can send in our list of volunteers. This is a great way to see some of the countries best bicycle riders and raise $300 for the club at the same time. Bill now or go to the Battenkill volunteer web site and register to volunteer. Make sure you fill in the blank that asks for the Civic Group or Not-for-Profit Organization you wish to donate to as the Schenectady Wintersports Club. You can volunteer to work either Sat or Sunday and if you put in two shifts, we get two credits NYCDSC Fun Day West Mountain, Saturday, March 16 $15 Lift Ticket for the first 50 sign ups $20 lift ticket for the next 25 sign ups OC Ski Club Sponsored 10AM Fire Hose 12PM Scavenger Hunt/Best Hat Contest Taco Bar at 3PM All member clubs welcome and encouraged to join us for a fun day of skiing and games. Contact Paula Moir to sign up: pdallas1@nycap.rr.com or (518) INEXPENSIVE SKIING Once again the NY Capital District Ski Council has come through with a fantastic array of inexpensive ski days though out the area. A full listing of NYCDSC ski days can be viewed at their web site: 3ffffd524.pdf, here is what is to be had over the next 2 months: MARCH 3/1 Oak Mountain $30 3/4 Gore $42 3/8 Magic $32 3/10 Oak Mountain $30 3/15 Gore $42 3/15 Mount Snow $44 3/15 Okemo $40 3/15 Magic $32 3/16 Mount Snow $51 3/16 Okemo $43 3/17 Okemo $40 3/17/12 Whiteface $38 3/18 Whiteface $38 3/20 Killington $41 3/21 Pico $31 3/22 Pico $31 3/30/12 Okemo $43 3/31/12 Okemo $40 3/31 Whiteface $38 APRIL 4/1/13 Whiteface $38 4/12/13 Killington $37 4/13/12 Killington $37 4/14/13 Killington $37 In addition to the above, there are promotions such as: Pico Promotion 75Th Anniversary 1 day lift ticket $19.37 Every Friday (excluding 2/22) 2 day lift ticket $55.00 Every Friday and Saturday (excluding 2/22-23) Two for 1 Tuesdays at Bromley Bromley Mountain: Two for one Tuesdays. Purchase your lift ticket online and get two lift tickets for the price of one. Two for $49 so less than $25 each. Tickets can only be purchased online, and must be purchased 48 hours in advance. at 2

3 SKI CHATTER A SCHENECTADY WINTERSPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION 3/1/13 Clubhouse News by Sandy Leith Journal from the SWC House: Mar 15 This morning my guest awoke to rosy skies for Valentines day The snows of the past week lending to some good conditions on the slopes. The house had visitors from Kapl for the snow storm of past weekend and a group on the way to Jay Peak. I also had folks take advantage of the $14 Valentine Day special at Mad River and use the Warren Miller free day at Sugarbush. I have even hosted a great group of ice climbers who chose the coldes, windyest day of the year to tackle some of the cliffs in Smugglers Notch. President's weekend I had a good group who had fantastic skiing on now snow Sat and a Blustery day on Sunday followed by new snow during the week. There was lots of good food going down. In March there are many fun weekends planed. The very first is a returning new member hosting a fantastic diner then there is Tele fest at Mad River and 5 of Club appreciation days at Stowe with St Patrick s dinner on Saturday March 16. All of my guests are doing their snow dance for more named storms to cover the mountains in beautiful white powder! Looking forward to April spring skiing and after the snow is gone get out your hiking boots and come visit me and the mountains to see what it s like in the color green. So come on up and visit me!! We have an Original Single Chair The Club has received the donation of one of the original Single Chairs from the Stowe Single Lift, the first chairlift in Vermont. Stowe's single was built in 1946 and had the capacity of 200 skiers per hour. Built by the American Steel and Wire Company, it was officially called an "Aerial Ski Chair Ropeway." Built by shipfitters with each tower designed specifically for its individual location. The towers were assembled with rivets - not nuts and bolts or welding. At the time it was built it was both the HIGHEST chair lift in the world and the LONGEST. It ran till 1986 when the chairs were put in storage. We obtained the Chair from one of the Stowe Ski Patrollors, Carl Wrighton and restored by our own Walt Kangas. There is a new door combination The door combination was changed and you need the new combination. It is on your GREEN membership card. All of the windows have had security pins installed cannot be opened from the outside. If you find yourself locked out without your combination, use the door bell to summon help. Or call Sandy or Bill (see list of board members) or rent a room at a motel in town. Hosts are needed, you can help Each year there is a need to have volunteers at the house in Waterbury Center to make dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. We still have the Mar 1-3, Mar 8-10 weekends needing hosts. For your efforts you will stay free during your hosted weekend and also receive vouchers for additional stays proportional to the number of guest you host. If you are interested please contact Sandy Culver via at traildiamond@gmail.com or call her at As a thank you the person hosting gets a free stay and additional vouchers depending on the number of members staying. We especially need hosts for the President's week period. The original single chair lift at Stowe 1946 Do you recognize the rider? 3

4 SKI CHATTER A SCHENECTADY WINTERSPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION 3/1/13 Stowe Ski Club Appreciation Days Once again Stowe is inviting ski clubs from around the area to join them on their mountain for some inexpensive skiing on March 13th thru the 16th (Wed Sun). To complement that offer, SWC volunteers will be hosting those days to ensure your your ski days are as enjoyable as possible. As a reminder, hosted rates will apply The details are on the Stowe website: The ticket prices are: Adult Junior/Senior (13-64 yrs) (6-12 & 65+) 1-day=$45 1-day=$36 2-day=$66 2-day=$40 3-day=$98 3-day=$59 4-day=$122 4-day=$70 5-day=$152 5-day=$87 (that is only $18/day) (Only $30.40 per day) SWC Discount Tickets 2013 We have $60 Stowe & $65 Sugarbush tickets and the discount at Bolton this year. The Stowe tickets are "go-straight-to-lift" (RFID) tickets so you do not have to stop at the ticket counter at all. You know you need ski tickets, so why wait? If you are reading this and will need tickets for March, you need to get to a meeting or put the Chatter down and order your tickets now by mail. Your club ticket seller be away skiing so you need to order early. Remember, you are saving $30 per ticket so do your part and put your request in the mail with plenty of time to spare. If you ask too much of our volunteer ticket handlers, they may experience premature burnout and then we will not have the discount tickets. This year the Stowe Junior and Senior tickets are different and you will need to purchase the correct tickets as a Jr ticket will not work for a Senior and vice versa. We were not able to reach an agreement for savings at Jay Peak so there are no Jay tickets. Remember - Your friends and family must be a member to use these tickets. Use by non-members will jeopardize the program as there are mountain requirements for club use only, sales tax if we sold to non-members. A single ticket savings pays for a years membership so sign up your friends who use the tickets. Please do not inconvenience the volunteers that sell these. Like last year, Tickets will be available at meetings and through the mail. Do not expect to purchase at the Clubhouse. Gay Abele riding the restored Single Chair GPS Instructions to find the Clubhouse The address is 3650 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT or , Lat & Long. Waterbury-Stowe Road is also Vermont Route The newly restored Chair in the Clubhouse

5 SKI CHATTER A SCHENECTADY WINTERSPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION 3/1/13 Names and Numbers to Remember Board of Directors: Pete Weykamp, Pres H Dave Slezak VP Administration H Anna Palmer, VP Nordic H , VP Activities (Open) HCraig Lindsay, VP-Alpine H Anna Palmer NNYP President H Lat Schmidt, Secretary, H Ray Asselin, Treasurer H Sandy Leith, Clubhouse Director H Larry Grygas, At Large H Bob Wright, At Large H John Rack, Mohawk Valley Hiking Club H Bill Schaefer, Past Pres. H Others: Craig Lindsay, Membership H Dave Slezak, Clubhouse Reservations H Bill Schaefer, Ticket Vouchers H Bill Kornrumpf, Chatter Editor & H Clubhouse Facilities wkornrumpf@ieee.org Sue Knapik Blade Editor sbknapik@yahoo.com H Cecilia MacDonald MVHC Editor Cecilia@midtel.net H Dorie Valenti Webmaster doriev@verizon.net Clubhouse at Waterbury Center Change Of Address Notices Change of Address notices should be sent to: Craig Lindsay, 2012 Lisa Lane, Schenectady, NY tlindsa3@nycap.rr.comdo not send to the editors, or the Club PO Box, they will get lost. The MLK weekend group feasting at the Clubhouse Cleaning up the stack of dirty dishes 5

6 SKI CHATTER A SCHENECTADY WINTERSPORTS CLUB PUBLICATION 3/1/13 The President's Weekend dinner Our ex-president and Chair restoration expert Walt Kangas in our newest bar stool Breakfast in Utah (L to R) Keith Holmstrom, Cindy Thomson, Lat Schmidt, Rick Dearstyne, Dave Madden, Eric Skalwold, John Tasse, Merry Huber, Bob Wright, Missing is Anthony Garner and behind the camera is Jon Skalwold The MVHC newsletter will return next month. We are sorry that we were not able to bring you any 6 new news this month.

7 March 1, 2013 Saturday April 6 Cameron County Canoe and Kayak Classic Registration 7:00 am - 11:30 at the Emporium Country Club 6 miles south of Emporium Pa. Along Rte 120. First wave starts at noon. Entry fees: $20.00/adult Youth age 17 & under $10 Contact: Randy Bailey or beetlecamp@yahoo.com or on the web at Saturday April 20 Upper Susquehanna Pedalers & Paddlers Spring Race NYMCRA Canoe Points Race 12 and 18 Miles Oneonta, NY Registration: Begins at 10am at the start. Race start:11am, Rain or Shine Classes: All NYMCRA Point classes, Pro, Recreation and Recreation Mixed Awards: First three places in each division Entry fees: Pre-registration $18/paddler for amateur and $22/pro paddler. All pre-registrations must be received by mail prior to race day. Race day registration $20/ amateur paddler and $25/pro paddler. All checks payable to: Upper Susquehanna Pedalers & Paddlers Mail to: Jeff Shultis, 7 Diane Drive, Otego, NY Contact: Jeff Shultis: or jrscanoe@aol.com Course description: All classes start at Route 205 Bridge in Oneonta and finish at the Otego fishing access. Recreation classes, C-1W and any class with youth will finish when reaching the Otego access. All other classes proceed to Wells Bridge, turn a buoy and return to the Otego fishing access. Hot food and awards immediately following at the Otego Elementary School. Sunday April 21 Little River Ramble Start and finish race from the Little River Boat Launch next to the Park Street & Canton Pyrites Rd. bridge, Canton NY Registration 12:00-1:00 First Start 1:00 College and Recreational Race about 2 miles Kayak and Marathon Class about 6 miles Course will depend on water conditions. Entry Fee: Adults $20 - SLVP adult member $15 - School Age students $5 - - College Students $Free Classes will be decided on race day. No Pro Class. There will be a separate college class. Recreation: Men, Mixed, Ad/Jr, Rec, Unlimited, Open, College Marathon: C1 Open, C1 Stock Open, C2 Open, C2 Stock Open, K-1 M & W, War Canoe Contact: Steve Coffin, or jigsawsc@yahoo.- com Saturday April 27 Wappingers Creek Water Derby Distance: 8 mi. downstream Registration opens: 7:30 am Start time 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Races start every two minutes on the minute. Entry fee: $13.00 prior to April 19th; $17.00 after April 19th No pro-boats allowed, but amateur cruisers OK in CC class Approximately 8 mile run down the winding Wappingers Creek from Pleasant Valley to Poughkeepsie NY. Canoe/ Kayak rentals available at start. Contact: Mike Rodriques waterderby@aquaticexplorers.org for race app. Sunday April 29 Run of the Charles, Boston, MA 26 mi. pro marathon, 24 mi. relay for up to 10 paddlers, 19 mi., 9 mi. and 6 mi. races Solo and tandem canoes and kayaks plus stand-up paddleboards Start time & entry fees: Varies, based on race. See website for more information. Register today at Contact: Meg Schermerhorn to race, sponsor or volunteer, (508) x10 or charles@crwa.org Visit for more information. 7 Sunday April 28 YMCA Cortland Canoe Classic Location: Truxton, NY, to Cortland, NY Distance: 15 miles Classes: All NYMCRA classes + Rec classes Registration: Register race day at Truxton Fire Hall from 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Start: 10:30AM Sharp! Entry Fee: $22 before Friday, April 26 - $25 on race day Contact: Cortland YMCA at (607) , Online at or

8 Schenectady Wintersports Club Northern New York Paddlers PO Box 228 Schenectady, New York Ski Area Ticket Order Form Ski Area (No blackout days) # requested Total Cost Stowe Stowe Jr Stowe Senior Name of Member Ordering Ticket Vouchers: Street Address of Member Totals $ City and State: Phone #: Address: The person ordering tickets must be a member of SWC and all people using the vouchers must be members also to comply with the Ski Areas terms of the deep discounts. You are saving $32/day at Stowe this year. You can find a membership application at the SWC web site Make Check Payable to SWC and send a Stamped, Self Addressed business sized envelope to Bill Schaefer in sufficient time for the return mail. Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part, we are volunteers trying to save you money on your skiing. You can also get in contact with Bill at swctickets@swcweb.org Mail to Bill Schaefer, 804 Charter Oak Drive, Niskayuna, NY Order your tickets today You know you need ski tickets, so why wait? If you are reading this and need tickets for Presidents Week, you need to get to a meeting or put the Chatter down and order your tickets now by mail. Your club ticket seller will be away for much of February so you need to order early. Remember, you are saving $30 per ticket so do your part and put your request in the mail with plenty of time to spare. This year the Stowe Junior and Senior tickets are different and you will need to purchase the correct tickets as a Jr ticket will not work for a Senior and vice versa. We were not able to reach an agreement for savings at Jay Peak so we do not have Jay tickets this year.