VT Meet & Ski

[ctskierguy]

I'm thinking that as a skier I've not met too many diabetics who ski or snowboard.
So I'm thinking that it would be cool to have a Meet & Ski in southern VT this winter.
Nothing too outrageous, just get some people together on a sunday for a day of skiing.
Most of the resorts offer some kind of group discount on lift tickets if you have enough people. So if we could get enough people it might be a little more reasonable dollar wise.
It's just an idea. Let me know.

Mike

[Evermont]

Mike,


http://www.deptmedicine.utoronto.ca/Assets/Purple+Snowflake.jpg


Is it possible that you and I are the only ones here that get how cool this idea is? I just found this thread or I would have responded sooner!

Today was opening day at Smuggler's Notch. I went with a friend who lives nearby - we often carpool. Conditions were a little sketchy, not exactly "death cookies" more like "death macaroons" I'd call it. Only one way down with just one lift open today - but still, it was great. No lines all day. The sky was sunny and cloudy and snowing the whole time. The trees were covered in fresh snow from last night

I'm off the Keystone Colorado next weekend for the "36 hours of Keystone" event and psyched for that.

So were you thinking Stratton or another place in southern Vermont?

[notme]

Come to California/Nevada and I am there!!!! No snow here yet though. Late season again.

[ctskierguy]

Keith,
Stratton, Okemo, it doesn't really matter to me. I'll ski anywhere that I can strap my skis on.
As it's a little close to Christmas, lets shoot for January. There should be a bit more coverage by then.
You'll have to tell me stories of the 36 hours on the ride up the lifts. I'm very envious of anyone who manages to do things like that.
Not Me, as far as Cali\Nevada goes.....name the date and I'll manage to get fired by then. I need an excuse to go out west for a little fun.
Just let me know.

Mike

[Jan B]

I would love it. I've only been a Colorado skiier so far! It would be awesome to ski somewhere else. I was thinking . . . New Mexico! Sounds like I'm out this time!

[rocky]

If it we're a little closer to my neck of the woods I would be there in a second. Snowboarding is my life in the winter!

[Evermont]

Come to California/Nevada and I am there!!!! No snow here yet though. Late season again.

Funny you should say that, my 36K teamies and I were kicking around alternatives to Keystone next year and Tahoe came up. I've never been there but the others all seemed to be big fans.

...You'll have to tell me stories of the 36 hours on the ride up the lifts. I'm very envious of anyone who manages to do things like that...

Mike,

Well, we did it - all 36 runs. So we (and 150 other teams) qualified for the prize drawing but didn't "win" for the second year running. I certainly have some stories for you, but have a peek now...

Some pics from the 36 Hours of Keystone:
Me at Breckenridge the day before 36K (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/GrampaStyleBreckNov07.jpg)
Me doing a night run at Keystone (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/Keith36K07.jpg)
My Bro-in-law Brandon (right) and me on the gondola an extra run after 1 of 36 (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/KeithBrandonGondola36K07.jpg)
Me, my otha brotha (in law) John, and Brandon and a buena vista (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/KeithBrandonJohn36K07.jpg)
Me and John waiting to punch in for 35 of 36 6:45pm Saturday (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/KeithJohnWaiting2BPunched36K07.jpg)
Me, Ted and John on a lift at night (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/KeithTedJohn36K07.jpg)
Ted is Brandon's friend - this just proves that I'll ride with a skier ;-) (http://www.limeylemon.com/images/Ted36K07.jpg)

[Keezheekoni]

If any of you make it to WA in the winter, we have some great slopes. We're also not far from Whistler. :)

If you go to Tahoe, let me know in advance. I can make it there in less than a day.

I can't ski, but I'll sit and watch you all with my binoculars. :D I'll make the hot cocoa!

[ctskierguy]

We have to do this....It's my new prescription to get me through work. Now if we can do something small like this in short time, imagine what we could do woth some real planning? HMMMM
Keith, I'm totally jealous. It looks like a blast, and I love night skiing.
Jan...just fly in for a long weekend in VT. It would be a ball.
Rocky...Where in Canada are you at? Quebec & Montreal aren't that far from CT.
Rikki..If we can do something BIG, I'd be in Tahoe so fast it would make your head spin. But no hot chocolate for me. I'm a Starbucks junkie like you.
Let's figure this out as we go along, and see what we can do both short term, as well as long term. It could be fun regardless.

Mike

[peej07]

I love Okemo, big resort skiing without the big resort hype. I could probably make it.

[ctskierguy]

I love Okemo, big resort skiing without the big resort hype. I could probably make it.

You're on the list.

No bailing allowed.

Mike

[kgm0612]

I don't ski, otherwise I'd consider it. :(
I tried skiing once..........and had to have SKI Patrol bring me down. It wasn't a pretty sight! LOL

[ctskierguy]

kgm...you need to try snowboarding then!

Besides, you don't have to ski or board to enjoy a day or two in Vermont.

Mike

[Evermont]

kgm...you need to try snowboarding then!

Besides, you don't have to ski or board to enjoy a day or two in Vermont.

Mike

All true Mike! Just to squash most of the lamest excuses... I give free quality snowboarding lessons and may even be able to provide some gear. So there.

[rocky]

We have to do this....It's my new prescription to get me through work. Now if we can do something small like this in short time, imagine what we could do woth some real planning? HMMMM
Keith, I'm totally jealous. It looks like a blast, and I love night skiing.
Jan...just fly in for a long weekend in VT. It would be a ball.
Rocky...Where in Canada are you at? Quebec & Montreal aren't that far from CT.
Rikki..If we can do something BIG, I'd be in Tahoe so fast it would make your head spin. But no hot chocolate for me. I'm a Starbucks junkie like you.
Let's figure this out as we go along, and see what we can do both short term, as well as long term. It could be fun regardless.

Mike

Unfortunatly I'm from the other side of the country. If there were a meet in Whistler I would be all in! I go there every year for the Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival which is always amazing.

[ctskierguy]

Unfortunatly I'm from the other side of the country. If there were a meet in Whistler I would be all in! I go there every year for the Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival which is always amazing.

I've skied at Whistler the last two winters. So much vertical, so little time! I have yet to go to the Telus Fest though. It looks like it's a blast!

This year I'm thinking of going to Banff, or Mont Tremblant. trying to stay a little closer to home. The travel can be a bi**h when you only have a week. There's always Tahoe though.......

Mike

[rocky]

I've always wanted to check out Tahoe...

[ctskierguy]

Tahoe has 10 ski areas within a few hours of each other. Some have views of the lake, and all of them have had great seasons with huge amounts of snow the last few years.
And when you get tired of skiing or boarding there's always the casinos, clubs, restaurants, spas and shopping in Reno and Carson City.

[Keezheekoni]

I practically grew up in Tahoe. My dad is friends with quite a few casinos... :) We'd drive up there nearly every weekend when I was young. He'd give me $100 to go play in the game room under Harvey's and come check on me hourly. Every time he checked on me, if he was doing well, I got an additional $100. If he wasn't doing well, we'd leave and go see a movie. For some reason that break always helped him, and I'd continue to get $100 bills every hour or so... I once left there with $1400! :D

I've never skied though. :( I would have loved to, most likely, but alas I have a really bad ankle that likes to break if I look at it wrong. I have taken my kids to ski in Tahoe. They love it. :) So if we get together there, and I've got the cash, I'll definitely be there. :D

[ctskierguy]

After we get throught this years little VT get together, I think we need to look into Lake Tahoe for a huge Meet & Greet in 2009!

Mike

[notme]

Now your talking. Not only can you ski, but after your done you can get in your car and be in San Francisco in three hours. Or......warm your bones in Napa Valley. hmmmm CA meet and greet huh?

[Evermont]

I like the way this is shaping up. As I mentioned before my Keystone team was very interested in a Tahoe alternative to next years 36 Hours Of Keystone. I guess my goal is to make one trip to Tahoe and get the dates to line up so these two things are back-to-back. Since neither date is set yet it might just work out! I started a Tahoe thread (Winter '08/'09 Tahoe ski/ride/meet/greet (http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/meet-and-greet/24115-winter-08-09-tahoe.html)) for us.

The Vermont event should be a easy for me. Looking forward to it. Since we have no dates yet - we could just keep dates loose and jump at it when the snow is fresh. Jan, Feb, March... flexy is good.

[Jan B]

With a little time to plan, I can be at either place -- I've never been to VT or Tahoe . . . (or Napa Valley or San Francisco).

Are spouses coming? And/or a decent amount of women!?

I love the idea of some non-skiiers coming too. I love skiing, but might be kidding myself a bit about keeping up with any of you! I'm 46 w/pretty good arthritis in my hands, but I still use them! I lived in Colorado for several years, and always wanted to move back. (At my age though, I can sure understand retiring where it's warm!)

[notme]

Hey Jan, I gotcha beat. We can get on the bunny hill and have a blast. No worries. I would love to dust off my skiis and give it a go. If it doesn't work, there are great places up there to sit and have a nice hot toddy and visit. Then we will pack it up and head to Napa Valley for some wine tasting and relaxation. We could all go together on a limo and not worry about drinking and driving. And.....you get door to door service!

[ctskierguy]

Now that the Tahoe Ski and Greet is underway, let's not forget about VT this winter.
I'm thinking that the first weekend in February could work. If not, let's work out a date that will.

Mike

[Evermont]

Now that the Tahoe Ski and Greet is underway, let's not forget about VT this winter.
I'm thinking that the first weekend in February could work. If not, let's work out a date that will.

Mike

I had a big day up at Smuggs today. It was cold but nice. I found some fresh powder on Madonna. My buddy bailed at noon but I ran into a couple other friends and rode the rest of the day. Blue skies and snow covered spruce ruled the day.

Oh yeah - BIG STORM on the way, 2 feet forecast.

I get a whole new batch of vacation days at new years!

[ctskierguy]

I got iced in today....nothing here but a few inches of snow topped with a half an inch of solid ice...AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
I'm quitting my job and moving to the mountains!

Mike

[ctskierguy]

After the holidays we need to decide which mountain we want to have our mini meet and ski at. Suggestions anyone?

Mike

[Jan B]

Hey Jan, I gotcha beat. We can get on the bunny hill and have a blast. No worries. I would love to dust off my skiis and give it a go. If it doesn't work, there are great places up there to sit and have a nice hot toddy and visit. Then we will pack it up and head to Napa Valley for some wine tasting and relaxation. We could all go together on a limo and not worry about drinking and driving. And.....you get door to door service!

I can't wait Nancy! I can't get to the mini-session in VT, but Tahoe, here I come . . . . not sure when yet of course, but I'll do everything in my power to be there.

[Evermont]

After the holidays we need to decide which mountain we want to have our mini meet and ski at. Suggestions anyone?

Mike

I was on the lift at 8:30 this morning. My local place is 100% open today, the first day of winter. It was fantastic! Groomers, deep powder, terrain parks, glades - all good!

So I'm a northern Vermonter I have 6 or more great choices within 1 hours drive. I'd have to drive past a dozen great places to get to the southern slopes so it doesn't happen much. But I'm happy to do it for a get together, I just can't recommend anyplace. On the upside I'm not picky - anything is fine for me.

[ctskierguy]

I took friday off from work and skied at Okemo. It was 100% open and the conditions were beautiful. Especially when you consider that the season has barely started.

I need to find a job in the Burlington VT area. Stowe is calling my name.

Mike

[ctskierguy]

VT got dumped on last weekend!

Mike

[Evermont]

We are having a great season so far. This weekend temps will be in the 40's - spring skiing in January! My son and his gal are coming up from Boston the following weekend for a couple days on the slopes. I bet we get more snow by then too. We're like 3 years overdue for a good year so it's about time!

http://www.trailsource.com/images/photos/BOARD/565x200/40.jpg

[Evermont]

Well, it got sketchy here for almost a month but THE SNOW IS BACK! NPR said more snow fell to the south of Burlington. I shoveled a foot this morning - that means 18-24" likely in the hills. Forecast for snow through the next 6 days. I'm going up Saturday - 70% chance of snow and temp 33F.

Maybe we should sketch out a date for this "Meet and Ski". Is a Saturday good for this type of thing?

http://www.diabetesforums.com/gallery/files/9/0/7/7/IMG_1667_2.jpg

[morrisma]

Vermont is a LITTLE too far but I have the Poconos around 2 hours away. I miss skiing since my son aged out of Boy Scouts. That was a guaranteed killer weekend every year.
Mike

[HelenM]

I'm lost, its as if you're speaking a different language! Where are VT, CT, CAetc etc I have heard of Whistler and Lake Tahoe.
I've just spent a week in the Pyrenees, more risky as to snow conditions than the Alps but snowed on 2 days , otherwise blue skies and high daytime temperatures of 16C. Since it wasn't school holidays there were uncrowded slopes Good wine and good food for apres ski. Anyone want a long trip?

Sunday off for the day to Le Lioran in the Massif Central, tiny resort and not snow sure, but fine at the moment.
Happy skiing

[Evermont]

I'm lost, its as if you're speaking a different language! Where are VT, CT, CAetc...

Sorry, those are two-letter state codes based on the US Postal service (here's a list (http://www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/usps_abbreviations.html)) VT=Vermont, CT=Connecticut, CA=California, etc.

I'll snowboard EU someday...

[geegies]

So, guys- did it happen? Did you go skiing? I just found this thread. I live in Burlington, and would love it if you got together again! I don't know many diabetics here, and it would be awesome to meet and greet!

[Evermont]

So, guys- did it happen? Did you go skiing? I just found this thread. I live in Burlington, and would love it if you got together again! I don't know many diabetics here, and it would be awesome to meet and greet!

Hi - welcome to DF! No - it hasn't happened (yet). My gear is all tuned up but the forecast isn't very promising :( I guess we'll have to wait for December.

[geegies]

Keep me updated! I'd love to meet some of you guys! :)