Silver Streaks at Sunnyside Timberpeg Lodge

What a great lunch today at Sunnyside. Terrific salad with veggies, then chicken chili, plus the greatest mac and cheese (yummy) ending with a big chocolate chip cookie for dessert. All that with enjoyable company around a cozy fireplace. We all met chef Jack Salavoncik who told us of interesting Sunnyside events to come. This Saturday there will be the 2nd of the Gourmet Dinners on the Mountain. You go up Valle Run on Quadzilla and ski down to Sunnyside Lodge. You are met with slippers so you have something to wear instead of ski boots. Then up to the 2nd level which is set up with dimmed lights and wine glasses - very romantic. Last dinner had rack of lamb, salmon, fillet minion and more. Afterwards, you ski down the hill between ski instructors holding torchlights. If you'd like to sign up for this Saturday - do it right away - call 236-8311, then press zero to make a reservation. Next dinner is Feb. 26th. Jack also wants us to know that he'll be serving brunch now on Sunday mornings between 10am and 1pm. he'll have an omelet station making "made to order" omelets. He'll have other items too. Lots of new and exciting things happening at the mountain - check them out. We're getting more snow - what could be better!
Terry Roper

Changes in Silver Streak Events

There may be lots of snow on Wednesday with dangerous roads. So, we're again changing the day of the Nordic group - this week we'll be meeting with Gigi on Friday which promises to be a beautiful day. The race clinic that we were going to have with Jay Dunn and Klaus Buttinger will have to be postponed. Jay Dunn has an injury but I hope it will heal quickly so we can re-schedule. Until then, the race clinic is on hold. The Starlight Snowshoe tour will leave from the Nordic Center at 6pm but please be there at at 5:30 so we can get organized.(and please sign up so we can give Diamond's Edge a count). We'll be back around 7pm and then up to Diamond's Edge for chili. Wear your headlamps if you have them but our guides will have them and usually those two or three headlamps are enough to light the way. The charge this year is $15 per person for the tour and chili. Looks like we'll be going out on some fresh snow - it should be a delightful evening.

Terry Roper

Big Week for Silver Streaks

We've got a busy week ahead. Monday starts things off with a lunch at Sunnyside Lodge - we've got about 15 people signed up so far and we need to know the number count as early as possible tomorrow morning - so respond here if you'd like to attend. We're also having a repeat DEMO DAY with Sport Thoma since so many missed last Monday. We have our first Nordic Clinic of the season on Wednesday - attached is a sign-up sheet showing who has signed up so far. Please let us know if you'd like to join the clinic. Priority goes to the Nordic members, then Alpine, then guests (for a fee). The apres-ski this week will be held at the Village Condominium Rec. room. Physical Therapist, Melinda Johnston, will be giving a short talk - please bring an appetizer and/or beverage to share. Finally, on Thursday evening, we'll venture out on our Starlight Snowshoe tour. Following the approximately one hour trek, we'll go up to Diamond's Edge Restaurant for some great chili. A big week - so please let us know which events you'll attend - attached is also an updated calendar. See you at the mountain.
Terry Roper

Another Blue Bird Day!

Well, today was another blue bird day up on the mountain! The sun was beaming on the fresh corduroy as we rode the up the chairlift. Butterflies and excitement ran through us for those fresh runs on the groomers . And that it was! Upper Bobby's to Utter Abandon proved to be a great first run. The only thing better was when we went to our trusty sunnyside to still find soft and fresh groomers for a few more runs. True Grit was our favorite of the day. Warm, sunny, and soft for some big old fast turns! Like I always say, "the early bird gets the worm" and was now ready for fun filled day of work down at the Rec. Dept.!

That was a cold start to the week

Wow it was cold early this week. Starting Sunday afternoon a cold air mass moved in and the temperatures plunged just as people up for the weekend headed home, by closing we were down to five degrees below zero. The temperatures just kept falling overnight, lows reached -25 at the mountain and at some point during the night it was cold enough to break my thermometer at the house. However, the skiing Monday was great for those braved the weather to grab a few runs with soft and fast snow. The weather has improved with warmer air being pushed in by the storm that hit Massachusetts and points south early this morning. Though the snow missed us this time the forecast for the weekend looks good.

If you are able to make it up to the valley this weekend, for the great skiing and riding, be sure to check out the mogul competition happening on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The BBTS athletes and coaches have been working hard to get the course on Lower Bobby's in pristine shape for the weekend. A great view of the course is from the bottom of the trail, if you don't feel like skiing the trail. I hope to see you out there soon.

B

Skiing Today and Events Coming

Great skiing today - dusting of powder over packed surface - what could be better. Tomorrow we'll have our apres-ski at the Golden Eagle Lobby again. Please bring an appetizer and/or beverage to share. Next week there are 2 events coming up. The Eastern Regional Championship Races for Disabled skiers will be held on Wednesday & Thursday - the 2nd and 3rd. We're looking for volunteers for gatekeeping, course maintenance & board markers. Please let us know if you can help out. We're also offering a 3 day senior package to introduce 50+ skiers to the mountain. It includes skiing, clinics and lodging so please tell any friends who may be interested - $295pp double occupancy and $395 single occupancy. Along with that promotion we'll be having a race clinic next Thursday with Jay Dunn and Klaus Buttinger which will be open to Silver Streaks as well for just $10. We also have sign-up sheets at the mountain for both the Sunnyside Lunch on Monday and the race clinic. Please take a look at the updated calendar - all our apres-ski parties are there. All for now - see you tomorrow.

Terry Roper

How Cold Was It?

It was cold enough that one creative Silver Streak wore a one of those toe warmers (like hand warmers but a bit smaller) on his nose. Yep, it was -14 at the base this AM. However, those that skied were very pleased with the smooth surface and near empty slopes. A few took advantage of our Demo Day and since it was so cold, Sport Thoma will offer a Demo Day again next Monday. Looking forward, we'll also be having a lunch at Sunnyside Lodge next Monday at noon. Next Thursday, Feb. 3rd. we'll have our Starlight Snowshoe tour - always a fun event followed by chili. We are also hosting a 3 day Senior getaway program for non-Silver Streaks to introduce them to the program - Feb 1,2 and 3rd. Attendees will be joining us at our Wednesday apres-ski which will be held at Village Condo Rec Room with Physical Therapist Melinda Johnson giving a talk. We'll also be holding a special race clinic on Thursday Feb 3rd by Jay Dunn, race coach from Gunstock, who will be assisted by Klaus Buttinger. Klaus was once on the Austrian ski team. The charge for this special clinic is $10. Lots of information in this email - I will put it all on our calendar and send it out tomorrow
Come ski!
Terry Roper

Skiing is going to be great this weekend...

Hi All,
I skied yesterday and ended up skiing 2 hours longer than I had planned! It was phenomenal. Ciao was great in the afternoon and it finished off to be perfect for the fresh snow we received last night. Today was great too. It certainly felt all of 7-8 inches in places. Any snow where the sun was shining was nice and soft which created the perfect base. I thought I saw that lower Bobby's was open, but legs were too burned up for that... and we have to work sometimes too! I would highly suggest getting out on the hill as early as possible tomorrow. Cold temps are expected which will set up the snow perfectly for groomed runs. Ski as hard as you can in the morning and polish off the day with the fill in runs and a beer special at T-Bars! Here is a shot from yesterday. Can anybody guess where it is taken from? Cheers!

The thoughts of a new Silver Streak

I wanted to thank you for including me in the emails detailing the Silver and Nordic Streaks, as well as upcoming events. I definitely made the right decision in keeping me and my cold symptoms away from everyone last night, but it was a delight to be invited and I know I would have enjoyed the evening immensely.

I also wanted to say how much I enjoy being part of the Nordic Streaks. Every single member has been so warm and friendly; getting together each week feels more like I'm returning to a cherished group of longtime pals than meeting new acquaintances. Everyone is willing to offer guidance and share their experiences and strategies for the terrain, as well as stories from their lives and how they came to this little piece of heaven.

Most of all, I'm a little stunned at how I've fallen in love with Nordic skiing. This morning we set out from the Nordic Center into a perfect winter day: bright sun, no wind and an azure sky. From my position in the middle of the line, we looked like a multicolored ribbon weaving gently across a field of white. But as we wended our way into the trees it felt for all the world as if we'd entered a magestic cathedral -- walls of pine and evergreen on each side, their snow-dusted boughs arching overhead. We glided along the trails and I remember thinking that their silent beauty was perfectly balanced by the sound of this wonderful group, the way their voices would rise and fall in quiet laughter and conversation.

It was a moment out of many, but it spoke to me. There is a cadence and a symmetry to Nordic skiing and to the Nordic Streaks. I am honored to be one of them.

Lynn Koch

A great Banquet and Events to come

Our Banquet last night was truly our best ever. Many thanks go to Vladmire for his beautiful singing and Lenny Emory both for his singing and his wonderful piano playing throughout our dinner. And, of course, the food was wonderful. Thank you all for the very thoughtful plaque you gave me - it was such a nice surprise. You are the BEST!

Skiing today was nothing but perfect - it was 11AM and we still got first tracks on soft corduroy on High Country. True Grit was in its best condition as was Gema and my personal favorite - Chao. We also enjoyed a groomed run on Tangent to Periphery for that old school trail run. Looking forward to next week - we've got a DEMO DAY on Monday from 9 to noon here at Sport Thoma. Try out some new skis - some of our Silver Streaks are loving their new equipment - especially for some of the heavy snow we've gotten. And planning ahead, we have a Sunnyside lunch on Jan. 31st. That's all for now from us - another email will come with the Nordic report - have a great weekend.

Terry

More Snow

We've seen more natural snow this week to add to the base with another few inches falling tonight and tomorrow. All the snow is adding up; we're close to being 100% open. The park staff has been busy building the super pipe this week, it is quite the operation to watch. The new Zaugg pipe cutter makes the cat it is attached to seem small, which is quite a feat. The building of the pipe is done, but if you want to see how big the pipe cutter is, it has been parked at the end of the shop's yard closest to Lower Meadows.

The snow this week has been great fun to ski. Skiing powder early in the week and fast packed powder today under blue bird skies , as a former racer I made some fast rounders early in the day. The snow stayed solid all day, and I think that it will all weekend with the cooler temps. The grooming staff has been doing great work every night, I can see the winch on True Grit right now getting it ready for tomorrow. Hope to see you out on the hill this weekend.

B

Heavenly - like skiing on creme cheese - those were the descriptions I heard of the skiing today. It's after 5pm and it's still snowing here in Waterville Valley. Usually the weathermen seem to exaggerate - these last two storms were definitely underestimated fortunately. Nordic tomorrow may be questionable due to both travel conditions and the abililty to groom tonight. Please look at your email early in the morning and we'll give you a last minute update. The Nordic Classic Ski clinic will have to be postponed for sure. Attached is a photo from last week's Nordic tour - look at the smiles! The Silver Fox group was back in full force last evening - we heard they had a great time at the Coyote. So good to see them at the mountain today. It's not too late to sign up for the banquet - just email a reply and you're all set. See you on the mountain for some turns in this fresh powder.
Terry

Exhibition - Opening Day Laps

WV opened it's Exhibition Terrain Park on Jan 15th! SPT, Luke and his staff's hard work and love can be found all over the park! Nice work guys! Enjoy some footage from the opening day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyGLGQlHrYY

Great Day Off

Yesterday was one of those days that make those of us lucky enough to work on skis come in on our day off. The sun was shining the temps were in the mid twenties skiing over soft snow with a small crowd waiting for first chair. Wednesday night's grooming report called for Ciao, Lower White Caps, Sel's choice, And Tyler Too to be left untouched, and that's where the great snow was. After a few runs on my tele gear my quads were toast, but I had a perma-grin.

Today we opened up True Grit and South Street, for tomorrow we are going to have Stillness and Psyched. The snow makers are moving the guns onto Lower Bobby's this afternoon. Those guys have been cranking out the snow with the overnight lows we've been seeing lately. Exhibition has been being built all week and is coming together. Every lift ride I take I can see more features being put into place. It's shaping up to be a great weekend here. I hope to see you out there this weekend.

B

Silver Streaks Nordic Report 1-14-11

Yippeeee! Finally enough snow for xc-skiing. Ten Nordics met this beautiful morning after the bounty of snow yesterday. It was 20°F and the sun was shining brilliantly. With new snow beckoning we decided to ski the South End. We skied Snows Brook and found the snow packed but not groomed. What fun it was to ski in the fresh snow. We headed part way up toward Sloppy Joes, then turned around and descended on Figure Three. When we returned to Snows Brook Trail it had been groomed and we followed the pristine tracks for another round of the same trails. Brice had been up grooming since 2:30 a.m. Thank you. Brice. All smiles, we returned to the Nordic Center via the Pond Loop for lunch and camaraderie. Special thanks to the two elves, Paul and Bob, who help with cleaning up after lunch.

See you on Wednesday of next week.

Gigi

Day after the Storm

Another great day today! WV got about 17 inches of snow from the storm yesterday and today was still amazing skiing. Most trails were groomed out, but the few that weren't were a personal favorite today. Most of our runs were spend over on Ciao and every time we went down, we had the trail all to ourselves!! I was shocked but psyched to still find some awesome pow off to the side for some fresh tracks this morning! The legs were shaking and burnin' the first lap, but I couldn't resist and kept going back for more! Think Snow and see ya out there!

Silver Streaks at Schwendi Hutte

One thing that yesterday and today teaches us is the more one skis, the better prepared you are for lots of snow. What made the skiing even better today was that the visibility was a whole lot better. Pam had a great clinic on Valley Run, then close to twenty of us enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Swendi Hutte (photos attached). Their veggie chili is outstanding as are their pastries - all homemade and you can tell. Looking forward, next Wednesday (19th) is our Anniversary Banquet so please let us know if you're coming. Monday is Martin Luther King Day so we will not meet so we'll see you all on Tuesday. have a great Friday & weekend.

Wednesday - Snow at last!!

What a day of skiing! The conditions couldn't be more perfect - blue sky - no wind - packed powder. The crowds that were expected for the Patriots promotion seemed to arrive a little later than last week so the slopes were fairly empty early in the morning. Couple of announcements: apres-ski party tomorrow will be a the Golden Eagle Lodge - in the Lobby. The Golden Eagle is the largest hotel in town, take 2nd left turn onto Packards Rd, Golden Eagle on right. Please bring and appetizer and/or wine to share. I've never made this request before but please do not bring White Zinfindal wine - I have 2 unopened left-over bottle from the previous apres-ski parties. Also, Al Lynch came for the first time today and he ask if anyone turned in a book he lent out called "Road to Serfdom" by Fredrick Hayek. If you have it, please leave with us. Some left a black fleece gaitor and blue ski mittens yesterday - we have them in our storge "closet". The Nordic program is postponed to Thursday and we'll have a Scwendi Hutte lunch on Thursday.

Sunny ski day and events coming up

What a day of skiing! The conditions couldn't be more perfect - blue sky - no wind - packed powder. The crowds that were expected for the Patriots promotion seemed to arrive a little later than last week so the slopes were fairly empty early in the morning. Couple of announcements: apres-ski party tomorrow will be a the Golden Eagle Lodge - in the Lobby. The Golden Eagle is the largest hotel in town, take 2nd left turn onto Packards Rd, Golden Eagle on right. Please bring and appetizer and/or wine to share. I've never made this request before but please do not bring White Zinfindal wine - I have 2 unopened left-over bottle from the previous apres-ski parties. Also, Al Lynch came for the first time today and he ask if anyone turned in a book he lent out called "Road to Serfdom" by Fredrick Hayek. If you have it, please leave with us. Some left a black fleece gaitor and blue ski mittens yesterday - we have them in our storge "closet". The Nordic program is postponed to Thursday and we'll have a Scwendi Hutte lunch on Thursday. That's all for now - see you tomorrow.

Terry

Starting your day off the RIGHT WAY!

Today was one of those days that makes you stop and appreciate everything around you. It's a Blue Bird Day, the sun is shining and the snow conditions are amazing! We got to the Mountain at 8:30 and were at the chair to hear the bell ringing for the first lift. For our first run of the day we cruised right over to Sunny Side. The snow was soft, we had fresh corduroy top to bottom and no one else in sight. The conditions were amazing...thanks to everyone at the mountain that made that happen! By 10:30 we had to leave to get to work. Most people reading this would normally say, stay out at the mountain and play hooky, but I do love my job and going out for an hour is all part of working in Recreation!
As we were leaving on the beautiful Tuesday, we looked at each other and said that it looked like a Saturday up there! Love the Deal that the Mountain puts out dealing with the Pats! It was great to see so much good energy up there...what could be better for those that only had to pay $7 for a lift ticket!
Get out there and enjoy the great conditions!

Snowglobe day

We left sunshine at home just 10 miles away and entered into a snow globe in the Valley today! The snow fall amounts haven't been major lately but certainly enough to cover the trail and make for some "quiet" skiing on the hill. So far today, everything was going smoothly until I realized that I had forgotten our tickets in the car. Much to the kids dismay, we had to head back to lot 7. Luckily the trolley appeared. The friendly crew brought us to the car and then back to the base. My kids love the trolley so there was absolutely no complaining about the loss of ski time. Now as for the skiing, it was great! Despite the snow swirling around our heads, we skied for 4 1/2 hours. After one quick hot chocolate and snack break at Sunnyside Timberlodge, we were on the hill again. Wherever we went, we never had to wait in a line. As usual the lift attendants were so attentive and helpful with the girls. Sometimes we would be the only ones on trail. Who doesn't love to have the trail to themself? We enjoyed packed powder conditions and discovered plenty of fluff on the edges from yesterday's and today's snowfall. Hope everyone else enjoyed the day!

Tuesday in WV

Hooray - it's snowing here.

Literally thousands of skiers enjoyed the Patriots promotion at Waterville Valley today. On the Tuesday following a game, the price of the ticket is the losing score of the Patriots opponent.($7 today!) This promotion will continue throughout the Playoffs as well. Tomorrow we'll be back to normal and our BYOB apres-ski party will be held at the Silver Fox Inn (third floor room)starting a 3:00. Please bring an appetizer and/or beverage to share. Below is a note from Gigi concerning the Nordic group tomorrow. She also suggests that you bring along ski poles for added exercise. Also of note - Pam will be holding a ski clinic on Valley Run this coming Thursday - gentle turns. See you at the mountain,

Terry

Morning light over Tecumseh

Attention Nordic Silver Streaks

Dear Nordic Silver Streaks,

Happy New Year! Snow dances didn’t work, unfortunately. But it is high time that we get together. Today (Monday) I had a wonderful walk with my snowshoes along the Greeley Ponds Trail. I think walking this trail will be our best option on Wednesday. We will need some kind of traction for your shoes. Snowshoes worked well, but either stablicers, Yak Tracks or microspikes will work, also. Please bring ski or hiking poles for and upper-body workout. If you don’t have any device you may borrow a pair of snowshoes from the Nordic Center. There are some snow showers in the forecast so we may have a winter wonderland for our hike.

Please come to the Nordic Center between 9:30 and 9:45 am as usual. I hope you will all be there. I am so looking forward to seeing you all.

Gigi

Silver Streaks 12/23/2010

Hi WV community,
I finally had some time to put this little video together for the Silver Streaks. We skied together before the holiday week and I took some video of the streaks. It's a little shaky as I'm still getting used to using the flip.... more skiing with the flip.

The Only Bagjump In The East Is At WV

There is a reason why Waterville Valley is considered to be the birthplace of Freestyle Skiing, earning the distinction after hosting the First Exhibition of Freestyle Skiing in the 70's. Today, WV's commitment to the sport of Freestlye Skiing and Snowboard remain strong as they continue to support the local Snow Sports Club.

This fall, the Waterville Valley BBTS Snow Sports Club purchased a Bagjump to help their freestyle and snowboard athletes train new tricks in a safe environment before taking them to snow in WV's Exhibition Terrain Park. Be sure to swing by their training site on Lower Sel's Choice to watch these young athletes flip and spin into this amazing training tool which is the only one on the east coast.

Check out the video of WVBBTS' first training session on the new Bagjump