Snow Day

  Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Thursday, January 8, 2009

Matt and I in the car

As we are driving west on I270, I can't help but smile.  I am looking at the long line of cars headed into DC to begin their work day.  I, on the otherhand, am going with some of my co-workers for a snow day on the slopes of Whitetail.  It was an early morning because we wanted to hit the slopes as they are open and it is a a 2 hour drive to Whitetail from DC.  First, we stopped for breakfast at a Waffle House in Iamsville.  I was riding with Ryan and Matt.  Alias, James, Joe and Jana meet us at the Waffle House.  Jon, Greg, Heather and Noah joined up with us at Whitetail.  This is going to be a fun day!

Whitetail

Whitetail has a EZ package which provides access to the lifts for the green circle trails (easiest), rental and a class lesson for $77.  Besides Greg and Noah, the rest of the group will be snow boarding for their first time.  I elected to stay on skis; this will be my third time on the ski slopes.  Although most of us were beginners no one wanted to take the class lesson, so I ended up paying for 8 hour lift ticket ($47) and ski rentals ($38).  Funny thing some of the group ended up paying for the All Mountain pass ($93), which provided lift access to lifts they would not dream on taking and a lesson, which they did not take.

Getting ready

First lift

Once everyone got their equipement and suited up, we all started sking the "Velvet" trail.  I surprised myself by making down the run without falling.  Some of the others were not so fortunate, but provided some comical tales which will be retold countless times at work.  My ego was brought down a notch on the next two runs when I forgot how to stop at the bottom of the hill and chose to flop down instead of running into anything or anyone.  It was great coming so early in the morning because there were fewer people (obstacles) to avoid.  The three beginner runs ("Velvet", "Northern Lights" and "Almost Home") was great because it was long and steep enough to give you a good introduction to fun of skiing.

Riding lift to Snow Park/ Sidewinder

View from the top

Near the end of the morning, everyone was comfortable enough in their ability to turn and stop, so were all ready for something more challenging.  We all decided to ski the "Snow Park" trail, another green circle but twice as long as the first three.  The lift getting to the top of the mountain fits four people, but Joe and I almost failed to make it on the chair with Jana and Alias when Joe's snowboard and my skis got tangled up.  At the top of the mountain we realize the run is also steeper than the beginner slopes.  After saying a little prayer, off I went.  Although the trail was only twice as long, I fell about a dozen times.  One particularly spectatcular prat fall, I got a good dose of ice scratching up my back...ouch.  Joe provided the most amusing moment when he skied into the pole designating the beginning of the slow skiing area.  That was enough fun for me.  I, along with Matt and James, decided to go back to the beginner slopes.

Lunchtime

After a couple more runs, everyone meet up at the lodge for lunch...well almost everyone.  Jon was enjoying himself so much he continued ski so more runs.  Plus, Jana decided to switch to skis because she wanted to go faster and was more comfortable on skis.  After a expensive lunch of a panini, chips and vitamin drink ($16!!), everyone returned to the slopes.  After a half dozen runs on the beginner slope, I was ready (I thought) for another challenge.  The "Sidewinder" trail started at the same point as "Snow Park"; however it appeared to be less steep and was more of a meandering trail with many turns.  Once again I had an incident at the quad chair, when I failed to get to the loading point before the chair...at least I did not fall.  I was joined by Jana, Joe and Ryan.  Ryan was witness to one of my more amusing episodes. 

Must stop before running in to.....

On one of the many turns, I failed to make the turn and launched myself into the uncovered grass along the trail.  I did not realized that at the bottom of the trail, "Sidewinder" joins up with a blue square trail "Fanciful".  Fortunately, this steep section was straight.  I managed to remain upright and actually stopped myself before running into the group at the bottom of the hill.

Greg helping Heather

Heather hurt herself a little and Greg, like a dutiful boyfriend, stayed with her at the lodge.  Jana, Ryan and Jon was ready to brave a blue square course and tackled the "Limelight" trail.  Noah had to head back because he was working tonight at 1.  Alias and Joe continued to ski the "Snow Park" and "Sidewinder" trails.  Matt, James and I returned to the beginner slopes.  This time the slopes are crowded with people who showed up after work/school.  It was a test of my maneuvering skills to avoid all the people sprawled out along the slopes of the beginner trails, but I managed to succeed.  Matt and I made one last run.  It did not start out well for Matt, when he took a big spill getting off the lift.  However, his day ended on a high note when he managed to make a controlled stop at the bottom of the hill without falling.  We joined most of the group at the lodge.  Since there are people to keep Heather company, Greg did not feel guilty to leave her and went to ski the "Terrain Park", a double black diamond with many jumps.  Alias was taking a nap while Jana, Ryan and Jon continued to ski.  I was relaxing at the lodge and was glad to get out of those ski boots.  I am sure everyone would have agreed that this was a much better way to spend the day than going to work.