Downhill TimesJanuary 2016

North PennSki Club

NEXT MEETING, NEW LOCATION & TIME

7PM, Thursday January 14thThe Red Cedar Grille, 249 Bethlehem Pike(Route 309), Colmarwww.theredcedar.com

Guests & visitors welcome!

www.northpennskiclub.org

Win a trip to Elk Mountain!Bring a Friend, Get a Free Raffle TicketAt THIS THURSDAY’s meeting, we will be selling raffle tickets, and the prize will be a FREE spot on February’s Elk Mountain trip – a $75 value!(Trip details provided on page 7.) But what is even more exciting is the factthat if you bring a non-ski-club member to this meeting, you BOTH will automatically get a FREE ticket for the raffle. You can certainly purchase as many raffle tickets as you would like, but everyone who entices a non-member to come out and see what the club is all about will earn a free raffle ticket for yourself and your friend. What a great deal!

At February’s and March’s meetings, we will also have raffles and prizes, soif your friends can’t make it until one of the other meetings, you both willstill receive a great prize. But January’s is the only one in which you couldpotentially enjoy an entire day of skiing at Elk Mountain for free. Be sure tointroduce your non-member to some of the board to qualify for your freetickets, and to other folks so they can enjoy all the stories and interestingpersonalities that make up our club roster!

As always, we will share updates on ALL of our trips, the latest news fromCouncil, and will accept membership dues and trip payments. For thosewho haven’t attended since we moved to the Red Cedar, COME ON OUT!The food is good, and the atmosphere is fun. See you Thursday!

NEW PLACE, NEW TIME!We meet at 7PM at the Red CedarGrille, located on Route 309 (formerlythe Inn Flight). Join your skiing friends fordinner, or drinks, or beers and appetizers,or coffee and dessert – whatever floatsyour boat. See you Thursday, the 14th!

And, thank you to all who came out tothe Red Cedar for December’s meeting!Everyone enjoyed some delicious food,drink, and plenty of socializing. If youhaven’t come out to our new venue yet,what are you waiting for?

Inclement weather? Call an officer for any cancellation info.

PresidentJoAnne Landis215 234 0358

Vice PresidentDave Schonekerdschoneker@aol.com

SecretaryJudy Gordon215 538 3992

Treasurer Jenny Hutchison215 541 1189

Board MembersFrank Prindle215 322 0295

John Del Pizzo484 362 8470

Membership Linda Dedman215 412 2080

Web Masters JoAnne LandisJohn Del Pizzo

EPSC RepsKen Foster215 822 1413Dave Schonekerdschoneker@aol.com

Disc. Lift Tickets Ken Foster215 822 1413

Newsletter Staff JoAnne Landis215 234 0358

Gail Shaffer

NEW OFFICERS! HH

(2)

UPCOMING EVENTS•January 22: Salter’s Ski Shop CAD,Elk Mountain, $30 lifts

•January 29: Salter’s Ski Shop CAD,Bear Creek, $20 lifts

•February 5: Salter’s Ski Shop CAD,Blue Mountain, $35 lifts

•February 6: Buckmans Ski Shop “RailJam” at Bear Creek

•February 23: Elk Mountain one-day,Snow Pig adventure, see page 7

•Feb. 26: Buckmans CAD, Blue Mountn,Advance ticket purchase required

•February 27/28: N. American Tele-mark Org’s 2-day workshop, Elk Mtn

Presidential PonderingsWow! Who would have thought that “winter” wouldn’t actually show it’s face through-out the entire East Coast until well into the month of January? In a way, the weatherwas all hot and bothered early on, then smoothed out, and is now starting to run a more normalcourse — very similar to what went on with our own club. This past fall brought on quite a bitof change and abnormalities for North Penn, but just like Old Man Winter and Mother Nature,we’ve worked out our differences and are heading onward, following a more healthy and excitingcourse! Part of that change is your very own Newsletter Editor also taking on responsibilities ofclub President. (Now I have no one to blame but myself for a presidential article being late!)

In addition to my taking on new challenges, I want to acknowledge those folks who have also stepped up in a varietyof ways in order to keep this club alive and thriving. Thanks goes out to Frank and Jenny for remaining in their variouspositions on the board, as well as Dave, Judy, and John for volunteering to join the board. Not only has Judy joinedthe board, but she took over the Secretary position. And Linda moved from the board to Membership (the mem-bership list needs some serious updating, and Linda assures us that she is the right person for this job as she lovesto organize things!). Every one of these people has done so much for the club in just a few weeks’ time! Arrangedfor a new meeting place, schemed up a new game for our holiday meeting, came up with several raffle ideas for othermeetings this season, plotting and planning trips for upcoming seasons, and we’re even in the process of booking arestaurant for the April banquet (already!). John is going through dozens of email messages received via our website,and has offered several great ideas in regard to promoting the club to new potential members. And most of youknow that Dave is the mastermind behind our club’s revitalization these past few months. Kudos to all of them!

There’s no question that the Officers and Board Members have been doing their part ... now the big question is,“Have YOU been doing your part?” Simple things like renewing your membership and signing up / paying for a spoton one of our trips can and should be done by every member. But what about spreading the news about NPSC?What about bringing or inviting a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker to one of our meetings? Meetingsare much more like a social dinner event now, so it’s a lot less intimidating to newbies, and they may even win prizes!Share our newsletters by forwarding these emails or printing out and giving someone a copy. When you’re talkingabout skiing with strangers, mention the club and tell them all about the trips, lift ticket discounts, and other thingsenjoyed by being a member. (Jenny and I did just that the other day, while updating the NPSC checking account infoat the bank. The fellow who handled our paperwork never knew there was a local ski club, and is very interested intrying the Elk trip!) We’ve signed up to have a display table at the Calvary Outdoors Expo in Souderton on March5 – lots of couples, singles, and families with an interest in outdoor activities will be there – and you could help usget them excited about skiing and snowboarding with North Penn! Come help out at our table for an hour or so,and go off and enjoy the expo yourself when others take over. Have an idea on how we can further promote theclub? Let one of the officers know – don’t just assume that we’re going to come up with all the ideas on our own –pitch in!

So, was that too much of a pep rally for my first presidential article? I’ll try to be more philosophical and informativenext time. :) See you at Thursday’s meeting!

JoAnne Landis (“Madam President”)

HH

(3)

Vermont Spring Skiing Spectacular!Midweek drive-up trip to ski Killington, Pico, OkemoSunday, March 6th to Friday, March 11th, 2016

• Only $599 per person, double occupancy

• Slope-side resort accommodations:

3 nights at Jackson Gore Village (6-9 March)

2 nights at Killington Grand Hotel (9-11 March)

• Welcome reception at both hotels

• 5-1/2* day lift ticket valid at Okemo, Killington, Pico* Half-day is valid Sunday afternoon if you arrive early enough.(Ticket is also valid any day at Mt. Sunapee, NH)

This is a great price, people!! Compare to rack rates / window rates at $895/person, and compare to ski-and-stay packages at $785/person. Sign up deadline is January 14th. Members of all EPSCski clubs welcome! Contact Frank Prindle by email: prindle@ieee.org

KILLINGTON GRAND RESORT HOTEL

Killington's only full-service mountainside hotel features hotel rooms, studios, suites, and pent-houses. A wide range of amenities are available in-cluding free wireless internet, Ovations Restaurantand Lounge, convenience store / gift shop, ski andsnowboard equipment check, valet parking, andgame room. The health club includes weight andcardiovascular equipment, sauna, steam room, and a 75-foot outdoor heated pool with two hottubs featuring views of Killington.

JACKSON GORE VILLAGE (OKEMO)

Located at the base of Jackson Gore, this propertyincludes the Jackson Gore Inn, Adams House, andBixby House. Offering the widest variety of on-site amenities with the charm and convenience ofa country inn and the convenience of hotel serv-ices. Guests can enjoy The Adventure Zone, SpringHouse pool and fitness center, The Ice House, indoor/outdoor pools, a firepit, child care, retailand so much more! Plus, enjoy on-site dining atthe Coleman Brook Tavern.

Each winter, every adult EPSC club member can parti -cipate in Council’s FREE Learn-to-Ski program, which pro-vides new comers an in expensive way to learn the sportand novices the opportunity to fine tune their skills. Theinstructors, who are also members of EPSC clubs, are certified instructors who volunteer their time to teach.

Skill levels taught in these lessons range from having neverskied before to those making open parallel turns, and stu-dents are grouped based on ability levels. Even though welist this program as a “learn to ski,” lessons are also opento those who want to “learn to ski better.” Instructorswill help build your skills and confidence from one weekto the next – who doesn’t want to improve their tech-nique or increase their comfort level on any terrain?

Lesson registration forms are available via EPSC’s websiteand available at sign in. www.easternPAskicouncil.orgCurrent club membership cards must be shown, and par-ticipants must sign in at the front lobby regis tration tableprior to each lesson in order to receive their discountedlift ticket and/or equipment rentals. Students develop thenecessary skills to handle all types of terrain and snowconditions as lessons are held no matter what theweather, as long as the mountain is open!

For over 25 years, lessons continue to be held at SpringMountain, 757 Spring Mount Rd, Schwenksville, PA. Lessons are free; nightly lift tickets and rentals are offeredat a substantial discount. The program is open ONLY tocurrent members of EPSC clubs. This season’s rates are$15 lift tickets, and $25 for a lift and rental package.

New for this season, the program runs for just THREEMonday nights: January 11, 18, and 25, 2016. If a make-up or additional class is necessary, it will take place onFebruary 1st. Attend just one lesson, or all three!

Get your non-skiing, novice friends and neighbors tocome out, and your intermediate self and family to try ittoo. A brush-up lesson before your “big trip” this seasonis in order!

Monday Night Lessons

EPSC / Council News

Discount Lift TicketsThe Discount Lift Ticket program is open to all members of EPSC clubs!Tickets are avail able for local Pocono mountains as well as a few New Englandresorts. Order tickets via Council’s website by completing the user-friendly orderform and e-mailing it to the address provided. “The Ticket Guy”, Ken Foster verifies your club membership and gets the tickets to you ASAP. The online orderforms will be available to council members some-time later in December.

www.easternPAskicouncil.org

Discount tickets are for use by current club mem-bers ONLY. Tickets are good only for the currentseason, so limit purchases to what you are sure youcan use. Return fees apply for all unused tickets,and the number of returns accepted is very limited.

Also, be sure to have your ID and your ski clubmembership card when visiting the mountains forwhich you bought discount tickets!

Ski Club / Council Appreciation Days (NY)

You must have a ski club mem-bership card with NCSF stickeron the back, a photo ID, and pur-chase an Evolution Stowe Card($5 fee) to get Council discountson these dates.

Adult tickets, age 13+: 1-day =$45, 2-day = $90, 3-day = $135.Child 6-12 years: 1-day = $33, 2-day = $66, 3-day = $99.

Discount lodging is also available.www.stowe.com/groups

(4)

h

h

GORE MOUNTAIN

Gore Mountain will be offering “Ski Club Appre-ciation Day” rates of just $42 for one or $75 fortwo days of skiing on these dates: January 14th;February 14th; March 20th-21st, 2016

Each person must show their photo ID and skiclub or council card. Council day tickets mayonly be purchased at the Snow Sports Desk ofthe Northwoods Lodge or Guest Services Of-fice. Questions: Contact Cindy at (518) 251-2411 x1008 or cindy@goremountain.com.

WHITE FACE, New York

Tickets are just $42 per person with a ski clubcard AND photo ID on February 1st, March 6th-7th; March 31st-April 2, 2016

Each person must show their photo ID and skiclub or council card to get this price. Purchasetickets at Guest Services Office.

BELLEAYRE, New York

Show the folks at Belleayre (Highmount NY)your valid Ski Club ID card and receive a dis-counted ticket at $38 each on: January 30, February 20, March 14, March 20 & 21, 2016

ALSO: Seniors 65 and older ski for only $10when an any-age day ticket is purchased at thesame time, January 11-15, February 8-12, andMarch 7-11. Plus, all seniors who are wearing asenior ticket can go to the cafeteria and receive$1 cups of coffee and $2 breakfast sandwiches.

Mount Snow Awareness Days 2015-2016

Mount Snow will extend the following discounted dates and rates to members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Ski Council through its Group Sales offi ce:

Date Awareness Day Rate Group Rate Window Rate

F $37 $40 $65

S $42 $48 $65

S $37 $40 $65

F $52 $76 $92

S $56 $67 $92

S $51 $40 $92

F $48 $50 $90

S $56 $67 $90

S $51 $57 $90

Awareness Day Rate Group Rate Window Rate

F $37 $40 $65

S $42 $48 $65

S $37 $40 $65

Friday, February 19 $52 $76 $92

Saturday, February 20 $56 $67 $92

Sunday, February 21 $51 $40 $92

Friday, March 11 $48 $50 $90

Saturday, March 12 $56 $67 $90

Sunday, March 13 $51 $57 $90

To purchase discounted tickets, members must go to the Group Sales offi ce. The Group Sales Offi ce is located in the Clocktower Building Monday through Friday from 8:30AM-1:00PM and at the Sundance Base Lodge on weekends and holidays from 7:30AM-1:00PM.

h

f

f

hf

Graphic DesignJoAnne Landis

215-234-0358 joski53@verizon.net

brochures, logos, flyers, newsletters, ads

Have a creative pro design your promotional materials!

New Members:Ray & Florence Messina, Tom Kosek,

Dan Gring, and John Markunas

Welcome to the club!

Alex Miller Jan. 1 Cory Bluestein Jan. 4 Verna Rickert Jan. 4 Linda Dedman Jan. 6 Matthew Bell Jan. 9 Kevin LaTorre Jan. 14 Andrea Schoneker Jan. 19 Brian LaTorre Jan. 20 Remy Elgart Jan. 23 Florence Messina Jan. 28

Ellen Sherk Feb. 3 Rich Mazur Feb. 5 Sue Long Feb. 9 Jenny Hutchison Feb. 15 Dan Morrissy Feb. 21 Catarina Sacchetti Feb. 21 Joan Bucher Feb. 27

Birthdays!

HH

HH

H

hf

Have Adventure,Will ShareDo you have a photo, specialevent, adventure, or story wecan share with members? Justlet our editor know so it canbe included in a futurenewsletter!

f

h

f

(5)

BIG SKY, MT, has openedthree new terrain parks this win-ter, as well as three new ski runs.Big Sky was already one of thethree largest ski areas in North America, with more than 5,800acres of terrain, and the new ter-rain increases its ski and board-able terrain still further. The newterrain parks include The Cache -- replacing the Freestyle Forest, is located toalso allow easy access to and from the newly revamped Swifty Terrain Park thathas received increased acreage and an improved jumpline. The other two newparks are advanced park, Peacemaker, and intermediate park, Maverick, both located on the Wagon train run. The traditional Freestyle Forest in the Moon-light has been redeveloped into a family friendly kid’s adventure area named TheLost Frontier.

JIMINY PEAK, MA has opened the largest community-run solar power plantin the Northeast USA. The Nexamp Peak Solar Project covers 12-acres and in-cludes 7,500 precisely-aligned solar panels arranged in 682 rows with a 2.3megawatt solar energy generating capacity. Combined with Jiminy Peak's exist-ing famous Zephyr 1.5 megawatt wind turbine as well as its 75 kw cogenerationunit and extensive conservation efforts, this new solar array will enable the re-sort to offset 90% of its energy needs from local renewable resources, makingJiminy Peak one of the greenest ski resorts in the world.

ASPEN HOTELS OFFER “LASTTRACKS” – Booking in for ‘FirstTracks’ is an increasingly popular op-tion at ski resorts around the world.But what about ‘Last Tracks’ – gettingthe slopes to yourself after everyonehas gone home for the day? It’s beingoffered as a guest perk this season atAspen by several of the famous Col-orado resort’s top hotels: The Lime-light Hotel, The Little Nell andResidences of The Little Nell. Actuallyits one in a long list of special perks offered by these properties. Guestsare invited to participate in the uniqueoffering of ‘sweeping’ Aspen Mountainwith ski patrol. The program offers anexperience where guests have themountain to themselves for one run atthe end of the day, and also gain therare chance of a behind-the-scenestour learning how the ski patrol en-sures skiers/boarders are safely off themountain at the end of each day. LastTracks with Ski Patrol meets at 4 p.m.by the fireplace in the Sundeck everyTuesday, Thursday and Saturday untilApril 2nd, 2016.

Ski Resort News

f

(6)

HH

H

H

HH

Facebook Friends: If you’re on Facebook, we invite you to“LIKE” North Penn’s page! Support the clubby being a friend and recommending the pageto other Face book friends and skiers. Simplygo to North Penn Ski Club's page, click onthe "invite your friends" link, and then hit the"invite" button next to each of your friends'names. It's simple and easy. Thanks!

Our page features comics, member photos,interesting resort information, upcoming clubevents, ski shop deals, other club’s trips, etc.Check it out!

Northern Websites & Phones

www.belleayre.com 1-800-942-9604www.goremountain.com 1-800-342-1234www.greekpeak.net 1-800-365-7669www.windhammountain.com 1-800-SKI-WINDHAMwww.killington.com 1-800-422-3261www.mountsnow.com 1-802-464-2151www.okemo.com 1-802-228-5222www.loonmtn.com 1-603-745-8100

Ski-Related News

Hunter Mountain SoldThe owner of Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Peak Resorts, has entered into an agreement topurchase Hunter Mountain for $35 millioncash. Hunter, the self-proclaimed "snow makingcapital of the world", has been locally ownedand operated by the Slutzky family for the past57 years.

Peak Resorts plans to offer reciprocal pro-grams among its resorts for Hunter Mountainseason pass holders as well as season passholders at its current properties such as JackFrost, Mount Snow, and Wildcat. Peak Resortscurrently operates 13 ski resorts in the Mid-west and Northeast.

January Events at MontageA variety of events are happening at Montage Mountain in Scranton PA during the month of January:

Burton Demo Day and Tuesday Brewsday Electric City Brewfest Special - 1/12; Free Lesson Special - 1/13; $5 MorningLift Ticket Special - 1/14; #freshieswithfriends, Snowkicker Sports Demo Day and Find-it Friday Giveaways - 1/15

Martin Luther King Weekend - 1/16 to 1/18; Tuesday Brewsday Electric City Brewfest Special - 1/19College Day Special and Adult Night in Slocum Hollow - 1/20; Montage Mountain Open Race (Youth) - 1/23

Montage Mountain Open Race (Adult) - 1/24; College Day Special - 1/27; FOSM 3rd Annual Polar Plunge - 1/30

H

H

H

Killer Drone — almost!On December 22, a drone crashed during a live WorldCup Slalom event in Italy. Twitter and Facebook werealive with photos and video footage showing just howclose professional skier Marcel Hirscher came frombeing injured by the malfunction. The event happenedjust weeks after ski resorts started banning the use ofdrones to prevent events just like this. The FAA has alsojust recently issued a statement on proper use and safehandling for drone pilots.

Any ski area can share cool powder skiing photos, but only Steamboat Colorado’s photographers share an awesome MOOSE!

One-day Snow PigAdventure at ElkOnce again NPSC will hit the slopes atElk Mountain – Tuesday, February 23rd,2016! Here are the details:

Meet at 6 AM: Hagey Tours lot at 210Schoolhouse Road, Souderton – just amile or so from Route 113.  Bus leavespromptly at 6:15!  For folks in northernterritories, we also stop at the PA turn-pike’s “park-and-ride” lot in Quaker-town at 6:30AM. You MUST advise inadvance as to which location you will beboarding!

Cost is $75 per person (only $65for seniors age 65 or more). Trip in-cludes lift ticket, bus, and OJ /donuts/snacks on the bus.  Lunch is on yourown; we return to Souderton around7:15pm, so dinner is on your owntoo.   We typically ski from 9am to4:30pm.  Discounted rentals and lessonsare available; if you already have lift tickets and only need transportation, itis available for $40 per person.

Contact JoAnne Landis to reserve yourseat – please advise which location youwill board and if you qualify for the senior discount. 215 234 0358 orjoscott49(at)verizon.net

Mount Snow, VermontThe Upper Bucks Ski Club is runninga trip to MOUNT SNOW, VT

FEBRUARY 19 - 21, 2016 (WEEKEND TRIP)

Accommodations: The Lodge at Mt.Snow located at the base of Mt. Snow(on shuttle route) via Hagey Coach& Tours – video bus with restroomand wifi. Rates are:

Four (4) per room, $380 /personThree (3) per room, $400/personTwo (2) per room, $420 /personOne (1) per room, $520

$300 per person due at time ofsignup; Balance due February 1st.

INCLUDED IN TRIP: Bus transporta-tion, Lodging, two hot breakfasts, Sat-urday evening dinner, 2 day lift ticket

AMENITIES: Cocktail lounge, Exer-cise gym, Game room, Restaurant,Room service – limited hours, Buffetbreakfast, Free Local Shuttle, Hot Tub,Wireless Internet, Fireplace

Departure: Bus leaves from PA Turn-pike Commuter Lot, Route 663,Quakertown at 5pm. Return: Arriveback in Quakertown approximately11pm Sunday night.

Trip leader: Karin Wheelin 215-630-8121 k_wheelin@yahoo.com

(7)

Where’s the Membership Application?Usually this page of the newsletter features the Membership form needed to join theclub as a newbie, or to renew membership as an existing NPSC member. But, nowthat our newsletters are digital, it really isn’t necessary to hog up an entire page witha form used once a year. So, to be truly “digital”, you will now need to visit our websiteand download / print the application from there. If you want your membership cardmailed to your home, please include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) alongwith your completed application and dues payment! www.northpennskiclub.org

f

f

f

North PennSki Club819 Chestnut StreetLansdale, PA

19446

Visit our web site! w

ww

.northpennskiclub.org

Ski Related News

h

f

Belleayre’s Luge Challenge(Highmount NY, February 2016)

The Luge Challenge will offer an exciting weekend of luge training andracing, exposing Belleayre patrons to the fastest sport on ice, free ofcharge. Patrons ages 10 and up can experience the thrill of luge in asafe slope-side setting, with instruction from USA Luge World Cup andinternational team athletes. After learning the basics of steering andstopping, along with a few practice runs, racers will slide down thesnow-covered track, complete with curves and timing equipment, andcompete for prizes in four age groups: men and women 18 and over;and boys and girls 10 to 17. At the base of the luge track, you can hangout and listen to great music and cheer on your fellow racers.

Jack Frost / Big Boulder Festivities(Going on THIS weekend, January 9 and 10, 2016)

Both Jack Frost and Big Boulder have beginner to expert terrain openas well as parks with features. Boulder has over 30 features now, andONE Park has 25. Snowtubing is open with 5 chutes at Jack Frost andBig Boulder. There is something for the entire family to enjoy.

JF/BB's music series is in full swing with live music at Jack Frost- funparty band in E-2000 (21 and over) and a great acoustic duo in theFrosty Toboggan (family friendly) for your après ski fun! If you don'twant your day to end, then head over to Big Boulder for some night-time adventure. And then finish the night at the T-Bar with a liveacoustic duo playing from 4pm to 8pm.