The Inside Track - Director's Diary

February 7, 2010

COME ENJOY THE ELEGANT SKI CONDTIONS, THE GAME DOESN'T START TILL TONIGHT.  Plenty of time to do something for your heart and lungs and what better to do than get outdoors and ski?  We have the snow and the grooming and skiing is fantastic on North End.  Many folks came in yesterdday saying they wouldn't have believed how great the skiing could be! 

GROUND HOG DAY GEAR AND CLOTHING SALE:  ENDS TODAY. This weekend only 50% off closeout clothing and 30% off storewide.  We still have skate and classic boot sizes but after Mass Vacation Week all bets are off.

WEEKEND OUTLOOK: We know that the ground hog saw his shadow on Tuesday but now Ground Hog Day the movie descends on us--carbon copy days: highs 18-22 and sunny both Saturday and Sunday....not bad ski weather days to string together.

TRAILS:  The North End is the place to be...Ski conditions are close to ideal.  Sugary granular snow abounds.  Still continuous snow cover everywhere --no bare spots and the grooming is the best.  We reopened Cascade up to Junction 29.  Fun skiing but ski with caution--couple of open drainages near the top.

SKI THE NORTH END:  It is amazing how our snow surfaces have held up through thick and thin.   With our expert grooming the North End currently offers high quality snow surfaces.  But with ski access out of our Town Square Nordic Center closed to the North End the best bet ways to get to the open trails are : (1) drive to and park at Depot Camp area.  Be sure to pick up a National Forest parking pass when you buy your ticket.  However--during busy times when that parking becomes limited. (2)  park at the alpine ski area --lot 4or 6 and ski down the Pipeline Trail to Lower Osceola.  Or (3) Use the Shuttle:  The blue shuttles leave from the front of Town Square on the half hour.   Advise the driver you wish to go to Depot Camp or the alpine area dropping you at Pipeline (lot 4).  Bring your cell phone with you and when you wish to return call our front desk and we can arrange to have the next bus pick you up.  

OUR GOAL:  Our standard for our product offering is simple...to offer a quality cross country ski trail experience to our guests.  The achievement of this standard may include limiting our product offering if circumstances dictate.   Rather than open marginally skiable trails we will keep them closed and continue to closely monitor them until conditions allow us to reopen.

FIND THE YURT:  The yurt is open for warming everyday.  It is located on Bob's Lookout just  over 1 kilometer from the trailhead at Lower Osceola, and about 7 km if you ski from the Nordic Center.  It's a great place to regroup--bring a bag lunch or a snack.  Usually it is about 10-15 degrees warmer inside and downright toasty when solar energy is at its max.  

DRESS RIGHT...Winter conditions are what we nordic skiers love.  Winds are diminished significantly in the woods and cross country skiing can be enjoyable at temperatures well below what you might think.  Wear a balaclava or scarf.  Make sure you layer for moisture management.  Base layer underwear next to the skin, insulating layer over that and some kind of a wind protection garment are all you need.  Stop by our Town Square Gear and Clothing shop..We would be pleased to help you assess your clothing needs.

FREEMAN  WATCH:  Waterville's own Olympic and world cup nordic racer Kris Freeman is out at Canmore for the World Cup this weekend.  He goes on to Vancouver for the Olympics.   Kris had some really exciting results in the World Cup in December.  While training here this past month Kris was confident and looking forward to  medal possibilities this February.

GET YOUR PASS! --- The nordic season pass is still a great bargain.  If you intend to ski 10 times from now until spring you break even. If you mailed in your payment your nordic season pass will be available for pickup at the Season Pass Office in the base lodge at the Alpine Ski Area.  If you requested the pass be mailed to you then you should have recieved it.  If you did not request mailing you should not expect it to arrive.  Remember there is a liability release that must be signed and if you have a picture that you wish to update for your pass-- all of that takes place at the Season Pass Office.

• You can apply by mail for any of the pass categories or on line for the anytime passes only.  Sorry, you can no longer apply for the 3dom nordic upgrade on line.    You may also telephone either the Season Pass office 603-236-8311 extension 3147 or to Therese 603-236-8311 extension 0,  to file your renewal or new pass application. 
• You will receive a confirmation when your on line payment is processed.  Mail or bring the release form to the Season Pass office.  If you have a current photo on file your pass can be mailed directly to after payment and the release form has been received by the Pass Office.  You may also download the release form and mail it in with your application.

See you on the trails.