Monday, March 8th from Warren, VT  Our Park had a great event on Saturday and the Castlerock Extreme drew a huge response. So great in fact that we are going to have to consider things a bit differently next year to allow more people to compete. My son and son-in-law were forerunners for the event, and after a few practice runs in the morning and then the Official Forerun they gained a better appreciation for Lift Line as they nursed their sore bodies on Sunday.
This week is looking to be another gorgeous time to be on the slopes. The forecast for the weekend at this point is a bit uncertain, so stay tuned as we get closer to Friday. However, no matter what the short term brings, our snow depth is superb and we will be skiing and riding for quite a while longer. And if Mother Nature delivers normal snowfall in March and April, we could last into the first weekend of May for the fourth year in a row.
For those of you without season passes, check our Spring Pass that costs only $229. For those of you with passes, our 2010/2011 passes will go on sale on March 17th. Despite looking at some high uncontrollable costs next year from energy, taxes and some insurance, we are holding our pass prices at last spring's level. Prices will be higher in the fall, so purchasing this spring will offer all the best value.
If you have friends who were not passholders this year, make sure to tell them that their purchase of an All Mountain or Mt. Ellen Plus 10/11 season pass will allow them to ski and ride here from March 20th until the end of the season this year.
Don't forget the suntan lotion now that daylight savings is just around the corner! The sun will be higher and warmer in the afternoons and the decks at both areas will be the place to be après ski.
Win
Thursday, March 4th from Warren, VT Put on your shades, get out the suntan lotion, and think about some corn snow and hamburgers on the outdoor grill. This weekend is looking fabulous and will certainly get us in the spring mood!
Win
Monday, March 1st from Warren, VT  Welcome to March! We waited four months and it finally arrived. Up to last week we had received just barely 110" of snow. But things have changed. In the past week we have received nearly five feet of snow.
Not only did it snow, but it was the right kind of snow. It had more moisture content than we normally recieve here in Vermont, so it has laid a base that will make for some fabulous Spring skiing and riding. If you pushed your pole into the snow last weekend, you would see a deep, rich blue that I have only seen previously on glaciers. That was an indication of how much moisture was in the snow. Given that, you might have thought that the snow would be too heavy, but that was not the case. Down in the base area -- where it was not groomed -- the snow was indeed heavier and tougher to ski (like lower Eden Woods). But when you got up a few lift towers, the snow became increasingly light --there was deep powder all over the mountain.
This past Saturday morning, I took a full cabin of people up in the Lincoln Limo at 7 AM . We were greeted with six inches of new fluff that covered the four feet of snow received in previous days. My favorite run that day was Castlerock Run into Lower Castlerock Run -- I did exert "Owner's Rights" to get first tracks there (there should be some benefits to investing in a ski resort!) . Looking down from the top of the run, I saw a white, flat trail that appeared to be groomed. Within my first turn, I sunk into soft, light powder which, as I continued down, became at times thigh - deep. It was the sweetest run of the season for me.
Saturday was awesome and Sunday was an equally terrific day. I started out at 7 AM in the Lincoln Limo, for the fifth day in a row. After eight hours, it was time to put my sore calf up with some ice and watch one of the best hockey games I have seen since the "Miracle on Ice" thirty years ago. Unfortunately, Team USA did not pull it out in overtime, but our Candian friends were able to have a great celebration that afternoon. Hooray for our Olympians and their record number of medals in the Winter Olympics!
As I mentioned, last week's snow has set us up for a great Spring. Do plan to take advantage of the great lodging special we are offering, and pair it with a spring-skiing pass so you can spend these warm, snowy weekends here at Sugarbush. I am already working on my Pond-Skimming technique, and my older grandchildren Jack and Madyn are preparing to conquer the Vermont Teddy Bear Race! And then there's Dummy Big Air, our St. Patrick's Day $17 special at Mt. Ellen, the 32nd Annual Adventure Games, and a host of other fun events you don't want to miss.
We will be offering 2010/2011 Season Passes for sale beginning March 17th, with prices remaining the same as last Spring. Anyone who buys a new All-Mountain or Mt. Ellen Plus 2010/2011 Season Pass can ski and ride at Sugarbush for the rest of the season free.
Mother Nature delivered, and we are more committed than ever to providing you with an exceptional ski experience this March and April.
Win
Tuesday, February 23rd from Warren, VT  It is snowing as of 7:30 AM and our usually conservative weatherman is calling for at least a foot of snow in the next couple of days. It is time to pack your cars! This is what we have been waiting for.
Win
Monday, February 22nd from Warren, VT  Good things do happen to those who wait!
Many of you have pulled me aside to remark what a great job our mountain team has done this year given the paucity of natural snow we have received. I certainly agree that our snowmaking and grooming team has worked diligently to make for some excellent skiing and riding. And not having an extended thaw has allowed us to keep Sugarbush 100% open for most of the season. However, like so many of you, I am longing for knee-deep powder and even better conditions in the woods.
Well, it looks like the snow dances might finally be working.
The forecast for the rest of the week and right through the weekend is looking good, and we should be getting accumulating snow for several days in a row. It is too early to make an exact prediction, but I would recommend that you plan to be here as much as you can this week and through the weekend.
March is normally a great snow month and it looks like Mother Nature way finally be moving the snows our way.
Win
Thursday, February 18th from Warren, VT  The New Moon is halfway to the Full Moon. February 13th last week was the New Moon and it marked the approximate halfway mark of our ski season. Having opened on December 6th and hoping to go through April, the New Moon marked midway.
I think a lot of people forget -- or just don't realize -- that some of the best skiing and riding is in March and April and that we often get some of our heaviest snowfall in March. Remember the St. Patrick's Day storm a couple of years ago, followed by the Easter 18" surprise on April 21st? While we have experienced below-average snowfall up to this point, don't rule out some big dumps before the lifts stop spinning!
March and April are not only great months to ski and ride but also we offer excellent value on our lodging packages and have a ton of fun events. Keep a lookout, too, for details on our Spring Pass as well as our Season Pass offerings for next season. Spring pricing is always the best.
Today was my 51st day on skis and I am certainly shooting for at least 100 again this season.
Keep thinking snow! It will!
Win
Wednesday, February 10th from Warren, VT  I know that some people think that the Mad River Valley is located along the Potomac River, with all the madness that seems to go on there. Wouldn't it be nice, however, if Mother Nature learned her geography and sent all that snow to the real Mad River Valley.
Despite the envy that we all have for the southern snows, conditions here in the Valley are still really good thanks to our excellent snowmaking, grooming, and enough natural snow to keep us 100% open. We do need snow, however. And while there is not a major storm in the immediate forecast, we are expected to get some snow most days over the course of the next week, and even a few inches will turn good conditions into excellent conditions for our busy President's holiday week.
Our groomed trails really are in excellent shape, but the natural trails are mixed. There is nice powder to be found where the wind has blown it, but there are also hard and icy spots around until we get some fresh snow. Yesterday, skiers right of Upper Organgrinder and Spillsville had some knee-deep powder in the morning, but Organgrinder was sheer in the middle. Last week's foot-plus of new snow made most of our natural trails ski really nicely for a few days, and I would expect that to happen again over the next couple of days.
We have a full week of activities for families and the roads down South should be clear by the weekend, so I am looking forward to seeing everyone on the slopes.
Win
PS: I wrote before I went out on the slopes this morning. It has been snowing lightly all morning. The big surprise to me was how well Stein's, The Mall, Twist and Domino skied. Stein's is very edgeable and, after we groom it later this week and get new snow on top, it will be the pick of the day. The snow on The Mall is packed-in but edgeable, with small moguls. W hen that gets even a few inches of new snow, I know where I will be early in the am. Twist and Lower Moonshine were groomed last week and the snow is firm but edgeable and has covered up any rock or ground. The same is true of Domino with the exception of the turn, and at that point there is plenty of snow so as to not damage an edge. Bring on the snow! These trails are going to be heavenly with a few more inches.
Monday, February 3rd from Warren, VT There was only one word worth mentioning today: "Stein's". It was awesome!
Win
Monday, February 1st from Warren, VT  I have been silent for the month of January hoping that I could report a nor'easter dumping two feet of snow on our slopes. I even took my family out to Utah to celebrate my son's 30th birthday, hoping that my absence would bring in the snows.
Alas, our below average snowfall here in the Northeast has continued. That is the bad news! The good news is that January was cold and made for some excellent snowmaking temperatures, and we have continued to have 100% of our terrain open and skiing and riding very nicely.
Today was my fortieth day on skis and, looking at the calendar this first day of February, I am reminded that we are not even halfway through the season with three full months to go. February historically is the snowiest month here at Sugarbush, followed by March -- and we normally get snow into April as well. So I am optimistic that we will catch up to the snowfall averages as we approach the halfway point in the season.
While we have had only 96" of natural snow so far this season, we have avoided a prolonged melt (the so-called January thaw). The two rains that we had were short in duration and we have been able to recover quickly. I am particularly proud of our mountain team this past week. After a wonderful weekend of skiing and riding under bluebird skies, the clouds came in Sunday night, January 24th. Starting early Monday morning, the temperatures were in the forties, the wind was howling, and the rain at times was coming down really hard. But it ended by nightfall and the temperatures dropped. Our groomers came in at 4 AM and started working the mountain. We had the Gate House side open first, then increased the terrain throughout the day.
I think all who were here that day were amazed at how the mountain skied. By Wednesday, with additional grooming and snowmaking, the mountain was recovering very well and we were fortunate enough to get a foot of snow during the week. The new snow mixed in well with what we had on the slopes already and with the snow we were making and it groomed in great. Some of the natural trails where we don't make snow and can't or don't groom were harder and more challenging, but even some of them (like Middle Earth) skied well with the new snow that we received.
With the weekend approaching, an arctic high-pressure front descended on the Valley, and both Friday and Saturday morning we were faced with really cold temperatures and some gusty winds. Even the freshly groomed trails were firm and fast, but the more they were skied the better they got. Sunday was a warmer day and more people came out. A number of Sugarbush veterans stopped me to say how surprised they were at how good the conditions were after last week and what a good job they felt the snowmaking and grooming team had done. Skiing all over the mountain myself, I certainly concur with them.
Our mountain team really came through for us and even a few inches of snow like we received last night makes for an excellent morning.
The ten-day forecast doesn't show any huge storm, but it is calling for good temperatures for snowmaking (but not too cold) and some snow over several days. I think our first weekend of February is going to be one to get on the skis and boards. This is also the weekend our Mountain Hardwear Ski Mountaineering Race from Mad River Glen to Sugarbush. It’s a fun event to either watch or to participate in.
And we are only two weeks away from President's Week. Lodging in the Valley is getting very full, so if you are looking for a reservation I would suggest getting on it fast. It will be a full and fun week -- in addition to fun on the slopes, we have a full menu of activities and events.
We also have had some really nice press recently. If you have not seen these articles, you can click here to read them.
At Clay Brook we have sold a few units in the past several weeks, and we are now offering our own financing package which is attracting interest.
I also want to mention that I am hosting a reception for our US Congressional Representative, Peter Welch, at 5:30 PM on Friday, February 12th. This is an opportunity to meet and speak with Vermont's lone Congressman. While I may not agree with all of his positions, I have found Peter to be very open to dialogue and extremely responsive and supportive of the ski industry and of Sugarbush. I think all would enjoy meeting him. If you are interested in attending, please let me know and I will forward you the details.
January went out with the Wolf Moon. I saw it firsthand, guiding a dinner party down from Allyn's Lodge on Saturday, and it was spectacular! February came in with 4" of new snow, so I am expecting that the howling we did Saturday night will bring in multiple feet of snow this month.
See you on the slopes.
Win
Tuesday, December 29th from Warren, VT  Thank you, Mother Nature. While you gave us some spring skiing on Sunday and a bit of rain, you provided some snow before the rain so we did not loose the depth we had. The snow firmed up as the temperature dropped Sunday night and that allowed us to turn the snowmaking back on at both mountains. The temperatures required us to stay high, so we focused on Birch and Sunrise at Lincoln Peak and Upper Rim Rum and FIS at Mt. Ellen. Tonight we will be moving back over to Snowball and Spring Fling and Inverness.
Snowmaking temperatures are great to have this time of year, but 9 inches of fresh powder are even better. And that is what we received the past twenty-four hours, as of this writing (10:30 AM).
I took a cabin full of guests up the mountain in the Lincoln Limo at 7AM this morning. We experienced single-digit temperatures and high winds, but the knee-deep powder on Domino and then Lower Organgrinder was well worth it. Our third run was down Sleeper which officially opened for the season today.
Winds are gusting to over 60 mph on the upper ridge (coming out of the Northwest), so all of Mt. Ellen is on windhold right now, as is Heaven's Gate at Lincoln Peak. It looks to last most of the day. But with Bravo, Gate House, and Castlerock open as well as the Village chair and the beginner mats, we have terrific skiing and riding on some great terrain.
Tomorrow the day is forecasted to be warmer with calmer winds and some sun, so it is definitely a day to hit the slopes early. We will be 100% open. My suggestion would be to hit North Lynx when it opens at 9 AM and be the first this season to ski Birch, Morning Star and Sunrise.
In addition to skiing and riding today, don't forget the indoor activities available at the SHaRC and elsewhere around the Valley. And be sure to check out our events and activities calendar for the holiday period.
The icing on the cake this week looks like a serious snowstorm scheduled to hit us late Thursday evening into Friday. I can't imagine a better way to start the new year, so plan to stay here if you already are here or start making your plans to come up.
Happy New Snow Year!
Win
Tuesday, December 22nd from Warren, VT  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! All of us on team Sugarbush wish you and your family the best for the holidays and the new year.
Mother Nature has been a bit finicky this week, so please keep her in your thoughts and keep doing that snow dance.
The nor’easter that dumped in the Mid-Atlantic and southeast New England states didn't deliver us snow but sent the winds our way on the backend of the storm. Monday saw gusts of up to 69 mph. Our lift mechanics said it was one of the worst and strangest wind days they had ever seen. We started off the day with Mt. Ellen on windhold but with Bravo, Village, Gate House, and the beginner mats running at Lincoln Peak. But later in the day the winds kicked in even down low, and by late afternoon only the Village chair and the beginner mats were running.
Given the challenges of the day, we pulled out the Lincoln Limo and offered rides at no charge up to Allyn's Lodge so that people could ski and ride down from there. Guests signed up -- first come, first served -- at our Guest Services desk and we were able to take up twelve to thirteen people at a time every half hour. All in all, about 170 guests got to enjoy this experience on a very windy day.
Tuesday was much better but still very windy at the summits of both mountains. Mt. Ellen experienced full windhold by late morning, so people moved over to Lincoln Peak where all but the Heaven's Gate lift were running. I did a run briefly in the morning before the winds kicked in again. Bright blue skies were the name of the game all day Tuesday even though cold temperatures and the wind made it a day to check your skin carefully every so often. (If you ever see a white spot on someone's face, let them know immediately and tell them to put their bare hand on the spot to get blood circulating and then go inside to warm up.)
While we have not had natural snowfall in the past few days, we have had excellent snowmaking temperatures. Our snowmaking crew was working on Middle Jester and Lower Organgrinder and Upper Birdland yesterday and last night. Now they have moved over to Upper Snowball and Spring Fling for the next couple of days and possibly Domino Chutes. After that, we need some more touch up on Downspout and Middle Jester and then will likely move over to Birch Run on North Lynx. At Mt. Ellen, we were on Northstar and have now begun moving over to Inverness. Our plan really depends on the weather and temperatures, so if it warms up down low later in the week we will move snowmaking back up on the mountain until the temperatures fall again at the base.
Patrol always has their pick of the day. But I am going to predict that the quality of the snowmaking on Upper Snowball and Spring Fling will make them my picks of the day on Wednesday and Thursday with a groomed Lower Organgrider a close second.
All eyes are on the weekend. At best we might get all snow from the storm headed our way from the west. At worst, we might get snow, sleet, some freezing rain and possibly some rain but the forecast is looking better and we are hoping for the best. Whatever the case, with the base that we already have, we will be in good shape for our holiday week.
And speaking of holiday week, we really have a lot of fun family events planned, so check out the calendar.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon on the Mountain.
Win
Monday, December 14th from Warren, VT  If any of you were watching the radar last week you would have seen a plume of blue aimed right at the Mad River Valley. This arrow of lake-effect snow wasn't as broad as it showed on the map so, fortunately, it zeroed in on us and we received two feet of beautiful, dry new snow.
When the lifts turned on Friday those who played hookey and ventured to the slopes were treated to mid-winter conditions and knee-deep powder in spots. Click here for this weekend's pictures in our photo gallery.
My business partner, Adam, phoned me from The Mall to say it was nearly as good as that epic day last February. Unfortunately, I was flying back to Burlington Friday morning after a quick trip to New York City, so I missed the early morning treat Adam was experiencing. But I did manage to get in a few turns later in the day, and it was still snowing. This was a surprise because there was hardly any snow on the ground during my drive from Burlington. But when I reached Route 100 in the Valley, it looked like a different climate.
One of the great things about our part of Vermont (North of Route 4) is the lake-effect snow that we receive from Lake Champlain. Jay Peak is known for its "snow cloud". Yet the Mad River Valley also has its own micro-climate which can cause significant snow to fall on our mountains when it isn't snowing at all nearby. As I flew into Burlington Friday morning, the view on the left side of the plane toward New York was parted clouds. I could see Lake Champlain. The view to the right, facing the Green Mountains, was of billowing clouds filled with moisture. It was as if a vacuum was sucking water from a warm Lake Champlain into the cold air and carrying it toward the Green Mountains where it dumped on Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. Those to the north and south of us and those with west-facing slopes missed this welcome gift.
We also had excellent snowmaking temperatures and that combination allowed us to have 46 trails -- including Castlerock -- open Saturday morning.
Even though patrol had determined that Castlerock would open, I wanted to make sure that it truly was safe to open. So instead of sleeping in late Saturday, I forced myself to get up at the crack of dawn and ride the Castlerock chair to the summit before we officially ran the lift. And then, at great personal risk, I skied down Castlerock Run and into knee-deep powder on Lower Castlerock Run, never touching bottom or encountering a rock. This is a very difficult job, but I guess someone has to do it.
I personally thought the best trails of the day on Saturday were Cotillion, Lower Castlerock Run, Stein's, Spillsville, The Mall, and Twist. Even though twigs and grass appeared later in the day, the quality of the natural snow was outstanding and there was plenty of snow to ski around anything you might want to avoid. Even by mid-afternoon on Sunday, Stein's was a great run. That was my last run of the weekend, and it was fabulous.
In addition to some great skiing and riding, we had a fun evening on Saturday at our SugarBash. Those that came were in a great party mood (snow helps everyone's attitude), and some of the costumes were amazing and made the evening with Motor Booty Affair even more fun. We also had some wonderful local artisans displaying their jewelry, knitwear, pottery and photography in Timbers on Friday and Saturday, and a number of us did some Christmas shopping. Some local cheesemakers were also there and offered samples of their product. It was our first “Pairing of the Passions” wine and art event. We will be planning more during the year.
The temperatures for the next two days are getting warmer, so we have to move our snowmaking back to higher elevations. At Lincoln Peak, we are making on Ripcord. At Mt. Ellen, we are on Upper Rim Run and FIS. Once the temperatures come down later Tuesday, we will move back to the Gate House area and continue to pile snow on Hot Shot, Pushover, Easy Rider, Slowpoke and the areas around our beginner zones in order to have good beginner and intermediate skiing next weekend. After that, we will go back to the Bravo pod and work on getting good depth on Lower Jester and Lower Organgrinder and likely Birdland, and then move over to North Lynx or Snowball. Then to Snowball and Spring Fling so that those are deep and groomable for the holidays.
At Mt. Ellen we will be top-to-bottom for opening day on Friday and will likely be skiing the entire upper mountain as well as Tumbler, Hammerhead, The Cliffs, Cruiser, Which Way and North Star. We will have beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain open. After next week, we will be turning our firepower on Inverness. The length and width of this trail requires an enormous amount of water to cover the cubic feet there in sufficient depth to make it usable for GMVS. And so we might not have our terrain park at Mt. Ellen fully open until January, but by then we will have features at both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen .
As I mentioned in my last Win's Word, think of our online store when you are rounding out your holiday shopping cart. A Sugarbush Gift Card is a great way to give a friend, spouse, or child the gift of skiing with John Egan, dining at Timbers, staying overnight at Clay Brook, enjoying dinner at Allyn's Lodge, golfing next summer, or buying apparel at either our Adventure Gear Shop or Golf Shop.
And finally, don't forget that the deadline to purchase our SugarDirect card for only $99 is this Friday, December 18th. If you don’t have a season pass and plan to ski more than two days, you want to get a SugarDirect card.
Keep thinking snow. Your snow dances have been working. See you on the slopes.
Win
Sunday, December 6th from Warren, VT  Winter finally arrived and we officially opened the season at 9 AM this morning. What a difference even a day made! After Wednesday and Thursday’s monsoon, a weekend opening was questionable. Yesterday morning, I skied Jester and Downspout with John Hammond and while we did feel confident about opening today, I was worried about how good the conditions would be. Fortunately, the overnight temperatures were excellent for snowmaking, (our crew did a wonderful job), and we received 5 inches of natural snow at the summit. This made for powder first tracks this morning, and I think all who were out would say that they were delighted with their experience.
The forecast for the next two weeks looks very promising, and we should be able to keep the snowguns roaring continuously now, plus we are expecting Mother Nature to deliver some real snow as well. We will be finishing Upper Jester and Downspout sometime on Monday and then turning to Upper Organgrinder. As soon as temperatures at the base turn (and stay low enough), we will blow snow at the base so you can ski and ride to the bottom. We will then open a couple more trails to the bottom from the top of Bravo and then turn our attention to the Gate House Pod. This is all done to assure good beginner and intermediate skiing and riding for the Holiday weeks. Over at Mount Ellen we have excellent depth on Upper Rim Run and Elbow down to the Glen House. As long as temperatures permit, we will stay there, march down Cruiser to the bottom of Northridge and then to the base area. After that, as soon as we get a few days of good cold temperatures, we want to get Inverness open. While we are not opening Mount Ellen to everyone until December 18th, snowmaking and preparation for opening are continuing furiously. GMVS will be training there in the interim as well as our ski & ride school on the weekends. This should reduce any early season congestion over at Lincoln Peak.
With the Holidays just around the corner you might want to consider a Sugarbush Gift Card for family and friends. Gift cards are not only great for lift tickets and SugarDirect Cards, but they can also be used for romantic fire-side dinners at Allyn's Lodge, guided adventures with John Egan, sunset rides in the Lincoln Limo, massages at the SHaRC, ski and golf attire from our Adventure Gear Store and so much more.
As I mentioned in my last “Word”, I hope to see many of you this weekend for our Disco-themed Bash. The Motor Booty Affair is ready to rock, and it will be a great evening. I am personally planning to dine at Timbers with some friends and then head over to the Gate House at 9 PM. So get your vintage garb out of storage and join us for a great evening of fun, dining and dance. If you are up next weekend also check out “Pairing of the Passions” at Timbers. Some very talented local artisans will be displaying terrific gift items, paired with local cheese, wine and beer sampling.
Winter has definitely arrived, so I hope to see everyone very soon at Sugarbush.
Win
Tuesday, November 24th from Warren, VT  &%#$LK+@^*(%^$)
That is how I am feeling now! But that is also how I was feeling a few years ago when we had thunder and lightning at Thanksgiving and the lightning hit our lift towers at Mt. Ellen. This October was a colder-than-normal month and November has been a warmer-than-normal month, so for December we are due for a colder and snowier-than-normal month.
Unless something mystical happens, we will not be skiing and riding over Thanksgiving weekend. However, the weather will be changing Friday and it will be getting cold enough to resume snowmaking at both mountains. And the forecast is calling for SNOW. Actually, the forecast for the next couple of weeks is very encouraging, and I will go out on a limb and predict that we will have some fun skiing and riding the weekend of December 5th and a great fun weekend seven days later.
For those of you coming up this weekend, I would encourage you to pick up your season passes, bring your skis and boards in for tuning, drop by Timbers for a meal, work out at the SHaRC and support our local Valley businesses and restaurants. It is a good time to do some early holiday shopping. Speaking of shopping, you can get a Sugarbush Gift Card for friends and relatives that is good throughout the resort. And don't forget our new SugarDirect card, a $99 card that gives you a free all-mountain ticket, up to 25% off every ticket you purchase, direct-to-lift access, and more.
It is deer-hunting season in Vermont, so if you are walking about or hiking, make sure to wear bright colors. In fact, you might want to put on some of that retro stuff to see if it still fits and get ready for our SugarBash on the 12th of December.
It was fun seeing and speaking with many of you at the Boston Ski Show last weekend. I had a chance to meet a lot of people whom I hope to see up on the slopes this winter. There is no question that people are getting ready for skiing and riding. As am I!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and I will look forward to definitely (how’s that for going out on a limb?) seeing you on the mountain on Friday, December 4th at 9 AM.
Win
Tuesday, November 17th from Warren, VT  So here's the bad news! Mother Nature is not being kind to us. Temperatures are not good for snowmaking, so we will not be able to open this Saturday as we had hoped. We did have a few good days awhile ago and made 3-4 feet from the top of Jester almost down to Allyn's Lodge. Fortunately, a lot of this still remains, so I hope we do not have to totally redo this area that, when temperatures allow, we can march down Downspout to Heaven's Gate. We will turn the guns on at both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen as soon as possible, and we are shooting and hoping for skiing on Thanksgiving.
If you are here on Thanksgiving Day, we will be serving a delicious Thanksgiving dinner in Timbers beginning at 3 PM. Gerry Nooney is planning a proper feast, and we are hoping that you will see the snow guns blasting on the mountain as well.
For those of you who do not ski or ride enough days to justify a season pass, check out our new SugarDirect Card. It costs only $99 until December 18th. You may also hear our advertisements in the Boston and Burlington markets.
Remember that it is only November and the first weekend of May (when we closed last season) is a long time away.
Now the good news! You have a few extra days to get your legs and core in good shape for a great and long winter on the mountain.
Think cold and dream snow!
Win
Monday, November 9th from Warren, VT  We had a few days and nights of really good snowmaking temperatures and were able to put down over three feet of snow on Upper Jester. I hiked up the mountain on Sunday with Rumble and his brother, Jonesy, and they were in dog-heaven romping in the snow. Unfortunately, the temperatures rose by the weekend and we had to shut the snowguns down.
Later this week the temperatures should fall sufficiently to let us start up snowmaking again. There has been quite a temperature difference between the summit and the base area. If temperatures allow, we will continue making snow around Allyn's Lodge and on Downspout to lay down a path to the Heaven's Gate lift. If the temperatures are only cold enough up high, then we will likely start to move down Organgrinder. Our goal is to provide top-to-bottom skiing and riding by our scheduled opening day on November 21st, but if we can't get all the way to the bottom, we can download on Bravo.
With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away, I want to remind everyone that we will be serving Thanksgiving dinner at Timbers. Gerry Nooney prepared a delicious feast last year and, given his recent recognition as Chef of the Year, he is sure to outdo himself this Thanksgiving! If you are planning on being here, treat yourself and your family to this special meal at Timbers (and be sure to make a reservation at 802-583-6800). Also, don't forget to put our December 12th SugarBash party on your calendar and call 800.53.SUGAR to make a dinner/dance reservation for what I guarantee will be a great party.
Hopefully, I will see you on the mountain in less than two weeks.
Win
Sunday, October 25th from Warren, VT  Today was officially the last day for our golf course -- another predictable sign that snow is just around the corner.
While walking with Rumble on the mountain, I noticed that most of the leaves had fallen off the trees. Stick season is upon us. The temperatures are likely to be above freezing this week, but next week promises to be colder. We are running Orientation for our snowmaking team this Thursday so that they will be ready to begin blowing snow as soon as we see the right temperatures.
This afternoon I did one of my favorite chores. I put away my golf and summer clothes and brought out the ski gear. It is time to check your equipment and pull out your gear from the closet. Don't forget to work on your core as well. Melanie at the SHaRC is pushing me hard to make sure I am ready for Opening Day on November 21st!
Many of you have already seen our new Sugarbush magazine. But if you have not, it's now online so check it out.
Think snow now!
Win
Sunday, October 18th from Warren, VT  This past weekend was a busy one on the mountain. Our Ski & Ride veterans returned for their Orientation in the Gate House lodge, and we held OEC training sessions in the Valley House. On Sunday, we held Orientation for all members of our Ski Patrol. When Orientation begins, we know that winter is not far away.
After meeting with Ski & Ride, Rumble and I went for a hike up to Allyn's Lodge. It was a perfect afternoon for this. It was cool but the sun peaked out from the clouds. As we walked up Racer's Edge to Snowball, we witnessed a dusting of snow on the newly mowed trails. And as we walked across Valley Traverse, I noticed that the ground in the shade was frozen and snow covered the trail. Around Allyn's Lodge there was still two or three inches in spots. And as I looked up the mountain , Organgrinder, Jester, Paradise and the Castlerock trails were still white.
I am getting excited about opening day -- November 21st. And Rumble's energy level shows an inverse reaction to the cold weather: the colder it gets, the more energy he has! So get your legs and core in shape so that you can enjoy what should be a terrific winter.
Oh, one final thought . When I got home later in the afternoon, I saw a big Woolly Bear Caterpillar on my back porch! What a great omen for the winter to come.
For those of you who were not able to attend our Community Day presentation, we have posted the slides that I used. Click here to download the presentation (Be patient it's a big file and may take 15-20 seconds to load).
Keep thinking snow!
Win
Tuesday, October 13th from Warren, VT Today I woke up to a white lawn and wet snowflakes falling from the sky. The morning reminded me of Robert Frost's poem "Birches":
When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay.
Ice-storms (or early winter snow storms) do that.
 Frost is a favorite of mine since he was a Vermonter and also a member of the Amherst faculty. The library there is named after him.
Winter is certainly approaching, and while this morning's two inches are unlikely to stay, it does get all of us excited to start making snow around the first of November and ready the mountain for our scheduled opening day on Saturday, November 21st. Needless to say, Rumble was even more excited than I upon his first frolic in the snow since May.
It was great to see so many friends at the mountain this past weekend. While the weather Saturday morning wasn't great, by afternoon the skies had cleared and we had a nice, albeit chilly, Sunday and Monday. Saturday was a full day. We held our annual Community Day briefing in the Gate House, then moved our BBQ indoors to Timbers and Rob Williams' music into the Castlerock Pub. We also had a wedding ceremony in the afternoon in the Clay Brook courtyard followed by a reception and dinner in the Gate House.
After our annual meeting, we took numerous reservations for our Lincoln Limo “snow cat” dinners at Allyn's Lodge and also had a number of inquiries about our Golf Club membership program. We also had a busy couple of days at our Clay Brook open house throughout the weekend. All of these things are receiving a lot of attention.
At our meeting we reviewed our summer -- the improvements that continue to be made at the golf course and the success of our warm-weather activities, especially summer camps and weddings. Our new base facilities have become a very popular wedding destination and our bookings for next summer are strong. We then outlined our winter calendar, reminding everyone of our kick-off ”Sugarbash” on December 12th, and we spoke about the new wooded areas on the mountain. With eighteen official wooded areas and Slide Brook, I truly believe that Sugarbush is unmatched in the East when it comes to tree skiing -- and there are woods lines for all abilities.
Our seasonal Ski & Ride program reservations are at another record level but we still have availability in a few of the programs such as Chrome Hubcaps, Women's Turn, Adventure Blazers, and Bush Pilots. Sign up quickly, though.
This year we are also offering a special program for beginning skiers and riders. Complete our three-day beginner program and you will receive a complimentary season pass for the balance of 2009/10. Some resorts offer this on just a beginner slope, but we are confident that we can have first-timers skiing and riding all over the mountain in record time.
While the deadline for most of our early season-pass pricing has passed, our early season-pass deadline for the College Pass is November 1st. All undergraduate and post-graduate students are eligible, as well as those one year out of college. This $319 pass is a great deal. Spread the word. There is still time to sign up.
At the annual meeting, we also discussed our new Fancy Pass, an all-access all-resort pass for those who ski and ride, play golf, and recreate here all year round. I also introduced our SugarDirect card, a $99 direct-to-lift discount card that we view as a great option for those who plan to ski anywhere from two to fifteen days this season.
Put on your snow tires and assess your gear needs for the upcoming season. With snow on the mountain this morning, it won't be long until we see you on the hill.
Win
Monday, October 5th from Warren, VT  I hope to see a lot of you this weekend at Community Day. The leaves are beautiful now, and the weekend forecast is looking decent. Come up and enjoy some golf (ball and disc), take a final ride on the zip line, enjoy our BBQ and music on Saturday and hear about our winter plans.
Hope to see you this weekend.
Win
Friday, September 25th from Warren, VT  Thank you to all our new and returning season pass holders. Once again, both our pass sales and seasonal programs have been strong and are running ahead of last year's record level. This support allows us to prepare the resort for the forthcoming winter and boosts the morale of everyone here. We are ready to offer our guests the best possible service.
It is hard to believe that our ski and ride season ended 148 days ago and our new season will start in only 64 days (Mother Nature permitting, of course). The surest sign I see of impending cold weather is the energy that Rumble is showing every morning now. Is it just the cold weather or does he remember all the fun he had playing in the snow and chasing us down from Allyn's Lodge after dinner?
I hope that I will see many of you at Community Day over Columbus Day weekend. We will outline our plans for the coming season and answer all your questions. My entire team is looking forward to seeing you and enjoying what is often the peak of foliage.
See you soon,
Win
Tuesday, September 8th from Warren, VT  It is now less than 75 days until our planned season opening at Lincoln Peak on Saturday, November 21st. If you’re like me, you’ll still want to enjoy the last of summer (especially since it was so short this year) and those beautiful autumn days.
However, it is time to start getting in shape for the slopes! In the past, I have normally run and worked on my core by myself, but this year I decided to work with Melanie Simon at the SHARC a couple of days each week on flexibility and strength. She has already shown me some great exercises and has been working on core strength, flexibility and balance -- all of which are needed to enjoy our great skiing and riding here at The Bush.
Our team has been hard at work the past couple of weeks on our new forest management plan. The tree-thinning work at both Lincoln Peak and Mt Ellen is going well. In addition to clearing and thinning for some new wooded areas, we are also identifying some areas that we want to mark for revegetation in order to keep our forests healthy for future generations.
I want to remind everyone that our Season Pass deadline is September 17th. Pass prices go up after that. We have a wide assortment of pass options that are meant to fit everyone's budget.
New this year is our All Resort Fancy Pass. If you are a skier, rider, golfer, fitness nut -- and one who also enjoys all our summer mountain activities -- this is definitely the pass for you and your family. I do not think there is a better value around if you want it all.
For those who only come out midweek, we have a reduced All-Mountain midweek pass for $449 plus tax. Of course, kids under six always ski free here at Sugarbush and kids under twelve can ski for free with a parent's purchase of an adult pass. We are also offering a new Sugar Direct Card this season for those who do not plan to be here enough to justify a season pass.
Make sure to check out our seasonal ski-and-ride programs. They are filling up fast.
We have also reopened our golf course membership. For a $5,000 membership fee, not only can you enjoy our beautiful Robert Trent Jones golf course this fall but also the many benefits associated with membership. And your membership fee will be used directly for capital improvements to the course. Please call Ron or RJ at the golf course for more information.
Get those legs and your core in shape. Snow is less than 75 days away.
Win
Thursday, August 27th from Warren, VT  From our News & Deals Email Newsletter. . .
It's time to say goodbye to the dog days of summer. Though they seem to have just arrived in the Northeast, and some of us are now complaining about the heat and humidity, snow is just around the corner. What will winter bring this year? Given the pattern of the summer--if that is an indicator--we could be in for a great snow season. That, of course, is in the hands of Mother Nature. While we hope she will be kind, we are preparing to do what is in our control to make your experience here as rewarding as possible.
Our snowmaking crew and lift-maintenance teams have worked hard all summer to ensure we can begin snowmaking by November 1st and turn our first lift at Lincoln Peak on Saturday, November 21st. Last year, once again, we had a 158-day season, received 288 inches of natural snowfall and skied and rode into May.
Read the full email by clicking here. If you are interested in receiving any of our Sugarbush emails, please click here and sign up. Win
Tuesday, August 11th from Warren, VT  Usually when I travel away from Sugarbush, it dumps snow! So I wondered what would happen if I went away in the summer -- would it stop raining and would summer finally arrive? Apparently, the answer is "yes." I left for a rafting, fishing and hiking trip to British Columbia on July 30th and apparently the sun did shine last week and the rains were minimal. I worried that I might be importing the rain to BC, but that didn't happen and we had great weather out there as well.
We all know how beautiful our Valley is, so I am always a bit reluctant to leave it any time of the year. However, my trip to the Chicoltin area of BC was worth it. This area is approximately one-half the size of Nebraska with 900 full - time residents. We began our trip after a small airplane flight from Vancouver and a dirt road excursion to Chilko Lake. This is a 52 - mile long glacier - fed lake that averages 350 feet in depth and has virtually no development at all around the lake. The water is clear blue and safe to drink and in a week or so the salmon will be running up the Fraser River into the Chicoltin and then up the Chilko River into the lake. At the source of the river, 150 or more grizzlies and scores of bald eagles will be awaiting their fall feast.
It has been especially warm in the area this summer, so the salmon were behind schedule. As a result, the fishing was not great. However, the white water rafting was special. A couple of hours after starting down the Chilko River in our five-person rafts, we entered Lava Canyon and an eighteen-mile stretch of white water and Class 3 & 4 rapids. I have done a reasonable amount of white water over the years, but have never experienced a run like this. We were in fast running water for nearly one hour without a break and a few of the rapids were a thrilling ride. Two days later -- on my actual birthday and night of the full moon -- we ran another stretch of white water with near Class 5 rapids and we went "swimming" as we rode a 15 - foot wave up and over. That is where preparation and experienced professionals allowed for a fun adventure instead of a serious calamity. We were in wet suits and helmets and had been coached by our guides what to do in the "unlikely" moment of a flip. I suddenly found myself under the raft with the water roaring down a rapid at nearly 20mph. Get out from under, feet forward and up, hold onto the raft if at all possible and stay with it. Focus on the directions given. I began to think: "how much longer were the rapids, what was up ahead?" I felt a tug on my PFD and I was pulled into another raft. Within five minutes, this guide raft had maneuvered through the rapids to our overturned raft and pulled five swimmers out of the river. The skill of that raft guide and Abby, who is a professional fast - water rescuer, was really impressive. As we pulled the raft into shore and flipped our own raft right-side up, we were pleased to see that everything had been strapped down well so that the only lost item was my river hat.
While that event now is a story we can tell and laugh about and look back upon as a thrill and an adventure, it reinforced to me how important professional guides and first responders are to anyone seeking an adventure. And how important it is to be prepared and to follow the directions taught when the "unlikely" happens.
Certainly, many of us ski and ride and take many things for granted on the slopes. 99.5% of skiers and riders on the slopes never experience that "unlikely" event. But when it happens, I am comforted to know that we at Sugarbush have a cadre of professional patrollers trained and prepared for the most "unlikely" of events. But I think we all need to remind ourselves as each season begins of the "Skier's Responsibility Code" to make it as safe as possible on the slopes for others and ourselves. I think we always have to remind ourselves that the most serious accidents are when a good skier or rider is going too fast down a well-groomed trail and hits an immobile object like a tree. And, I think we all need to help everyone remember that wearing a helmet is the thing to do, especially when in the trees.
Like white water rafting, moving down a snow-covered mountain is a thrill and a great adventure. Injuries are not the norm. However, we can do our part to make them less likely by being in shape and thinking of the right way to ski or ride. And we can take comfort knowing we have skilled professionals ready to come to the rescue in the unlikely event that you need them.
So with that said, let’s think snow (responsibly) and I do encourage you to check out our season pass choices that are now posted on the web.
Win
Tuesday, July 7th from Warren, VT  It wasn't the best Fourth of July weekend weather-wise, but it was a fun one nevertheless. Despite threatening skies, the usual crowd turned out for the Warren Fourth of July parade. You know, "it never rains on the parade", so the Parade Marshall was very skilled in not starting it until the showers ceased and some blue sky was visible. Had it not been for a couple of slower floats, the entire parade would have escaped raindrops, but unfortunately some rain did fall at the very end.
By the time the fireworks began, the wind had shifted and cool Canadian air allowed Atlas to put on their best show ever here at Sugarbush. We had a great turnout for the fireworks with many dining at Timbers before the show and many staying for some late-night music at the Castlerock Pub.
Sunday was the pick of the week, and I even managed to play eighteen later in the afternoon and was pleased that the golf course had dried out as well as it had. We did not cut a few greens to avoid damaging them, and there were some wet spots in some of the rough and on some fairways. But, all in all, the new drainage is working and it made for a pleasant round with a score a bit better than my handicap.
The weather is definitely turning and by Thursday we should be seeing a lot more sun and more warmth.
The Xterra games are this weekend, and it will be great fun watching these athletes swim in the snowmaking pond, mountain bike up the woods parallel to the Access Road and across to Mt. Ellen and finish with a trail run at Mt. Ellen.
FREE is a nice word (especially in these challenging economic times) so this Thursday, July 9, we are offering a free tasting at Timbers from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. This "Taste of Timbers" will show off our new summer menu. So come on up and enjoy some delicious food!
Win
Tuesday, June 30th from Warren, VT  Mea Culpa! Mea Culpa! I have been remiss in not writing Win's Word for a while. I guess I could blame it on being blue from the dreary days in June, or on just being too busy with planning meetings for next winter. The truth, though, is that I have no excuse for not updating everyone on what has been going on and what is planned in the weeks ahead.
Since the last writing, summer has officially arrived and we are in full swing with our summer mountain activities. If you haven't seen the plaza between Clay Brook and the Gate House, and the final work on the Castlerock Pub, I think you will be impressed. Our new stone stairs, landscaping, localvore garden and fire pit have made this an even more attractive spot for all seasons (and a great spot for weddings and events) . Beth Urie is the mastermind behind our new localvore garden, and the herbs and vegetables grown there will be used by Gerry Nooney at Timbers. In fact, at last Friday’s Localvore Community Table Dinner, Gerry harvested spinach from our garden and combined it with fresh strawberries from Dave Hartshorn's farm to serve up a delicious appetizer. We were then treated to some wonderful, locally - grown sirloin and his own crème brulee made with all local ingredients. We also had Mead --a honey wine-- from nearby Shelburne. This was the second Localvore Community Table Dinner at Timbers that I have attended. They have both been A+, which was the universal consensus of all that attended. Localvore Dinners at Timbers are available upon request in July, and will resume on Thursday evenings in August.
And speaking of Timbers, Gerry has put together a new summer menu. I hosted a tasting with a group of friends from the Valley, and we were all very pleased with the food presented. On July 9th we are hosting a free tasting o f the new menu, and we hope many will attend and taste Gerry's delicious food. Access to Timbers is available through Clay Brook if you don't want to walk in from the outside.
Last weekend was the kick-off of our summer activities on the mountain. We will be spinning the Bravo lift every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Columbus Day. Added to the mountain biking, disc golf, and zip line activities are our free swing set near the Castlerock deck and the bounce house (which comes up to the plaza from the SHARC on weekends). Friday night also saw the Sirens of Song Cabaret and Saturday we had a magnificent performance by the Nimble Arts Acrobats. They thrilled the 150 + person audience for well over an hour with juggling, trapeze and other remarkable acts.
I haven't played as many rounds of golf as I would have liked so far this summer, but I did get out on Sunday and played 18. It was wet in some spots, but the drainage work that Mike Wing's crew has done is making a huge difference. The pond on #2 is completed, the path from #5 to #6 is finished along with additional drainage on the left-hand side. This weekend the new forward tee on #6 will be complete, but we will hold off playing on it until the sod has more time to root. The path between #8 and #9 is also now complete, and we have added new drainage in front of the #9 tee. All these projects are allowing the course to play really nicely, and when we get a few days of sun and dry air, the course will be in top - notch shape.
Of course, this is the weekend of the Fourth. It all begins with the Warren Parade Saturday morning. (Actually it begins Thursday night in the Gate House Lodge with the Mad River Chorale). After Jimmy Yozell plays on the Warren Store porch and you tire of dancing in the Street and enjoying the festivities at the Warren School, come on up to the mountain for our BBQ and fun afternoon activities. Jimmy will move to the Plaza to resume playing at 5:30pm, and we will end the evening with our traditional fireworks. Both Timbers and Hogan's will be serving lunch and dinner, and the CR Pub will stay open late on Saturday. So if Mother Nature cooperates, we are in for a fun weekend.
In my last note, I mentioned that I was looking forward to taking Rumble for some hikes. We did our first one from Lincoln Gap to Mt. Abraham, and he fared extremely well on this 6 - mile round trip. This is a great warm - up hike before doing the Gap to Gap, and can be done in under three hours. I also invoked "owner's privilege" and took him golfing late one afternoon when no one else was on the course. However, I think he far enjoys a run down FIS in the snow.
Look forward to seeing you on the Mountain.
Win
Tuesday, May 19th from Warren, VT  What is one to do when the snows melt and the skis are put away for the summer? I guess the first thing is to remember that it is only 185 days until we plan to open again for the 2009/2010 season and to start preparing for another longer winter on the slopes.
So the question is, how to prepare? For my part, I will be doing most of the preparation in my own backyard here in the Mad River Valley. I plan to run most days with Rumble and to also take him on some fun mountain hikes. He is a mountain dog, so he might be able to make the gap-to-gap hike even though there are some steep pitches along the way. This is an all-day hike from Lincoln Gap to the Appalachian Gap, and it really is spectacular and also a great workout. Bring a hearty sandwich, some gorp and plenty of water. Start early in the morning so you can enjoy the views along the way. An easier but special hike is out to Sunset Rock (accessed at the top of Lincoln Gap) in the later afternoon.
I am also planning to spend some time in the Mad River with Rumble on some of the warmer days. There really are some great swimming holes here. And he is surely going to be part of the Sugarbush float on the Fourth of July and participate in all of our fun events that day on the mountain. The parade's theme this year is "It's easy being green". Rumble will also surely accompany me to the Farmer's Market Saturday mornings and help me choose which produce to bring home for the week and to mingle with the many other dogs there.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things he can't do with me. Golfing is a human experience. We have walked and run the golf course this Spring so at least he was able to appreciate that is is in the finest shape (for this time of year) I have seen. Mike Wing and his team are not only doing basic maintenance, they are also continuing to improve our beautiful course. On the second hole, they have dredged the pond in front of the forward tees and built a beautiful, new stone retaining wall. They are in the process of redoing the cart path from the fifth hole and up along six. The new forward tee on six is also being finalized, and they will also be repairing the path from the 8th hole to the 9th tee. We do have some special prices available and some excellent season pass options.
The summer is really filled with a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, and rather than list them all here, just click on our events page to see the camp, music, dining and special competitions scheduled for this summer.
I also want to thank everyone who purchased next year's season pass at our Early Spring rates. Understanding the challenging economic times, we held our prices flat for the most part (with the exception of lowering the Mount Ellen-only pass) and we once again had record sales for this time of year. We really do appreciate everyone's loyal support, and it keeps us motivated to continue getting better each year.
Come up and join Rumble and me for some summer fun.
Win
Monday, May 5th from Warren, VT  Well, the winter season finally came to an end yesterday at five o'clock in the afternoon when the Valley House chair loaded the last two guests for a run down Stein's. Since Jay and Sugarloaf (the only other ski resorts still open in the Northeast) closed their lifts at four o'clock, we earned our bragging rights for "Last Lift Loaded" for the 2008/2009 season. In total we were open 154 days--one of the longest ski seasons in the USA.
Our last day was not as nice as last Saturday when the mercury hit 80. But we still had deep, soft moguls on several trails and some smoother runs down Snowball and Spring Fling. Yet who's complaining when you can still ski in May? For the several hundred of you who joined us and didn't indulge in the "lesser sports" this past weekend, we thank you for enjoying the hill with us one final time.
A highlight of the weekend was the engagement of a great young couple on a ride up the Valley House chair. Sandy managed to get a shot of them on Stein's as the diamond glittered in the sun! Who knows? Hopefully another Sugarbush wedding! (That is why double chairs still exist.)
Now you all have my permission to put away your snow thoughts for six months and bring out the golf clubs, the bikes, the oars, the sails and whatever else gives you summer pleasure. Our own Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf course opens this Friday, May 8th. The course really did come through the winter well, and the green and fairways have already been cut a few times and are looking very appealing. I, for one, went running with Rumble this morning to begin shedding our winter insulation and the golf clubs are ready to come out, along with the road and mountain bikes.
Thank you to everyone who, once again, committed to a season pass for next season before yesterday's deadline. We were really pleased to see the numbers come in slightly ahead of last year, even with the challenges of the economy and the financial markets. We sincerely appreciate your loyalty and support and will continue to strive to be better each and every year.
Thanks again for a great winter season, and I hope to see you here this summer enjoying our many fun activities.
Win
Click here to read past postings from the 2008/09 winter season. |
