Crystal Lake Skiers Association

Thursday: still fine

4:30 pm: coming down the drop on lower Zinger.  Dave is moving fast and paying attention.  There's a dusting of powder on the hard base giving decent speed and control.  The snow is red, the color coming from the beautiful sunset.  Skiing at dusk is my favorite time, because of the colors, and because the lack of light makes you ski by balance and sound rather than sight.  I'm off to family for the holiday, but hope the weather holds so many of you can enjoy this wonderful early winter gift.
-- Michael

Perfect Snow

Two days of perfect, dry, fast controllable snow! Holiday preparations had to wait. Two passes with the new groomer had the major trails wide enough for skating, with a track set to the side. The woods were open to distant views through the trees and a blue sky overhead. My first photo shows Kevin, demonstrating the telemark turn on zig-zag and getting a good taste of the wonderful snow. Next comes relaxed Alex, down from Grandcentral Station, followed by less relaxed Scott and Bob. We did Superloop, Zinger, and Wazoo; conditions on the fast trails were fast but controllable and everyone who tried them glowed in the retelling.
--Michael

Crystal Lakes Skiers Association Information

The Crystal Lake Skiers Association was started in November 2004. The association is organized as a social club within the meaning of section 501 (c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Its membership shall be composed of those who use the cross country skiing facilities at Crystal Lake Camps. The fundamental goal of the association is to work with Crystal Lake Camps to ensure the long term continuation of cross country skiing for its membership. Membership dues will be used to strategically position the association to assist Crystal Lake Camps continue the operations necessary for association members to cross country ski in the future. This may include trail maintenance, track setting and the operation of the ski shop. Membership is $5 per year. Here are links to a membership application and to the bylaws.Download clsa_applic_1205.doc

Download crystal_lake_bylaws110704.doc

More on Opening Day...

With temperatures steady in the mid 20's and a powdery snow in the afternoon, it was great to see most of the ususal suspects present and very happy to be skiing early in the season after a long layoff since last March.  Some whizzed by in mid-season form, especially "the Posse," composed of Prawat on his classic skis followed by skaters Tom and Pete.  There is always an open and welcoming comaraderie at CLC and first names are enough.  After a few visits, it's easy to get to know guys and gals like today's lineup that included Dottie, Paul, Bob, Pete, Alex, Tom, Bob, Roy, Rick, Mike, John, Michael (Doc), Prawat, Karen, and many others.

There seemed to be a buzz of excitement with the new season and the postive changes that are underway at CLC.  All things seem possible now and discussions on future plans and dreams were heard all day.  It was clear that a lot of work has been done pre-season to clear an abundance of downed trees.  The trails looked great with improvements evident.   The Dining hall looked very tidy and lunch was delicious as usual, especially the chile and oatmeal cookies.  The 2005-06 is off to a great start!   (by Jesse: 12/11/2005)

Here comes the posse....

...Tom and Pete in close formation

...there they go!

Lodge Shot...

December 11: First Ski Day

Everyone did what they could: John repaired the worst of the drainage problems with a backhoe, Tom and his crew pushed back debris and got the old equipment working just in time, some clsa members opened up brush over a few trails (try lower Boardpile, lower Wild Rice, and Little Step) and it snowed! I counted 31 vehicles at 2:30 just as new flurries began. The first photo shows our little group in mostly blue; the second in mostly red.

The third photo shows Alex cruising over a new drain tile on lower Blue Moon. This should end the need for those sudden stops. And Boardpile's lift-off bumps are gone, loved only by a few airborne skiers.

-Michael