Ski Chase rescheduled
We're going to try one more time to get mother nature to cooperate with our ski race. The new date is February 23. See the Ski Chase article below for all the details
Not bad; not bad at all!
Terry and I gave Crystal's "miracle snow" another try today, after last night's 1/2" of freshening. Yes, a little rock dodging on the well-travelled trails, but the surface was fast and pleasant, and the day stunningly beautiful. We decided to try the steeps, and found Sassafras and Wazoo packed, unused all week, fast, controllable, and free of rocks. (We'll try to give Anna our supplementary reports in the future.) After this, we settled down to practicing telemark turns on the hill where Kettle comes out on the soccer field.
2nd Annual Ski Chase at Crystal Lake
Saturday, February 9, 2008
10:30 Am Crystal Lake Ski Center
Single Tracks
You all should have believed Anna's email today; it was a nice ski day. Being a 100% sample of today's skiers, here's what I found: thin but adequate coverage all over. John and the crew have done an amazing job on the trails, and there were almost no rocks, but a number of sticks here and there let your skis know they were there. (Do help by pulling out any you see--always.) The surface is fast, but you sure don't want to go fast, because of the above. It is very, very beautiful, and this cold weather should keep it so. John rolled the trails to compact the snow, and even a little bit more should make the skiing great. But give it a try tomorrow if you can. I went on Wild Rice, Boardpile, Laurel, and Pitch Pine.
Oh yes, it was very cold, and I misjudged my clothing. Anna, thanks for the stove in the shop afterwards. Pictures on next page.
- Michael
Telemark Clinic Update
Tele Clinic for Jan. 20th is canceled.
It's a sad day in January when we have to cancel a ski clinic, but lets think positive about a future date in February. This clinic is a great opportunity to learn to ski more difficult terrain. The tele turn will help you get there!
Don't miss this clinic, taught by expert Kevin O'shea.
Dave Barbour, Crystal Lake Skiers Association president
Beginner Telemark Clinic Sunday Jan 20
The Crystal Lake Skiers Association and Crystal Lake are putting on a telemark clinic for beginners on Sunday, Jan 20, from 10-12 am and 1-4 pm. It is snowing as I write, and the prediction is for snow on-and-off all week, so there's a decent chance for enough by the weekend. Keep watching the weather and this space. If we can't hold it on Jan 20 we will announce another date.
Kevin O'Shea, the master telemark skier of Country Ski in Montoursville, will be the lead instructor, with help from John Manifold, Ez Burgess, and the rest of the local telemark crowd.
We have a pile of demo, duplicate, and used equipment to lend: all you need is a metal-edged ski, preferably with a soft camber, and either a NNN-BC binding and boot, or a heavy-duty three-pin, or a cable. We'll be at the old downhill area. Uphill is human power, but don't scoff--proper wax is all you need!
Here are Kevin's instructional goals:
1. Learn to switch from the stance used for kick-and-glide to the stance used to telemark, in which the upper body is centered over the ski with both hands forward.
2. Practice entering the telemark position: a lunge motion with one foot moving forwards as the other retreats. Weight should be equal on both feet, and (if turning) on the big toe of the forward foot and the little toe of the rear foot.
3. "Butter the edges" Feel the ski edge slide sideways and learn to prevent catching the inside edge when you don't want to fall
4. Turning: to learn the turn start with easy kick-and-gliding then complete the telemark turn from the diagonal stride; use up-and-down body movements to release the skis; begin to link turns.
HAVE CONFIDENCE. ALL WILL BE EXPLAINED.
(click on the next page to see some pictures of where you can get with this technique.)
Cross Country Skier--October Article
Wow, nice article in Cross Country Skier this month. As anyone can see, this blog has been inactive since the height of the season, but here goes again and check back often during the season.
The article is right: when conditions are good, Crystal Lake has the match of any trails anywhere, and the elevation plus strategic grooming stretch the season out amazingly well. So call, or check the website, and give it a try. There have been a lot of changes behind the scenes as the camp, the ski area, and the ski support club work to ensure long-term preservation of skiing at Crystal Lake. For this year, John continues to improve the trails, Anna Alford will operate the skiing, and Dottie will be here for a long winter visit.
We're going to have a work day in mid-November before the holiday. Projects will include the usual brush beat-back and maintenance, plus (we hope) clearing a few of the narrow expert trails on the north side and removing obstacles from the "Boardpile Glades."
- Michael
As Good As It Gets
Well, you are only reading this because you just spent (one) (two) (three) or (four) days at Crystal Lake enjoying the best XC skiing any time, anywhere. And I got to enjoy it while sleeping in my own bed! My most enduring memory will be the fact that everyone on the trails greeted all the strangers they met with words saying how wonderful the snow and days and trails are. Here are a few pictures I took which may not duplicate those already on the website.
The masked expert skier, more often seen on a groomer or dreaming of new trails
Anna enjoying her side of the food line
The ski racer/instructor and his daughter meet on the trail
Forest of skis at the dining room
A bit of backcountry skiing where Yo-Yo meets Blue Moon
Your photographer after an unfortunate experience on Superloop
Winter is Back
...and this winter so far is almost (well, not really) worth the wait. Last weekend Crystal Lake's trails were well-covered with base plus four inches of powder. John has mowed the old downhill, and we got to lay a few tracks. (No comment on getting back up hill.) Here's a shot of Kevin cruising down the first hill on upper Zinger.
Just Like Old Times
Today's quick late afternoon ski was from the Old Crystal Lake Days when snow was snow and roads were untouched by the township. First the ski: Wild Rice to Boardpile to Sassafras to Wazoo on three inches of fresh powder over a smooth base. Snow spitting in our faces and hanging from all branches. Surface fast enough to fly but grippy on the uphills. It doesn't get any better. The first few skiers on Saturday will be very lucky and very happy. 
Here are the old friends I met and joined: Becky and DG, fellow West Branch School parents.
Then the drive down the mountain: dense fog at the Price Estate so thick we had to lean out of the window to see the edge of the road to follow it. Then, near Pine Tree Road, the dreaded flares. Nobody hurt, but three cars in the ditch and the road so slick you couldn't walk, let alone continue. The drivers all from the Highland Lake Lodge and the gravel truck on its way, but what to do? Several guys helped Becky and DG get slid around 180 degrees, and I put on my chains. On the way up to the top I found another skier car in the ditch and dropped the couple off at the Highland Lake Lodge (for a pizza and other succor.) Then our two cars dodged snowmobiles down the Genesee Trail (unplowed, thick snow but no ice) to Huntersville.
But it is 2007. Shrewsbury Township will do a good job on the weekend! And there's always a friendly someone to rescue you on the road.
- Michael
