I'm not holding my breath about my former ski hill (see below). It was recently listed for sale, but what he really wants is to be an investor with partners and let one of them run the hill. He's okay with putting money into it with no payback, but he needs a real stakeholder on site to make it run. So anyway, that's done.
Now I am patrolling at Antelope Butte. It's about the same distance away in the other direction, and is also "community owned," but the Sheridan Wyoming community has more millionaires. For now, it's working. They don't get enough snow anymore, and there isn't a convenient river to feed snowmaking, so it all might be short lived. But they built a new lodge and the people there are great. The terrain is steeper in general and is kicking my ass, plus the hill was closed for a generation, only opening up again a few years ago. Now that they're fully operational, a lot of people are coming to ski and they don't know how steep it is or where to turn to avoid black diamonds (I'm one of them) so we're giving a lot of "courtesy rides" âtaking people down the mountain in a toboggan so they can try the bunny hill again. Also, people are getting hurt at a pretty fair clip. Two ambulances and a helicopter yesterday!
But it's been great. I'm going to try to take a photo from the top of the mountain every afternoon whenever I'm up there.
In an era when comparing mega ski passes requires an advanced accounting degree, and it seems as if no ski area actually welcomes walk-up business, Ski Cooper will make things really simple this season.
Ticket prices will be the same whether purchased in advance online or at the ticket window: $45 for adults on Monday through Thursday, $95 on Friday and Sunday, $110 on Saturday.
You read that right. If you don't have an Epic or Ikon Pass and there's a big powder day crying out for a spur of the moment ski trip, you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars at the megaresort ticket window. You can hit that powder for $45 at Cooper, four days a week.
When you pay at the ticket window, the ticket you receive will be a reusable RFID card. Following that visit, you can buy lift tickets online, and they will be loaded automatically on your card so you can skip the ticket line and go straight to the lift. And, if you've never been there and you buy online, an already loaded RFID card will be waiting for you at the ticket window. After that, you can reload it online at will.
"We just wanted things to be simpler for people and remove any barriers for them to come and ski here, plain and simple," said Cooper spokeswoman Dana Tyler Johnson said. "Why should it be hard? If you want to ski, you should be able to ski."
Wow. Those stories really drive home just how connected people from around the world are with our local communities. I'd hope his vigorous support for Ukraine hasn't caused problems for his businesses in Wyoming, or Sleeping Giant.
Also ... you should help him out on font choices for that website! Sheesh!
:lol: The website's the work of a local agency. The kids like it!
I think he's gotten some guff from the strange group of pro-Russia conservatives but overall people are supportive or at least noncommittal.
The owner's from Cody Wyoming but he went to Ukraine in the 90s as a journalist/hobo and wound up on the ground floor of the new economy there. He's been vocal and active about the war. 1. 2. 3.
Wow. Those stories really drive home just how connected people from around the world are with our local communities. I'd hope his vigorous support for Ukraine hasn't caused problems for his businesses in Wyoming, or Sleeping Giant.
Also ... you should help him out on font choices for that website! Sheesh!
Bummer. Hopefully they can expedite the repairs once the insurance thing is settled. Lack of staffing isn't a quick fix - and some signs are pointing to a recession ahead, which also can't be good for the recreational biz.
The owner's from Cody Wyoming but he went to Ukraine in the 90s as a journalist/hobo and wound up on the ground floor of the new economy there. He's been vocal and active about the war. 1. 2. 3.
The ski hill I have patrolled at for 15+ years (plus a few way back in high school) is not opening for the second straight year. Last year was due to no snow. Then in May we got a huge dump but it melted off in a day, flooding the lodge, which happens, but some of the foundation buckled a little and all of the rental ski boots were destroyed. Now the insurance company is dragging their feet and insult to injury, vandals cut down a communications line on one of the chairlifts, and cut a big chunk of the massive power line that feeds that lift. So they haven't abandoned the area altogether, but they don't have a way to open this year. Of course all the seasonal workers who would normally come back year after year had to find other work last year and so they'd need to be replaced or rehired and that wasn't going well. So here's hoping it's not just a slow sad death.
Bummer. Hopefully they can expedite the repairs once the insurance thing is settled. Lack of staffing isn't a quick fix - and some signs are pointing to a recession ahead, which also can't be good for the recreational biz.
Location: Really deep in the heart of South California Gender:
Posted:
Sep 24, 2024 - 8:19pm
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
The ski hill I have patrolled at for 15+ years (plus a few way back in high school) is not opening for the second straight year. Last year was due to no snow. Then in May we got a huge dump but it melted off in a day, flooding the lodge, which happens, but some of the foundation buckled a little and all of the rental ski boots were destroyed. Now the insurance company is dragging their feet and insult to injury, vandals cut down a communications line on one of the chairlifts, and cut a big chunk of the massive power line that feeds that lift. So they haven't abandoned the area altogether, but they don't have a way to open this year. Of course all the seasonal workers who would normally come back year after year had to find other work last year and so they'd need to be replaced or rehired and that wasn't going well. So here's hoping it's not just a slow sad death.
The ski hill I have patrolled at for 15+ years (plus a few way back in high school) is not opening for the second straight year. Last year was due to no snow. Then in May we got a huge dump but it melted off in a day, flooding the lodge, which happens, but some of the foundation buckled a little and all of the rental ski boots were destroyed. Now the insurance company is dragging their feet and insult to injury, vandals cut down a communications line on one of the chairlifts, and cut a big chunk of the massive power line that feeds that lift. So they haven't abandoned the area altogether, but they don't have a way to open this year. Of course all the seasonal workers who would normally come back year after year had to find other work last year and so they'd need to be replaced or rehired and that wasn't going well. So here's hoping it's not just a slow sad death.
My first time skiing, at age 60. Had a blast in Yellowstone and Lone Mtn. in Big Sky. I watched on-line video instructions and then took one lesson at Mammoth Springs. It was exhilarating. Only problem I had was figuring out how to get back up, but I only fell twice in 4 outings. Makes me think of moving out west, leaving the heat of North Carolina behind.
There are some nice places in West Virginia for xc skiing.
My first time skiing, at age 60. Had a blast in Yellowstone and Lone Mtn. in Big Sky. I watched on-line video instructions and then took one lesson at Mammoth Springs. It was exhilarating. Only problem I had was figuring out how to get back up, but I only fell twice in 4 outings. Makes me think of moving out west, leaving the heat of North Carolina behind.
you have to visit Wales mate, there are some fabulous foody parts these days. Very good cheese (and lamb of course from all those hills). Then you can come and visit us and try some wonderful seafood and then pop over on the ferry to visit Brittany ( the ferry is about 45 mins from here) and the crossing is 4 - 6 hrs. France is only /seventy miles away as the cros flies. Honestly the food is seriously good in Brittany.
Which is not England.
According to my formerly living history cook and story teller better half, there is a difference between the cuisines of both countries (and both - with few exceptions - are pretty disgusting, when you get right down to it. ). "What's a pig's fleed, and why the hell would you eat it?" she asks. EDIT: I should probably add that I know YOU live there and stuff, and what P is familiar with is mostly the "traditional" stuff Scott referred to in less than glowing terms.
you have to visit Wales mate, there are some fabulous foody parts these days. Very good cheese (and lamb of course from all those hills). Then you can come and visit us and try some wonderful seafood and then pop over on the ferry to visit Brittany ( the ferry is about 45 mins from here) and the crossing is 4 - 6 hrs. France is only /seventy miles away as the cros flies. Honestly the food is seriously good in Brittany.
I'll vouch for the food! If you see a place advertising "traditional" you might be in trouble but otherwise, it's all good.
During the war, an English prisoner and his German guard were passing the time:
Englishman: I don't understand youGermans; you eat like kings but live like pigs.
German: Neither do we understand you English; you live like kings and eat like swine.
you have to visit Wales mate, there are some fabulous foody parts these days. Very good cheese (and lamb of course from all those hills). Then you can come and visit us and try some wonderful seafood and then pop over on the ferry to visit Brittany ( the ferry is about 45 mins from here) and the crossing is 4 - 6 hrs. France is only /seventy miles away as the cros flies. Honestly the food is seriously good in Brittany.
XCS is on my list for this winter, esp because I get free rentals.
Do you think I can do this without any lessons?
Formal lessons aren't necessary but you will need help learning to use the bindings and figuring out the motions. You can pick most of this up at the rental shop but there's nothing like the real thing.
Try and get someone to go out with you the first time and give you some pointers. It will prevent some frustration. It's not difficult to do but you'll catch on quicker with someone to help.
Thanks. The REI crowd goes out, but I am afraid I won't be able to keep up.
XCS is on my list for this winter, esp because I get free rentals.
Do you think I can do this without any lessons?
Formal lessons aren't necessary but you will need help learning to use the bindings and figuring out the motions. You can pick most of this up at the rental shop but there's nothing like the real thing.
Try and get someone to go out with you the first time and give you some pointers. It will prevent some frustration. It's not difficult to do but you'll catch on quicker with someone to help.
