DCSki gathering on the slopes.
December 23, 2004
44 posts
16 users
9k+ views
I think it's high time we try to schedule a group ski outing for fans of DCSki. It may be a little early to talk specifics, but here goes.
My considerations:
-pick a nearby area of common interest
-find a cheap lift ticket not relying on "group" commitment, easy to cancel if poor turnout or weather
-reach consensus on date (weekday vs. weekend, sooner vs. later)
-are you in or out: after specifics are decided try for a tentative headcount
Nominations:
1. For an initial suggestion I nominate meeting at Wisp on Sunday morning, Dec 12. Lift tics are $7 this day (this is actually the price of a two day birthday tic good for Monday as well). Further, they have a specially priced ticket on Sat, Dec 11 (about $20) in case someone is thinking of a longer visit. Pros: cheap, weekend, Wisp is about 3 easy hours from DC, usually has better than avg early conditions. I went to this event a couple years ago when conditions happened to be great. There was a healthy crowd, but not obscene. Crowds were pleasantly light on backside of mtn in advanced Mainstreet area. Cons: early season conditions, weekend, 3 hrs from DC.
2. If weather is not cooperative on Dec 12 and we desire to reschedule, I suggest a second nomination: Wisp on Thursday, Jan 13 for Ski Chalet $2 demo day. Pros: cheap, trying demo eqmt is fun, reasonable crowds similar to birthday event or less, better snow conditions likely. Cons: most will need to take a day off work, harder for kids to participate, need to pre-purchase tickets.
Additional tidbits: We could hit Uncle Tuckers Wood Fired Pizza in Cumberland for group meal on way home. We could pick meeting spots in Rockville or Frederick MD for carpooling. I'm fully open to other dates and ski areas, especially if someone knows how to get us a flexible situation/discount at, for example, Liberty or Whitetail. I'm also not afraid of night skiing as an option.
My story on early Dec Wisp Birthday ski trip in 2002:
http://www.dcski.com/articles/view_article.php?article_id=388&mode=search
Jim,
I'll already be at Snowshoe that weekend for their winter kickoff celebration so I wouldn't be able to make Wisp. Ski chalet does offer a $2.00 lift ticket for Snowshoe for Friday 12/10/04 but I don't think there're any deep discounts for the weekend.
-Warren-
How about we start off on the ground...
This could be as hard as deciding a president.
Tip from other thread by easternskibum: another good possible meeting day would be a Liberty on Wed, Jan 5 for $15 demo day sponsored by Ski Center.
I think someplace fairly close, within a max of 2.5 hours travel time. I want to go to a get together, not have to plan to stay over.
Probably the best choice would be the likes of Liberty or Whitetail, with Seven Springs and Wisp at the outer range of what would be acceptable driving times.
Perhaps EasternSkiBum and some of the other Liberty ski folk on this board could get us special discounts? After all, it kinda amounts to free advertising for the lucky selectee resort.
It would have to be Liberty or Whitetail given the fact that most DCSki viewers live closest to those mountains.
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Perhaps EasternSkiBum and some of the other Liberty ski folk on this board could get us special discounts? After all, it kinda amounts to free advertising for the lucky selectee resort.
Sorry Snow... we're just lowly instructors and reps on here.... don't have that kind of pull.
Of course you could always talk to group sales, or the GM and try and shmooz them. 
If folks will pick a time and place I'll be there if possible. Job keeps me very busy so it's hard to plan. I am an opportunity skier. Weekend day preferred.
Hope to be on my way home from Timberline Dec 12. Wisp is on the way. Sounds like a bargain to me.
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I will talk to somebody at Liberty on Sunday and see what I can do...
A DCSki gathering is a great idea. Unfortunately, I can't make JimK's original suggestion of December 12 @ Wisp. (Wisp is probably one of the best bets for finding good conditions during that weekend.) I have a big holiday shindig that Saturday evening, and I know I won't be in any shape to get up early in the AM and drive 3+ hours.
For those who can't make Wisp, the following weekend, Sat Dec 18/Sun Dec 19, at Whitetail and/or Liberty is another promising option. It's a short drive for most of us, the odds of having a couple of decent trails open are good, the crowds don't appear before Xmas, several posters work at those mountains, plus there are free lessons offered that weekend. As an added bonus, last year you got one free pre-Xmas lift ticket at Whitetail/Liberty/Roundtop if you bought an Advantage Card at the National Ski Expo. Not sure if that will be true again this year.
Either area is fine with me. I'll probably ski one on Saturday, one on Sunday. It may be my first days on skis this year.
Just wondering .. but we have all sorts of family stuff we do during Christmas and the holidays that generally includes the weekend before so late December is pretty much out for us.
What about choosing a date sometime after the holidays? Late January maybe at Liberty? .. and maybe set it up with an après ski party at McKee's.
I think if we are to go forward on this we need to set up some sort of committee to check into group discounts and the like.
Waatcha think?
I second Liberty on Jan 5.
Ummm Roger .. some of us have to work for a living and really don't have a life except on weekends. January 5th is on a Wednesday.
It would be much nicer to have the meeting take place on a weekend so that more people could attend .. dontcha think?
So far I 've read and thought about it.
Here are the dates that was mentioned so far:
- Wisp on Sunday morning, Dec 12
- Sat Dec 18/Sun Dec 19, at Whitetail and/or Liberty
- Liberty on Wed, Jan 5 for $15 demo day
- Wisp on Thursday, Jan 13
I nominate the idea where there will be a few 'DCSki' gathering dates. How about three(or four) dates so some of us could go for at least 1 out of 3 or 4 different gathering dates?
One in DEC at Wisp ( or other?)
Twice in JAN at ____________ and at ___________ (open to suggestions)
I could foresee some of us taking pictures and have fun at different ski resorts. I think we could make this possible instead of just one gathering event. I will still be happy if we end up with just one gathering date at one ski resort for this year. Hopefully I could make it to meet some of you guys.
Here is one logistics issue to consider about a DCSki gathering: how do we recognize one another? You can set a meeting time/location on the hill, but some people will inevitably be delayed, etc. Having some form of identifying piece of clothing or gear is efficient for rounding up stragglers or simply recognizing each other when we happen to be on the slopes together.
Suggestions? None of the gear on the DCSki store is an obvious candidate. Perhaps the buttons?
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Here is one logistics issue to consider about a DCSki gathering: how do we recognize one another? You can set a meeting time/location on the hill, but some people will inevitably be delayed, etc. Having some form of identifying piece of clothing or gear is efficient for rounding up stragglers or simply recognizing each other when we happen to be on the slopes together.
Suggestions? None of the gear on the DCSki store is an obvious candidate. Perhaps the buttons?
How about a neon pink feather boa..? just kidding.
Good idea about the buttons. How about same color ribbon tied to the ski poles below the handle?
Wisp on Sunday morning, Dec 12 ... works fine for me.
Here's an ivite for all of you.... I'll be at the Kmart from the Dec. 12-17. By the 18th/19th it's likely you'll find me at Liberty in an instructor jacket. Jan. 5th I'll be at the demo tents at Liberty. Come by and say hi.... I'd love to meet you all. I'll be the girl on the red Stocklis. Not too many pairs of those around, yet.
For the logistics solution, how about having a banner up outside the main lodge of whatever resort is choosen... and if a resort is chosen then DCSki.com members find an area to camp out in inside the lodge. For example if Timberline was choosen, the top floor with tables facing thunderdraft lift could be reserved with a DCSki.com placecard or something. maybe even going as far as having a few people who are resting, man the tables so if I or someone else came in late that we'd know someone was actually there.
Pick an FRS/GMRS channel.
maybe the pink boa wasn't such a bad idea afterall
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Snowcone- I was seconding JimK's suggestion. Don't get crabby at me. If you'd rather have it on the weekend just say so, I'm fine with that too.
I apologize ... didn't mean to sound crabby ... not a good day at the cube. I am so looking forward to winter and skiing ... we save all of our meesly vacation days for the winter and I am in desperate need to get away from here! ARGGHH! [calming self down .. soon, soon the snow will come and the guns will blow ... ]
Sorry, I'd rather cover myself head to toe in duct tape before I'm caught dead in a pink boa on the slopes. Or anywhere else for that matter.
The FRS/GMRS channel is a great idea for stragglers; I use that technique out West for meeting the rest of my group, don't know why it didn't occur to me for the Mid-Atlantic.
I think Roy's analogy about choosing a President is spot-on; looks like we're divided between Red and Blue areas. Even if we don't get one large meeting day planned, I hope to catch up with a lot of you on the local slopes.
OK John, I know what a pink boa is, and the duct tape doesn,t sound so bad but what's FRS/GMRS?
Roger, I think Snowcone sounded jealous. Most of my buddies do to when I get a midweek day and they don't.
Folks, been letting this discussion play out a bit, encouraged by interest. Appreciate Otto's offer to check his contacts at Liberty. Agree closer (to Balt/DC) is better for most of us. Also agree multiple small gatherings is an option. I personally think we should try a gathering relatively early (weather permitting) and if the participation and vibe is good, then try another later in winter. If Otto got something flexible for us at competitive rate on a weekend like Dec 18 or 19 at Liberty that might be very attractive, especially if he and some of his learned instructor pals could take a few runs with us.
I recognize that some of you have strong connections to certain areas (like season or employee passes) making those most convenient for a rendezvous compared to us floaters who go where the spirit or good deal moves us. Don't want to push Wisp too much, but Interstate 68 makes it an easier 3 hr trip than Seven Springs, Blue Knob or Wintergreen from DC and it's convenient for participants coming from WV compared to Lib/Wtail. Picking a predetermined mtg place&time and tying a DCSki blue ribbon around the old ski pole sounds like a good recognition method.
I think Searide compiled the nominated dates so far:
-Wisp on Sunday morning, Dec 12 for $7 Birthday Special
-Sat Dec 18/Sun Dec 19, at Whitetail and/or Liberty, cost TBD, awaiting Otto's input
-Liberty on Wed, Jan 5 for $15 Ski Center demo day
-Wisp on Thursday, Jan 13 $2 Ski Chalet demo day
Keep ideas coming. I think we're getting somewhere.
Snowcone- yeah, I apologize too. I was having a crappy day yesterday. These things happen, and in another year or so I'll be back in the cube with you. Man I don't miss those days at all.
Anyway, JimK, I'm cool with either of the last three suggestions. That Dec 18/19 at Liberty could be a good one. The Dec 12 is in the middle of finals week (so there's your payback Snowcone, at least by working for a living you don't have to take stupid exams), but I'll be back in the DC area by the 17th of Dec for Christmas break. I'd like to meet y'all so whatever works out best for everyone else on the board is fine with me.
The National Ski Expo is next weekend (13/14) at the Dulles Expo Center. Any DCSki posters plan on attending? I'll prolly go for 2-3 hours either Sat or Sun (flexible); need to get a Snowtime Advantage Card at the very least.
Sitting here watching good snow going to waste, it's raining.
My prediction of Thanksgiving turns seems to be in serious jeopardy, did someone put their ski racks on already?
Hate to eat foote again but who's interested in the proposed Dec 12 gathering at Wisp?
jimmy
I plan to be at wisp ont he 12/11 and maybe 12/12 for the morning. I can't stay much on the 12th.
How long is the drive to Wisp from the DC area (say the Cabin John bridge)? If it is not much more than 3 hours, there is a good chance I could ski Wisp on Saturday the 11th.
We're in for a tough weather stretch for those of us looking for early resort openings, but all it takes is one cold week in December. Wisp is three easy hours or less from Cabin John Bridge. I68 is so much better than the PA turnpike, makes the trip easier than the one to Seven Springs, and no mtn driving like the last miles to Blue Knob.
Its about 3 hours and change. Its all highway so how fast you drive plays into it. If you go 80MPH it might be just under 3 hours.
For us it's a good solid 3 hours from Germantown. I just checked Mapquest and they show 2.5 hrs! ... If only!
Folks, never say never, but it's not looking so good for a gathering at Wisp this weekend. They are not open yet, their website (http://www.skiwisp.com/index_winter.html)is hoping for opening on Friday 12/10, but snowmaking prospects are not great this week. If they do open there may be a question about enough terrain to justify a trip out there?? I suggest we think about the next gathering opportunity, perhaps at Liberty for $15 Ski Center Demo Day on Wed, Jan 5.
This is not to discourage those who want to shoot for a gathering at any other time/place.
I remain open to suggestions on a gathering date/place.
I hope to make the $15 Ski Center demo day at Liberty on Jan 5, unless Mother Nature brings an absolute monsoon (like today!*?%!#).
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I will also be at Libery on the 5th. I took the day off so I am going: rain or shine. That monsoon today was crazy though. One of the girls at my office had her car flodded.
I don't remeber the last time it rained that hard. And we had all those hurricanes come through here this summer.
We would love to come but unfortunately we are poor contractor scum that are lucky if we get to take vacations days in any given year. Liberty is not the issue, but the fact that the Demo days run until only 3:30. No way could we leave work at 4 (in Arlington) and be there much before 6:30/7:00. It's such a shame cause I really want to demo those Stocklis ... hear they are a super ski! Plus meeting up with some of the DCSki crew would have been a pleasure.
Maybe an alternative meet can be set up that caters to those of us who have to work to support our skiing habit ... somewhere, sometime on a weekend perhaps?
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We would love to come but unfortunately we are poor contractor scum that are lucky if we get to take vacations days in any given year. Liberty is not the issue, but the fact that the Demo days run until only 3:30. No way could we leave work at 4 (in Arlington) and be there much before 6:30/7:00. It's such a shame cause I really want to demo those Stocklis ... hear they are a super ski! Plus meeting up with some of the DCSki crew would have been a pleasure.
Maybe an alternative meet can be set up that caters to those of us who have to work to support our skiing habit ... somewhere, sometime on a weekend perhaps?
Thanks for the plug Snow, sorry you can't make it. As for the rest of you come see me on demo day. I'll be the one wearing the Stockli hat. Just had my first 5 days on them and well.... sweeeeet!
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It's such a shame cause I really want to demo those Stocklis ... hear they are a super ski! Plus meeting up with some of the DCSki crew would have been a pleasure.
Maybe an alternative meet can be set up that caters to those of us who have to work to support our skiing habit ... somewhere, sometime on a weekend perhaps?
Thanks for the plug Snow, sorry you can't make it. As for the rest of you come see me on demo day. I'll be the one wearing the Stockli hat. Just had my first 5 days on them and well.... sweeeeet!
ESB, snowcone, allow me to point out Ski Roundtop's demo day on Sunday Jan. 9th. Will either of you be able to make it?
I taught a kid lesson this morning in the rain. I was supposed to take them back out this afternoon just as the monsoon was picking up. Luckily, the parents pulled the kids out to go home and I didn't have to ski in that monsoon.
On the 5th, are we setting up a meeting place? I will be working that day but would like to meet everyone in the beginning and catch up later to get some turns in.
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ESB, snowcone, allow me to point out Ski Roundtop's demo day on Sunday Jan. 9th. Will either of you be able to make it?
I'm sure I'll be there. I ski there most Sundays.
