Italian Alps, Ski For Light Skier, Mystery Irishman, Great Glen, Personal Knee Story, Winter’s Spring.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, formerly the unofficial beginning of spring skiing. But this year we aren’t so sure. Winter isn’t going anywhere.
This week’s Mystery Glimpse reveals the story behind the Hard Pak Puliverizer, the ingenious ice grinder machine invented by Jim Kelly, owner-operator of Brodie Mt. From the mid-60s to the end of the 90s, the resort was celebrated as having the longest vertical in Southern New England and as headquarters of Kelly’s Irish Alps. The Celtic-themed resort hosted robust St. Patrick’s Days each year as this picture shows. Today, you can find green eggs and Guinness at Mt. Snow, $17 lift tickets at Waterville Valley, pot-of-gold treasure hunting at Alpine Meadows, bagpipers at Breckenridge, and fun everywhere. It used to be that St. Patrick’s Day signaled the start of spring skiing. But this year, winter is certainly going on. And on. Read on.
Guaranteed Snow Till Summer For Some Resorts.
Indeed, the snow just keeps coming, despite the start of spring. In the Sierra, in the Wasatch, in the Rockies, there are biblical levels that haven’t been seen in decades. An “atmospheric river” is loading moisture-rich air from the Pacific to dump on Tahoe, Mammoth, and the other Sierra resorts. As you can see, the Rockies are full up and overflowing. So much snow in the mountains has caused deadly avalanches; 18 skiers have died so far this year. The snow that fell in the Rockies in October—that early snow—has provided a slippery base for new layers to fall on and eventually slide from. You’ve probably read about I-70 being closed by “natural” avalanches. As we write this, a “bomb cyclone” blizzard is smacking Colorado with even more and moving east.
Skiers will remember this year as an exception. Or is it? Perhaps the climate change is really changing winter. The amount of moisture in the atmosphere from overheated oceans seems to the engine driving these phenomena.
As we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, there is something happening here. Enjoy the snow and the elongated season. But, paradoxically, remember that the ski industry is working hard to develop green energy and sustainable resources.
bThis Week.
Co-Publisher Jon Weisberg reports from the Italian Alps. His story shows us a snapshot of the Aosta Valley, where he is skiing with Alpskitour, local guide service and SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser.
We are starting an inspiring story about Ski For Light, a program for blind, visually- and mobility-impaired people who cross-country ski with guides. This week, we learn what a skier has learned about herself in taking part in the SFL events for the past 19 years. Next week, we’ll hear from a volunteer guide who spends a week working with a non-sighted partner.
Correspondent Tamsin Venn shows us another view of Great Glen Trails and the Glen House Hotel, NH. There is more to do at a winter resort than ski. Find out by clicking here.
Veteran journalist and SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Bob Nesoff gives us his personal knee replacement story. He explains the importance of conditioning before the operation and the need to be rigorous about physical therapy after. His story will undoubtedly create a lot of interest among readers.
Finally, we have published The Winter’s Spring, a poem by 19th century poet John Clare. He doesn’t want spring to come, either.
Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Tell your friends and remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.
Jon and I are very grateful for the support we have received in our recent fund-raiser. All the premiums have been sent to donors, except for a small number of hats. We ran out! More are coming soon.
