‘Tis the season to hit the slopes

The best holiday gift for ski resorts is an abundance of earlyseason fresh snow. That’s exactly what the mountains have been getting this past week, anywhere from 14-23 inches. As we go forward in December, supported with massive snowmaking, skiers/riders can look forward to many more trails being groomed and ready to greet the holiday crowds.

It makes no difference which direction you’re headed to ski/ ride, you’ll find snow aplenty. Holiday bookings are way up and this also means bookings through New Year’s. Members of ski clubs affiliated with The New York State Capital Ski Council are taking advantage discounted ski days the council is offering. If you are a NYCDSC club member in good standing, you’ll find the days listed on the council

web site, nycdsc.org.

We’re getting close to Council race dates which, by the way, are open to all ages. You can check with Barry Maday of ASC for places and times. When I last checked with Barry, he was still trying to firm up the dates. Certainly the first race will take place at West Mountain early January 2018. Between now and then, ski clubs will be holding holiday gatherings, one of the most noted being the Albany Ski Club Christmas gathering at Bill Watkins’ Saratoga home, December 29. His place at 153 Union Avenue, is across from the famous Race Course.

Nordic skiing has been enjoying renewed popularity in recent years, and we have some of the best XC resorts in the northeast. The Olympic trails at Lake Placid’s Mt, Von Hoevenberg is but one example of well-maintained XC layouts. Albany’s Outof- Control Ski Club Nordic members often trek to Garnet Hill Ski Center up north at 13th Lake, a short drive above the town of North Creek. They usually combine their skiing trip and lunch at Garnet. The historic lodge serves great food.

The Schenectady Wintersports Club announced that Wednesday will be the club’s official XC day to various locations. Members pack a lunch on these XC outings. You can call SWC Info Hotline at 518-370- 0304 to find out where the club will be skiing on a given day.

Word in from one of skiing’s most knowledgably veterans, Cal Conniff, says the New Eng- land Ski Museum, is calling for Grant Applications for the 2018 year. The museum’s Cal Conniff Grant Program will distribute up to $3,000 in grant funding to support individuals and organizations that align with the Museum’s mission to preserve the history of skiing and winter sports. Application materials can be emailed to staff@skimuseum.org.