Fourth Annual Geezer Skiers Luncheon

    Yesterday, Thursday March 13, 2014 was the fourth annual Geezer Skiers Luncheon at Greek Peak.  Nearly 50 skiers and companions had signed up for the event but numbers were down slightly due to the extreme weather and road conditions.  Actually only a few geezers braved the frigid temperatures and ferocious wind that morning to ski.

   Our gathering at Hope Lodge was a gala affair where we enjoyed an hour of socializing in the Bobcat Lounge followed by a buffet lunch in an adjoining room.   It is a delight to recognize Pret Goslee as our most heroic geezer skier at age 94.   And also hats off to his younger bride Nita who manages to accompany him in spite of an ailing knee.   Photos below tell the story of our socializing pre-lunch.

Pret and Nita

Tom McCarthy

Instructions at the Bar

Dick, Pat, Bob and Bob 

 Master of Ceremonies Larry Monheim led our program with anecdotes and and introductions. A special thanks goes to Larry for continue to lead the organization and execution of the luncheon.  We are also indebted to Pat Ryan who initiated the concept of the Tough Old Geezer Skiers over five years ago!   It has been a gift of laughter and camaraderie enhancing our lives.

Larry at the Podium

  To my surprise Pat Ryan bestowed the First Flake award upon me.   A copy of a Gary Patterson painting. It is especially meaningful to me because for many years I have had Patterson's True Fear painting copy on my office wall.    Obviously a recognition of my idiotic behavior of skiing on wet grass at the beginning and end of the season.  Or more likely because I have been willing to ski in some pretty ugly rain.  He further entertained us with a great Irish joke spoken in an authentic dialect.

First Flake Award

    Greek Peak owners, Marc Meier and John Stemerman were are featured speakers.   They graciously filled us in on their plans for the area.   They underlined their commitment to customer service and excellence for the experience at the resort.  They also emphasized their plan to move judiciously forward while keeping an eye on the bottom line so assure that the venture can continue to be a long term success both in customer experience and profitability.  Following their presentation there was ample opportunity for questions.   Answers were forthright and complete and there was acknowledgment that there were always opportunities for improvement.   Accolades were given for improved service by the lift attendants and the capital improvements to the lodge and lifts.

Marc and John

  We departed with full stomachs and stimulated minds and with anticipation of success of our home resort under the new management.   And as always we will be prepared to give both our frank praise as well as our frank criticism.   Isn't that the role of the "Geezers"?
 

Unexpected Encounter

   I departed home for the slope in a light rain this morning.  My wife clearly thought I was crazy to ski in the rain.  Regardless, I still thought it could be a good day in spite of the weather.
   I arrived to an empty ski lodge!  Nary a geezer buddy was there.  Oh well, get the gear on and prepare for the day.  In anticipation of the wet conditions I brought out the old yellow ski jacket that although a Gore Tex jacket, it had long ago lost the resistance to rain.  However, I had recently given it a silicone waterproof spray treatment with the hopes of restoring water proofing.
   By 9:30 I was on the lift being the only person other than the ski patrol in attendance.  The top of the hill was cloaked in fog and the rain was spattering my goggles.  Having the hood of my jacket up kept the water from running down my neck.
   For the first half hour or so, I managed to "enjoy" a run or two attempting to see the snow surface through the fog and rain.   A bit bumpy, but skiable.   A little later in the morning I was treated to an unexpected encounter with a bevy of young umbrella carrying lady skiers and boarders.   I greeted them at the top of the slope and asked the inevitable question, "What are you doing here on this rainy day?"   They were happy to inform me that they were attempting to set a record of consecutive days of skiing this season.  And this was day 54.   Their enthusiasm for the day was infectious.   We chatted for a few moments and they were pleased to let me take their picture.   (Picture below is with my phone camera.  Sorry about the poor quality.) The smiles on these fresh young faces says it all.   There is joy to be had in all things.   Even on a wet and foggy day on the slopes.   They even wanted a picture of this old geezer with them that was taken by the lift attendant.

Young Women on a Mission - 54 Consecutive Days and Counting

      After my encounter with the young group, I skied but a few more runs and then decided the rest of the morning would be better spent with a long coffee break.   The so-called waterproof jacket was beginning to soak through and even though my waterproof ski bibs rarely leak, today they also failed.
     Usually there is gaggle of geezers gathering for coffee. Not so today.  So I took the liberty of calling a Greek Peak area resident geezer to invite him for coffee.   He was wise enough to stay dry but was willing to join me for break.   Thanks, Larry!  After an enjoyable exchange of pleasantries it was time to go home and dry out.   In the parking lot a young man just arriving asked, "How's the skiing?"   I replied at always, "Not too bad.  A bad day of skiing is a good day to be alive."

   

Staying Tough as a Geezer Skier

     We are approaching the Fourth Annual Geezer Skiers luncheon coming up next week Thursday.   We hope that we will have a good turn out of the geezer group and their companions.  And we are certainly welcoming all skiers to our luncheon since many of them are geezers in training.   We assume they will remain tough enough to continue enjoying the sport of downhill skiing.
    Along the line of staying tough as a geezer skier one has to adapt in style and behavior as the years go by.  I have just returned from a weekend with a daughter, son-in-law, and grand kids skiing at the infamous Mad River Glen in Vermont.   (Ski It If You Can).  I started skiing there in the early 1970's when I was a beginning skier who was on the verge of being a intermediate skier.   I was young enough and tough enough to survive terrain much beyond my abilities.  Fortunately there was enough terrain that I could ski comfortably.  However, when I got somewhat better, I tried skiing the trail called Paradise.   I survived it but it wasn't pretty.  Steep, narrow and rocks punctuated by ice covered moguls.
   Some forty years later, I am a much better skier than I was the 70's.   However,  I may be tough enough to ski Mad River but I am also wise enough to avoid the  steep, narrow and mogul trails that would be beyond my comfort zone.  Still, I am pleased to say that I can still go to Mad River and ski the blues and greens comfortably and have all the challenge I need.  Since Mad River is a relatively small area, I can ski with my super expert children and grandchildren and always end up at one of the two major lifts for the next run.  
    As I think about the past weekend, I believe that staying tough is both a mental and a physical endeavor.  Stay fit enough to meet the physical challenge and then maintain the confidence needed to negotiate the terrain and conditions on the mountain.

Departure from the single chair.

Easy way down from the single chair.

Great vista and terrain.

Family ready for the day.  Me, daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law.

Lodge view up the double chair run.

Change In The Weather

     This has been an extraordinary ski season.   We have had a remarkably long cold spell starting in January.   My routine after each day of skiing is to record the day of skiing temperatures for the beginning and end of the day on the the slope.   January 15th the temperatures were about four degrees above freezing.  The following day the temperatures were below freezing and that trend continue until February 2nd for a brief warm up to 36 F.  From then on the temperature remained below freezing until today, February 19th, when  the temperature at the end of the day rose above freezing to 36 degrees F.  In that interval of 35 days I skied 25 days.   Our lowest temperatures were -7 F to  +1 F on January 22nd.  The good news is that it was fabulous weather for making snow.  Huge mounds of snow are now in reserve on the slope.
    Most hard core skiers have learned how to adapt to extreme temperatures and wind chill.  One could not enjoy skiing if that was not the case.   Each change in weather calls for appropriate layering of clothing.   Face protection if a must in subzero or single digit temperatures.   Toe warmers, hand warmers and other aids come into play as well.   Nothing like a down sweater layer for the low temperature days.  
    Our geezer group at Greek Peak  is a hardy bunch.   For the hard core group it is rare that they will stay home on a below zero or single digits day.    Even the octogenarians will be out there!  The coffee breaks will come earlier and the total day will be shorter but the joy of braving the elements is still there.   Early today some of us felt like the US Postal Service workers.  Neither sleet, nor snow or rain will keep us from our appointed runs on the slope.  

Ice Man Larry

Ice Man Gerry

    Every day on the slopes brings a unique set of weather conditions.   I guess for those of us who have a great passion for skiing the changes in the weather are just a part of the skiers life.

Geezer Outing at Toggenburg - Post Card Picture Day

    A grand sunny day at Toggenburg skiing on beautifully groomed slopes.  First tracks made by all of us for several hours.  Twisty narrow trails on one side of the area provided thrilling swoops through the terrain.  Skied the terrain park too.  However we skirted the jumps that served as slalom gates.   Perfect visibility for the old eyes and even the low temperature was ameliorated by the brilliant sun.
    We were welcomed by the area management as if we were long lost souls.  They are always happy to see use and in some ways we get treated like celebrities.  Quite amazing because everyone of us is over seventy and skiing free.   The Foggy Goggle restaurant filled us at noon with beautifully prepared and served cuisine.  Makes generous tipping a joy when you get such good service and a warm welcome.
     Grand change of pace.  We'll need to do it again soon.

The Line-Up.  The Magnificent Seven!

Baby Geezer Birthday

     Today is tough old geezer skier Pat Ryan's birthday.   First of all a Happy Birthday to Pat and a wish for many more to be celebrated on the slopes.   At our coffee break this morning we all had a chance to drink a coffee/cocoa toast to Pat.   The obvious question asked was, "How old are you Pat"?   Answer:  74.   From that reply we went on to query all the assembled about their ages.   To our surprise and Pat's delight it turned out he was the youngster of our gathering.   The nearest in age was Andy at 75.   Allen topped out our age bracket at 86.  So there you are.  Pat is just a baby geezer.
     As an aside I would bet a group of senior ladies hanging out over coffee would be very reluctant to reveal their ages.  I guess geezer guys simply don't give a damn.   Perhaps we can look at the marks of aging as just badges of courage.   At least I would like to think so.
     A toast to all the geezers for many more birthday celebrations!

Toast to the Birthday Boy With the Card

Great Card and Gift Courtesy of Bob Sanjoule

Its In Da' Feet

     Over the past few weeks many of the Greek Peak geezers have been buying new boots.  Because my boots have many miles on them, the heels are worn down and the buckles are failing I too purchased new boots.   With skiing, the foundation is for how comfortable you feel on the slopes comes from a good fitting boot that matches your style and level of skiing.   For us oldsters, comfort comes very high of the list of things that makes skiing enjoyable.   In addition most of us are less flexible and want a boot that is easier to get on and off.
     Geezer skiers are also very individualistic so there was no one common answer to the new boot acquisition.  Two of my compatriots ended up with the new Apex boots.  Although not the same model for the two of them.   Another purchased the Full Tilt boot.  Both of these boots have great features for the senior foot.    They are certainly very adjustable and comfortable and can be tuned to individual taste.  So happy feet for these three fellows.
     I chose to be more conventional in my new boots purchase.   I did a lengthy review of the various boots available.  Even spent some time at a ski gear store trying on the various styles.   Because of my wide foot, I was looking for a boot with a wider last than most of the boots on the market.   Dalbello, Full Tilt and Atomic have wide last boots in the lower end versions of conventional four buckle boots.  Apex is highly adjustable with a more complex closure system.   From my research, however, I was able to find a tunable last by Head that allows changing the last from 104 to 100 mm width along with double side canting and also flex and rear support adjustment.  So I made the plunge and bravely made an on-line purchase of the Head Adaptedge 100 boot.  I also should mention that the boot has a heat formed liner.   The boots arrived UPS delivery on Friday.
    So, how are things working out with the new boots?   I was really quite accustomed to my old boots.  Just like a pair of old slippers.  Thus, I spent an hour or so tuning the new boots to my liking.   After adding my orthotics, adjusting the buckles, canting and walking around in them for a while I looked forward to a spin on the slopes.  Needless to say, some binding adjustments were in order too!   My first two runs on Saturday morning were somewhat tentative.  However, later in the morning I was comfortable enough to give a go on the supposed double black diamond Hercules trail.  It wasn't pretty but the boots responded appropriately and with comfort.  Looking forward to many days on the slope in the new boots.   And, since the heel and toe pieces are replaceable, maybe these boots will go many more miles than my last ones.  Yes it is in da' feet!

Boots Ready to Rip

Groomer Ready to Winch Groom on Hercules