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Do not consider any other activity today besides skiing the farm
Friday afternoon the snow was wet and sticky. Now it's crispy and groomed!
You need to ski that snow. It's that good.
Yesterday I was the Maytag repairman. One day pass. Not even a full price ticket - it was a senior! A family with a Sleepy Hollow season pass used their reciprocal benefit for a freebie. And a handful of local die hard season passers showed up. Still, it was lonely.
Not today. Today is one of those days you simply must ski. It's two days before April and it looks like December out there. All the trails are smooth. They'll have had five hours to cure before the first early bird arrives at dawn.
Here's the inside scoop:
- Maple, Fancy, Frog and Harry's will be lots of fun. Skate-wide with tracks in all the right places.
- All open fields have the deepest classic tracks.
- Sugar extension and Dot's skate loop are friggin' landing strips.
So stop reading and start skiing.
Created by Dave on 03/29/08 at 01:46am.
Friday afternoon the snow was wet and sticky. Now it's crispy and groomed!
You need to ski that snow. It's that good.
Yesterday I was the Maytag repairman. One day pass. Not even a full price ticket - it was a senior! A family with a Sleepy Hollow season pass used their reciprocal benefit for a freebie. And a handful of local die hard season passers showed up. Still, it was lonely.
Not today. Today is one of those days you simply must ski. It's two days before April and it looks like December out there. All the trails are smooth. They'll have had five hours to cure before the first early bird arrives at dawn.
Here's the inside scoop:
- Maple, Fancy, Frog and Harry's will be lots of fun. Skate-wide with tracks in all the right places.
- All open fields have the deepest classic tracks.
- Sugar extension and Dot's skate loop are friggin' landing strips.
So stop reading and start skiing.
Created by Dave on 03/29/08 at 01:46am.
Even I want the season to be over
Snow
Yes we have new snow and no it isn't the type we can whip into shape today. Maybe overnight. It's too wet right now.
Shop
We close the ski shop for the season at 5 pm Sunday, March 30. No more rentals. Bring your own skis and buy passes 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week upstairs at the gift shop. Season passers - you know what to do.
Trails
Water holes are emerging in the usual spots on Harry's, Dot's and Frog. That said, 99 percent of those trails are still in terrific shape. Skimmer and South Wind remain closed for sugaring. The other trails still have a solid base, which, at this rate, may feature prominently in this year's MTB races. And the carnage left behind from a coyote attack on a deer on Dot's has been picked over and most remaining nasty bits are covered with snow. Families may still want to ski a different trail if explaining the food chain is not yet appropriate for junior. Even I said "yuk."
Future
The future's uncertain and the end is always near ... sorry. I've had it with you people. I'm leaving! If you're nice, I'll come back next season. Watch this space, however, because I'll post useful information about trail work throughout the summer. We'll organize group trail work in the fall. We will clear trails BEFORE the snow falls. We hope to arrange more clinics, such as the one with Liz Stephen. Perhaps more events for us "regular people" who do not race or posses the genetic predisposition for such activity. You know, fun stuff. Something involving food!
Found
You wouldn't believe some of the stuff in our found items box. Most of it is now hanging from the beam above the counter for easier identification.
Finally, since I had only one customer all day, Cecil Taylor is on pretty loud. Does anyone think Taylor sounds more like Monk than Monk? (Does anyone have an mp3 of Taylor covering Bemsha Swing that I could, "borrow?" It's amazing.) By 4 p.m. I'll whip out some Mingus nonette.
Created by Dave on 03/28/08 at 02:19pm.
Snow
Yes we have new snow and no it isn't the type we can whip into shape today. Maybe overnight. It's too wet right now.
Shop
We close the ski shop for the season at 5 pm Sunday, March 30. No more rentals. Bring your own skis and buy passes 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week upstairs at the gift shop. Season passers - you know what to do.
Trails
Water holes are emerging in the usual spots on Harry's, Dot's and Frog. That said, 99 percent of those trails are still in terrific shape. Skimmer and South Wind remain closed for sugaring. The other trails still have a solid base, which, at this rate, may feature prominently in this year's MTB races. And the carnage left behind from a coyote attack on a deer on Dot's has been picked over and most remaining nasty bits are covered with snow. Families may still want to ski a different trail if explaining the food chain is not yet appropriate for junior. Even I said "yuk."
Future
The future's uncertain and the end is always near ... sorry. I've had it with you people. I'm leaving! If you're nice, I'll come back next season. Watch this space, however, because I'll post useful information about trail work throughout the summer. We'll organize group trail work in the fall. We will clear trails BEFORE the snow falls. We hope to arrange more clinics, such as the one with Liz Stephen. Perhaps more events for us "regular people" who do not race or posses the genetic predisposition for such activity. You know, fun stuff. Something involving food!
Found
You wouldn't believe some of the stuff in our found items box. Most of it is now hanging from the beam above the counter for easier identification.
Finally, since I had only one customer all day, Cecil Taylor is on pretty loud. Does anyone think Taylor sounds more like Monk than Monk? (Does anyone have an mp3 of Taylor covering Bemsha Swing that I could, "borrow?" It's amazing.) By 4 p.m. I'll whip out some Mingus nonette.
Created by Dave on 03/28/08 at 02:19pm.
Snow - Breakfast of Champions
Okay, I'm making up for lost time. There hasn't been much here on the blog for a few days. You can make up some dialog or captions for this set of photos and send them. I'll post them. If nobody sends anything, I'll be forced to tell the whole story behind these silly photos. You have been warned.
Created by Dave on 03/26/08 at 10:04pm.
Okay, I'm making up for lost time. There hasn't been much here on the blog for a few days. You can make up some dialog or captions for this set of photos and send them. I'll post them. If nobody sends anything, I'll be forced to tell the whole story behind these silly photos. You have been warned.
Created by Dave on 03/26/08 at 10:04pm.
Mansfield Trio
It was a day that was absolutely beautiful and we forgot our camera, so you took a picture of us in the open field with Camel's Hump behind us. Thanks a lot. And also, again, thank you so much for hooking us up and taking such great care of the trails. We felt like we had our own private groomer, and it was an absolutely gorgeous day, and we had a blast. Thanks.
Treva, Andy and Jim.
Created by Dave on 03/26/08 at 09:11pm.
It was a day that was absolutely beautiful and we forgot our camera, so you took a picture of us in the open field with Camel's Hump behind us. Thanks a lot. And also, again, thank you so much for hooking us up and taking such great care of the trails. We felt like we had our own private groomer, and it was an absolutely gorgeous day, and we had a blast. Thanks.
Treva, Andy and Jim.
Created by Dave on 03/26/08 at 09:11pm.
Onion River Nordic-Morse Farm Party (update from Nick)
Onion River Nordic Ski Club President for Life and Outdoor Grillmeister Extraordinaire Nick Petterssen says, "Onion River Nordic would like to thank everyone who came out for our terrific end-of-season party and especially thank all the volunteers who brought food and contributed their energy to the event. We had an amazing 2008 season and look forward to continuing our club's growth for the future. Ski On!"
Ski on. Ski off. Ski everywhere. Well, ski at Morse Farm first, then everywhere. Mm-kay?
Created by Dave on 03/24/08 at 10:31am.
Onion River Nordic Ski Club President for Life and Outdoor Grillmeister Extraordinaire Nick Petterssen says, "Onion River Nordic would like to thank everyone who came out for our terrific end-of-season party and especially thank all the volunteers who brought food and contributed their energy to the event. We had an amazing 2008 season and look forward to continuing our club's growth for the future. Ski On!"
Ski on. Ski off. Ski everywhere. Well, ski at Morse Farm first, then everywhere. Mm-kay?
Created by Dave on 03/24/08 at 10:31am.
Chasing the beam
Day one without our illustrious pair of groomers and I miss them already.
Why, you might ask?
Because getting up at 3 a.m. to do circles through the woods aboard Truckasaurus - in the dark - is not fun. Challenging, unique and often thrilling, but not really fun. I suppose it becomes more rewarding after one learns how to turn everything on, correctly operate the hydraulic tentacles and maintain sufficient control to make a flat surface. Laying proper tracks takes the skill and concentration of a blackbelt.
So now when people scrutinize how we transform what Mother Nature gave us, I feel justified giving them a karate chop. It's hard work, physically and mentally.
The first cranial challenge arose when I had to turn on the head and tail lights. Luckily I ordered a replacement Truckasaurus User Manual in December. When in doubt, read the instructions. Lights on. Check. My first two outings happened during the day with professional adult supervision. I didn't have to grope around for things.
Pointed down the throat of Sugar, all I had to guide me was a narrowly focused spot of halogen light pointing ahead from atop the cab. The ambient light reflected back from the snow helped. But it's still similar to exploring a cave with a candle.
Follow the beam. Avoid clipping trees with the monster claw up front and Hydra out back. Don't fall off the bridges. Don't stall uphill. And make perfect tracks.
Perfection was not happening. First problem: figure out how to make only the right side track setter drop down. I was dragging both. I remembered how to manipulate the hydraulics, but forgot the order of switches for individualized track control. Pulling up the control lever raises the entire grooming tentacle. Then you have to back up, set it down and fix the bump. (Reverse is initially quite mind boggling with two throttles and two tracks.) Visualizing the tracks rotating backward helps.
Ten minutes later the track setter problem was solved. But there was no way I was going to drive backward for more than ten feet to erase the stretch of dual tracks ...
So I continued down Sugar, setting one set of parallel lines - right down the middle of the trail. Damn! It was early and I had time to make a second pass further to the right. At least I was accustomed to the engine revolution being controlled by my right foot and turning happening by pushing or puling two levers. Getting a bead on my wingspan and attitude took longer. By the time I got to the furthest hairpin uphill, I had it down. Tracks all the way right, big fat flatness to the left.
It felt good to have correct pressure on the tiller. Nice straight lines. It became satisfying. I completed a few loops of Sugar's extensions and was headed toward First Run and Fancy.
Then I spotted two eyes reflecting back at me from behind a stand of trees. Good, at least it wasn't a moose. It was a cute little deer scavenging food just before the first light of dawn. How pastoral. As I drove closer the deer hopped out of the trees and disappeared into the sugar maples across the trail. The trail I had ... just ... groomed.
Doh!
Suddenly I wished for a vehicle with much higher velocity and a Stinger Missile. Vincent Van Gogh I'm not, but I worked hard to make that trail look pretty and not like a Picasso with the nose stuck to the forehead and such.
I fixed my early mess on Sugar, did the other two trails and headed back to the farm for a break before opening at 9. It was already light and two skiers were headed out for a pre-work jaunt. Cool.
After a quick trip for coffee and a chocolate croissant, I returned to find the skiers packing up.
I asked how the trails were. I explained that it was my third time and I hoped my job was acceptable. They said it was great. Very cool.
But now I need to wrap myself in a heat blanket and nap - like Truckasaurus out front. Resting peacefully, block heaters keeping his bones warm.
Created by Dave on 03/14/08 at 09:05am.
Day one without our illustrious pair of groomers and I miss them already.
Why, you might ask?
Because getting up at 3 a.m. to do circles through the woods aboard Truckasaurus - in the dark - is not fun. Challenging, unique and often thrilling, but not really fun. I suppose it becomes more rewarding after one learns how to turn everything on, correctly operate the hydraulic tentacles and maintain sufficient control to make a flat surface. Laying proper tracks takes the skill and concentration of a blackbelt.
So now when people scrutinize how we transform what Mother Nature gave us, I feel justified giving them a karate chop. It's hard work, physically and mentally.
The first cranial challenge arose when I had to turn on the head and tail lights. Luckily I ordered a replacement Truckasaurus User Manual in December. When in doubt, read the instructions. Lights on. Check. My first two outings happened during the day with professional adult supervision. I didn't have to grope around for things.
Pointed down the throat of Sugar, all I had to guide me was a narrowly focused spot of halogen light pointing ahead from atop the cab. The ambient light reflected back from the snow helped. But it's still similar to exploring a cave with a candle.
Follow the beam. Avoid clipping trees with the monster claw up front and Hydra out back. Don't fall off the bridges. Don't stall uphill. And make perfect tracks.
Perfection was not happening. First problem: figure out how to make only the right side track setter drop down. I was dragging both. I remembered how to manipulate the hydraulics, but forgot the order of switches for individualized track control. Pulling up the control lever raises the entire grooming tentacle. Then you have to back up, set it down and fix the bump. (Reverse is initially quite mind boggling with two throttles and two tracks.) Visualizing the tracks rotating backward helps.
Ten minutes later the track setter problem was solved. But there was no way I was going to drive backward for more than ten feet to erase the stretch of dual tracks ...
So I continued down Sugar, setting one set of parallel lines - right down the middle of the trail. Damn! It was early and I had time to make a second pass further to the right. At least I was accustomed to the engine revolution being controlled by my right foot and turning happening by pushing or puling two levers. Getting a bead on my wingspan and attitude took longer. By the time I got to the furthest hairpin uphill, I had it down. Tracks all the way right, big fat flatness to the left.
It felt good to have correct pressure on the tiller. Nice straight lines. It became satisfying. I completed a few loops of Sugar's extensions and was headed toward First Run and Fancy.
Then I spotted two eyes reflecting back at me from behind a stand of trees. Good, at least it wasn't a moose. It was a cute little deer scavenging food just before the first light of dawn. How pastoral. As I drove closer the deer hopped out of the trees and disappeared into the sugar maples across the trail. The trail I had ... just ... groomed.
Doh!
Suddenly I wished for a vehicle with much higher velocity and a Stinger Missile. Vincent Van Gogh I'm not, but I worked hard to make that trail look pretty and not like a Picasso with the nose stuck to the forehead and such.
I fixed my early mess on Sugar, did the other two trails and headed back to the farm for a break before opening at 9. It was already light and two skiers were headed out for a pre-work jaunt. Cool.
After a quick trip for coffee and a chocolate croissant, I returned to find the skiers packing up.
I asked how the trails were. I explained that it was my third time and I hoped my job was acceptable. They said it was great. Very cool.
But now I need to wrap myself in a heat blanket and nap - like Truckasaurus out front. Resting peacefully, block heaters keeping his bones warm.
Created by Dave on 03/14/08 at 09:05am.
Super Clinic Monday
Liz Stephen's clinic drew about 50 people - I think a
record for ORS - ranging from high school hot shots to the regular geezer crew. She skied the group around the new Dot's circle numerous times then around Frog and West Wind and then had a few sprint demos back on Dots. The skiing was perfect. To see perfect technique with perfect fitness with perfect snow with perfect weather was (how else can I say it) perfect! Thanks. Chip
Created by Dave on 03/11/08 at 12:33pm.
Liz Stephen's clinic drew about 50 people - I think a
record for ORS - ranging from high school hot shots to the regular geezer crew. She skied the group around the new Dot's circle numerous times then around Frog and West Wind and then had a few sprint demos back on Dots. The skiing was perfect. To see perfect technique with perfect fitness with perfect snow with perfect weather was (how else can I say it) perfect! Thanks. Chip
Created by Dave on 03/11/08 at 12:33pm.
Fresh Tracks
Mark the groomer had these words of wisdom yesterday that apply all week:
"Drop what you are doing and go ski. Frog Run and West Wind are freshly groomed and waiting. The super wide loop in Dots Meadow created for the clinic this afternoon is a skate-o-rama. Don't waste the opportunity! I am walking away from a big pile of work right now to get out there. Hope to see you on the trail."
Well, there you have it.
Since that note Mark groomed fresh classic tracks into Sugar. All of us at Morse Farm believe this week offers some of the finest skiing of the season. It's fast and exciting in the hills. The hard pack surface created by multiple rain-freeze-snow-groom cycles will soften to perfection by the weekend.
Created by Dave on 03/11/08 at 12:24pm.
Mark the groomer had these words of wisdom yesterday that apply all week:
"Drop what you are doing and go ski. Frog Run and West Wind are freshly groomed and waiting. The super wide loop in Dots Meadow created for the clinic this afternoon is a skate-o-rama. Don't waste the opportunity! I am walking away from a big pile of work right now to get out there. Hope to see you on the trail."
Well, there you have it.
Since that note Mark groomed fresh classic tracks into Sugar. All of us at Morse Farm believe this week offers some of the finest skiing of the season. It's fast and exciting in the hills. The hard pack surface created by multiple rain-freeze-snow-groom cycles will soften to perfection by the weekend.
Created by Dave on 03/11/08 at 12:24pm.
Skate Ski Technique Clinic
Morse Farm will host a skate ski technique clinic with national cross country ski team member and East Montpelier native Liz Stephen Monday, March 10, at 3 p.m.
This clinic with the international bronze medalist will focus on teaching basic skating skills using new techniques and theories she's been practicing in her time on the national cross country ski team. This clinic is for anyone and everyone, with a special invitation extended to high school skiers and those interested in racing.
If you have been wanting to learn to skate all season, this is the clinic for you! Please, bring your own skis. For further information contact Carrie at Onion River Sports at 229-9409 or thefolks@onionriver.com.
Created by Dave on 03/06/08 at 06:57pm.
[ more ]
Morse Farm will host a skate ski technique clinic with national cross country ski team member and East Montpelier native Liz Stephen Monday, March 10, at 3 p.m.
This clinic with the international bronze medalist will focus on teaching basic skating skills using new techniques and theories she's been practicing in her time on the national cross country ski team. This clinic is for anyone and everyone, with a special invitation extended to high school skiers and those interested in racing.
If you have been wanting to learn to skate all season, this is the clinic for you! Please, bring your own skis. For further information contact Carrie at Onion River Sports at 229-9409 or thefolks@onionriver.com.
Created by Dave on 03/06/08 at 06:57pm.