Hi All,
This weekend was the Wounded Warrior Project Weekend at the Adaptive Sports Foundation. The ASF gave over 20 soldiers who were injured in the line of duty and their families the opportunity to learn how to ski and snowboard with the use of adaptive equipment. They all were truly remarkable and inspiring. The soldiers did not let anything stop them - they all had a great time, too!
Today was also a Powder Day at Windham! Mother Nature dropped just under a foot of powder and the mountain looks better than ever! While it is a bit challenging for a four-tracker to ski in boot deep powder, I still had a great time! It was one of the few times that I fell and felt nothing! It is a beautiful thing!
Finally, I go back to Happy Valley tonight to start my next semester of classes! I cannot wait to see all my friends again. On Friday, I am heading back home to enjoy a nice three day weekend!
Have a great week and I will write soon!
LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! (Yes, even more)
- Tracker
---------------------------------
"A powder day is a fun day!"
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Rose Bowl and Skiing
Hi All,
As I sit in the Adaptive Sports Center, I am absolutely exhausted from skiing three days in a row. After a very crowded Saturday, the mountain emptied out a bit on Sunday and even more on Monday. The skiing this weekend wasn't that bad, either and I think I am constantly improving and skiing the best that I have ever skied.
The mountain was freezing on Saturday, but the race team braved the elements (with a few new members - snowboarders Zach and Taylor) to take advantage of the great conditions! The mountain was too crowded to do any race drills, so we free skied and got a lot of mileage. It was a great day!
On Sunday, the mountain was much less crowded so we worked on edging. We found parts of the mountain a bit icy, but a diamond in the rough on Lower Wiseacres - it was pure powder! I also tackled my first double black diamond trail of the season on Upper Wolverine, but fell twice. I need more practice on steeper terrain!
On Monday, I skied with my father in the morning and took a lesson with Eric in the afternoon. I was so worn out by the end of the afternoon! We did five runs off of A-Lift in under an hour and a half! The snow was very icy and slick, but any day you get out on the mountain is a good day!
Now, let me backtrack for a few seconds to talk about the Rose Bowl. Despite a disappointing Penn State loss, it was an amazing experience all around! I enjoyed feeling like a part of something big - the Penn State family. When I got onto the airplane in JFK, there were Penn State fans! When I arrived in LAX, there were even more Penn State fans! Our hotel should have been called the Penn Stater because it was filled with Penn State fans!
I loved the Rose Parade because the floats were so beautiful and smelled so nice, but my favorite part was the game. I was sitting in the Penn State section, so it was an amazing feeling to be cheering for the same team when everybody else in the stadium was cheering for USC! It was a great experience!
That is about it, so lets all pray for snow (because the mountain can definately use it)!
- Tracker
--------------------------------------
"We are...Penn State!"
As I sit in the Adaptive Sports Center, I am absolutely exhausted from skiing three days in a row. After a very crowded Saturday, the mountain emptied out a bit on Sunday and even more on Monday. The skiing this weekend wasn't that bad, either and I think I am constantly improving and skiing the best that I have ever skied.
The mountain was freezing on Saturday, but the race team braved the elements (with a few new members - snowboarders Zach and Taylor) to take advantage of the great conditions! The mountain was too crowded to do any race drills, so we free skied and got a lot of mileage. It was a great day!
On Sunday, the mountain was much less crowded so we worked on edging. We found parts of the mountain a bit icy, but a diamond in the rough on Lower Wiseacres - it was pure powder! I also tackled my first double black diamond trail of the season on Upper Wolverine, but fell twice. I need more practice on steeper terrain!
On Monday, I skied with my father in the morning and took a lesson with Eric in the afternoon. I was so worn out by the end of the afternoon! We did five runs off of A-Lift in under an hour and a half! The snow was very icy and slick, but any day you get out on the mountain is a good day!
Now, let me backtrack for a few seconds to talk about the Rose Bowl. Despite a disappointing Penn State loss, it was an amazing experience all around! I enjoyed feeling like a part of something big - the Penn State family. When I got onto the airplane in JFK, there were Penn State fans! When I arrived in LAX, there were even more Penn State fans! Our hotel should have been called the Penn Stater because it was filled with Penn State fans!
I loved the Rose Parade because the floats were so beautiful and smelled so nice, but my favorite part was the game. I was sitting in the Penn State section, so it was an amazing feeling to be cheering for the same team when everybody else in the stadium was cheering for USC! It was a great experience!
That is about it, so lets all pray for snow (because the mountain can definately use it)!
- Tracker
--------------------------------------
"We are...Penn State!"
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Happy New Year!
Hi All,
I hope you all had a great holiday!
The race team braved the conditions this weekend to take on Windham Mountain and tackle all that Mother Nature could give us! It wasn't exactly the prettiest weekend, but we need to learn how to ski different types of terrain.
I skied a half day Friday, all day Saturday, and a half day Sunday and saw the mountain melt away before my eyes. While it was very sad to witness this, I realize that the snowmaking staff of Windham Mountain has committed to make snow on Monday night and a big storm is expected Friday night. I am extremely optimistic!
The snow actually was not too bad either! I got a lot of mileage this weekend and feel extremely confident in my skiing! I think this is the best I have ever skied!
Now that I am back home, my eyes are set on Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. I am heading out to California on New Years Eve and am looking forward to attending the big game! I really hope Penn State beats USC and puts on a great show while doing so!
Have a great New Years and LET IT SNOW, please!
- Tracker
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
""I wonder if people realize the restraints that I am freed from when I ski? There is no other time that I can move with such speed and agility than when I am skiing." - Kirsty Digger
I hope you all had a great holiday!
The race team braved the conditions this weekend to take on Windham Mountain and tackle all that Mother Nature could give us! It wasn't exactly the prettiest weekend, but we need to learn how to ski different types of terrain.
I skied a half day Friday, all day Saturday, and a half day Sunday and saw the mountain melt away before my eyes. While it was very sad to witness this, I realize that the snowmaking staff of Windham Mountain has committed to make snow on Monday night and a big storm is expected Friday night. I am extremely optimistic!
The snow actually was not too bad either! I got a lot of mileage this weekend and feel extremely confident in my skiing! I think this is the best I have ever skied!
Now that I am back home, my eyes are set on Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. I am heading out to California on New Years Eve and am looking forward to attending the big game! I really hope Penn State beats USC and puts on a great show while doing so!
Have a great New Years and LET IT SNOW, please!
- Tracker
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
""I wonder if people realize the restraints that I am freed from when I ski? There is no other time that I can move with such speed and agility than when I am skiing." - Kirsty Digger
Monday, December 22, 2008
What a Weekend!
Hi All,
The snow was absolutely amazing this weekend! I believe it redefined the term "Powder Day" on the East Coast! Windham got over a foot and a half of snow - something everyone is definitely happy about going into the Winter Break!
On Saturday, there were only seven racers and we had a "fun day" while we worked on our short radius turns. This was definitely beneficial as the powder is thick and harder to turn on. We all mastered the short radius turn by the end of the day, though!
On Sunday, we had our first race of the season - The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge! Everyone did well in it and the ASF Race Team won five medals! After the race everyone decided to call it an early day and head home since it was snowing hard and everyone had a long drive ahead of them!
Overall, it was an amazing weekend and I cannot wait for the next one!
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanzaa!
LET IT SNOW!
- Tracker
-------------------------------------
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. " ~Edith Sitwell
The snow was absolutely amazing this weekend! I believe it redefined the term "Powder Day" on the East Coast! Windham got over a foot and a half of snow - something everyone is definitely happy about going into the Winter Break!
On Saturday, there were only seven racers and we had a "fun day" while we worked on our short radius turns. This was definitely beneficial as the powder is thick and harder to turn on. We all mastered the short radius turn by the end of the day, though!
On Sunday, we had our first race of the season - The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge! Everyone did well in it and the ASF Race Team won five medals! After the race everyone decided to call it an early day and head home since it was snowing hard and everyone had a long drive ahead of them!
Overall, it was an amazing weekend and I cannot wait for the next one!
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanzaa!
LET IT SNOW!
- Tracker
-------------------------------------
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. " ~Edith Sitwell
Friday, December 19, 2008
Finals Over + Powder Alert = Happy Me
Hi All,
As I sit here and look out at the Winter Wonderland that has become my backyard, I realize that I have to pack for a weekend (or more) of skiing, so this will be a quick post! I finished my finals on Tuesday morning and have a full semester at Happy Valley under my belt. I can't believe it! I received all my grades already and am very happy - I made the Dean's List!
When I arrived back in NY and watched the news, all I heard was "snow, snow, and more snow" - I am ready to go tear up the slopes!
I will write up a post about skiing this weekend early next week!
Have a great weekend!
Let it snow! (Yes, let it snow even more!)
- Tracker
------------------------------------
"Skiing is a dance, the mountain always leads." - Anonymous
As I sit here and look out at the Winter Wonderland that has become my backyard, I realize that I have to pack for a weekend (or more) of skiing, so this will be a quick post! I finished my finals on Tuesday morning and have a full semester at Happy Valley under my belt. I can't believe it! I received all my grades already and am very happy - I made the Dean's List!
When I arrived back in NY and watched the news, all I heard was "snow, snow, and more snow" - I am ready to go tear up the slopes!
I will write up a post about skiing this weekend early next week!
Have a great weekend!
Let it snow! (Yes, let it snow even more!)
- Tracker
------------------------------------
"Skiing is a dance, the mountain always leads." - Anonymous
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Finals Week
Hi All,
I have just six more days left here in Happy Valley before I head back home to NY! I'm very lucky in that I only have three finals (one this Friday, another on Monday, and the last on Tuesday), so I can go home before a lot of my friends that have finals on Friday night! I finished all of my actual classwork, so I've been studying since Sunday night.
I can't wait to go skiing in 10 days! We have a race in 11 days - the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge. That should be exciting!
Well, I am going to go finish studying for my final exams, but I will continue to pray for snow so I will have a lot waiting for me when I get back home!
Let it snow!
-Tracker
-----------------------------------
"They can because they think they can." - Virgil
I have just six more days left here in Happy Valley before I head back home to NY! I'm very lucky in that I only have three finals (one this Friday, another on Monday, and the last on Tuesday), so I can go home before a lot of my friends that have finals on Friday night! I finished all of my actual classwork, so I've been studying since Sunday night.
I can't wait to go skiing in 10 days! We have a race in 11 days - the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge. That should be exciting!
Well, I am going to go finish studying for my final exams, but I will continue to pray for snow so I will have a lot waiting for me when I get back home!
Let it snow!
-Tracker
-----------------------------------
"They can because they think they can." - Virgil
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
First Tracks
Hi All,
What a weekend! I got my first tracks of the season in on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving! The conditions were phenomenal - it was like it was mid-February. I skied with my father and brother, Matthew. We did everything from White Way and What's Next (our beginner trails) to Upper Whistler and Lower Wolverine (our intermediate trails). As the day went on the trails began to get a bit icy and skied off, so we called it a day rather early both days. We were not in midseason form and did not feel it would be smart to stay out without building up our endurance.
I could not believe how nice the snow was! Windham Mountain definitely made a lot of improvements in its snowmaking capabilities. Now, I am already looking forward to finishing my finals so I can hit the slopes once again in mid-December. I figured I would share some of the pictures I took over the course of the weekend with you as well:
One of the views from the top of D-Lift.
Another view from the top of D-Lift.
It was such a nice background for a picture. I couldn't resist!
I would like to take the time to wish everybody who is planning on attending the Disabled Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge a great trip. I would like to congratulate Staci, one of my teammates, who received a scholarship to attend a race camp during the event! Her guide, Ally, is also going, as well as the head coach of the race team, Mary Bozzone. I am also aware that Kim, Tom, and Adam will be making the trip out there. I wish the aforementioned people along with everyone else from ASF who is going out there has a safe trip! Have a ball!
I hope you all have a great week!
Let it snow!
- Tracker
-----------------------------------------
"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. "- John Boswell
What a weekend! I got my first tracks of the season in on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving! The conditions were phenomenal - it was like it was mid-February. I skied with my father and brother, Matthew. We did everything from White Way and What's Next (our beginner trails) to Upper Whistler and Lower Wolverine (our intermediate trails). As the day went on the trails began to get a bit icy and skied off, so we called it a day rather early both days. We were not in midseason form and did not feel it would be smart to stay out without building up our endurance.
I could not believe how nice the snow was! Windham Mountain definitely made a lot of improvements in its snowmaking capabilities. Now, I am already looking forward to finishing my finals so I can hit the slopes once again in mid-December. I figured I would share some of the pictures I took over the course of the weekend with you as well:
One of the views from the top of D-Lift.
Another view from the top of D-Lift.
It was such a nice background for a picture. I couldn't resist!
I would like to take the time to wish everybody who is planning on attending the Disabled Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge a great trip. I would like to congratulate Staci, one of my teammates, who received a scholarship to attend a race camp during the event! Her guide, Ally, is also going, as well as the head coach of the race team, Mary Bozzone. I am also aware that Kim, Tom, and Adam will be making the trip out there. I wish the aforementioned people along with everyone else from ASF who is going out there has a safe trip! Have a ball!
I hope you all have a great week!
Let it snow!
- Tracker
-----------------------------------------
"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. "- John Boswell
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