Sunday, December 18, 2011

Anticipation

Clear skies and watering eyes here this morning -- indeed, 0 degrees at 7:00am will do that to ya!  As I write tonight, the sky tonight is beautifully starlit and the air crisp, and there is a little bit of snow all about. The ground is firming up nicely, ready to cradle our first significant base-building snowfall.  Anticipation...

Things are flying along here, and our open house, the first function of the 2011/2012 season, was a resounding success as you may read below.  Energy surrounding the Lodge is electrifying, and the ski shop is buzzing along accordingly.  New rental and retail equipment has been arriving from Alpina, Madshus, Fisher and Atlas, and trail improvements are ongoing.  On Friday one of our snowcats left for complete PistenBully factory-spec refurbishment, with the other getting the same treatment next! Head Groomer and trail boss Dale Monthany is absolutely thrilled as he takes a lot of pride in his work, and loves your feedback. Dale's family has a devoted history here at Garnet Hill.  In fact, our Old Faithful trail is named in tribute to his father. 

Getting a look around and taking stock of the surroundings and work to be done is daunting with the Holiday Week soon to be upon us.  Seeing such little snow as of yet is frustrating, wondering how it will all come together.  I do remember the same feelings at this point last season, and while taking a look around in the Tailings last Friday, I also remembered how much snow piled in and how quickly our property transforms into an Adirondack winter wonderland.  Your wait will soon be rewarded with new experiences and adventures.  Anticipation indeed!
It is indeed Winter here!


Breakfast view, awaiting lake effect...


New gear for this year

4 comments:

  1. how wonderful to see the place 'humming right along'! Are you going to still have the ski school with that fabulous instructor Ivy? were hoping for snow for Holiday week!!!

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  2. Some of my fondest memories are from the days when my children were slightly younger and we would ski at Garnet Hill Lodge every day between Christmas and New Years. Back then, when Dick ran the shop and Julie West ran the ski school, the place just buzzed with lots of families, great skiing, hot chocolate, soup, chili, old ski videos - just the ultimate family destination for snow lovers. The kids loved to go with the instructors to the "Wizards House" and to race around the big wooden Peanuts characters. We would always buy some gear too, they always had a great selection at good prices. The past few years have been just plain sad at the ski shop - it almost felt lonely in there. Nothing would be better than to see the place restored as a center for good skiing and good karma! Good luck to both of you - we will be up again this year and look forward to meeting you!!!

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  3. Me too!! That's why I asked if Ivy was coming back-she has been there since the Dick and Julie days, and she was wonderful with the children!(big kids too!) It would be nice to see some of the ol days(and faces) re-instated with the new! -from one skiing Lisa to another! ;)

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  4. Don, Mindy, and all those keeping Garnet Hill "alive".

    How great to know the Lodge and Ski Center are in new hands; you all seem dedicated to the task. We go back to "George and Mary" days of the 80's; and spent a week every Feb/March at Garnet Hill for about 20 years; mostly renting houses and xc sking, snowshoeing, ice skating all day until we couldn't stand. We will be back. Thank you for what you are doing.

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