Passion

Being the Ski Director is not all about running around on snow mobiles, trying out new gear, selling products and (this season, anyway) praying for snow. It is a lifestyle that allows me to live within and pass on something that I am very passionate about -- skiing and the outdoor experience. Some days are pretty tough, tiring and challenging on many levels, but one thing that always puts it all back into perspective is teaching a lesson and watching someone "get it" and glide for the first time.

Ellen and Emily had never skied before. It was Ellen's lifelong dream to ski and stay at a winter lodge. She didn't come with expectations of perfect conditions from seasons past or prior experience from which to draw. Just a fresh set of eyes focused on a childhood dream. Being able to teach them a little and pass on the foundational elements of form and see them skiing correctly is such a thrill, and seeing their faces light up as they began gliding on the snow just made my day (which, coincidentally, was our first day of the season). The next day, seeing them enjoying skiing right outside the lodge, playing in soft snow and making their own tracks with the sweet smell of wood smoke from the chimney brought me back to why I ski. It is fun, pure and simple, it is freedom, and, here in the heart of the Adirondacks, it is the amazing sights and scents and sensations on skis that create the whole Nordic experience. Sure, it is sliding on two planks in the snow (or ski-swinging on the rope swing), but it is so much more.

Being part of these experiences is what I love the most, knowing that each and every one of you is having a great time up here. You meet the greatest people skiing -- everyone is out playing like they are kids. Just ask Mary and Frank. They've been here all week skiing and snowshoe trekking and I've seen them all over the property, every day, playing in the outdoors. What will your adventure behold?

Ellen and Emily making tracks

Prepare to launch

Long-time Garnet Hill visitors Mary and Frank bask in the glow

Day One -- Finally

It has been a hectic road to get to this point, with lots to do and little snow, and while feeling glum when the snow turned to rain the other night, I knew it was actually to our benefit. As with everything in life, you need to start with a foundation. In the Nordic ski world, a firm or frozen base is ideal in getting started to capture and insulate natural snow, so the rain on snow was a great setup for us as single-digit temperatures sealed our needed foundation. And that is where we begin.

Today, up at 5:30am, check several weather service and forecast sites, update website with info from that and previous night's snow plan meeting. Out on snowmobile by 6:45am in clear crisp air at 3 degrees. Watching the sunrise filter in during early morning grooming is something I will always cherish around here, with several spectacular spots getting sun in sequence as the sun slowly climbs above the hills and lights up the trees with low angle golden glow. With the roller and its corduroy-creating drag, I work my way through the trail system checking things out, closing off hazards, checking snow conditions. I closed the trails that I knew were hazards and moved through the system, getting back for the opening of the ski shop. Chop wood, make a fire, people coming in, tickets, wickets, maps, get'em rolling with rentals -- it was a nice familiar rush. New customers and familiar faces like Peter Horvath and Beth Maher, smiles, and excitement of skiers filtering out across the trails for their first season outing.

We wanted to get the word out to you die-hard skiers anxiously awaiting ski season that we had ski-able terrain, and many came. With Intermediate-level and up skiing conditions, many of you found that there was indeed good snow out there amongst the tough spots. Early season indeed. I was able to get out onto a few trails with our "powder maker" implement that chews up and softens the firm snow. Back to the shop; more customer service, chat about gear, help some new skiers, back to shop, service the powder maker, put away machines, close shop. After a snow-plan meeting with my lead groomer, I head out only to be back at 8:00pm for my scheduled Natural Light Nite Hike. With about 10 in our group, we hike to the Hooper solely by natural light to watch the stars and garnet stones twinkle in the clear night air. It is spectacular up there, and even more-so with a clear and moonless sky, and young Nathaniel from Long Island even found a garnet stone to bring home! As we were leaving, the skies started to thicken slightly, and we hope that means more snow for us. Back to the lodge to help out, getting to bed at midnight. T'was a great start to the season, finally!

Amongst the familiar faces we saw today was Aimes from Connecticut. He brings a great event to Garnet Hill Ski Shop -- the Empire Orienteering Club Ski Orienteering event this Sunday, January 1st! Open to anyone and all abilities, the event features 3 unique courses to navigate with map and compass upon skis, and you may start anytime between 11:00am and 1:00pm. This event is also a qualifier for the Empire State Games, so come join the fun. More details to follow.

So come on out -- skiing is pretty nice. Moderating temperatures and more snow is in the forecast, so will only get better! Midnight now -- time for bed.

Shannen grooming it smooth

Climbing Andy's Run to the Lodge (and a hot lunch!)
A long way from Long Island

On the rim of the Hooper Mine

Garnet Hill Lodge (The Adventure): Snowfall begins

Greetings! I had to make time this morning to share some important milestones in our Garnet Hill Lodge adventure that came to pass yesterday.....
Our ice machine got fixed....thanks again to Gaye Byrne for her ice when I called with a guests "martini emergency" in need of "rocks"; now I'll find time to stop back for that glass of wine you offered.
Ron Howe from Omstedville came by and agreed to take the old shuttle bus for scrap metal (the purple one with "Beth Israel" on it) - so that will be hauled away today.
At 2:45pm the snow was accumulating outside, Don was headed to shovel the steps/walk (big smile on his face) when an e-mail arrived from Frank with Congratulations...minutes later a fax arrived bearing the signature of Gov. Cuomo confirming that our 90 day Temporary Liquor License has been approved/issued! This was within the hour after I asked Pat & Judy to phone all guests arriving for the New Year's w/e and make certain they knew that our liquor license did not transfer with our purchase...."get back on the phone ladies and tell them Preuninger's Pub will be open!" Don called the Liquor Authority to confirm and made his appt to pick it up in person. After pausing for a moment to reflect on how truly blessed we've been these last two weeks with pieces falling into place where we thought it impossible, I got busy ordering wine, beer and champagne for the w/e! SUHRU wines will be our primary house offering of by-the-glass pours from the North Fork of Long Island, NY. Our friends, Sue & Russ Hearn produce these wines and because they are avid skiers with a w/e home up here, I was able to offer our dinner guests a choice of SUHRU's Pinot Grigio, Dry Riesling or SUHRU Red. I've included the SUHRU philosophy statement for your information...

SUHRU WINES goal is to produce fresh, vibrant white wines and fruit forward, soft tannin red wines. The grapes we use in our wines are sourced, from both the North Fork of Long Island and the Finger Lakes Appellations. Depending on where the grape variety grows best, mainly White grapes from the Finger Lakes and Red grapes from Long island.
My husband, Russell, has worked with many respected vineyard growers during his 21 years of Winemaking in the New York Wine Industry. We can take advantage of the regional differences and strengths between the New York Wine Growing Regions. Our winery is on the North Fork of Long Island, Mattituck where all our wines are made and Winemaker is my (husband) Russell Hearn.
Proprietor Susan Hearn

Appropriately enough, our first dinner guests last evening were Paul & Nancy Cormack, Innkeepers at Garnet Hill Lodge from 1970 -1977. Byron & Margaret Shafer accompanied them for a celebratory dinner of the Shafer's 51st wedding anniversary. After dinner Paul presented me with our first (empty) bottle of wine sold and we had them sign the label as a special keepsake for the Don & I at Garnet Hill Lodge.

Stay tuned as Jay works with the snow toward an opening. As I complete my first "post" on the Blog, I will be sure to hit the correct button....I tried on Christmas Eve and lost it. Mindy