The End of Ski Season

Some close friends of ours belong to a local ski club. They have been members for about 10 or 11 years. This past weekend was one of the last for skiing at their club. Every Friday night, they drive south for an hour and stay in their cabin until Sunday night. They are on the slopes by 9 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Part of the end of season ritual includes "Pond Skimming". Contestants dress up in some kind of costume, ski down the slope, and ski across a man-made pond at the bottom. The object, of course, is to make it all the way across and out of the pond back onto the snow. This, is not always possible. Most people get very wet. My friend told me that when she was skiing in the morning, she saw people raking the ice out of the water! Brrrrrrrr.

My family and I went down to witness and join in the festivities.

The contestants.

The first competitor made it across, but not quite out. It was still an impressive start.

This year there were a lot of people who made it across. Maybe after 6 years of watching people, the secrets of success have been discovered.

This man made it all the way across, they say he has never gotten wet in all of his years as a competitor.

It was fun to watch, but cold. The wind was wicked. I can't imagine being in that water. Yikes!

The clown was nearly the only person to make it over and out on a board. The consensus is that it's much harder to do because your legs are not independent of one another.



We headed inside the chalet to warm up and get something to eat.

Then we went back outside to enjoy the sun and the fire.

Holly and Amy.

Dan and Ron.

Even the dogs came out to enjoy the day.

The thing with belonging to a private club is that you have a level of trust that is quite amazing.

You don't have to lock up your skis, your equipment or your cooler full of beer. When you put a tablecloth on a table in the chalet, no one else tries to take your table. When you cook burgers on the grill, no one takes your lunch. Everyone lines their crock pots up on a shelf along the wall near the electrical outlets and no one helps themselves to your meal. Your kids are safe. It really is quite nice. Amy's kids have grown up here. They've made many friends.

This year the members have gotten their money's worth since it's April and they are still skiing. Last year it was 79 degrees on pond skimming day. That seems so far off to me right now since it's still in the 30's here now. :(

Hope you are having a good week so far!