Downhill Times December 2016North PennSki ClubSki Club

The return of theWhite Elephant!

NEXT MEETING:

7PM, Thursday December 8thThe Red Cedar Grille, 249 Bethlehem Pike(Route 309), Colmar, PAwww.theredcedar.com

Guests & visitors welcome!

Inclement weather? Call an officer for any cancellation info.

RCG ... OUR NEW HOME!We meet at 7PM at the Red CedarGrille, located on Route 309 (formerlythe Inn Flight). Join your skiing friendsfor dinner, or drinks, or beers and appe-tizers, or coffee and dessert – whateverfloats your boat. “Business” portion ofthe meeting starts around 7:30pm. Seeyou all on Thursday, the 8th!

If you haven’t come out to our newvenue yet, what are you waiting for?

Yes folks, it’s once again time for our “White Elephant Gift Exchange”! Our holiday meeting is always fun and festive, so besure to come out and join in!

Last year we tried a different game, not knowing if our new meet-ing location could accommodate the movement and stealing of our traditional game. But the new game was a little lack luster, and now we’re sure the “back room” provides us enough spaceto move around. So, if some of you don’t know or don’t re -member what this gift exchange is all about, here’s how it goes:

Everyone participating in the exchange brings an anonymouslywrapped gift ($5- $10 value), places it on the gift exchange table,and receives a numbered ticket stub. Gifts can be what ever youlike: ski related, funny, holiday – or not. PLEASE, no inappropriateor “adult” gifts!

+

www.northpennskiclub.org

The first person whose ticket number is calledchooses from all the gifts on the table — anddoes NOT open it! The next person eitherchooses a gift from the table or steals whatthe person before them has – still NOT open-ing anything. And it continues until all giftshave been spoken for.

We have a lot of fun as the most sought afterpackages get “stolen” and travel back and forthfrom person to person! (There is a limit ofthree times that any one gift can be ex-changed – then it’s retired from the game.)When all gifts have been distributed, THEN we open them to see what everyone hasended up with! It’s fun to see what is insidethe packages that people were “fighting over”!

As always, the meeting also features the latestannouncements, details on club trips, andmembership renewals. It will also feature asmall gift from the club to each person that attends! So bring your friends and trip ordues payments, and come join us for some fun!

Come on out Thursday evening, enjoy a goodmeal, and visit with ski club friends (or makenew ones). Remember, bring an anonymouslywrapped gift as our White Elephant Gift Exchange returns. See you there!

PresidentJoAnne Landis215 234 0358

Vice PresidentDave Schonekerdschoneker@aol.com

SecretaryJudy Gordon215 538 3992

Treasurer Jenny Hutchison215 541 1189

Board MembersBruce Schwartzibruce01@comcast.net

John Del Pizzo484 362 8470

Membership Linda Dedman215 412 2080

Web Master Bruce Schwartz

EPSC RepsKen Foster215 822 1413Dave Schonekerdschoneker@aol.com

Disc. Lift Tickets Ken Foster215 822 1413

Newsletter Editor JoAnne Landis215 234 0358

NPSC OFFICERS

H

H

HUPCOMING EVENTS

•December 16: Buckmans CAD day,Jack Frost. $29.95 lifts (in store only)

•January 9, 23, 30: EPSC Learn-to-Ski lessons, Spring Mountain, 6:30pm

•January 10: NPSC Snow Pig one-daybus trip adventure to Elk Mountain

•January 19: Buckmans Flashback Day,Spring Mtn, $12 all day lift (in store)

•January 26-29:Winter Carnival tripto Lake Placid, NY

•January 27: Buckmans CAD, Montage$55 all day lift & lunch (in store only)

•Feb.10: Buckmans CAD, Camelback•February 11-18: NPSC’s trip toSteamboat, Colorado

H

H

H

H

H

Club Membership Cards Save MoneyMany east coast ski resorts offer Ski Council / Ski Club discount days. Here are just a few as of August 2016.Check EPSC’s website for any additional dates announced during the ski season. You must present a valid 2016/17club membership card along with photo ID in order to receive these discounted prices!

Bolton Valley, VT: Daily lifts $35 during these times: December 12-26, 2016; January 9-13, 2017January 23-26; February 6-11; March 20-26, 2017

Mount Snow, VT: (per person, one day lift)December 15, 16, 18, 2016: $37 December 17: $42Fridays, February 10 and March 10: $49Saturdays, February 11 and March 11: $57Sundays, February 12 and March 12: $52Ski Club Week Special: Monday-Friday, February 13-16: $37 per day

Stowe, VT: (must purchase $5 Evolution Stowe card;hands-free lift access replaces traditional lift ticket.)December 2-4, 2016; January 11-13, 2017February 8-10; March 17-19; April 7-9, 2017

Adult (13+) 1-day: $46 Child (6-12) 1-day: $34Adult 2-day: $92 Child 2-day: $68Adult 3-day: $138 Child 3-day: $102

Bear Creek Mountain Resort (Macungie PA) is extending its ski club discount days to include Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Thursdays (non-holiday) throughout thisentire season. Arrive anytime during the day (9am-9pm)and receive a $22 unlimited daily lift ticket.

Killington, VT: (Friday & Monday, Saturday & Sunday)December 16 & 19, 2016: $45 December 17 & 18: $50January 20 & 23, 2017: $45 January 21 & 22: $50February 3 & 6: $45 February 4 & 5: $50March 10 & 13: $45 March 11 & 12: $50April 7-10, 2017: $43 each day

Pico, VT: (Friday & Monday, Saturday & Sunday)January 20 & 23, 2017: $36 January 21 & 22: $41February 3 & 6: $36 February 4 & 5: $41March 10 & 13: $36 March 11 & 12: $41

Sugarbush, VT: Mon–Sun, January 2-8, 2017 Lifts are$52 each, except Saturday, which is $58.

SKI HOUSE FOR RENT:Elk Mountain rental; weekdays just $99 /night total!

Two of our new members, Ray and Florence Messina,are aware of this ranch style house located four milesfrom Elk Mountain. The house sits on a lake, is avail-able for rent year round, and is a vacation home fora woman who lives in NJ and enjoys skiing. It sleepsup to 8 people and is very clean and comfy. Cookingis allowed. Ray and Florence (a non-skier) are eagerto rent the house for 3, 4, or 5 nights. They are look-ing for a few people who would be interested to skiand share the house. Or, if you want to put togetheryour own group, no problem! You can phone Ray toget more details at (302) 683-1461. If you have addi-tional interest, Ray will give you the name and phonenumber of the owner.

SUGGESTION BOX:Have you visited the NPSC website lately? If so,you may have noticed the home page is nowsporting a “Suggestion Box”. This will be a goodtool for our members to use to suggest their ideasfor things we can do with the club — whether it’sregarding a current activity, a suggestion for a future trip, an off-season event, something new totry at one of the monthly meetings, better waysto share news with our members — whatever.Simply fill out the easy, brief form and hit “submit”!

Visit our site and check out all the other updatesthat have been done – let the board know whatyou think.

www.northpennskiclub.org(2)

Facebook Friends: If you’re on Facebook, we invite you to“LIKE” North Penn’s page! Support the clubby being a friend and recommending the pageto other Face book friends and skiers. Simplygo to North Penn Ski Club's page, click onthe "invite your friends" link, and then hit the"invite" button next to each of your friends'names. It's simple and easy. Thanks!

Our page features comics, member photos,interesting resort information, upcoming clubevents, ski shop deals, amusing or inspiringvideos, other club’s trips, etc. Check it out!

Ski-Related News

Ski & Snowboard Get-awaysthrough Banchi Outdoor Adventures & Buckmans Ski ShopsBanchi offers 2, 3, or 4 night trips to groups or individuals for a variety ofnorthern destinations. (Open to anyone.) Buses depart from Buckmansstore locations. 1-800-769-9660, sales@banchi.com, www.banchi.com

Waterville Valley, NHThe Green Peak expansion project, whichgained permits in 2013, is finally underway atWaterville Valley in New Hampshire. The resortis cutting 10 new trails that will add 45 skiableacres, served by a new fixed-grip triple that isscheduled to be open for the coming winterseason.

MAX Pass Adds 10 ResortsOne of the newest products in the rapidly growing space of season passesthat offer access to multiple, mostly unaffiliated properties, M.A.X. is adding10 MaxPass resorts to its roster. New for this winter, M.A.X. Pass (whichis an acronym for Multi-Alpine Experience Pass) will include Okemo, Vt.,Mount Sunapee, N.H., Wachusett, Mass., Mountain Creek, N.J., Buck Hill,Minn., Crested Butte and Eldora, Colo., Solitude, Utah, Mountain High,Calif., and Alyeska, Alaska. These additions bring the grand total to 32 resorts that are accessible to M.A.X. Pass-holders.

f

Local Websites & Snow Phones

www.bcmountainresort.com 610-682-7100www.skibluemt.com 610-826-7700www.skicamelback.com 1-800-233-8100www.elkskier.com 1-800-233-4131www.jfbb.com 1-800-475-SNOWwww.shawneemt.com 1-800-233-4218www.montageisback.com 1-855-SKI-SWIMspringmountainadventures.com 610-287-7900

Belated wishes to our Novemberbirthday folks!

Judy Gordon Nov. 3 Jean Buchanan Nov. 4 Jim Searl Nov. 11 Frank Prindle Nov. 13 Laura Miller Nov. 14 Joe Licwinko Nov. 17 Bruce Shaffer Nov. 23 Pete Ryan Nov. 23 Ryan Landis Nov. 29

Paul Catinella Dec. 2 Alex Litka Dec. 3 Karen Fegley Dec. 4 Sherri Gill Dec. 4 Lori Levering Dec. 5 Lauryn Joyek Dec. 6 Rae Ann Triol Dec. 6 Mike Long Dec. 12 Ken Foster Dec. 13 Jason Landis Dec. 15 Anthony Campeggio Dec. 17 Lois Schlachter Dec. 20 Owen Moran Dec. 21 Craig Bluestein Dec. 23 James Howard Dec. 24 Susan Matthews Dec. 25 Jeff Morre Dec. 26 Helen Kirschner Dec. 28 Denise Fairman Dec. 28 Betty Jane Moyer Dec. 29

David Russ Jan. 6 Ryan Smith Jan. 6 Jeff Miller Jan. 6 Linda Dedman Jan. 6

Birthdays!

H

H

H

H

H

H

(3)

New Members:Elysha and Frank Thompson,

kids: Joseph, Samuel, and Emma Rose.

Kelly and Patrick Moran, kids: Ryan, Kelly and Owen.

Janet Amacher (returning member).

Robert, Carol and Lauren Hankey.

Joshua Howard

Debbie and Mike Walsh, kids: Matt and Dan.

Erin Alderfer, Ann Russo(winners of free membership contests weheld at Upper Salford and EPSC events)

Welcome to the club!

f

H

(4)

Eastern Inter-Council / Inter-Club Winter Carnivalat Whiteface / Lake Placid (New York) January 26-29, 2017

ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT!Includes 3 Nights lodging, transportation via Hagey Coach, some meals, Welcome Reception, Saturday dinner banquet/awards ceremony, and lift tickets. Full details are available on the NPSC website and in the past three months’ newsletters.

Rates: All Per Person (families welcomed)

Four (4) per Room $628 Two (2) per Room $768Three (3) per Room $668 One (1) per Room $1068

Reservation: Payment in full by December 1st, plus membership to either UBSC, NPSC, orBCSC for 2016/17 season or other EPSC club. (Reciprocity for membership in other EPSCclubs, include copy of current membership).

Send checks made payable to North Penn Ski Club to: Pete Ryan, 515 N York Road 7-D, Willow Grove, PA 19090 Questions: peteski3@juno.com or 215-385-1329

Drive Yourself Option:The EPSC has openings on their club overrun, drive-up, “melting pot” version of this trip forthose who may want to drive to NY – maybe include a day or two before or after at anotherresort, visit family, etc. For details about this, contact Dave at dschoneker@aol.com.

Discount on Kids’ LessonsThis season, the Bear Creek Snowsports School will be offering aTuesday Night Youth Lesson Series (formerly the Flying Dutchmenprogram). This revised lesson series is offered at a special discount for all club members in EPSC. This is a great way for kids tolearn how to ski or ride or to continue to develop their skills, explorenew terrain, and make new friends.

The lessons will be offered to children ages 8 to 14 (must be 8 yearsold by January 10th, 2017) and open to both skiers and snowboard-ers. The six-week series begins on Tuesday, January 10th and runsthrough Tuesday, February 14, from 6:30 to 8pm. The Youth LessonSeries is offered as a six-week series only. No make-up dates will bescheduled unless Bear Creek is closed for the day. The lesson costto EPSC club members is $115 for the six-week series. Six-sessionlift passes and various other lift or rental packages are available; con-tact Bear Creek for full details.

Contact the School at snowsports@bcmr.com or 610-641-1319 forregistration information. Proof of club membership must be pre-sented at time of payment to receive the discounted rate. This serieswill have limited availability and is likely to fill quickly!

Calling All Santas!Make the holidays bright by helping a great cause. On December 18th,Dress as Santa from head-to-toe, and get a free lift ticket for the day.Santas also receive an additional midweek non-holiday lift ticket voucher.Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Donations will be givento the local food pantry at Hope Restoration Church in Windham, NY.

Santa Sunday, December 18thSanta Sunday is back at Bolton Valley, Vermont! On December 18, allskiers and riders who arrive dressed head-to-toe in official KrisKringle attire will ski and ride free that day. Arrive at Guest Servicespromptly by 10am to get your complimentary lift ticket for the day.

SKIS FOR SALE:2013-14 Rossignol Pursuit 12 UsedMen's Skis For Sale – I bought thesenew in January, 2016. I have used them about 6 days. They are in very good condition. Cost is$200 and will come with clean edges and fresh wax. The bindings are fully adjustable. Belowis info from the manufacturer, length is 163cm and are great edge to edge with a wonderfullylow turning radius of 12meters. The manufacturer says this ski is for advanced to intermediateskiers. I think it is more for strong intermediate skiers, but not beginners.

The Pursuit 12 TI is a dedicated high-performance carving ski for advanced to intermediatefront-side skiers. World Cup technology and titanyl laminates provide rock-solid stability andconfident edge grip. Power Turn Rocker combines subtle tip rocker with traditional camber,delivering the explosive power of World Cup race skis combined with more playful carving.A new Diamond Tip provides quick, clean turn initiation allows faster, more aggressive lines.The Pursuit 12 delivers shorter turn shapes and exhilarating, groomed snow performancefor frontside skiers.

Please email me with questions or interest, Pat Gottshalk, 3gotts@gmail.com

2019 Council Winter Carnival AnnouncedHere we go! The EPSC Winter Carnival is headed to central Oregon and Mt. Bachelor in 2019! The resort was incompetition with the Big Sky trip for 2016 and it might be good that we held off. This season Mt. Bachelor has in-stalled the new "Cloudchaser" high-speed quad opening up 600plus acres of intermediate terrain and single Black tree skiing.This new addition places Mt. Bachelor in the TOP FIVE largestski resorts in the U.S.! With it's location and elevation, MotherNature blesses the resort with LOTS of snow! Already theyhave received 61 inches of snow for this season and their open-ing day (Nov. 25th) was a powder day. We'll stay in the friendlytown of Bend with it's many brewery pubs, quaint downtownand extraordinary shopping. If you plan a non-ski day, there isan informative High Desert Nature Center next to Bend, godeep underground into the Lava Tube caves and, off to theSouth, you can snowshoe to the edge of the breath-taking Crater Lake.It will have been many years since some of our local clubs have been to Mt. Bachelor. We are looking forward tohaving returning clubs (they know how much fun Bend and the resort are!) and those who have looked at the resort,but have yet to go, sign on for this trip. How unique can a ski trip get? Not very often you get to ski a volcano andall 360 degrees of it, too! Dave and I are hoping you'll add this to your 2018-19 trip list. We will have more detailsfor you in the near future. — Bob Smith & Dave Schoneker, EPSC Carnival Coordinators

(5)

Learn to Ski / Learnto Ski Better!Each winter, EPSC club members can par-ticipate in Council’s FREE Learn-to-Skiprogram, which promotes safe enjoymentof skiing and provides newcomers an in-expensive way to learn. Instructors arealso members of EPSC clubs, are certifiedPSIA instructors, and they volunteer theirtime to teach.

Skill levels range from those having neverskied to those making open parallel turns,and skiers are grouped into classes basedon ability levels. So even “terminal inter-mediates” benefit from these lessons!Over the course of 3 Monday nights, stu-dents progress and build skills and confi-dence.

Lesson registration forms are available via EPSC’s website, www.easternPAskicouncil.org. Current club ID must beshown, and participants must sign in at thefront lobby registration table prior to eachlesson. Lessons start promptly at 6:30pm,with registration in the front lobby of thelodge available as early as 5pm.

These Monday night lessons are held atSpring Mountain on January 9, 23, and 30.Lessons are free; Spring Mountain lift tickets are $15 and lift/rentals are $25.Program is open to current members ofEPSC clubs ONLY. And, so that studentslearn to handle all types of terrain, lessonsare held no matter what the weather, aslong as the mountain is open! ContactPete Ryan at (215) 385-1329 or JoAnneLandis at (215) 234-0358 for more info.

Elk Mountain: January 10, 2017Meet at 6AM at the Hagey Tours lot at 210 SchoolhouseRoad, Souderton – just a mile or so from Route 113. Forfolks north of that, we have a stop at the Quakertown turn-pike park-and-ride lot at 6:30AM. You MUST let me knowwhich location you will be boarding the bus.The $77 per person cost includes lift ticket, transportation,and OJ/ donuts/ snacks on the bus. Lunch is on your own.We typically ski from 9AM to 4:30PM. Discounted rentalsand lessons are available – please notify me in advance if yourequire these. If you already have lift tickets to Elk fromsome other means, bus transportation is available for $45per person. SENIORS age 65 or more, your cost for thistrip is just $67!Contact JoAnne at 215 234 0358 or joscott49@verizon.netfor more information.

(6)

STEAMBOAT, CO: February 11-18, 2017Quad occupancy in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo: $1,449 per personEach condo has a King or Queen and (2) Twins. Single occupancy: $1,809 per person

TRIP INCLUDES: Roundtrip direct flights via Southwest Airlines, roundtrip airport trans-fers from Denver/Steamboat via private bus with grocery stop on way to lodging. Sevennights lodging at the Ranch, Welcome wine/cheese reception, and a 5-out-of-7-day ski pass.for a 6th day of skiing add $55 and this must be prepaid with final payment. Non skiers:less $315 back out lift pass rate. (Full details available on our website or in last month’snewsletter.) www.northpennskiclub.orgSIGNUP DEPOSIT DUE NOW, with balance paid by December 16th. Make checksout to: North Penn Ski Club, and pay at the monthly meeting or mail your check to:Jenny Hutchison, 3225 Fennel Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073

QUESTIONS: 215-541-1189 or jennyhutch@comcast.net Feel like a

kid again!

Discover a Lifetime of Turns!Whether you want to sharpen your skills, build your con�dence, tune up for a trip,

or ski all day with your friends and family, the senior skiing clinics have your solution.

Call the Bear Creek Snowsports School for Reservations

• Jan 11, 18, 25 and Feb 1, 8, 2017(Advanced Reservations Appreciated)

• $40 per session or $175 for 5 sessions• Clinic time- 10am-1pm• Skill Levels Intermediate to Advanced

• Lunch Voucher Included• Lift Ticket or Season Pass Required

(Not included in clinic price)• Video Analysis of your skiing• Ages 50 and Up

Wednesdays:

Senior Skiing Clinic at Bear CreekTips Turns Tactics

101 Doe Mountain Lane | Macungie, PA 18062 | 610.641.1319 | bcmr.comGraphic DesignJoAnne Landis

215-234-0358 joski53@verizon.netbrochures, logos, flyers, newsletters, ads

Have a creative pro design your promotional materials! H

H

Have Adventure, Will ShareDo you have a photo, special event, adventure, or story we canshare with members? Let our editor know so it can be includedin a future newsletter!

f

Membership:As mentioned the past couple of months,NPSC membership dues have gone up$5 – the first increase we’ve had in manyyears! Dues are now $25 for an individualand $30 for couples or families. The up-dated membership form is posted onour website and included in this letter.

ALSO – if you already paid your dues,please check your membership card tomake sure it has the EPSC stickeron the back! Linda realized at the lastmeeting that she handed out cards withoutthe sticker. The error probably only appliesto people who signed up in the latter halfof October, but emails have been sent outwith no responses. So to be on the safeside, we’re including this note – you don'twant to go skiing somewhere hoping to usethe card for a discount and get denied.Check your membership cards now!

H

H

H

HH

Visit our web site! w

ww

.northpennskiclub.org

Ski Related News

Off to a Good StartJust before Thanksgiving, many people took time to reflect on whatthey're thankful for. The folks at Bolton Valley, Vermont had one thing tobe especially thankful for, snow! Thanks to winter storm Argos, Boltonpicked up a whopping 25" over the course of 72 hours. Combine thatwith the storm from the end of October and they were up to 46" onthe season, already 36% of last season's snow total. Many other ski areasin Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine benefitted from the early snowas well. Quite a few were open for Thanksgiving, and have continued tobe open (weekends only). In fact, Windham and Belleayre were bothopen (NY), as was Seven Springs (near Pittsburgh PA). Wow!

Find Your VermontBoasting 20 ski and snowboard resorts and 30 crosscountry ski areas, there is something for everyone in Vermont. Skivermont.com features an amazing resort finderfunction that can help you choose the right destination for you and yourfriends and family. Filter by location, type of lodging and amenities to find the perfect place to visit. Keep up to date with VT snowfall stats and conditions throughout the season to know when and where to gofor the best snow. You can even sign up to receive powder alerts andconditions reports at skivermont.com.

Got a 5th grader? You've got a virtually free pass this season! Seriously— $11 gets you a fifth grade passport with up to three coupons for eachalpine and cross-country area in Vermont. What are you waiting for? Sign up your fifth graders right now.

Member News & Travel Stories

“Throwback Thursday”from Steamboat, Colorado, 2012:

Betty Jane Moyer (left) and JoAnne Landis hanging out at the “Four Points”mid-mountain lodge. It was too cold to eat lunch outside, but the deck

and awesome views made for a great photo opp!

Living the DreamGeoff George (center) has been playing in ahockey league since he was 6 years old. Now arecent graduate of Souderton High School,Geoff is a member of a national “minor league”hockey team. Already traded a couple of times,he is currently playing for a Canadian team. Lookfor him in the NHL in the near future!

Get Well Wishes:Unfortunately, we’ve learnedthat Andrea Schoneker had asmall stroke in mid-October.However, her husband Davestated in an email that ... “Shegot lucky. Could have been alot worse. She just lost somemotor skills in her right armand leg. Andrea will probablyneed a few months to recoverfully. She is getting better eachday already which is a goodsign.” Last week Dave and An-drea spent a blustery day walk-ing at the Jersey shore, so keepup the great work Andrea, andfeel better soon!

Northern Websites & Phones

www.belleayre.com 1-800-942-9604www.goremountain.com 1-800-342-1234www.greekpeak.net 1-800-365-7669www.windhammountain.com 1-800-SKI-WINDHAMwww.killington.com 1-800-422-3261www.mountsnow.com 1-802-464-2151www.okemo.com 1-802-228-5222www.loonmtn.com 1-603-745-8100