Tag Archives: Heavenly Ski Resort

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A Break in the Action

Lake Tahoe near Incline Village

You know, one of my quirks is I like to get as much skiing in as possible during the year- considering the fact that I live in the Mid- Atlantic. This involves skiing locally as much as I can and going on a couple of ski trips during the year. This year, Janet and I took a late trip at the end of March to ski with friends in Lake Tahoe. There are so many great places to ski, and to have the opportunity to see the mountains along with the beauty of the lake is a real treat. But this year, I diverted from my norm and took a day off mid- week to do something different.

Our friends in Tahoe recommended a mid week snowshoe outing presented by the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. We all jumped at the chance and even though the snowshoe outing was changed to a hike, we anticipated the outing as a break in the action from skiing which was again- against my norm.

Judy and Mike Smith and Janet on the shore of the lake.

As we entered the state park, we were greeted by some volunteers who did the usual sign-up sheets and gathered emergency contact information. But the leader of the group was a young gal named Sarah Hockensmith, who is an outreach director for the Tahoe Institute and is very well versed on the ecology of the Lake Tahoe area. Some of the information that was interesting to me was that most of the tree growth in the area is only about 170 years old. During the Comstock silver mining era, most of the land was cleared to provide lumber for the mines, housing and other requirements for lumber. After the mining era had come and gone, there was an effort to reseed the land and allow for some natural growth as well. So many of the trees are relatively new compared to the larger lodgepole pines and other large pine trees that survived the onslaught of the Comstock clearing.

Emerald Bay

Sarah also told us all about the turnover of the lake, how the volcanic granite soil acts as a natural filter to keep the lake so clean.( The cleanest lake in North America), and also the dimensions of the lake. She reviewed with us the native species of plants, animals and fish as well as the invasive species that have caused some issues. But suffice to say, the lake is super clean despite the traffic that surrounds it during high tourist seasons.

The natural waterfalls and the backdrop of the Sierras provided a wonderful picture for all of us on the hike. We all see the mountains when we go on ski trips and marvel at the majestic peaks as we ride the chairlift. But to have some of the nuances explained to us by a naturalist familiar with the area, was a rare treat and well worth the day off from skiing.

The beauty of the area and the natural attributes attracts some folks who have made Tahoe home. After going on that hike, and also looking at the mountains and the lake again during our ski times, I was reminded of why I like it so much. Janet had never seen it in the winter and had the opportunity to see it during a warm and sunny week. Full disclosure, she went back to Pittsburgh after a week, along with the Smiths and I stayed for a few more days. Had the opportunity to ski some powder as the weather changed right after Janet and the Smittys left. Felt kind of bad that they missed the powder as I pulled out my 107s, but you know what they say? No friends on a powder day. LOL!!!

88 year old Fred and Janet.

An interesting side story is about the people who really value skiing in the Lake Tahoe area. The gentleman above is a friend of my friend who lives in Incline. Fred is 88 years old and skis about 5 days a week driving from his home and back to the Tahoe resorts. ( About a 60 mile commute) and one or two days he drives all the way to Mammoth ( 2 +1/2 hours each way) because he loves the Sierras. And- he is the first one in the parking lot each day. He told me an interesting thing on the chairlift. He said he has a real passion for the sport and the passion is fueled by drive. I love that statement. Passion fueled by drive. He is a beacon of light to me for my future in skiing.

This will be a wrap for the ski season for Janet and me. But I was wholeheartedly surprised at the wonders of the hike and so glad we took the time to do it. Sometimes you have to take a break from the skiing and enjoy the area and what it has to offer. I am not usually accustomed to doing that as I try to jam in as much skiing as possible. But don’t make my mistake. Take the time to see the mountains and the lakes. I have been to Tahoe many times but never took the time to really hear all about the beauty of that area. I also am impressed by people like Freddy who make the trek to be a part of the scene and my friends who live in Incline. They have chosen a wonderful place to live.

As I flew back to Pittsburgh, I thought about all what we had seen and how much fun we had. Can’t wait to go back. I love ski season and I love the mountains wherever I might find myself. Thanks for reading.

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The People Who Made a Difference

Peter Duke helping out in his son’s ski shop.

Scrolling through Facebook last week, I came upon an ad for Point 6 socks. Really great socks that I use for skiing and mountain biking. The owner and founder is seen above helping out in his son’s ski shop in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I know this guy and was happy to see him again in a photo even though I have not seen him for many years. Peter Duke was a great influence in my life at the time that I met him and this is the story.

When I taught skiing at Sugarloaf, Maine back in the day as a young guy, I was working towards my certification for ski instruction through the Professional Ski Instructors of America. I took many clinics in New England and met Peter as one of my course conductors. As it turned out, I had Peter for several clinics and we got to know each other. He was tough. At the time, we had to do what they called final forms which are basically maneuvers on which we would be tested and Peter wanted to make sure that they were perfect. He was a taskmaster that made us all work hard to get the final forms correct and to make sure our teaching was up to snuff in order to pass the exam. He had no problem whacking me on the backs of my ski boots if my ankles and knees were not flexed and telling me that I needed to perform or I would not pass any test much less an evaluation for the clinic in which I found myself. It was my good fortune that Peter was hard on me. I needed the work and he was demanding but fair. I respected him and was happy that I was getting what I think was the best teaching at the time. At 21 years old and just out of college, the exam was important to me because it was a way to validate what I had invested in ski teaching up until that time. It was not a career but was a great avocation. You learn a lot about your own skiing while teaching and taking clinics with the best in the country. Peter was one of those people.

Fast forward, I was at my exam in Killington, Vermont and Peter was there He was not one of my examiners but took the time to talk to me and remind me of what I had learned with him. I passed the test and became” certified” and will always be grateful to Peter for his skills, his teaching and his demand for perfection. He even introduced me to the greatest rain gear at the time- Bukflex. It was a sailing outfit and when I saw Peter wearing the gear, I had to get it. I used it for many seasons skiing and teaching in the rain. Seems like Peter had it all going on and whatever I could glean from that guy- I took it.

Several years later I was skiing in Heavenly Ski Resort out in California and I remembered that Peter and Stu Campbell ( of Ski Magazine fame), were running the ski school out there at the time. I went to the ski school office and had a nice chat with the both of them and they gave me comp tickets for the week. Nice!!! We talked about the days when they were at Stowe. In those days, the guys from Stowe were the kings and kind of a fraternity of the best examiners and course conductors. Peter and Stu got the opportunity to run the ski school at Heavenly. I told Peter what a great influence he was on me as a young guy seeking my certification. He acknowledged and said it was a tough test that many people cannot pass. He was glad to be a part of my success.

Lake Tahoe from Heavenly Ski Resort

Several years ago, I had heard that Peter had founded SmartWool socks and eventually sold the business. He was a savvy businessman and I was happy to see that he had founded a company with such great notoriety. At the same time, I was running in an off road team trail race out in Colorado called the “Colorado Relay”. Lots of fun with my Armada Supply Chain Solutions team mates and we were enjoying the expo associated with the event. I came upon a booth with the name Point 6 and went to investigate. They were giving away socks for the runners to try. I was talking to the rep in the booth when I heard him say that the founder of Point 6 was the same guy that had founded SmartWool. I looked at him and said.” Peter Duke?” He smiled and said yes and asked if I knew him. I said yes and he said, lets get him on the phone. I think he was kind of calling my bluff but when Peter answered, he said” Hello Pat. What are you doing these days? ” I think he actually was happy to reconnect and was also happy that I visited the Point 6 booth. We had nice chat and after all these years, it was nice to hear his voice again. A lot of time had passed and the exam process was a distant memory, but I always remembered his clinics and a lot of what he taught me is still ingrained in my skiing today. I still buy Point 6 socks because of the quality. But I also like the fact that I am supporting the company of a guy who had a lot of influence on me in my younger days.

Facebook takes a lot of criticism for many things- warranted and not so much. But the nice thing is that sometimes, you see these pictures of people who you have not seen in a while and they remind you of good times in the past and maybe how people have come and gone in your life but remain an influence. Peter is one of those people. He probably does not realize the impact he had, but when I saw his picture on Facebook under the Point 6 ad, I was happy to reflect on our past association. Point 6 is a great company that makes quality merino wool apparel. If you get the chance, check them out. You will not be disappointed and now you know a little bit more about them. Thanks for reading and think snow!!!