Tag Archives: Volkl Skis

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Neighbor Joe

My neighbor Joe

This past fall, my new neighbor Joe and I talked about skiing. Imagine that! Anyhow- he told me he used to ski and wanted to take it up again. Well, when someone says that to me, I light up like a 100 watt bulb and shine brightly. I told him about my friend Jim Jacobs who would take care of him from Peak Ski and Board and that his old equipment would no longer fit the bill. He had purchased some new boots but was in sore need of some new skis seeing that his were around 20 years old. He and his wife Chico went to see Jim and he bought a new pair of Volkls. He was happy and wanted to show me his purchase. I gave him a pair of straps to that he could avoid edge damage when traveling and he was excited to start after so many years away from the sport.

So, I took him during the week to Laurel Mountain which is a great place to ski here in the Laurel Highlands about an hour and a half from where we live. I ski there a lot and consider it my home area. I beat poor Joe’s ear all the way up because when the subject of skiing comes up, again, I go into high gear. I told him things he should know, and a lot of trivia that perhaps he did not need to hear. I also told him a lot of my stories from my skiing past and present and when we pulled into the lot at Laurel, he was ready to ski and not just listen to me anymore. LOL!!

Bluebird Day looking into the Ligonier Valley

It was a great day to ski, very scenic with fresh snow and a beautiful view into the Ligonier Valley. Joe loved it and after he got his feet under him again, he started to ski like he used to ski back in the day. He loved his new skis and all in all, it was a great first outing for a guy who hadn’t been on the slopes in quite some time.

Joe is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force( as is his wife Chico), and also a retired Delta Airlines pilot. Needless to say, Joe and his wife travel a lot and it was a little bit of time before I got him out again, back to Laurel, this weekend. Again, another bluebird day, and Joe loved it. I introduced him to a lot of people that are my friends and he asked me later if I knew everyone at Laurel. I said,” when you ski there a lot, you get to know people as the atmosphere at Laurel is conducive to that”. It is like a private ski club, in a way, and has a totally different feel from the other two resorts that Vail now manages and owns.

Sunset at Laurel Mountain- photo by Rob Slater

He skied mostly by himself as he wanted me to enjoy Wildcat like I usually do. (the steepest slope in Pa.) We connected from time to time but for the most part, Joe was enjoying all that Laurel had to offer, on his own terms without any interference from me. After a slice of home- made pizza at the Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown, ( he treated), we drove back through the scenic Ligonier Valley, talking about skiing and the possibility of him skiing with his buddy in Park City now that he has all his stuff, a military season pass from EPIC, and two days under his belt getting back into the swing of things.

I guess the thing I like the most about my time with Neighbor Joe, besides him being a good guy and enjoying his company, is that I could help him get re-acquainted with skiing. One of the things that I like to do most is just that……….get people into skiing,or back into skiing. When I used to teach, the greatest joy I had was to see someone “get it”, or improve, with a big smile on their face. I try to go out of my way to see that people get a good start, get the right equipment, and realize what great things the winter can provide. I also like to introduce them to my friends and people that I know in the sport that can become their friend too. Skiing is not only great sport in which to partake, but the people, the atmosphere of a great little ski area, and the whole feeling is something that one just has to experience. It is wonderful to see fresh snow on the ground and on the trees as you drive into Laurel. You park, walk across the street to the lodge and people are smiling. They greet you and everyone is excited for another great day. Everyone’s troubles, worries and concerns, melt like snow on a hot sunny day when you show up at a ski area ready to hit the slopes. It is an escape from politics, pressures of the job, and personal troubles. No matter what ski area you visit, there is a positive feeling that abounds. Laurel Mountain has a special feel and even though it doesn’t have the vertical of out west areas, or New England areas, for an hour or so from your house, it is a good place to go while you get ready to take your western or New England trips.

Joe not only got a chance to get another day in, but he also saw why I like Laurel Mountain so much. Not just the skiing close to home, but it is the people that make the place tick. The employees are really friendly, happy to see you, and work tirelessly to make the experience great. The regulars all greet you and you feel in a way that you are in your own private place of enjoyment. Joe found out what a wonderful place Laurel is, and he will be back as soon as possible. Think snow, go to Laurel Mountain, and thanks for reading.

Laurel Mountain buddies.

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The Scoop on Deer Valley

After a roller coaster ride on the trail through the trees leading out to the sign for the Daly Chutes at Deer Valley, Utah, I made my way to the cornice and peered down over the lip to the drop in for Chute # 4. After dropping in and making a series of steep jump turns down through the throat of the chute, I came out to a wide open field full of avalanche debris from the patrol blasting the cornice the day before. Weaving my way through the debris and then a chicane through the woods I popped out in full view of the lodge at the bottom of the Empire Canyon. Deer Valley takes a lot of heat for being a powder puff area servicing the rich and famous. But I am here to tell you that this area has all you can handle if you are a skier looking for challenge. Look no further than the Daly Chutes with steep pitches through trees and rock outcroppings. You can also get your fix way over under the Sultan and Wasatch chairs and ultimately lapping Stein’s Run named after the Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Stein Eriksen, who was the Director of Skiing at the area for many years before his recent death. Big GS turns with nobody in your way makes for a lot of fun.

But on that other note of service and gentility, Deer Valley is unrivaled. My wife loves Deer Valley and at the kind invitation of our very dear friends who live in Park City nearby, we were treated to a fabulous time last week in the Wasatch Range of Utah.

From the minute you drive up to the base lodge, you are treated with respect as the valets take your skis and boots from your vehicle and place them in the racks. You can enter the spacious locker room where you can check your valuables and make your way out to the slopes that are perfectly groomed often accompanied by brilliant sunshine. This past week was a little cold but my wife braved the temperatures and enjoyed herself as she made her way down the perfectly manicured trails. The food at Deer Valley is unparalleled as far as ski areas go.The famous Deer Valley turkey chili is available in all the lodges along with freshly baked bread, pastries, and sumptuous salads. The real treat is to go to the Stein Eriksen Lodge where you can see the trophy display that features the gold and silver Olympic and World Championship medals that Stein Eriksen won in the 50’s. You can ride up the Viking Lift right to the entrance to the Lodge and as you walk into the Troll Hallen Lounge after perusing the trophy case, you are greeted by a waiter who seats you at a table adorned with white table cloths and napkins and appropriate wine goblets per your choice of vintage wines. The lunch options are fabulous and a real diversion from my standard of a yogurt and Gatorade at most areas. Maybe a cookie or Kind Bar if I splurge. Again, my wife Janet adores the whole experience and our friends are the most gracious hosts in a most gracious area. http://www.steinlodge.com

Deer Valley does everything right from the grooming, to the food, to the end of the day where you can store your skis and boots in a complimentary area complete with valets who again take your skis and store them for the evening. You can even have an overnight tune if you desire. Deer Valley is often ranked # 1 in service for all ski areas in North America by Ski Magazine each year and you can see why when you spend some time there. Janet tried out a new pair of Volkl Kamas that I bought her in the spring, and with the pristine conditions of the slopes, she made some of the best turns of her life. She likes her new boards but she also says that the total experience at Deer Valley not only is highly enjoyable but it inspires confidence because you just get the feeling that the area management and the employees want you to have a great experience in their end of the world. Our friends feel the same way and when they welcome guests into their home like they did for Janet and me, they do it the Deer Valley way. Nothing is left undone. Thanks Patter and Tom.

As a final comment, I try to make my wife’s experience on the slopes as pleasant as I can. She is not a fanatic like I am about skiing, but if I can get her to Deer Valley, she is a happy camper. I am turning her into a mountain girl slowly but surely. She will be ready for the Flying Smittys. Thanks for reading.