Although there were only six club members on this trip, we started off with three different ways of getting to our hotel in Lake Placid. Doug Chessen and Duncan Wallace took the bus from the D.C. area; Steve Liberman, Anne Mackenzie, and Agnes Evans drove in Steve’s new ski vehicle—the enormous black Chevy Suburban. I had to be in Connecticut to help my aunt prior to this trip, so I drove myself from my hometown on a mere five hour trip to upstate NY. I got to the High Peaks resort at 2 p.m., and was a bit early for check-in. Fortunately, the reception desk was serving champagne for new arrivals, so I availed myself of a glass or two in front of their very nice fireplace, which, of course, made waiting for my room to be ready most pleasant.
We had a group breakfast every day and our assigned room was full of over one hundred trip participants from various Blue Ridge Council Ski Clubs. There was not much remarkable about the breakfast: scrambled eggs, pancakes, potatoes, sausage and bacon. Every day of our five day stay. As a group, PSC was always among the first in the room and ready to go to the mountain. We are enthusiastic eaters for sure.
Monday, our first day, was a bluebird day. Not too cold nor too much wind, and sunny skies. We had a mountain tour at 10:00, run by Joe Ferrara, the owner of Banchi Outdoor Adventures, who was the provider for this trip. The massive tour quickly broke up into smaller groups, with Steve, Anne, and myself trying to stay out of everyone’s way. That evening, we assembled for a welcome party that included all the council participants: one free drink plus all the cheese and crackers you can eat. But before the welcome party was the hot chocolate and warm cookies served near that fireplace in the hotel’s lobby.
Tuesday was overcast and a bit windy up top. Doug asked me to give Duncan a lesson while Anne and Steve took off on their own. I discovered that Duncan is a very quick student and easily picked up what I asked him to try.
That evening we had our first PSC-only group dinner at Black Bear’s, which is across the street from our hotel.
Wednesday was another overcast and windy day, but it didn’t keep Anne and I off the top of the mountain. If you’ve ever skied with Anne, you know that she can keep going and going, and I felt a bit pressed to keep up with her.
Wednesday was another evening of meals on our own. This time we included our “adopted” member, George Clinton, who was Steve’s roommate. It took a bit of searching for a good meal. Main Street in Lake Placid is lined with eateries. Unfortunately, the first one we chose wouldn’t do separate checks and didn’t have pizza that night. Outrageous, right? We took refuge next door in Luna’s, a very excellent Italian restaurant, and we all enjoyed our meals.
Thursday was our last day and that meant another lesson with Duncan and Doug. These two guys are really funny, and really interested in improving their skills. I was really glad to help them both and look forward to more time skiing with them next season. After the lesson, I met up with Anne and Steve. The wind had died down up top and it was really pleasant to take on the higher elevations. On all four days the snow was nicely groomed and the temperatures in the 20s kept the snow in good condition.
Being the trip captain and since I had a car, I felt it was important to shuttle our members to two different Olympic venues: the bobsled and cross-country facility, and the ski jumping facility. I made two trips at the end of our ski day and the last bunch of us got back to High Peaks hotel in time for our group meal with all the clubs: the food was good enough, but not spectacular. I can’t really remember what they served, except maybe chicken? Joe Ferrara held his usual drawings. Of course, Agnes was the first to win a nice gift.
And speaking of Agnes: At one point on our excursion to the venues, I made Agnes get out of the car and take her picture in front of St Agnes’ Catholic Church. Every day, Agnes was late to breakfast by the rest of the club’s standards, on her own schedule and often dined in her robe and slippers. In her favor, though, her handicapped parking ticket came in handy when she was driving in Steve’s car, as we got to park right near the door to the 3rd floor rooms, which was very welcome by all of us after a hard day of skiing.
Friday was our departure day. Steve, Anne, and Agnes bucked up for a full day’s drive back to Virginia. Doug and Duncan took the bus back, and I headed to New Jersey to pick up my cat. Next year, Sunday River will probably be the destination for the BRSC’s Eastern Carnival. While it may be far away, as Lake Placid was, the snow can be pretty deep that far north in early March. Hopefully, a trend that will continue for 2024.