This Sunday's Session and Potluck for March 7th

All,
The Bill Koch Festival is this weekend, in Maine, so several families will be away for that (including mine). In the past we have not had a session on the weekend of the festival (and last year the festival was at Notchview), but I don't see why that should be the case. It looks like it could be great conditions at Notchview. So unless you hear otherwise from any of the coaches in response to this email, you should plan on skiing on Sunday.

The games this past Sunday were a lot of fun, and I will ask Notchview to groom the field for us if the conditions allow, so it would be great to try to group up again to play after a little skiing.

Potluck - We are planning to have an end of season pot luck on Sunday, March 7th. Details will follow, but the plan will be to ski a bit if we can and then stick around for a potluck after.

Thanks.

Photos from Costume Day on Sunday

Here are a few photos from this Sunday's costume day. After a little skiing (in costumes), everyone gathered on the small patch of snow in the field for group games. It was great.

Silver Fox Trot

We had another great showing at the Silver Fox Trot in Hanover, NH, this weekend. Nine Berkshire Trails kids skied through the slushy corn snow.

I think this picture does a great job of showing what youth skiing is all about. Lily Z. is finishing the race up a tough hill, and three teammates are running up the hill alongside her, screaming and cheering with all their might!

Suits Are In! Online Festival Registration Closes Tomorrow Night

Our team suits are in - better late than never. Here is Oscar sporting his new team kit (which he will clearly be wearing for several seasons). If you ordered a suit and want to pick it up before the Silver Fox Trot, let me know.

Please note that online registration for the Festival closes tomorrow night.

-Chris

Silver Fox Trot BKL Race/Costume Day Sunday

That was a nice session we had on Sunday, with surprisingly good skiing. Two announcements for this coming weekend.

Silver Fox Trot Bill Koch Race - This will still be held in Hanover, but a mile or so farther north up Rte. 10 from where it is usually held. Only the Eastern Cup is being moved to Gunstock (just big kids/adults). Still a freestyle race as far as I know.

Costume Day - Let's all where costumes, funny hats, or any other goofy get-up for the session on Sunday. I am hopeful that we will get enough snow for Notchview to groom the field, in which case we will play some games with all ages.

-Chris

Very Cool Video on U.S. Wax Technology at the Olympics

Check this out. Not too bad for NBC. Here is a little look into what it takes to have fast skis at the elite level.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=8945ce2d-fdd4-4481-9181-9002d0733809.html#technology+nordic+combined

If you hunt around on the NBC Olympics site, they are posting lots of video coverage of all sorts of events, including nordic skiing. Last night I watched a video of the women's biathlon event, which was otherwise covered with about 2.5 minutes of time on the television.

Slideshow from Propect Olympics

Everyone had a good time and skied fast at the sprint races at Prospect Mountain last week, and then they went out and skied the 7.5k scavenger hunt for olympic rings.

Sunday, February 14 - Happy Valentines Day

Another Clinic! The report is that the clinic Heather Bergeron offered for parents and coaches last week was a big success even with limited attendance. So, Heather has offered a repeat for this Sunday at 1:00. Don't miss it.

So Much Going On

Saturday is Prospect Olympics! The Prospect Mt. BKL group has put together a great event for this Saturday. Classic sprint races followed by a bunch of fun and games, including a scavenger hunt on skis and a slalom course. Check out the details and registration info here:

http://www.nensa.net/calendar/index.html?id=878

Ice Cream Social. This Sunday will be the ice cream social! Ice cream at the Trela Shelter and/or at the lodge depending on weather and skier age/ability. Thanks to all the parents who have volunteered to help make this happen.

It looks like the classic skiing might finally be pretty good (or at least by Sunday). Older/more advanced skiers should be prepared for classic or skate depending on conditions.

CLINIC! Heather Bergeron - former BKL parent, expert skier, and denizen of Notchview - will be offering a classic skiing instructional clinic for parents and coaches at 1:00. Don't miss it. Heather has also offered to teach a few games for the parents of the youngest children at 1:45. For the games instruction to work, it should be parents only (we understand this may make it difficult for some parents to attend).

Paintball Biathlon at Mt. Top

Below is a video clip from this weekend's paintball biathlon at Mt. Top Resort in Chittenden, Vermont. This was a really fun event, and I recommend it highly for any ability of skier (lots of kids at the event were novice skiers).

Skiing at the biathlon were Oscar and Luke in the boys 3rd/4th grade division and Amelia, Lily H., and Maggie in the girls 5th/6th grade division. They all did great.

Maggie "Annie Oakley" Swomley was 12 for 15 shooting targets, which gave her a 2:oo time bonus. Combined with her strong skiing, that put her on the podium - 3rd place overall out of roughly 35 girls in that division. Congratulations, Maggie!