It seems that our Bill Koch season is winding down already. Can you believe it? Our kids have become experts at skiing in all kinds of conditions, from fluffy snow to sticky snow to ICY snow. They've even learned things with NO snow. All the while fun has been front and center. Only in New England do you find folks so willing to take whatever weather we get and just go with it. We're adaptable, flexible, and undeterable!
Yesterday found the different ski groups cruising along on some pretty decent trails - some thin, bare, or icy spots kept things interesting. I have to say, though, that I was seriously impressed with what those grooming folks at Notchview can do with just a little bit of snow! After an hour or so of working up an appetite we all congregated back by the Visitor's Center for ice cream sundaes! Again, only in New England do people eat ice cream sundaes outside in the middle of winter!
The big news for Bill Koch clubs around New England this week is the upcoming Bill Koch Festival. All the details for this year's festival can be found here. What a great way to celebrate our young skiers and all they've learned this season! Don't forget to keep track of your kilometers skied this winter either. Here's the link for that. In two weeks we'll officially end for this year, but if you're like me you'll be counting down until we are back at Bill Koch next season. Hopefully next year we'll have lots of snow to ski on. You know, only in New England do we appreciate a good snowy winter!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Ski for Ks Update
By Lisa Cook
Well, January was a pretty tricky month as far as snow goes. There were times when we had no snow, some snow, and perfect snow. I know it has been a tricky month to plan Bill Koch games and activities! All it takes is one big storm to come our way and set us up for a great rest of the season. Here's hoping February will bring that storm!
In preparation of the big storm that we're going to get sometime you can sign your kiddos up for the Ski for Ks program through NENSA. Remember I told you about it a couple of posts ago? Well, it seems they've made the program even more user friendly this year! You can track your child's kilometers right online and even see who, among registered users, has skied the most Ks this season. A simple registration online is all you need to get started. It took me all of two minutes to get an account set up and plug in our totals. Check it out here.
Just for fun I 'd thought I'd share some snow day rituals with you. You really can find anything on the internet! Maybe they'd work to get a snow storm! ;)
1. Eat a snow cone the day before you want a snow day.
2. Tape a penny to your door.
3. Open up your freezer and spin around five times counter clockwise.
4. Sleep with your pajamas on inside out and backwards.
5. Sleep with a spoon under your pillow.
6. Put twelve orange index cards on the hood of your car.
7. Throw an ice cube at a tree.
8. Do a snow dance.
Mostly we just have to wait. One storm, that's all we need...
Well, January was a pretty tricky month as far as snow goes. There were times when we had no snow, some snow, and perfect snow. I know it has been a tricky month to plan Bill Koch games and activities! All it takes is one big storm to come our way and set us up for a great rest of the season. Here's hoping February will bring that storm!
In preparation of the big storm that we're going to get sometime you can sign your kiddos up for the Ski for Ks program through NENSA. Remember I told you about it a couple of posts ago? Well, it seems they've made the program even more user friendly this year! You can track your child's kilometers right online and even see who, among registered users, has skied the most Ks this season. A simple registration online is all you need to get started. It took me all of two minutes to get an account set up and plug in our totals. Check it out here.
Just for fun I 'd thought I'd share some snow day rituals with you. You really can find anything on the internet! Maybe they'd work to get a snow storm! ;)
1. Eat a snow cone the day before you want a snow day.
2. Tape a penny to your door.
3. Open up your freezer and spin around five times counter clockwise.
4. Sleep with your pajamas on inside out and backwards.
5. Sleep with a spoon under your pillow.
6. Put twelve orange index cards on the hood of your car.
7. Throw an ice cube at a tree.
8. Do a snow dance.
Mostly we just have to wait. One storm, that's all we need...
Friday, January 27, 2012
New to Skiing?
By Lisa Cook
Did you get to ski last weekend? Wasn't it gorgeous out there? Notchview was buzzing with lots and lots of skiers, and yet I found myself all alone at times on the trails. I guess we all spread out pretty good!
I feel like we have a lot of people who are new to skiing among our ranks this year. It's so easy to send our children out for an afternoon on the trails, then hunker down in the cozy lodge with a good book and a cup of cocoa. But, I'd like to encourage you to get out there and experience all that skiing at Notchview has to offer. There are trails for every ability level - yes, even brand new skiers - and plenty of people who are more than happy to offer a ski tip or two. If skiing doesn't seem like your thing, then how about snowshoeing? Snowshoe rentals are available! Just check with the person manning the desk inside the visitor's center.
Here are my top ten reasons you should give cross-country skiing a try...
1. There are no age limits for cc skiing.
2. It is a lifelong activity.
3. Your whole family can enjoy it together.
4. It is a great way to stay active all winter.
5. There is nothing quite as peaceful as a snowy forest - and no better way to enjoy it than on skis.
6. Notchview is one of the nicest cc skiing places anywhere.
7. Cross-country skiers are a community.
8. You'll meet new people and make new friends.
9. Inspiration will surround you as you see little tykes chugging up a hill or senior citizens speeding down one.
10. Trying something new and stretching yourself will make you feel really good.
I can almost hear you saying that you don't have equipment. Don't let that stop you! There are a couple of places locally that offer ski rentals and sales. Just ask anyone at Bill Koch and we'll be glad to offer some recommendations.
Now, no more excuses. I'll look forward to seeing you on the trails!
Did you get to ski last weekend? Wasn't it gorgeous out there? Notchview was buzzing with lots and lots of skiers, and yet I found myself all alone at times on the trails. I guess we all spread out pretty good!
I feel like we have a lot of people who are new to skiing among our ranks this year. It's so easy to send our children out for an afternoon on the trails, then hunker down in the cozy lodge with a good book and a cup of cocoa. But, I'd like to encourage you to get out there and experience all that skiing at Notchview has to offer. There are trails for every ability level - yes, even brand new skiers - and plenty of people who are more than happy to offer a ski tip or two. If skiing doesn't seem like your thing, then how about snowshoeing? Snowshoe rentals are available! Just check with the person manning the desk inside the visitor's center.
Here are my top ten reasons you should give cross-country skiing a try...
1. There are no age limits for cc skiing.
2. It is a lifelong activity.
3. Your whole family can enjoy it together.
4. It is a great way to stay active all winter.
5. There is nothing quite as peaceful as a snowy forest - and no better way to enjoy it than on skis.
6. Notchview is one of the nicest cc skiing places anywhere.
7. Cross-country skiers are a community.
8. You'll meet new people and make new friends.
9. Inspiration will surround you as you see little tykes chugging up a hill or senior citizens speeding down one.
10. Trying something new and stretching yourself will make you feel really good.
I can almost hear you saying that you don't have equipment. Don't let that stop you! There are a couple of places locally that offer ski rentals and sales. Just ask anyone at Bill Koch and we'll be glad to offer some recommendations.
Now, no more excuses. I'll look forward to seeing you on the trails!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Snow!
By Lisa Cook
Ah, our first week on the snow... Despite the biting wind and freezing temperatures I'd say it was a perfect day to be out on the trails. The crew at Notchview did a fantastic job packing, grooming, and tracking the forest pathways in anticipation of the crowds that gathered there over the weekend. The snow covered branches created a beautiful winter wonderland among the trees. I hope you were able to get out there and enjoy it.
Now that we are skiing I wanted to bring your attention to a NENSA program that's pretty fun. It's called Ski for Ks. Basically, you keep track of how many kilometers your child skis this season and at the end of the winter you send in your totals to the NENSA office. They'll, in turn, send your child a pretty cool patch. Patch colors are determined by how many kilometers your child skis. My girls did this last year and it was fun keeping track of how far they'd skied. Check out the link here. You'll find everything you need to know in order to participate.
Other fun things are coming up in Bill Koch too, so be on the lookout for email updates. In the meantime get out there and enjoy this beautiful weather. Winter may be the longest season in our neck of the woods, but the skiing still doesn't last long enough...
Ah, our first week on the snow... Despite the biting wind and freezing temperatures I'd say it was a perfect day to be out on the trails. The crew at Notchview did a fantastic job packing, grooming, and tracking the forest pathways in anticipation of the crowds that gathered there over the weekend. The snow covered branches created a beautiful winter wonderland among the trees. I hope you were able to get out there and enjoy it.
Now that we are skiing I wanted to bring your attention to a NENSA program that's pretty fun. It's called Ski for Ks. Basically, you keep track of how many kilometers your child skis this season and at the end of the winter you send in your totals to the NENSA office. They'll, in turn, send your child a pretty cool patch. Patch colors are determined by how many kilometers your child skis. My girls did this last year and it was fun keeping track of how far they'd skied. Check out the link here. You'll find everything you need to know in order to participate.
Other fun things are coming up in Bill Koch too, so be on the lookout for email updates. In the meantime get out there and enjoy this beautiful weather. Winter may be the longest season in our neck of the woods, but the skiing still doesn't last long enough...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Snowless Fun
By Lisa Cook
As I type this it is raining on top of the new snow we received yesterday. Disappointing, but not disheartening. If you've been part of our group these past snowless weeks then you know what I mean. The tone up at Notchview has been anything but disheartening! We have a wonderful group of volunteer coaches and parents who have gone above and beyond to make our Bill Koch time extra fun - in spite of having no snow!
Did you see the amazing obstacle course last Sunday? The kids had to climb up, over, and through different obstacles. They also had to ride a scooter, swing on a rope, and jump over hurdles made of skis! Tod, Art, and Chris C. worked a good portion of the day Saturday to put it all together, and judging from the smiling faces I saw bounding along the course, I'd say they did a fantastic job!
We also had relay races and games set up that day. Again, we had wonderful coaches lend their time to put these events together. Thanks to Chris S. and Chris D. for their willingness to make our time at club super fun! Our skiers had no shortage of exciting activities, that's for sure.
So much planning and preparation goes into making these snowless days as engaging as they are, right down to the cookies and hot chocolate. Our club is special because of the willingness we all have to pitch in. Thank you to Heather for slaving over the pot of hot cocoa for us, and to all the folks who brought treats to share. It really was a great day!
Maybe we'll be skiing this week, maybe we won't. Either way we'll have an excellent time!
Here's a few photos I took before my camera batteries quit on me. Make sure to check out the bulletin board. Our photographers have posted pictures!
As I type this it is raining on top of the new snow we received yesterday. Disappointing, but not disheartening. If you've been part of our group these past snowless weeks then you know what I mean. The tone up at Notchview has been anything but disheartening! We have a wonderful group of volunteer coaches and parents who have gone above and beyond to make our Bill Koch time extra fun - in spite of having no snow!
Did you see the amazing obstacle course last Sunday? The kids had to climb up, over, and through different obstacles. They also had to ride a scooter, swing on a rope, and jump over hurdles made of skis! Tod, Art, and Chris C. worked a good portion of the day Saturday to put it all together, and judging from the smiling faces I saw bounding along the course, I'd say they did a fantastic job!
We also had relay races and games set up that day. Again, we had wonderful coaches lend their time to put these events together. Thanks to Chris S. and Chris D. for their willingness to make our time at club super fun! Our skiers had no shortage of exciting activities, that's for sure.
So much planning and preparation goes into making these snowless days as engaging as they are, right down to the cookies and hot chocolate. Our club is special because of the willingness we all have to pitch in. Thank you to Heather for slaving over the pot of hot cocoa for us, and to all the folks who brought treats to share. It really was a great day!
Maybe we'll be skiing this week, maybe we won't. Either way we'll have an excellent time!
Here's a few photos I took before my camera batteries quit on me. Make sure to check out the bulletin board. Our photographers have posted pictures!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)