Mad River Glen, VT - December 15th, 2007

[Patrick]

WOW!!!

What a Wonderful December it's been. Plus I had a Free weekend. No Birthday/Christmas Parties, No end-of-the-year/season activities for the kids program. FREE to go skiing. What could be better? How about amazing conditions about to get hit by a weekend storm. PERFECT!!!

Finally was able to leave Ottawa at 10pm on Friday night. Arrived in Montreal at midnight for a short night sleep. It was going to be especially short if I wanted to attend the Official Opening of the New Single at 8:30am. :?

Made it in the parking lot just in time.

The NEW SINGLE CEREMONIES

Here is a great description of the "happening" from MRG's newsletter.

The Grand Opening of the New Single Chair was a huge success. A boisterous and emotional crowd braved frigid temperatures to witness the dedication the new Chair #1. A re-creation of the original lifts opening festivities in 1948 was planned for the occasion. The program began with brief speeches by Mad River Glen President, Jamey Wimble and Vermont’s Commissioner of Tourism, Bruce Hyde. They were followed by Miss Vermont 1948, Jean Peatman and Miss Vermont 2007, Rachel Ann Cole unlocking the ceremonial “Lift Lock” to formally open the lift. The proceedings ended with each of the folks honored on the plaques on the backs of the new chairs having the opportunity to ride “their” chairs. Many old-time members of the Mad River Glen community came back to join us for what was a very special day. We even had a very pleasant visit from some new snowboarding friends.

Pictures from MRG's website.

Opening the Lift Lock - Miss Vermont 1948 and 2007 (picture: MRG)

The Opening Day Dignitaries (picture: MRG)

Miss Vermont & The Poachers (picture: MRG)

Here are a few stories link from the newsletter.

Boston Globe - Rededication to Tradition

WCAX - Snowboarders Stage Friendly Protest

MRG's Burton Poach - michael riddell photography

Note in the last pictures the Free Snowboard Adjustments table offered by the MRG's Ski Patrol. :wink:

Anyway the 20-30 snowboarders that came down where all applauded by the crowds at the bottom of the single. I guess some of the snowboarders were a bit surprised by that reaction.

Okay, now let's get ready to go skiing.

THE SKIING

Some conditions were midwinter, everything was open. Great skiing for December. Paradise was good, no serious negotiating down to avoid obstacles (ice, rocks, branchs). Everything was good. Although you had to be cautious in the woods. Look at the pictures and video from December 15th to see how great this day was.

Mad River Glen Public Image Gallery (pics and videos)

Great coverage for early season. Actually conditions and perceptions of Saturday are now distant, after the following 2 days I was going to have. This 3-day weekend started off great and was only going to get better. \/

After this day, I drove North into the Eastern Townships to tag up with Lucky Luke for the rest of the weekend. Hopefully the backcountry roads weren't going to be so back to return skiing on Sunday.

One last point in closing. If the skiing was so great...where was everyone? #-o (I know the answer). Do yourself a favour, go skiing NOW!!! You won't regret it.

Note for the log:

Longest wait time for the single at 11 minutes for the second run after lunch.

7th run on the Practice Slope. This is was sometimes the only skiing available during the Bad Snow Holidays.

 

[joegm]

re: snowboader protest

all well and good the nice peaceful " protest " was made and there were no incidents.

now as betsy , the former owner once said." go away "...stop wasting everyone's time with this burton protest nonsense and just go away...thankfully , it appears that it is never going to happen there..go ride stratton and loon and all the other places that won't be trashed any more than they already are by your snowboards and accept the fact that the reason you are not welcome is because your way of riding on snow will alter the terrain dramatically ...maybe jake should put his money where his mouth is and buy some sorry ass hill like stratton or loon and do some "discriminating of his own"...many would welcome it on both sides...i would welcome it....snowboards are not designed for moguls and a very significant part of mad river is all about moguls...thank god there is the will not to let this happen...you had your little protest ...now go away :roll:

 

[asland]

I'd just like to point out the pictures of the boarders sitting around in the middle of the trail. Typical.

asland

 

[Patrick]

Single Ceremonies from the Basebox Balcony.

The Double feels left alone.

Snowboarder getting ready for their photo op. I had a few pictures of them arriving at the base, but white overalls over snow is hard to see.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Nice pics. We might even see some more from Chile eventually.

 

[Patrick]

Nice pics. We might even see some more from Chile eventually.

Do you mean Chile 07 or Argentina 08? What will be next TR bumped? Vermont, New Hampshire, Quebec, SA or Ontario? :lol: