June - Fall Line Ski Club

POWDER EXPRESS
Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall,
FALL LINE That Is...
S n ow b i rd 2 0 0 9 – T h e T ra d i t i o n C o n t i n u e s … .
The Official Newsletter of the Fall Line Ski Club
U PCOMING
EVENTS
Happy Hour
December 16 – 21, 2009
By Jeff Stein
Here we are, right in the heat of
summer, and we are already talking
about the 2009 – 2010 ski season. But,
folks, it is time. Yes, it is time to yank
out that checkbook and get ready to
join your fellow Fall Liners at what has
become the early season traditional
favorite ski destination… Snowbird,
Utah. If you act promptly, you will be
one of a limited number of people (24)
who have the unique opportunity to
help kick-off the Fall Line ski season.
Prospectors
June 5, 2009
Atco to Margate
Bike Ride
June 6, 2009
Happy Hour
Dadz Bar & Grill
June 12, 2009
Ricket’s Glen Day Hike
June 13, 2009
Happy Hour
Flying W
June 9, 2009
Longwood Gardens
June 20, 2009
In This Issue
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . .2
Longwood Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Spring Fling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Winter Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
MS 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
One Lift Ticket…Two Great Ski
Destinations..
One lift ticket gets you back-to-back
twofer skiing on interconnected trails at
Snowbird and Alta. This is not just any
old mountain snow; this is Utah powder!
Ok, it is early season skiing, but if you
are going to do it, then just go west and
do it in Utah. And, this year we are
going to go one week later than last
season. So, we can only anticipate that
more lifts trails and the Snowbird-Alta
interconnect lift/trail will be open.
Snowbird and Alta have been named the
# 1 ski resort in the United States by
SKIING Magazine for five years in a
row. Snowbird averages about 500
inches of low-density, “dry” Utah
powder annually and offers skiing on
over 2,500 acres. For the 2008-09
season, Alta/Snowbird had almost 700
inches of fluffy snow!
June 2009
The Mountain and Lodge…
Just Unbeatable…
Fall Line will be returning to the
popular Lodge at Snowbird. This slopeside resort offers many popular
amenities that include a hot tub, steam
room, dry saunas and an outdoor
heated swimming pool. The lodge is a
short walk to the Snowbird Center with
access to the Tram, Peruvian chair lift or
the cat track to Gad alley.
Getting there made easier…
We will be flying roundtrip on Delta
(Philadelphia to Salt Lake City). The trip
package includes: air transportation,
roundtrip transfers from Salt Lake City
to Snowbird, four-day interchangeable
Snowbird/Alta lift pass, as well as the
Fall Line infamous pizza party!
Don’t Wait….
Space on this trip is limited to 24
members. The discount signup dates are
Tuesday, 7/21 and 8/4. Early sign up
discount is: $50! As of this writing, trip
cost is to be determined.
For more information, please contact
Jeff Stein ([email protected] or
856.728.1254.
Tropicana Bus Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Chamonix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Winter Trip Schedule . . . . . . . . . .10
Summer Trip Schedule . . . . . . . . .11
Bike to Margate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 1
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Memo
Fall Line Ski Club membership begins May 1 and ends April
30. Membership applications for renewals and new membership
are accepted anytime during the year. The membership fee is
$25.00 through 9/13/08 and $30.00 afterwards.
My term as President Elect ended as quick as it started.
The President, Beth Eilers, has informed us that she will be
deployed to Iraq in the very near future and would be unable
to complete her term. We all wish Beth the best. I want to
thank Eileen Godman, Dennis Halterman and Carrie Silk,
for agreeing to serve a new term on the board. Although, I
have not had the benefit of training in the position of
President Elect I know I have a strong group of individuals
on the board of directors that will keep me informed of my
duties. In just two meetings I have come to the conclusion
that all members of the Fall Line Ski Club should be very
thankful for their board members. They donate a lot of their
time and energy to make this a successful club and I want to
thank them all for helping out, Steve Archibald, Lou Cullen,
Marie Eagan, Beth Eilers, Nona Luce, Janice Lynch, Jeannie
Nelson, Wayne Schofield & Denise Stockman.
I would like to share my goals for the year and would
appreciate your input as members of this great club.
I will try to:
1. Find a way to decrease the cost of our trips and events
2. Increase membership by aggressively pursuing the next
generation of Fall Line skiers and boarders
3. Find a way to have every member of this club involved
in at least one event per year share experiences with the
multitude of ski clubs in our area
I promise that I will call every member of this club at least
once in the coming year to ask for your input and ideas.
Please don’t hang up on me. Once again we have a full
calendar of events for the summer and our winter trip
schedule is looking great.
I would like to thank everyone in advance for your
cooperation and input and remember the next time you see
one of your board members let them know how much you
appreciate their hard work.
Ken Heath
Members have the privilege of attending all Fall Line Ski Club
activities during the summer season as well as next ski season.
Membership applications may be obtained at any General
Meeting, on the penultimate page of most newsletters, at our
web site at www.FallLineSkiClub.org or through the mail by
contacting:
FLSC
9109 Verree Road
Philadelphia, PA 19115-2801
Phone: 215/969.4736
eMail: [email protected]
The membership application should be completed in a legible
manner to ensure the proper forwarding of all club
correspondence. Any member not receiving the newsletter
should stop at the membership table during a General Meeting.
Changes in address or phone numbers should be reported as
soon as possible so that you may remain informed of all Fall Line
events and activities.
MEETING INFORMATION
General Meetings... are held the first and third Tuesday
each month (except for December) at PJ Whelihan’s at
Route 70 and Greentree Road in Cherry Hill. Meetings are
from 8:00 pm until 10:30 pm for trip sign-ups,
announcements, information and socializing. Please bring
a friend, for newcomers are always welcome.
Board Meetings... are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of
each month and start at 7:30 p.m. In order for the board
to discuss all agenda topics in a timely fashion, members
who wish to attend a meeting must contact the Fall Line
President prior to the meeting. Your cooperation in this
matter is appreciated.
Winter Trip Committee Meetings... are conducted by
Wayne Schofield, board member and Winter Trip Chair,
and occur monthly. Please call Wayne (856/931-2173) if
you are interested in attending or participating.
Summer Trip Committee Meetings... are conducted by
Marie Egan, board member and Summer Trip Chair, and
occur monthly. Please call Marie (609/605-1332) if you are
interested in attending or participating.
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 2
3-hour Kayak Trip
Come out and enjoy a great day paddling on the
Great Egg Harbor River.
About this Newsletter
We’ll end at the outfitters (where the cars are parked),
and relax on the patio, where food and “beverages of
your choice” can be purchased.
Questions? Comments? Ideas?
Come on out for a great time!
This trip is open at the general meetings until it goes.
Details:
When:
Saturday July 11th, 2009
Where:
Palace Restaurant & Outfitters
6924 Black Horse Pike
Weymouth, NJ 08330
(609) 625-8552
http://www.palaceoutfitters.com/
Time:
Arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 AM to
check in
We will depart on shuttles for the
launch site at 10:15 AM.
Duration:
Approximately 3-hours.
Cost:
$30.00
The above includes kayak rental and
transportation to/from the river.
Bring:
sunscreen, insect repellent,
sunglasses/straps, old sneakers or
flip flops, water-tight bag, light lunch
and water or juice (no glass bottles),
towel and change of clothes for
afterwards.
More info.:
contact Steve Beach at
[email protected] or call
(856) 627-8565.
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
Please Contact:
Janice Lynch, Editor
[email protected]
Design and Typesetting by
D & B Designs
Bill Kaisla and Dan Scharnitz
eMail: [email protected]
Newsletters can be found on-line at
FallLineSkiClub.org.
If you do not wish your name to appear in the
newsletter or on-line, please request it in writing to
the trip leader PRIOR to the trip!
On Saturday, June 20 we will be traveling in the
afternoon to Longwood Gardens to see their beautiful
spring exhibits. It should be a bit warmer than our
January trek. After our stroll through the gardens and
conservatory, we will again drive a short distance to
Wilmington for a scrumptious Asian, family
style dinner at Pan Tai. We were
treated to all sorts of chef’s
specialties last time and I am
sure this evening will not
disappoint. Contact Marie
Eagan at 609-605-1332 or
[email protected]
to join the fun. $14
for Longwood Gardens,
dinner is on your own
PAGE 3
A Tasty Way
To Raise Dough.
Eating for Charity Monday June 29th
By now you probably have heard that Fall Line is going to
have a team and participate in the Dragon Boat Festival on
Saturday Oct 3rd.
Dragon Boat races have also been known to have teams
of Breast Cancer survivors as well as individuals currently
battling the disease.
For the last several years the money raised at the Festival
has gone to the Fox Chase Cancer Research Center. Fall Line
is proud to announce that once again, the Fall Line Dragon
Boat Team will be raising money for this cause.
On Monday June 29th, Uno Chicago Grill will donate 15%
of the bill from anyone who walks in with this coupon to the
Fox Chase Cancer Center in Fall Line’s name (the money goes
directly to Fox Chase). You must go to the Uno’s on 73 in
Maple Shade (across the street from Jay’s Elbow Room). It is
that simple…. All you have to do is eat or drink. You don’t
have to be a member to participate, so feel free to invite others
to join you.
If you can’t make Uno and would still like to give, just make
a tax deductable check to Fox Chase and give it to Janice
Lynch or e-mail her at [email protected] and she will
forward instructions on how you can donate electronically.
Happy Hour
Dadz Bar and Grill
Rt 38 & Madison Ave.
Lumberton, NJ
Friday June 12th, 2009
6PM - ???
It’s time for another Happy Hour at one of our
favorite spots, Dadz in Lumberton, NJ.
Come out and celebrate the end of another work
week with your friends from Fall Line.
We will be meeting out on the deck. Just look for
the happy looking bunch of Fall Liners.
There will be a live band that night from 10PM2AM, you can turn this happy hour into a happy
night!!
For further info, or for directions, please call
Dadz at (609) 267-4344, or visit their webpage
www.dadzbarandgrill.com
The Dragon boat team practices on the Schuylkill River will
be starting in July. If you are thinking about joining the co-ed
team, contact Lou Cullen at [email protected] or 609-7608412. It does not matter that you do not know how to paddle,
we can teach you. Cost to be on the team is $105, but it
includes a registration fee, the team tent along the river, team
shirt, 3 water practices, a Barbeque on race day and the ability
to check off something on that bucket list…. You paddled
with 19 others to the beat of a drum and had loads of fun.
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 4
Winter Park, Colorado
at Deno’s for an après ski party. Not only did we get the two drink
coupons and plenty of food but the college basketball game to
entertain us along with chatting with everyone on the trip (Janice
April 2nd to April 7th 2009
the Villanova grad is still in mourning). Everyone loved the food
By Sara L. Walls
as well as the 10% discount that he offered to anyone who
showed up for dinner with the coupon card. Deno’s is a must stop
Fall Line ski club met at the Philadelphia Airport on April 2nd for any future trip! They offered basic bar food along with a full
to head out to Winter Park for the last ski trip of the year. menu. The manager Nick and his crew gave our group such
Thankfully I arrived extra earlier to discuss with the supervisor exceptional service, that most everyone returned at least one
and manager of US Airways the bag fees. Luckily Fall Line more time for dinner.
booked the trip prior to the airline company changing the fee
Saturday night was not the only party with Bill Cella and Sally
schedule (i.e. $125 for our normal 3 bags). Unfortunately the
Velez
sponsoring happy hours in the lobby every night. There
computers didn’t recognize this fact. After ½ hour of explaining
were
plenty
of places to hit but Docs Roadhouse being the biggest
I either totally flustered them into waiving ALL fees or they knew
hit
for
daily
après ski parties. And of course what ski trip is
the plane was going to be delayed 2 & ½ hours so they cut us a
complete
without
the Klacker’s game. We broke that out Monday
break. Whatever the reason we saved money and quite a few
night
with
everyone
contributing their left over booze and snacks.
others did too! After waiting in the airport for one hour and then
on the tarmac for another 1 & ½ we were on our way. Since we Dave Lummis was trying real hard to be the “Queen of Klacker’s”;
arrived much later than scheduled we did not make the normal I guess the crown and robe really enticed him. Unfortunately
Dave was out done by Tom Bianco and the new “Cowboy Klacker
food/booze stop and arrived at our destination around 2am.
Queen” Jim Lyons. Of course there were other winners but those
The late arrival did not stop anyone from skiing the next guys really stood out! The party was only hampered by the “quiet
morning. After having a great breakfast supplied by Best Western hour” imposed by the hotel so the party broke up around 10pm.
in the lobby, everyone hit the slopes. A big thanks to Colleen That was a good thing considering we had to travel home the
Family for her snow dance that produced much welcomed snow next day. A point of interest for that hotel… They have a camera
that day! We asked her to stop it early and give us some sunshine that feeds shots to the internet. Pretty freaky being able to be seen
but, even her powers were too great for her to control and we had by anyone, so be careful when walking around the entrance you
snow almost every day! Luckily she also request bright sunshine never know who might see you and call to say hello. Tom Bianco
that we were granted on the last day.
found out while walking to Deno’s for dinner and his dad called
to
say that he could see him.
Winter Park like other mountains offers guided tours.
Saturday a group got the luck of the draw and end up with
Some of you may remember when
“Tom” who was such a hit many went back the next day and the club gave out awards for
requested him. Luck was not on our side on Monday when we best skier, best fall, etc. Well,
went back to ask for “Tom” and were told there were about 100 we had the winner on our trip. Not sure if
“Tom” tour guides and the group got stuck with Gil. Gil was no the award should go to the person that ran
Tom. It certainly did not help matters that he fell. Although we into someone or the person that got run
know anyone could do that but when he was asked to take the over but, I will tell the story- you ask the
group to the paintbrush trail he replied, “Where is that? Do you participants and then draw your own
have a map?” Now that really scared me so Janice Lynch, Deb conclusion. While standing on a trail,
Taraska and I excused ourselves from the group. Leaving Bill Colleen Family was minding her own
Cella, Sally Velez, Sandy Geist, Doris Vaccaro, Michele LeConey, business when in slow motion Michele LeConey skies right into
Michele Capelli and Colleen Family to deal with him. We actual her. There was plenty of time for Colleen to say, “Michele are
met up with the group after a few runs on that side of the you going to turn” and plenty of time for Michele to think that
mountain. Janice took off to lead Deb & I onto the “Paintbrush” she needed to turn but just never actually made the turn. In
trail not knowing that the guide was right behind us. A few very slow motion Michele skies into Colleen and they both fall
hundred yards into the trail we stopped to admire the scenery down with their skies all tied up together. Really wish there was
when the guide showed up to thank Janice for showing him the enough time to pull out the camera but that didn’t happen.
trail. But, wait… where was his group? He left them in the dust Everyone that was there was very happy that a bathroom break
to follow Janice. Two good things: had just happened or the day of skiing might have been cut short
1- Michele Capelli stayed at the because they were laughing too hard.
sign to direct the rest of the tour
As the saying goes all good things must come to end. Not only
onto the trail and 2- the name tags
the
trip but also, the ski season. Everyone on the trip agreed that
do not show last names or he
it
was
a great place to end the ski season with everyone. We wish
might have been in trouble- but,
we
had
more than 4 days of skiing. So until next year… Have a
then again he is a volunteer.
great
summer
and see you at sign up for next year’s awesome
Needless to say, Colleen, and both
trips as planned by the Winter Trip Committee. Do you know
Micheles left Gil to join us.
where you are going?
Saturday night the group met
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 5
MS 1 50 B IKE TOUR 2 009
October 3 & 4
1/22/09
1/15/09
Frank Falcone, Cherry Hill, NJ
James Lyone, Chalfont, PA
Steve Bitting, Jamison, PA
12/16/08 Amy Knable, Cherry Hill, NJ
Ellyn Seitchick, Maple Shade, NJ
Carrie Kelly, Cherry Hill, NJ
Spend Christmas 2009
in Steamboat!
2 br Condo for rent
12/19/09 – 12/26/09
at Celebrity Resorts
in Steamboat Springs, CO
for just $1200
For details about the resort,
please visit
www.celebrityresorts.com/locations/steamboat
Contact: Jim Gargel
[email protected]
856-866-1162
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
It’s time to start thinking about whether you’re up
for the challenge of riding in the 29th annual MS150
City to Shore Bike Tour. We will be entering a Fall
Line team of riders once again this year. If you join
our team you’ll also get a great looking Fall Line team
jersey to wear on the ride.
This beautiful and scenic ride begins in Cherry Hill
and takes you thru the blueberry fields
of Hammonton, the South Jersey
Pine Barrens and down to the
Jersey Shore, stopping in
historic Ocean City. We
will spend the night on
Ocean City and ride
back on Sunday. If
you would like to ride
Saturday “only”, there
is a shuttle that will bring
you back Saturday night.
“Don’t worry - it’s not a race”. There are rest
stops every 15-20 miles stocked with fresh fruit,
snacks and refreshing beverages. And, there is
plenty of time to get in shape. We will have at least
4 training rides, your attendance is optional. The
tentative dates are: 6/28, 7/26, 8/23, and 9/27.
Starting with a 20ish mile ride and working our way
up to about 40 miles.
You can sign up for this ride online by going to:
www.MSCYCLING.org
There is a $35 registration fee until 6/25 then it
goes up to $45. All riders are also responsible for
raising a minimum of $300 in donations to
participate.
Ask your employer,
friends and co-workers if they will
sponsor you, you’ll be surprised
how quickly you can raise this
amount and more. It’s all for a
great cause; this money goes
directly to the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society.
From your team captain: Jane Gonzales
Phone = 609-654-5578 or
email [email protected]
PAGE 6
chamonix*
TROPICANA CASINO
February 27-March 7, 2009
By Ann Marsteller
BUS TRIP
DINNER & THE COMEDY STOP
Friday, July 17, 2009
Depart from Barclay Farms at 5pm
Depart Tropicana approximately Midnight
(or 6 hours from when we arrive)
Package choices:
$25 - includes the bus ride
& Dinner at the Fiesta Buffet
or
$50 - includes the bus ride,
Dinner at the Fiesta Buffet &
9pm show at the COMEDY STOP
with 1 free cocktail
Do you need a night out on the town?
We’ll enjoy dinner at the Havana-themed Fiesta Buffet
featuring all of your favorites, including prime rib,
carving and grill stations, international cuisine, all-youcan-eat crab legs, scrumptious desserts and much,
much more.
Then, how about some laughs!
You know the best medicine is good old fashioned
laughter and the best place to see the nation’s brightest
“up and coming” comics is in an intimate, nightclub
setting called the Comedy Stop, located in the Quarter
at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Not to mention trying your luck at the slots, tables or
just strolling on the boardwalk to the many Beach Bars!!
This Bus trip will open for sign-ups at the
June 2nd meeting
Trip Leader - Jane Gonzales - 609-654-5578
[email protected]
Prelude
Fall Line was about to make its first trip to Chamonix, France, the
host of the first Winter Olympics in 1923! Jell-o shots were ready for
the bus ride up, and I was finishing my power workout at the gym
when I checked my phone about 3 hours before boarding the bus in
Cherry Hill, I was surprised to hear that two new members, Karl and
Rita Pabst, had discovered that morning, that they had left their
pass ports in their Florida home!
Luckily, they were staying with
Karl’s sister Sue Leopold, and with
some fast thinking, had their son
drive the passports to the Ft. Myers
Airport, give them to a Jet Blue
crew that was heading to JFK at
noon, and pick them up at the JB
Counter when we arrived at JFK!
Karl commandeered our bus
driver so quickly to get him to the JB
Terminal, that I did not have a
chance to give the driver his tip!
Rita called Karl, and he was able to
tip the driver. The passports were
hand delivered by one of the JB staff
as the bus pulled up to the
terminal. Who says airlines aren’t helpful anymore!
Our flight was late in departing but thanks to the free drinks on
Swiss, we quickly forgot about the delay. We picked up some time due
to great tail winds, and arrived only a half hour late in Geneva. Our
bus driver met us promptly, and we snaked through the Geneva traffic
on some back roads, and arrived at the Hotel Prieure around 1:00 PM.
We comically watched as the driver backed up a 55 passenger bus
with a trailer on a tiny street, holding up traffic for 15 minutes! It was
sunny and time for lunch. We all headed to the pedestrian zone a
block away, and had lunch outside, coatless! In February! That was the
sunniest day we would see!
The Hotel
At orientation, we were treated to drinks and snacks, and filled with
information about Chamonix. Where to go tomorrow? Well, it
depends on the weather. What will the weather be like? Silva, the
manager, just shrugged his hands saying, who knows?
We quickly found out that there was no need to get up too early in
the morning, as the weather report did not even get published until
8:30! And even then you weren’t sure what the weather would be!
Also, at the hotel, there was a representative who would take
reservations for off piste, ski school, and bus excursions. It was great,
as you did not have to go anywhere to make reservations. You could
also make reservations for dinner at the three sister hotels, using a 15
Euro voucher which defrayed some of the costs. The menus were
varied-from L’M Brasserie, to surf and turf at the Alpina, to haute
cuisine at the 4*Mont Blanc. There was something for everyone. All
of our rooms had balconies, with a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.
continued on page 8
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 7
It was a great place to store your beverages of choice! You could open
the drapes in the morning, and if you could see the peak you knew
it would be a great ski day. Although French hotel rooms are typically
very small, these were pretty well designed, with space for everything
and even flat screen TV’s.
Chamonix-the Skiing
Our Chamonix unlimited lift ticket gave us access to all of the areas
in Chamonix-the Aiguille du Midi,
where the off piste, all day
Vallee Blanche (VB) starts, Le
Tour, with its wide open
pistes (trails) great for
novices and intermediates,
Le Brevent-La Flegere, with
a variety of trails for all, and
closest to the hotel, Les
Grand Montets, with some
steep stuff from
the top of the tram,
and sometimes long
lift lines, as well as
some beginner areas
throughout the valley. It
also included the free bus to
Courmayeur as well as its ski area!
The lift lines were pretty non existent the whole week!
Since it was overcast, some chose to listen to the guides and go to
Le Tour, the rest of us decided to stay a little closer and head to Le
Brevent-La Flegere. We now knew what Silva’s shrugs meant! I had
Dennis in tow, along with Carla Ferrara, Jeannie Nelson, Janet
Mitroscak, Nona Ostrove and Steve Wright. No promises, guys. I had
never been to this place either! Our fun points were watching these
guys get on the chairlifts! Jeannie was too far over, then Carla was too
far over, then Dennis was-oops off the chair! Tough to see, mostly
above tree line, we navigated our way down and across the valleys on
trams and gondolas. The lifts were modern and quick. You had your
choice of lunch spots at either mountain. We ate outside for lunch at
La Flegere, and met up with Barry Schofield, Mindi Mellitts, and
Kathy Kirk! It’s a small world!
Some had signed up for the Vallee Blanche, but the weather didn’t
cooperate. We had found out that there were spots on the free bus to
Courmayeur, and it was supposed to be sunny there! Ten of us raced
down to the bus station and just made the bus after buying the
vouchers! We went through the Mont Blanc tunnel after a delay-what
was that fire truck for? We exited the tunnel to SUN! We finally
arrived in Courmayeur around 11:00. Where is the lift? We have to
WALK all the way up there with our skis and ski boots on? Well,
when we got there 15 minutes later slightly out of breath, we were
treated to a fantastic day of skiing. Some went off piste, some hit the
easy trails, and some just basked in the fantastic scenery as we raced
down the beautifully groomed trails, hitting some bumps wherever
we could find them off piste.
The Vallee Blanche (VB)
Day three we awoke to more overcast skies, no VB again? Thirteen
of us were deciding what to do, when at 9:30 our guides Patrick and
Damion arrived at the hotel. It was on! Patrick took Janice and Russ
Wortham, Zion Chen, Mike Malinowski, Steve Rapp, Dick Strang,
and Tom Kerr (who had met us after a week in Verbier). I went with
Jean Nelson, the Pabsts, and Sue and John Leopold. John Greenstreet
went with a guided group. Kevin Mudrick was going to go with us,
but decided to take it easy, since this was his first ski trip of the year.
Probably not a bad idea, in retrospect! We started by getting our
harnesses and transceivers put on us. Oh, oh, no more bathroom
breaks from here! What a day! We walked to the tram, took a second
tram, and went to breathtaking observation decks surrounding us!
What is great about Chamonix is non skiers can take the trams, and
still be able to see the beauty of the Alps: Switzerland and Italy were
all in our view including the Matterhorn! We then got roped together
for the half hour descent down the Arête (a steep snow and ice
covered walk way with half a dozen switchbacks). And I paid $100 to
do this? I must be crazy, I tell myself. Slip and fall and hope your guide
with his crampons (these claws on the bottom of his boots that stick
into the ice) can hold you and the other six people from their deaths!
Well, after we got to the glacier to start to ski, I looked up and
thought: I just did that!!!??? We then had to ski down a short mogul
run so our guide could judge our ability. Oops, the Pabsts and
Leopold’s don’t do moguls? They do now! There is no other way down!
After watching them have fun?? falling, I skied down, and Damion,
declared me the caboose to pick up the pieces as they fell on the route.
It did give me the chance to take a few pictures while I watched them!
The scenery is indescribable. The glacier formations consist of blue ice,
crevasses and seracs. (Large chunks of glacial ice as big as a house in
some cases. Seracs tend to form at the intersection of multiple
crevasses, and they are notorious for being extremely unstable. If a
serac collapses while people are navigating a glacier or mountain, it
can cause serious damage or even death, depending on the size of the
serac and the position of the climbers.) Don’t get too close to those
things, or you might get swallowed up or crushed to death!
After more moguls and some skiing through untracked powder,
we were on a traverse, when Karl decided to check out the snow off
the trail, and tumbled 50 feet below, Great yard sale! I side stepped
down and picked up his poles and hurled them up at Karl, so he
could ski ahead to eventually give John his poles. Damion traipsed
back toward Karl to lend his poles and give him help getting up. Did
I say that you aren’t supposed to take your skis off? You can fall
through a crevasse and die. John received his poles and then we did
some more moguls, and entered the Mer de Glace, a fairly flat section,
where you follow a track zig zagging between the crevasses. It was
very narrow and tough going. We also then found Patrick’s group
and skied some nice flat stuff to what I thought was going to be the
cog train down to Chamonix. What- we are climbing up that
mountain? With our skis and poles? And putting our toes into the
impressions in the ice to hoist ourselves up? And it is as high as a 10
story building? At this point, I really questioned my sanity. Half an
hour later, exhausted, I arrived at the top of this cliff, to find a cute
hut. Toilette, please? No, no toilette here. I looked back down at my
comrades, and asked Patrick if I could ski down with his group. So
off I went, skiing switchback after switchback, with Mike M ahead of
me. I followed his great slalom turns as best as I could. I turned back
just in time to watch Dick bomb down a huge 10 foot whoop di do
and then was about 10 feet in the air! Great yard sale, Dick! Finally
at the bottom, two buses and a few hundred yards uphill, there was
our hotel! Made it! Out of this harness, s’il vous plait, Patrick! Six
and one half hours later, I then drank some water to refresh my
parched mouth. And I paid $100 to do this???
continued on page 9
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 8
More Skiing
Some folks (the smart ones) went to Courmayeur or Le Tour, and
enjoyed the same blue skies we had on the VB, but I will admit, that
I am glad I did it, and NEVER have to do it again! Well, If they
promised I would not have to do the 10 story mountain climb,
MAYBE I would do it again.
Wednesday, many decided to take it easy, and went to Le Tour, but
the crazy ones, with Dee Adcock subbing for Russ W, (who tweaked
his knee on the VB), rented a guide for Courmayeur, but it was bad
weather there, so then they tried Grands Montets. I went with Dick
and Steve (who decided to take it easy with me), all the way on the
other side of Le Tour, and who shows up, but ZION! They were on
their way to Switzerland, because the winds closed the Grands
Montets second tram! What a coincidence! Zion, after Zell am See last
year, you couldn’t ski without me! But alas, they left us at the top of
the lift, and went off into never-never land. Dee decided to have
lunch while lying in the street in the little Swiss town waiting for the
bus. We also bumped into Tom Devine, Linda Miller, and Sandy A,
who had decided to take the quaint train ride back to Chamonix
from the village of Vallorcine, near the Swiss border. They then were
going to lovely Montenvers, above Chamonix.
Thursday, we awoke to a mini blizzard, so people scattered. A great
thing to do on a snowy day is take the cog train to Montenvers, where
there is a crystal cave, a fauna museum, and a hotel which houses
many relics of Mont Blanc climbs. In good weather, you can take a
gondola down and then climb 300 steps to an ice grotto, but due to
the weather it was closed. The train winds through the forest up the
mountain, and the scenery is awesome! Jeannie, Steve W, and Denise
Stockton (who had been injured at Stowe, so was not skiing) took
this lovely tour. You can also take the tram to the top of Grands
Montets, which also has great vistas. Jeannie and I decided to do this
in the afternoon, only to find a total white out. We took the tram
back down ourselves, just us and our conductor, who snapped our
pictures. At the mid station, there was a gondola- let’s see where that
goes? So up we went. We got off at about 9,000 feet, into another
white out! Well, let’s make it down. It’s only a red run! The snow was
a foot deep and a bit heavy. Forty five minutes later, we made it. Let’s
see, 4 trams 1 gondola, one run. Lots of vertical-just not skiing
vertically!
La Palud” off-piste tour with Mike, Janice and Russ
Zion led the “L
near Courmayeur. After espressos with locals in the village of
“Buongiorno”, a private tram whisked the excited group to the top
where over a foot of new powder and 2 reindeer awaited them.
When they touched it, the snow fell down the hill. It made them
wish they had avalanche gear on. As the group began their descent
into the unmarked, unpatrolled, ski at your own risk (no helicopter
rescues in this area!), “quiet because we’re the only ones here” slopes;
they were further encouraged by the tram operator, yelling out the
window of the tram as he descended back down to the valley
alone. Someone asked – “Is he yelling “Ciao, Grazie!” or is he trying
to tell us something else???” Too bad they could not hear
him……How do you translate “ss teep chute ahead” in Italian? Or
dumb Americans”???
“d
Friday, there was more snow, and Tom Devine had organized a
group of 20 to take a bus tour to the chic town of Megeve, and quaint
Annecy, which is vying for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The group
had a wonderful day, seeing these two historic towns, and everyone’s
muscles enjoyed the day off from skiing. Thanks, Tom!
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
I headed back to Grands Montets with Zion, Dick, and Steve R. in
the whiteout again. I was not going to do the long black run with 36
markers to the mid station, and was about to take the tram down
again, when Zion took my skis while I was in the rest room! “You are
going with us!!” he said. I looked at the 150 steps down from the tram
just to get to the total white out of a trail, and with Dick carrying my
poles, got to the point of no return. After watching Zion fall about 50
yards down, unable to see the mounds of powder in front of me, Dick
blazed a trail for me. Thanks Dick! We made it down to the midstation
and then did some nice tree runs through the snow. A great way to end
the week!
The Partying
Après ski at Chambre Neuf, which Annalisa Reavy, Tina DeProspo,
Mark and Shaun Fite (our lone shredder), was THE place to go for a
great band and lots of fun. The outdoor deck of the sister hotel’s L’M
Brasserie with its heat lamps made for great people watching.
After dinner, it was a short hop to the hot spots: The PUB, Le
Privilege, or La Terrasse, a second story bar with a great view of the
Place Saussure. We found Tina with her new French “ami” having a
nice cozy tete a tete, until Dennis decided to barge in on them!
Thursday evening, there was an après ski party in our room, and
yes, it held the whole group! That was a feat unto itself! George Cook
and Jim Stanton posed with part of their 8 pack of Tina, Mark, and
Annalisa, minus John and Julie Kaleda. Al Durney and Tom Burchill,
where were you all week? I finally saw my frequent European ski
buddies at the après ski party!
Russ, Janice, Steve R., Mike, and Tina danced until 4:00am Friday
night at the exclusive “Bonsoir” club, but only one received an
invitation to the “Bonjour” club! No tattletales!
Denouement
Friday evening, we presented Silva and the hotel staff with a token
of our appreciation, and thanked them for their hospitality and
helpfulness all week.
We boarded our bus for the trip back to Geneva, and oops-where’s
Mike? I phoned his room and awakened him out of a sound sleep!
Too much partying, last night, Mike? Our trip would not be without
more drama, when as we were ready to board the plane, Rita
discovered that she had packed her green card in her suitcase! Well,
there are worse places to be left behind! But the Swiss personnel
escorted her on to the plane, fished out her luggage, and she was
able to board the plane!
Our bus driver was circling JFK when we arrived, and we boarded
quickly and crawled through Saturday afternoon traffic in Brooklyn.
A new route took us by the Arc de Triumph (Brooklyn version)! We
made it safely back to Cherry Hill, where we said our goodbyes, and
realized that the trip was much too short. Chamonix is the kind of
place that takes a little time to figure out, and by the time we had it
figured out it was time to leave! Many of us can’t wait to return soon!
We really had a blast! Chamonix has so much to do; you just can’t
accomplish it all! Thanks to ALL of you for being such a great group!
Many new friendships were made on this trip and old ones were
strengthened. I look forward to skiing with all of you again! Au
revoir! A bientot! (See you soon!).
PAGE 9
Fall Line Ski Club
2009-2010 Winter Trip Schedule as of June 1, 2009
All FLSC trips include Lift Tickets. FLSC provides Beer, Wine & Soda on weekend bus trips.
Extended trips include air and ground transportation. Lodging is two per room.
Date
Prices Are Subject To Change & do not include baggage fees
Location
Trip Leader
Lodging
Some Features
07/21/09
Price
TBD
December
16th – 21st
Snowbird,
Utah
Jeff Stein
856-728-1254
January
8th – 101h
Stratton,Vt
Trip Leader
Needed
Inn At Stratton
Two Day Lift Tickets
Two Nights Lodging
Continental Breakfast
09/15/09
TBD
January
9th – 16th
Copper,
Colorado
William
Roehner
215-431-3205
Mountain
Village
Condos
Round Trip air Phila., Denver
7 Nights lodging Beeline Express Pass, party, walk to lifts 5
of 7 day lift.. Lesson Packages
Available
07/21/09
TBD
January
22nd –
February 2nd
Cervinia.
Italy
Florence
Extension
Sertorelli Sport
Hotel in Cervinia Hotel
Balestri in
Florence
Round trip air Phila., Italy
Glacier Resort. 7 nights Cervonia w/breakfast & dinner.
Indoor pool & hot tub. 6 day
Aosta Valley ski pass. 3 nights
in Florence w/breakfast.
07/21/09
TBD
Town and
Country Inn
Inn
3 nights lodging, 3 breakfasts,
2 dinners, indoor pool & hot tub
Plus Super Bowl Party
February
5th - 8th
February
06th - 13th
February
19th – 21st
February
25th – 28th
March
5th _ 13th
Stowe,
Vermont
Jackson Hole
Wy.
Sugarbush
Vermont
Jay Peak,
Vermont
Davos,
Switzerland
Pat Maguire
856-772-1120
Trip Leader
Needed
Lodge at Snowbird
Opens
Non Stop Delta PHL-SLC
5 nights lodging, 4 day all
Alta/Snowbird ski pass,
Party
10/06/09
TBD
Number 1 hotel in JacksonHole. Private bus to Mt. daily
5 of 7 day lift. Breakfast.
Optional Snowmobile or day at
Grand Targhee
07/21/09
TBD
Inn at
Sugarbush
Another Fall Line Favorite 2
Great days of skiing with lifts
And breakfast
10/20/09
TBD
Kathie Read
856-344-2459
Hotel Jay
Ski in/out, (2-hour group
lessons, Fri.Sat.Sun) Two
Hot Tubs. 3 Breakfasts, 2
Dinners and a wine and
cheese party
11/03/09
Ann Marsteller
856-772-9414
4*Meierhof
Hotel
Non-stop Newark-Zurich, 7
nights lodging, Buffet Breakfast
and 4 course Dinner daily, 6
day Davos all region ski pass.
08/04/09
Inn at Big White
&
Chilcoot Hotel
at Silverstar
Two Resorts in week. Fly Phila.
& Newark to Kelona BC. 8
nights lodging, 6 of 7 day lifts.
Ski In Ski Out. Breakfast Included, Group party
Alpenglo
Lodge
Round trip airfare Philadelphia/
Denver, 5 nights lodging, 4 of 6
day lift pass, party, indoor hot
tub
Sara Walls
609-747-8582
Trip leader
Needed
March
13th – 21st
Big White
Silverstar
BC
Bob Suravage
609-654-5521
April
8th – 13th
Winter Park,
Colorado
Deb Taraska
609-747-8582
Wort Hotel
TBD
TBD
TBD
08/04/09
08/04/09
TBD
Prices in bold reflect early sign-up discount. This discount is available only at trip opening for weekend trips; for weeklong trips it’s available for the first two meetings the trip is open. You must be a member to sign up!
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 11
Other Local Happenings
As a service to our members, listed below are events that are not solely Fall Line events, but we feel are of
interest to our members.
EVENT
DATE
Sat June 20
EVENT NAME
13th Annual Beer
Festival on the
Battleship NJ
EVENT
LEADER
Wayne Schofield
[email protected]
Tickets 856-966-1652
x107
SOME FEATURES
Includes a sample glass and
self guided tour of ship, sample
beers from several
breweries
OPENS
Call now
PRICE
$40
Games are played at the Old Barclay Intermediate
School just off Covered Bridge Rd in Cherry Hill,
Come on out and play no matter what your playing
NJ. Directions: Take Route 70 West from Route 295. At
level is. MAY 7th is the first night of co-ed softball 1st
the first light make a left onto Covered Bridge Rd by
& 3rd Thursdays from around 6pm we start
taking a right jug handle in front of the Clarion
gathering and have a pick-up game around
Hotel. Cross back over Route 70 and make
7ish w/Barbeque after the game (BBQ starts
your 4th right onto Dorado Drive. Continue to
around 8 pm). We still play on the alternate
stop sign and make left onto Winston Way. The
weeks, we just stop off at a bar/restaurant for
School is on your right and parking is on the
food & drinks after the games. Prices are $ 3
right side of the building. Call Ken Heath at
game only fee; $ 7 BBQ only fee; $ 10 both.
(610) 368-8935 or [email protected] for
more information!!
Play Ball…..Softball is back
BIKE TO MARGATE
Date: Saturday, June 6
Meet Time: 8:00 AM
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Where: NJ Transit Station, Atco (entrance off Route 73
northbound. It’s just north of Route 30 interchange and
just south of Jackson Rd.)
Why: WHY NOT!!!
Cost: Donations for Gas Money for our support vehicle(s)
This is our annual (weather permitting) bike trip from Atco
to Margate by the sea. If you’re planning on riding in the
ACS 70-miler or the MS-150 later in the summer, this is a
great warm-up. The trip is about 55 miles of (mostly)
smooth asphalt roads.
We also recommend eye protection and sun block. We will
make several stops along the way. All are optional. We stop
for breakfast in Hammonton along Route 206 and pause for
some “refreshments” at Testa’s Good Guys Tavern along Lake
Lenape. We try to maintain a 15 to 17 MPH pace but you are
encouraged to travel at whatever pace suits you. This is not
a race! Total travel time is usually 6 hours.
We finish at Maynard’s in Margate (9306 Amherst Ave.). If
any shorebirds or rollerbladers are already “downashore”,
please join us. After a cool-down, we continue biking to the
NJ Transit station in Atlantic City (about 5 miles). Cost for
the ride back to Atco is about $3.00
Maps will be provided and we hope to have at least one
support vehicle. If we do, I’ll collect a few bucks for gas.
For more information, contact John Kennedy at 609-4584193 or e-mail at [email protected]
There is no rain date. If the weather threatens, we cancel.
You will need:
Helmet
Some form of hydration
Tire repair kit
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 12
Application
Not going to the shore this weekend?
Why not join your friends from the Fall Line Ski Club for a GREAT Happy Hour at:
FLYING W
60 Fostertown Road, Medford, NJ 08055 • 609.267.8787
www.flyingwairport.com
Outside Bar/Deck with DJ and Two sand volleyball courts are available,
and you can swim in the airplane-shaped pool. ($10 pool charge - changing rooms are available).
That Night there will be an all “Male Revue”!!
Starring the “International Hunks” in the Avion Lounge, benefiting
Breast Cancer Research.
8PM Doors open, 9PM show starts.
For Info, or to buy your tickets ($20) ahead of time, call (856) 261-5095.
Come on girls, we can make this a REALLY Happy Happy Hour!!
Directions – from the Medford Circle take 541-N. Go through light at Church Road (Wawa on corner)
2 mi. to Fostertown Road. Turn right; follow the curve around to the right.
The Flying W is just ahead on the left.
POWDER EXPRESS
JUNE 2009
PAGE 14
“As featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer”
www.FallLineSkiClub.org
PLEASE VISIT FALL LINE SKI CLUB’S WEBSITE @
Bellmawr, NJ 08031
Permit No. 884
Address Service Requested
PAID
P.O. Box 1535
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
U.S.Postage
First Class
Fall Line Ski Club