February 27 - March 1, 2009  Bolton Valley Ski weekend 

Bolton Valley was just a incredibly fun weekend. The weather was great and the company enlightening or entertaining depending on your vantage point. Entertainment on the bus included Gerard's ladies ski apparel fashion show, and his timely use of the fart phone. After the 7-8 hour bus ride, depending where you got on the bus, it was off to the bar for many of the weary travelers.

Within a few minutes in the bar, Michael Wolf found his dream job, Snow Cat adventures at midnight. He said it was the coolest thing, grooming the mountain on a snow cat. Gerard and Darlene thought it was such a great idea they too got in on the action and went for a midnight grooming on Saturday night. I think Gerard and Darlene did a much better job grooming considering the slopes were in better shape on Sunday, Sorry Mike!

This fun filled weekend included LISAC Ski Races on Saturday morning. In the race photo you will notice Gerard destroying Darlene in a head to head match up.

Cresthaven ski club totaled 8 awarded medals (9 total medals), and took home the most Gold medals out of all 4 clubs competing in the races. 6 golds + one stripped away because of eligibility - what's that all about... which gave us a total of 7 gold, 1 silver and 1 Bronze.

Congratulations to: Meghan Singlemann - Gold (we know you deserve it), Darlene Singlemann - Gold, Cheryl VanSycle - Gold, Elaine Wolf - Gold, Gerard Pettit - Gold, Jim Masterson - Gold, Mike Wolf - Gold, Don Phillips - Silver and Ralph La Moglia - Bronze. Great job guys. LISAC Race results can be downloaded here (pdf).

Another race that some of our club members participated in was the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge. Race results can be downloaded here (pdf). Again the club had some winners in this race as well.

The "LISAC Race Party and dinner" was Saturday night. The party included a Wine and Beer Tasting Bar. The food was great and guess who were the last ones to leave? You don't have to look too far, Cresthaven Ski Club, you party animals. First dinner, then the awards, then a lot of the clubs retired (by 8:00) but the DJ was spinning records and everyone was dancing up a storm.

Now remember were talking about cresthaven, it's only 11:00 pm, the night can not be over yet. Back at the bar, Elaine, Meghan, Chris and Michael get a great idea, how about "Server Tray Sledding". Ah, what a great idea! We can walk up a dark ski mountain with a lunch tray and slide down on our backside, planted on a lunch tray. Conceptually it really does sound like a blast, practicality is yet another story. Thus these 4 little rascals manage to acquire a waitresses - serving tray, and Yes the first downhill "Server Tray Races" are held at Bolton Valley. This is certainly a fast sport, as the spectators could only see a blur as the tray sped by with the victim upon it. It is a quite interesting and painful sport, as some of us can now vouch for. Next time maybe we need to oil the bottom of the tray for more speed?

Capping off the night was our happy couple, Gerard and Darlene with a romantic snow cat ride for two. As trip leaders they were determined to groom the trails, thus giving all of us great ski conditions Sunday morning.

Sunday the sun was out and it was a declared a day of rest for many, but truly a great day of skiing for most. Great Job to our trip leaders: Darlene and Gerard who seemed to hold it all together and as always Peter for getting us home safely.

Some important things we learned this weekend:

• How to open beer bottles with a Cigarette lighter - Invaluable lesson thank you Michael
• Do not give Gerrard the fart phone
• Not advisable to slide down the banister, then try to stop yourself by grabbing the banister with your hand... It burns like hell... right Gerard!
• Races should never ever start at 9:00 in the morning.
• If your name is similar to someone else, and you belong to Cresthaven ski club, LISAC will probably not issue you a medal.
• Watch out for your fellow ski club members after they have a few beers... they may really like your ski helmet and goggles.
• Fact: the uplifting sounds of the 70's was the worst era for music as presented by Jim.
• You can drink the beer but you can't take the glass.
• Packing a transport bus is easy when you have limber younger members with you.
• Beware, if a young member (20-30 bracket), thinks they have a great idea at midnight... it is probably is not safe for 50 year old's! Actually for most humans.
• Do not put your feet down when tray sledding, as this may turn you backwards, and I can tell you as a spectator this is not a good thing!
• A Good idea would be... Jump off the serving tray before striking the wall - Ouch!
• Be nice to the snow cat driver and you may get a free ride!
• Be nice to the bus driver, because he may need to pick you up at the hospital!
• Remember to take your keys when you leave the hotel room, or it could be a long walk home.
• Consumption of Alcohol, although it may lead to funny stories for us all - it may lead you into hazardous and silly situations - All us partier's should take special note of this one - hahahaha!!