Sugarbush introduces a snowcat
It is good to be an innovator, or at least someone who introduces or implements an idea new to a particular place. In terms of skiing business we witnessed Okemo Mountain resort installing loading and, most importantly, unloading carpet to make those lift rides a bit faster and safer for skiers and riders. It is pretty cool and I think should eventually become a standard lift operation at the most trafficked areas so kudos to Okemo’s management.
At the same time, Sugarbush, also decided to chip in and introduced the first in the North East snowcat! Here is an official press release:
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Cat skiing? In the East?? Yup. Well at least if you’re at Sugarbush. We bought a 12-passenger Pisten Bully cat cab that will be used to transport guests up to Allyn’s Lodge for specialty dinners and full-moon skiing and snowshoeing. But the real fun will come on powder days when the first 12 people to show up at Guest Services by 6:45 a.m. will get to own the mountain until the lifts spin. It will also make Sugarbush the only resort in the East to have cat skiing, and when Mt. Ellen’s closes the last Sunday of March, our highest peak will become the domain of the cat.
snowcat is ready for action
I also found it interesting that Sugarbush offers some really exciting guided backcountry tours expert coaching on off-piste skiing and riding, plus winter survival skills, wildlife viewing and a summary of the natural history of Slide Brook. And if you want a full-blown north eastern backcountry experience you might consider “Backcountry’s Doorstep” option offered by Sugarbush. It will cost you hefty $370 per person and that is without lift tickets although if you book this option lift tickets will come with a discount, but where else in the East you can get the following:
Backcountry’s Doorstep is our new, fully customizable adventure overnight package for groups of 4 to 40. It’s like “Choose Your Own Adventure” for skiers, riders, and telemarkers. The basic trip includes two days of skiing or riding at Sugarbush, including unlimited access to our famous backcountry terrain like Bear Claw, the Church, and Slidebrook, with the evening spent at our rustic Alynn’s Lodge. From there, we work with you to make your adventure the trip of a lifetime.
Want to ski from the summit under the full moon? Sleep in a snow cave? Maybe just build one? Want your final night to be fully pampered at the Sugarbush Inn? Want to cook your own meals outside, or have lobster delivered by Snowcat? Whatever the ideal adventure for your family, corporate group, retreat, outing club, bachelor party, or favorite friends is, we can make it happen under the guidance of John Egan’s Adventure Learning Center instructors. For more information on this program, or to start designing your version of the Ultimate Sugarbush Adventure, please call the ALC at 802-583-6542.
Includes two days of skiing and riding, one night’s lodging at Alynn’s Lodge, lunch both days, dinner at Alynn’s, breakfast, and unlimited access to backcountry terrain. Also includes your choice of three out of four activities:
* Skin up to the Summit and ski down in the moonlight
* Build a Snow cave – sleep in it if you’re brave enough
* Guided Snowshoe Hike – day or night, it’s up to you
* Terrain Assessment – learn safety techniques for all different terrain environment and situations
After all, you will probably do it once and judging by the description the whole thing should have some long lasting memories.On a side note, I also want to mention that Sugarbush offers graduate student passes for $419. And it is really cool because most resorts only offer discounts to full time students. But come on, a recent graduate does not always make six figure salary right out of the school. Thus a grace period would be nice and thus I am more than excited to order a graduate student pass from Sugarbush. Let;s the season kick off!
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THIS WILL PUT THE SKI WAX COMPANIES OUT OF BUSINESS
Ingredients and formula for super fast ,all temp, racing ski wax:(1) 5 lbs of paraffin wax(I use a 160 degree melt temperature wax)
(2) 1/2 lb of paraflint wax hardener (3) a bar of Ivory soap (4) a regular size tube of Crest high fluoride toothpaste (5)a heaping tablespoon of spruce gum(resin from a spruce tree)
The paraffin and paraflint hardener can be easily and cheaply obtained from most candle supply companies.The soap and toothpaste are easy enough.The spruce gum can be obtained from any specie of spruce tree.It exudes from wounds in the bark or broken branches.Make sure it is soft and clean,free from any dirt or bark.Spruce trees are common in many towns and suburban areas.Check ones near roads that have been recently pruned or ask the landowner permission to collect some from their tree.A lot of spruce on lawns have the bottom branches pruned. Use a pocket knife or spoon and a small jar with lid to collect the gum.
In addition to these ingredients you will also need: An outdoor cookstove or grill ,a freezer,a large and small cooking pot,stove mitts,a butterknife,a cheesegrater,a handheld mixer/blender,a clock or watch,a bowl,and a few of the cheap pie tins or tin bread molds to pour the liquid wax into.
CAUTION:MELTING WAX CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.IT IS ADVISABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE PRESENT WHEN MAKING THIS WAX.MELT IT OUTDOORS AWAY FROM BUILDINGS TO AVOID FIRE.KEEP CHILDREN AND ANIMALS AWAY.
Step1-Put the pie tins or tin bread molds in the freezer to get them cold.
Step2-With the cheesegrater, finely grate the entire bar of soap into the bowl.
Step3-With the butterknife thinly spread the spruce gum on one side of all the bars of paraffin.(To make this easier you may need to warm the gum near a gentle heat source)
Step4-Pour the paraflint into the small cooking pot,put it on the burner and turn on the flame(low heat).
Step5-Put a bar of paraffin in the big cooking pot(gum side up),put it on the burner and turn on the flame(high heat).When the bar melts put in another and when that melts another…until all are melted.(If any impurities rise to the top,skim them off with a spoon or mesh spoon.There shouldn’t be any if the gum is clean.)
Step6-As soon as all bars of wax are melted begin blending the wax and gum while pouring in the soap.Continue blending.(high speed)
Step7-When the soap and wax are thoroughly blended, squeeze the entire tube of toothpaste into the mixture while blending and continue to blend until the toothpaste is thoroughly incorporated into the mixture.
Step8-By now the paraflint hardener should be completely melted.If it is turn off the flame under the small pot of paraflint and pour it into the big pot of wax.
Step9-Continue to blend the mixture for 2 minutes.
Step10-Get the wax molds out of the freezer,turn off the flame of the big pot,put on the stove mitts and carefully pour the hot wax into the molds.(THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO,DO NOT POUR THE WAX TO THE TOP OF THE MOLDS)
Step 11-Carefully but quickly put the liquid wax in the freezer.(It is important that the wax cool quickly) Wait for it to harden in the mold.
Step12-You now have a super fast,long lasting, all temp ski wax.Enjoy!
What a racket the ski wax industry is.
Being a recreational ski racer and skiing often I go through a lot of wax. I realized I just couldn’t afford the expensive waxes and powders anymore so I decided to make my own. After much study and experimentation I finally got it.I can’t believe it is so simple and cheap.
WHY IT WORKS:
The addition of the hardener makes the wax fast in cold, dry conditions. Hard wax is also more resistant to dirt and doesn’t wear off as fast.The spruce gum acts as a flexible bonding agent to the base of the ski and a bond and vehicle for the chemicals in the other ingredients.The soap also has some of these properties as well as being a surfactant and detergent to break the surface tension of the layer of water between snow and ski and repel dirt and grease.This is also chemically enhanced by the surfactant in the toothpaste.This makes the ski faster in all conditions and temperatures but is especially helpful in warm weather when snow gets wet and greasy. And the toothpaste? What a cheap way to get fluorinated ski wax! The turpines in the spruce gum and chemicals in the soap and toothpaste combine to chemically alter the fluoride in the toothpaste,bonding and completely suspending it as fluorinate throughout the ski wax during the heated mixing.This makes the wax so much faster. And there you have it- Over 5 lbs of durable,superfast,all temp and condition,fluorinated ski wax for less than $30.Throw away your colored waxes and fluoro powders,this is the only wax you will ever need.
Note:I am not responsible for anything that may happen as a result of anyone reading the above.