Shred the Local Hills
by Gari Chaffin

How many of you go on your first west ski trip of the year and wish you had gotten in skiing shape before you went.  Unless your going on the Breckenridge trip in early December 2011 you have no excuse.  Last year I went skiing at Pine Knob on Dec 5^th and (if memory serves) on the day after Thanksgiving the year before that (cheaper than going to the mall to shop with my wife).

Now you are probably saying to yourself – but who wants to ski in lower Michigan – I’m too good of a skier for those hills.  I can agree and was once there myself – having a season pass courtesy of my ex being on the patrol and only skiing once that season.  Then courtesy of Doo Ming – who sold me a pair of his old Tele skis and threw in lessons to boot – I began loving Michigan skiing all over again – including lower Michigan.  Many of you have taken up boarding for the same reason.  Bottom line – if you are bored skiing in lower Michigan – get out on the hill and try something new – it will revitalize your enjoyment of the sport and enhance your fun on the western trips!  I encourage you to join our informal skiing group that enjoys Michigan skiing as well as out west!

For those of you who don’t know – we are a casual group of skiers who meet once or twice a week and ski as long and as hard as we want.  This is non structured – show up when you want and do whatever you want – we just discovered it is more fun in a group.  Basically we send out an email a couple of days ahead of time and usually meet at 10 – if your late look for us on the slopes – many bring their lunch but the cafeteria also is available – do what you want. Put your Tbird flags on your poles to advertise the club and make it easier on the hill to connect.

If you’re interested in joining us send me (gchaffinski@gmail.com) your email address and I will add you to the list.

While prices for the upcoming season are not known at this time – last year Pine Knob and Mt Holly had 2 for the price of 1 specials on Tuesdays starting in Jan.  Brighton had the best senior discount at 62 for ½ price tickets.  Might as well save some $$ to use shopping (or getting that 6^th day lift ticket) on your west trips.  Once the snow falls look for emails and let’s “Shred the Local Hills!”