Snow deprivation calls for desperate measures

Wed, Apr  14, 2010 - By Pete Edwards

Maybe we were spoiled the past couple winters? In 2008 we found skiable snow for cross country skiing here in Leelanau County right up to April 17th! In 2009 we broke that record – April 24th! In 2010 we didn’t even make it to April, but it really was a fantastic season with absolutely no good reasons to skip a single day of skiing. We even had sunny skies for almost 10 days straight in early/mid March and a decent snow pack in parts of the National Lakeshore that typically don’t hold snow well. The 50-degree weather eliminated the snow pack in record time, but it really was the best spring skiing on record.

I had hoped that the winter Olympics would have turbo charged my son’s enthusiasm for cross country ski racing, but instead it fired him up for Alpine Skier Cross and Terrain Parks?

Over spring break the snow for xc was completely gone in up-state New York, but there was still tons of snow in the town of Ellicottville on the alpine trails.

I call it cross training. And I LOVE any type spring skiing – even with the heels locked down. It didn’t even matter to me that I left the tele gear back in Michigan and my heels were locked down.

When Keefer wasn’t trout fishing (opening day in NY is April 1st) he was in the Terrain Park at Holimont Resort. Ski Area Management Magazine ranked Holimont’s Terrain Park in the top 5 in the USA and we could see why.

At least we got on snow every day. The weather forecast called for rain all week, but we got sunshine.

I found that an occasion chairlift ride gave us a chance to talk – kinda hard to do when I’m struggling to keep up with him on Alligator Hill, The VASA Trail or at Reindeer Run Nordic Center (located behind the Empire Airport).

I’m a fan of ALL snow sports so don’t hold it against me.