Adirondack Blue Ski Day

Yesterday's sky reminded me of the classic song, "Adirondack Blue," the first local Adirondack song I learned when we moved here nearly 23 years ago. I've enjoyed many, many Adirondack blue skies since then, but it never gets old. Today's featured photo is from yesterday's ski at Henry's Woods and beyond, in Lake Placid.
Photo Courtesy of the Reed Family

Whiteface Mountain - Adirondack Region Ski Report 02-04-10

 

Despite being cheated out of a couple of big snow storms that went south of us, the Adirondack region is holding its own as one of the east's top ski lovers destinations. As usual, conditions at Mount Van Hoevenberg are superb. Out-my-door access to these impeccably groomed, Olympic caliber cross-country ski trails is an important factor in my Adirondack fun equation.

Adirondack backcountry ski conditions are a little less than ideal and if I had my druthers, we'd be getting the snow storm barreling across the country right now, not Jersey. Mother Nature has a mind of her own however, and although she will shower the Mid-atlantic region with her big snow gifts again this weekend, she continues to grace us with frequent, smaller amounts of fresh snow. Be prepared for hard and fast conditions if you plan on skiing the Adirondack backcountry this weekend.
I saved the best for last: Whiteface Mountain is in awesome shape these days. Despite an extremely late start yesterday, I had an excellent afternoon at the Olympic Mountain skiing the beautifully groomed and empty black diamond trails. The remarkable lack of lift lines and its uncrowded but challenging well-groomed trails makes Whiteface a delightful place to ski. For skiers who occasionally like to cut it loose and ski fast, the groomers at Whiteface can be a blast. They certainly were yesterday. I had Skyward, one of the best runs at the mountain, completely to myself.
I haven't said it in a long time.....skiing's great in New York State, especially at Whiteface!
Today's featured photo is this morning's lovely view of today's blog star, Whiteface Mountain, taken from the middle of frozen Mirror Lake in the Village of Lake Placid.

Lake Placid Media Frenzy

Admittedly, some days are better than others; even in this Adirondack paradise. Yesterday was one of those days. It was a day of great skiing and food with good friends and three stories, count ‘em, 3, about Lake Placid in the national media!
The first story is today's featured video clip courtesy of the Wall Street Journal's reporter who stopped by the luge run down the road from the homestead, pointed his toes, and took a ride.
The Olympic media delirium continues with this warm and fuzzy article by former Lake Placidian Mery-Jo Borzilleri in USA Today, "U.S. Talent Flowing Out of Lake Placid."
Adding a dose of much needed variety to the recent media coverage of Lake Placid is the New York Times' feature article about the Lake Placid Lodge, "In Lake Placid, Rustic Luxury at a Discount." The article is a quick read with a heads up on an excellent offer at one of my favorite spots, especially for yoga class and then a delicious breakfast.
This diverse selection of current news stories about Lake Placid epitomizes the dichotomy of living in the Adirondacks. The region is a great place to be if you like to watch or participate in high-powered competition or athletic effort, surrounded by other people looking for the high energy buzz. On the other hand, the Adirondacks are also a perfect place to find effortless peace and quiet and participate in noncompetitive activities such as reading a book, yoga, and a calm cross-country ski.

Great New Video by Time Magazine on Biathlon

This is the best "How They Train" piece yet on the sport of biathlon and the training regime of the current United States Olympic Biathlon Team. Naturally biathlete Lowell Bailey gets in a wink. The kid is alright!

Honey Brown Rice Pudding

 

It's what for dessert after a big day skiing toe deep powder!

The healthy Adirondack lifestyle includes brisk January ski days topped off with warm and fragrant comfort food like this rice pudding made with brown rice and sweetened with honey.

Adirondack Full Moon Alert

It is another busy weekend in lovely Lake Placid. The Village is bustling with visitors and locals alike; skiers and winter sports enthusiasts trying to stay warm in the sub-zero temperatures. The coup de grace for the weekend however, is the world-famous full moon cross-country ski party to be held tonight, Saturday, at Art Jubin's Cascade Ski Touring Center in Lake Placid. For the uninitiated, the full moon parties are a North Country tradition of unparalleled fun. As the name implies, the parties happen on full moon weekends. Revelers can ski to kegs of beer and bonfires placed along the touring center's lit cross-country ski trails. When tired of braving the cold, skiers head to the warm and hopping bar for dancing to live music by Johnny and the Triumphs with Delia! Be forewarned however, the bouncer on duty for full moon night at Knicker's, SSS, takes grief from no party animal. SSS will be assisted by Mr. Smolka this month; together this duo is downright menacing and intimidating. If you are coming to the Cascade Ski Touring Full Moon Party, bring your dancing shoes AND your I.D.!

Whiteface High Tech Ski Home For Sale + Ski Conditions Report

 

Naturally, the New York Times headline, "Skiers Buy Vacation Homes as Prices Fall" caught my eye yesterday. This makes sense because, besides skiing and running my consulting business, I also work as a real estate agent and business broker in the resort Village of Lake Placid and the surrounding upstate New York region. I am affiliated with the Prudential Terry Horrocks Agency on Main Street in Lake Placid; the Olympic Village. The Times article hit at a perfect time; I was just getting ready to write about a wonderful ski home I have listed for sale, just a few minutes away from Whiteface Mountain. Whiteface Mountain, by the way, is where the 1980 Olympic Winter Games alpine events were held, and where a member of the this year's United States Olympic Alpine Team trains and learned to ski. Oooops - skiing tangent. Sorry, I'll get back to the topic at hand. But first, let me explain. This blog and all the great information it contains, especially the real-time Adirondack ski and skiing conditions, is sponsored by me. Therefore, I get to do an occasional commercial about the topic of my choice, just like on Tee Vee. If you read to the end of this post, I promise you will find a hot-off-the-press ski report.

Once again, a major newspaper with plenty of sponsors and advertisers to pay reporters helps me make my  point. Now is the time to buy a second home in a vacation paradise like the Adirondacks. If you are looking for a spot from which to base your outdoor adventures and still earn a living, I have the perfect home for you.

Located in Jay, New York, this new log home is aesthetically pleasing and super high-tech; a great combination. It is incredibly energy efficient, features in-floor radiant heat system, hardwood and tile floors, a jacuzzi 2-person tub, and a beautiful wood stove. Here's the cool part: it is pre-wired for smart appliances, and already has CAT6 industrial grade communications cable, and a multi-line telephone system. Clearly, this is a telecommuter's dream come true! The spacious kitchen has maple cupboards and the best appliances available. Maybe this is the cooler part: the house is only minutes from Whiteface, the AuSable River, and miles of hiking, and it was thoughtfully and meticulously built with durability and energy efficiency in mind. This is the perfect property for active people who need technology too. Check it out on my website if you are interested.
Ski report time!!! Unlike my white birch tree, skiing survived Monday's warm rain storm, but barely. The positive spin on the Adirondack backcountry is we now have a very solid base as a result of the rain and subsequent sub-zero temperatures. Until we get some serious snowfall however, the backcountry will be sketchy. Mount Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface are both in great shape. I admit this is indeed remarkable considering how much rain we received. I skied at Whiteface on Wednesday and thanks to the wonders of technology and man-made snow, had a great day skiing. Mount Van Hoevenberg received 6 inches of fresh snow and was beautifully groomed today. The skiing was wonderful aside from the -25 wind chill temperatures. Bundled up and skiing, my hardy Adirondack friend and I called it 'forced intervals' since it was not a day to dally and the hills on the Porter Mountain Racing Loops were a welcome and warming challenge.