2006/2007 Ski Season Ski Club News Archives

 

March 25th, 2007 - The Season is Almost Over

This past weekend was great. 60 degree weather, sunny and the 3rd annual slush cup. The turn out was amazing, we did not know there were so many people in town. The water was cold and 80 feet long - and many of the Athletes did not make it through the long water Venue - too bad. But they are "Eyeing up' next seasons competition.... In any event ----- the slush cup and beer drinking on the deck was second to none - great time and a great way to close out another winter season.

 

By the way - where did all those young kids that did the Easter Egg hunt come from? There must have been a hundred little guys diving for the eggs that Pine Mtn set up.

 

New photos were added to our Photo Gallery on this website - check them out.

 

I see there is free skiing next weekend - I am sure it will be it for the season so we hope to see you there for the final send off.

 

March 14th, 2007 - Adult Race League Almost Done

March 21st is the last week - big turn out this past week and lots of fun - but somewhat icy conditions - in fact very icy conditions. Results so far are on the Adult Race League Webpage . The final week will be interesting for the Goggle winners since those that show up next week may bump some people that are in the running for goggles out. As for the 2 cool Descent winter jackets donated by the Pine Mountain Sport Shop - Kevin Cory and Chris Lutey are pretty much a lock for those prizes. Go to the Race League Page to learn more.

 

March 13th, 2007 - Ski Team Support and Thanks

For those that don't already know, our Ski Club took a portion of our proceeds that we have raised via the ski swap and annual dues and helped the Pine Mountain Ski Team/Iron Mountain Ski Team/Kingsford Ski Team purchase new race timing gear this season. We were able to provide about 1/3 of the cost of the equipment - which was a major investment. The equipment has not been updated in over 20 years and now that we have a new up and coming ski team and successful high school teams we felt we need to help them in any way we could. Neal Johnson, head coach of the Iron Mtn Ski Team (U.P. Boys Ski Champs) - sent this thank you to the ski club

(click here to read).

 

Also, unrelated to the above note - the Ski Club has passed a motion to show our gratitude towards the hard work the 4 main ski team coaches put in this season by giving them each a gift certificate for dinner at a local restaurant. The coaches did a great job this season and we look forward to seeing them again next season. The coaches were Bud Delano, Kevin Cory, Gary Mannigel and Neal Johnson.

 

Only two nights left in the 2007 Adult Race League - make sure you join us either Wednesday night, March 14th or March 21st. March 21st will be the awards and drinks after the race. Click here for more info

 

March 4th, 2007 - Busy Fun Weekend

How about a Pine Mtn Ski Team Race, a Technine Snowboard Big Air Competition, a Ski Club Cookout on the hill, 2008 Ski Demos to test at the Ski Shop for free, and big renunion for another Wisconsin ski hill all at the same time?

 

Windy and a bit chilly on Saturday, but it was fun in any event - except for those lucky ones that got roped down from the stuck chair. Race result from the kids race are on the Ski Team section of this website. The Technine Snowboard Rep gave out so much free stuff that every kid in town will be wearing it on Monday at School. He even gave out 2 snowboards. They will probabily even wear those to school and ride on the handrails at lunch.... That is what kids do these days......

 

The snow conditions are still the best they have been in a long time. One to 2 feet of snow in the last week sure helps the cause. The Ski Jump landing has been great to ski on - it is like powder skiing on a triple black diamond run out West - just don't fall. One of these years will will organize the Slalom race down the landing - call it the 'Extreme Slalom' - it would be a huge success and a huge fundraiser. It would be the steepest slalom race in the world - how easy that would be to advertise and get people here to watch. No other hill can hold snow good enough for a race on a hill that steep. Hold it 1 week after the jumps. Lots to figure out before it could happen, but worth looking into what it would take.

 

February 28, 2007 - Race League Resumes - Great Night

This could possible be the best skiing of the year. The huge snowfall from last weekend has made the hill conditions - Colorado-esque-like (how about that spelling). The snow is so soft and grippy that it is the hero snow you always want. Another 3" - 18" is expected to fall tomorrow - - - gotta love the forcast, it depends on who you listen to on the amounts. We will see. As far as the league - apparently the new timing gear was 2nd day shipped and arrived today.... nothing like just in time. It had some kinks, but overall everything went smoothly.

 

February 21, 2007 - Bummer

Approximately 15 people showed up for the Wednesday night adult race league (even one from Marquette) only to find out the timing gear still has not been fixed and that the Hematite chairlift is broken down... again. So a few drinks were had and there was some interesting conversation - but all in all at least everyone got together. Hopefully it is fixed for next weeks league - or for the weekend.

 

On a good note - the hill was not affected by the unusually hot weather the past few days. Very little run off - so that is good. Weather is supposed to get cold again starting tomorrow.

 

February 3, 2007 - Adult Race League in the Local Paper

Click here to see what the Iron Mtn Daily News wrote

 

February 1, 2007 - Polar Bear Skiing This Weekend

Below zero for a high this upcoming weekend.... 3 weeks ago everyone was complaining about 'Global Warming' and nobody was skiing - now everyone is complaining about the fact it is too cold....... Every winter seems to somehow average itself out... You must love the warm and push through the cold. Handwarmers/ neck ups and warm drinks always do the trick - so come on out and ski.

 

January 17, 2007 - Skiing is Great!

Not much else to say about that - the hill is in great shape. Snowmaking is almost complete (finally) and the skiing is excellent. The Wednesday night race league started and it was a nice opening night. It only gets better from here on out.

 

December 18, 2006 - New License Plates

Check out the new front license plates for the Ski Club and Ski Team - only $10.00 and the money raised will help the Pine Mountain Ski Team. They will be in the Pine Mountain Sport Shop starting just after Christmas.

 

December 17, 2006 - Snowguns Start Up Again & Nastar Certifications

After a few horrible days of high humidity, rain and warm weather, I finally hear the snowguns cranking out the snow again tonight. Sounds like they are attacking the top of the hill to get the triple chair open now. The parts of the hill that are open actually are in in nice shape. Hematite, Expert, and Panorama (East Glade) are all open with 1 - 4 feet of snow. Suprisingly there is quite a bit of snow on all the open runs. The word is they are going after the triple first - to insure it will be open for the weekend, then go after the new snowboard park on Oak and then Birch. All that has a chance to be open for Christmas if the weather hold out.

 

Also - - - - Kevin Cory, Gary Mannigel and Bud Delano all took part in the Nastar pacesetting races last weekend. They will be the certified pacesetters here at Pine this year. Rumor is that they all slowed down on their race runs so they would not embarrase AJ Kitt (the National pacesetter)... Just kidding if you havn't already assumed that.............

 

December 13, 2006 - Ski Club Meetings Moved to Tuesday's

Due to the Adult Race League on Wednesday's, we moved the Ski Club Meetings to the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

 

December 11, 2006 - Depressing Weather Again

Lots can happen in a short time with the weather, just when it looked promissing, the bottom drops out. Lows not even going below freezing the next few days. The hill needs lots of work and is still not open, although there seems to be plenty of snow on the hill to open a few runs. Rumor is that there are equipment issues holding them back a bit - but lets all hope for a hill opening this upcoming weekend and also hope for cold weather to help the hill crews out.

 

Maybe we need another Ski Club party to get back in the 'soon to be' spirit of the ski season. Perhaps a party featuring a cold weather rain dance of sorts to bring us some luck. Whoever is the best dancer in the club can lead the way... Bruce?, Phil?, or possibly one of the new memebers for an initiation...

 

December 3, 2006 - It is Cold Out -

Snowmaking has been going 24 hours/day since Thursday - the photo on the Home Page shows some of the progress. It was noted in the paper that they will be open on December 15th. Based on the weather forcast they should have quite a bit of the hill open by then -

 

The Sitzmark party Friday night was a big success - those of you that did not show up are now the elected officers in the club -

 

If you are interested in the ski trip out West you need to contact Jim Bittinger asap - a down payment is needed by December 8th to secure the pricing, lodging and all that. Sounds like a nice sized group is interested in going. Unfortunately, You cannot go if you do not commit by December 8th - so hurry up an call - the 8th is this Friday. Click here for the information.

 

November 29, 2006 Finally - Let the Snowmaking Begin

What a tough November for snowmaking - 50 degrees and rainy does not help snowmaking. However, today the weather turned bad - which is good and temps in the teens allowed for the machine to start up. Hopefully things go well and the hill opens next weekend. The long range forcast is below 30 degrees every day and in the teens at night. Snowmaking photos will be added to this site starting tomorrow so standby.

 

Don't forget about the BIG PARTY tomorrow night (Friday) at the Sitzmark.

 

November 19th, 2006 - Weekday Lesson Help Needed

Pine Mountain is looking for help on weekday ski lessons. They are anticipating more skiers on weekdays based on the special passes they are offering and weekday specials. Contact Tom Bugni if you are interested. It is always nice to earn a few bucks for beer money. The lessons he needs help on are the basic beginner lessons - so it is actually pretty fun to do that.

 

November 18th, 2006 - Where is the cold weather?

The weather is not going good - see our note below on October 4th - El Nino??? Maybe they are correct. There was a good opportunity early in the month with cold weather for snowmaking, but not now. If we could only predict the future and know the weather was going to turn sour. Long term weather does not look any better - might need to enlist the help of Snowmax (a water additive to allow for snowmaking at higher temps). Lets hope for an early December opening of the hill - think COLD.

 

November 5th, 2006 - Ski Club Ski Swap a Huge Success

This years ski swap was one of the largest we have had in many years. THe proceeds will be shared with the Pine Mountain Ski Team. They need as much money as we can rustle up for them - they need new timing gear, gates and other misc items to keep the team up to date.

 

October 12th, 2006 - Snow is falling

Signs of the season approaching is the beauty of snow flakes falling from the sky. We did not get the 24" that they got in the Northern UP, but at least it tried to snow.

 

Check out the new Pine Mountain Ski Team page on this website - it is under construction and you will notice it is a rough draft of how it will look. We will be updating and changing this page often until the final look is agreed to - it is easier to critique it live on the web than to send e-mail back and forth to everyone.

 

Dave Martin Update - I saw him wide open in the end zone on the final play of the Packers/Rams game. Unfortunately Favre did not have the ball in his hand and - - - it was the wrong Dave Martin.

 

October 4th, 2006 - Website under construction

Still golfing, but trying to update the site in the spare time. The main news it that the hill is still here - so it appears as if it is going to be another great season. Sounds like they will be open for night skiing Wednesday - Saturday this year. El Nino is expected to produce a mild winter, but who believes that - the same weather people can't predict what is going to happen tomorrow, let alone all winter.

 

So keep checking the site as I will update it as new information arrives.

 

I think we will need to start a new section on this website - the Dave Martin 'where the heck are you' section. Dave, if you read this, make sure you send a note occasionally about your skiing adventures where ever you are and they will be posted on this page.