Author: quinnjalan

6 for 6. Last night was my official final night for stacking out tables at Wachusett Mountain. GMan will be moving on to high school in the fall but a few teachers and other parents said he can’t leave so I can continue getting tables. 6 for 6 equals 6 years and 6 sessions per year. Hard to believe I did it 36 time. It was an odd feeling leaving the mountain without the table signs!

However, we promised to go back and visit in the coming winter seasons.

Conditions were great thanks to all the snow Mother Nature dropped on Thursday. As usual I took a few runs then JMan and I hit the bunny hill. No magic carpet today, it was right to the chair lift. JMans progression is impressive. He’s connecting turns and while still dropping a hand on occasion when making toe turns, overall he’s doing great.

JMan all by himself on Hitchcock. Go here for a quick video. 

JMan at the top of Ralph Run.

After his lesson we had a quick bite to eat and then he asked if we could do Ralphs Run. Absolutely I said and we headed for the chair. As this chair goes higher on the mountain he peppered me with all manner of questions. How high is it? Is the unloading ramp the same? Is the trail steeper? After I assured him he can handle it off we went. He had no issues on the first run and we immediately did another. 

Wachusett is a great family mountain that affords skiers and boarders an assortment of terrain where they can build skills and confidence. Like his big brother I couldn’t be more proud of him for making it off the bunny slope.  

Selfie on Ralph’s Run

JMan taking a rest.

All in all it was a great ski/boarding program with GMans school and a great run over the past 6 years. Like any mountain you meet some great people, both connected with the school and in the many chair life rides, I hope to continue doing so for many years. 

Conditions were great. Wachusett does a great job of making snow. In the past few weeks the base is really building up. As usual JMan got to the mountain nice and early. After stacking out our tables JMan settled into his iPod and I got in a few runs.

After that JMan and I hit the bunny hill them he was off to his group lesson. At this point he connecting his turns and looking like a regular knuckle dragger.

No boarding for me this week. I staked out our tables, got JMan suited up then settled in for an exciting afternoon of case work.

However, to celebrate not boarding I checked out the following when I got home….it’s got a great name….and a fairy good taste.

We have snow! Conditions are so much better than last week. However, it was a low bar to get over.

JMan sporting his new boarding jacket, pants and gloves (with built in wrist guards).

Selfie on the magic carpet. JMan is already starting to connect his turns. In a few weeks we’ll be on Ralph’s Run.

Good night was had by all.

Should you be worried if you see running, we are talking a stream of water in the middle of the run you are about to come down? 

This is where we welcome all non New England boarders and skiers to real New England conditions…..

This picture sums it up.

Poor is one word…and I have a few others, but I’ll keep them to myself. After all this is a family blog. 

Here’s another picture and I might add more appropriate attire for today’s/tonigh’s conditions.

JMans has the right idea and my boarding boot are coming off. Big bro GMan is off harassing the natives or some other teen age activities. I’m certain he’ll show up when he wants a ride home.

Now all we need is a good snow dance. Remember this one!

Last night was our first ski/boarding session for GMans school. This year as always I’m heading to Wachusett Mountain early to save some tables. However, as this is GMans last year I’m also bringing JMan.

It was magic carpet time for several runs but JMan moved up to the chairlift as the evening and his conference progressed. 

GMan on the other hand was off ripping black diamonds with his classmates. I think I saw him twice the whole evening. It’s a teenager thing…..being there, done that, have lots of tee shirts to prove it.

The iPod glow! Here’s JMan waiting for his group lesson. 

After his lesson we had dinner….well 1st dinner. About a hour and a half later JMan announced he wanted a second dinner! Then it was back out for a few more runs. I did make the top a few times thanks to the other school parents hanging out in the lodge.

JMan an I taking a little rest on Hitchcock. 

One thing I noticed……it’s really hard to snowboard slow! Like hiking, where all should walk as fast as the slowest hiker, I both wanted to hang with JMan so I could give him pointers ,encourage him and stay upright while moving at a glacial place, not to mention avoiding the novice skiers/boarders…….it’s more of a workout than going flat out!

However, like I did with his big brother, there’s are cherished moments and won’t be forgotten.

Have fun, board or ski safe and if your my age keep all flat surfaces attached to feet on the ground at all time. 

Thou shalt not let air between thine board and that white surface upon which you glide…..