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MCSC 2017 European Ski Tip to Solden, Austria & Prague
Enclosed is the Ski Tales Article for our Great Trip to ski in Solden, Austria, for 7 days and then invade Prague for 3 days. Our Trip Leader, Marion Atwater, did a great job keeping us busy, informed and keeping tabs on use through Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Send your pictures to me for a group DVD.
Ed Tideman, Ski Director
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Morris County Ski Club – 2017 European Ski Tip to Solden, Austria and 3 Nights in Prague
Solden trip members flew out of Newark airport on Friday, January 20 after the usual beverages at our favorite airport gate restaurants. Many were sporting their green Tyrolean hats. After our overnight flight to Zurich, we cleared customs and met Jim Buonincontri and Fernanda Toker who had traveled in separately. Our bus had an outboard ski rack that made luggage transportation a breeze. Travel to Solden allowed us to catch up on some sleep and we arrived in time for our group’s private reception and orientation meeting. Drinks were provided by Alphorn Tours and a representative from the Solden Tourist Office was on hand to answer all questions.
During our first morning in Austria, we discovered the omelette station in the dining room. OMG! Wonderful! Those hitting the slopes enjoyed the Gigi and the Gurgles – that’s MCSC talk for lifts and areas we can’t pronounce. Daily happy hours were rowdy scenes at some bars that included Marco’s, The Mogul and The Grizzly. We sang German songs and belted out the occasional “Sweet Caroline” as only Americans can do. Dinners at the Hotel Tyrol were fabulous! (Average per person weight gain = 3+ pounds). And no one will forget the care and attention provided by Martina, who managed the dining room.
Skiing was great with perfect sunny weather six days in a row, though some wished for a little fresh snow. Most of us made our way to the Ice Q Restaurant with its panoramic views of the Alps. This place was featured in the recent 007 movie, Spectre. The 007 theme continued when many ordered martinis with lunch – shaken not stirred.
We had one significant ski tumble during the trip when Lydia fell racing to the happy hour at Marco’s. Undaunted, she got around town with her knee brace and crutches the latter part of the week enjoying the cafes with others taking a break from the slopes.
On Wednesday, the 25th about half the group traveled to Innsbruck. Our cozy mini-bus was driven by a delightful driver who tried to point out all the sites in his best English. Our walking tour of Innsbruck was hosted by the theatrical Luka, who provided headsets so that each of us could hear the history of Innsbruck along with a huge repertoire of jokes. (” I am Luke, Luke Sky Walker, and welcome to my tour”). Besides the historical sites, we discovered a marvelous cafe and the special way they serve hot milk, a shot of rum and a fabulous chocolate bonbon for “make your own cocoa”. On the way back to Solden we stopped at an out-of-the-way shop that must have been owned by the bus driver’s brother, but it was fun.
Trip members also enjoyed a wild toboggan ride, curling and the Wednesday night expert ski show with fireworks.
On Saturday, January 28 we traveled by bus to Prague. This was a chance for club members to learn how to “count off” vs. doing a by person rollcall. Our wonderful guide, Alexandra, joined us on the bus ride and managed the trip from Austria, through Germany and across the border into the Czech Republic. Movies were enjoyed by all – The Imagination Game and McFarlane. And during the afternoon Alexandra led a walking tour of Ragensburg, a medieval town on the Danube.
We arrived in Prague on Saturday night to discover that we were booked in another great hotel – the Grand Majestic. We also had another surprise, two old friends from the MCSC trip to Engelberg, Switzerland: Melanie and her father Hans. They drove in from Frankfurt, Germany to spend time with club members. Thanks to Don Smith who kept in touch with Melanie and made the arrangements. The following night, Wayne hosted his annual group dinner at the Peklo restaurant in Prague. Located in the lower level of an old monastery, we were treated to great food and live music. Most spent our final day in Prague doing site seeing, shopping for garnets or Bohemian crystal and taking in a concert. It was a wonderful trip! And all are looking forward to next year’s European adventure.
Marion Atwater,
Trip Leader
Ice Skating-March 4, 2016
Blades of Glory
Friday night, the 4th of March was a wonderful evening for dinner and a skate. We had eight of us sit down for dinner and drinks at Tiff’s in Morris Plains. The food and libations were as good and as flavorful as the conversations we shared. After we had sated our appetites and quenched our thirst, we headed around the corner to the Mennen Ice Arena. We lost two people who didn’t skate, but we did gain one more at the arena. We laced up and hit the ice. After a wobbly, shaky start, we all settled in to the invigorating yet serene gliding around the rink. There was only a small crowd so we had plenty enough room to stretch our legs. Skating is a great form of exercise that helps build a strong core and sense of balance that we rely heavily upon for skiing. Not to mention the alert reflexes needed to dodge teenagers on the ice rink translates directly to dodging teenagers on the mountain. We all had a great time and agreed that we should do this again in the near future. So keep your eyes and ears open for another evening of MCSC on ice. It’s really cool.
Jeff Baldwin
Ski Mount Snow – Self Drive or Carpool
Thursday March 10-Sunday March 13 — Book 2 or 3 nights lodging– Your Choice
- Ski 1,2 or 3 days – Your Choice — this is NJ Council Appreciation Weekend. Purchase your lift ticket each morning at these special rates – at the ticket window. You must show your MCSC/NJSSC membership card and may be asked for a photo id as well. You may only purchase 1 lift ticket at the special rates each day.
The lift ticket rates are:
Friday March 11 $48
Saturday March 12 $56
Sunday March 13 $51
These lift ticket prices are less than voucher prices!
- Drive Yourself or Carpool
- Pick your own roommate, Book your own room. Limited Rooms have been reserved at the Old Red Mill, Wilmington, VT. http://www.oldredmill.com/ (802-464-3700) When you call, mention you are part of Morris County Ski Club – to get reduced room rates. OR Pick your own accommodations. If staying at the Old Red Mill Inn – you don’t need to drive once you arrive. You can take the Moover – free transportation from Wilmington to Mount Snow –
with several stops along the way.
o Continental Breakfast included Saturday and Sunday ( or get breakfast in town or on the mountain)
o If you stay Thursday night there are places you can walk to in Wilmington to get breakfast Friday or you can breakfast at the mountain.
- Double Occupancy – Two nights lodging – including tax and service would be a total of $184.00, adding a third night — $193.75. So that is only $92 per person for 2 nights or $97 per person for 3 nights.
- Single Occupancy – Two nights lodging – including tax and service would be a total of 161.00, adding a third night — $169.25.
- Limited rooms with 2 twin beds are available. If you are booking as a single – please select a Queen room
- Suggested for Après Ski:
o Friday March 11 in the bar at the Old Red Mill Inn
o Saturday March 12 in the bar at Cuzzins at the base of Mount Snow – live entertainment
For more information contact Trip Leader Helen–helenmcl07@gmail.com
Bowling 🗓
MCSC Bowling Night…. is Back…
Yes, it’s that time again…back to Hanover Lanes, 119 Rt 10, East Hanover, NJ for some
balls and beers (and hopefully some strikes in there as well). We will be meeting in the bar at Hanover Lanes at 7pm… Upon arrival please check in with event leader, Tom B. … then relax with a beverage before donning those stylish bowling shoes and finding that perfect ball.
Date: Friday, January 8, 2016
Place: Hanover Lanes, 119 Rt 10 East, East Hanover, NJ Event
Leader: Tom B.
Time: 7:00pm – 11pm
Socialize and get set from 7-8pm
Bowling from 8-10,
followed by awarding of prizes – in the bar area.
Cost: $25 for 2 hours of unlimited bowling – shoes included! – members
$30 – non members
Contact: Tom @ email buhlinger@aol.com
Sign up as a single and we will place you on a team, or sign up as a team of 4. Either way we
guarantee a fun night to be had by all!
This event is open to members and guests…
bring a friend
Advance Registration & Payment Required — No Exceptions There are only a limited number of spaces available!
Paddle Boarding on Greenwood Lake NY
We had a beautiful day for our paddle boarding adventure. Twenty four members and guests met at Jersey Paddle Boards in Greenwood Lake, New York, just north of Warwick. The skies were blue all day and the weather was warm, but not too hot. We could not have ordered better weather!
The group – 24 paddle boarders!
We met at 10:30, got checked in and changed. Then we gathered on the beach to be fitted for our boards and paddles. This is where our host, Micki, had her biggest challenge of the day – fitting Doug O’Brien with a long enough paddle! But she got him and all of us set up with equipment and floatation devices and we headed to the beach.
While on the beach, Micki gave us a brief on-shore lesson and safety tips, then sent us to the water. We walked into the water with our boards until we were about waist deep, then we got on our boards, starting on our knees to get a feel for the board and the waves. Then one-by-one we all stood up and made our way across the lake.
We headed to a quiet cove to start our two-hour ride. Once people got comfortable on their boards, we headed to a nearby swimming cove in the lake. We had a chance to paddle or swim around that area for about 30 minutes. Then most of us headed back to the cove where we had spotted a refreshment stop earlier. We found a picnic table outside and gathered for a quick cold-one before heading back onto the water. We all made it back safe to the shore by 1:30 (she gave us an extra 30 minutes!)
After turning in the boards and cleaning up, we met next door at the Breezy Point Inn for some lunch. We were able to sit on their patio at tables overlooking the water. It was a picture perfect day! And thank you, Janet, for bringing a camera on the water so we could have some action shots! We all had so much fun we decided to make this an annual event. So watch for it next year!
The swimming hole
Refreshment stop
Breezy Point Inn
NJ Ski & Snowboard Council News
this is just a test
MSCS Spring Bike Trip to Cape Cod – May 15
What a fantastic weekend!
On May 15, the MCSC trekked up to Cape Cod. We had a full house with 30 people staying at the Blue Water resort in South Yarmouth MA. Most of us arrived at the hotel by dinnertime and walked to a local seafood place on Friday night.
Saturday morning we started off with their yummy breakfast at the hotel, I was digging the whole-wheat pancakes with fresh fruit. The staff at the resort was so friendly and accommodating, they were very happy to have our club there.
At 10 am we met at the southwest end of the rail trail and divided into 2 groups, the short ride had about 20 people and the long ride had about 10. After taking care of some bike triage, flat tires etc. we were off. Thanks Paul, Steve, Dan, Frank, and Rob, you guys are so very generous with helping all of us with the logistics and gear.
I led the short ride headed to Chatham, until we hit a fork in the road and accidentally spilt into two groups. Tony and John took on the role of leading that group and making sure every one got back to the parking lot. Chivalry is alive and well in MCSC. Our group stopped off at the Fish Pier, and the lighthouse, and some even had lunch in the town of Chatham. John shared some of these photos on Facebook. Our group rode between 25-29 miles.
Paul and Frank led the long group up to South Wells Fleet. I can’t even summarize what this group did, they did it all. The total mileage was about 55 miles. They stopped for many great pictures which Janet and Paul posted on Facebook. Unfortunately the long group didn’t make it back before the brief rain shower.
We returned to the hotel, enjoyed the hot tub and indoor pool a bit, and then got ready for our group dinner. The resort put out a fabulous spread for our Clam and Lobster bake; I think they had enough Lobster for about 40 people.
Next it was onto dancing. There was live music in the bar next to the restaurant. Irina our “Russian dancing queen” got everyone up and dancing, including a group of new friends. We closed the place 4 hours later. I am not sure what was more of a workout, the bike ride or dancing.
On Sunday the weather was perfect, we all split off and did our own thing. Tony and a small group went to Nantucket for sightseeing. A few went to Chatham for the afternoon. Some stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the pool and the beach. And a few of us headed home early.
I only wish we had an extra day there. I would certainly go back again.
Thank you all for your help, especially Mary, Paul and Frank.
Bev
President’s final message for 2015
Dear MCSC,
So this is it, my final President’s message. I would to thank all members for giving me the opportunity to serve as your President for the past 3 years. I thank all event and trip leaders – way too many to mention – who assisted in providing countless opportunities for members to have a great time on Ski and Social events and experience some new things. Next, are the dedicated support members who provide endless hours- behind the scenes – helping the club run smoothly. In no particular order –Thank You:
Beth Hyslip – Webmaster Elle Bisignano – Ski Tales Editor Mary Chaplin- Meetup Coordinator Bev Thomas- Facebook Coordinator Nancy McLaughlin – NJSSC Council Rep
Lisa Margolis – AAF Coordinator Paul Van Duyne, Judee Treanor and Frank Cross – Election Committee Members
Finally I would like to thank my fellow Board members – Karen Smith, Lisa Margolis, Herb Imbornoni, Ed Tideman and Barbara Gallo. It has been an absolute pleasure working with all of you.
On June 1 our new Board will take office. Best of luck for a great year to:
- Karen Smith – President
- Scott Mitten – VP
- Bev Thomas – Treasurer
- Lisa Margolis – Secretary
- Ed Tideman- Ski Director
- Barbara Gallo – Membership Director
As your Past President, I will be available to assist you – as you need.
Thanks
Helen
2016 Ski Season in full swing
Ladies and Gents,
Spring is here. So get out on the golf course, take a hike in the mountains or just smell the blooming flowers. Summer will be here before we know it so looking forward to the beach at the jersey shore.
But it is also a busy time for the Ski Director. The 2016 ski season is in full swing for me. I passed on a proposal for Mammoth Mountain (club was never there) in California due to the drought. Sun Valley (club there in 2005) in Idahowas next, but staying up at the Lodge or Inn was very pricey at over $2,000. So I passed for that location. I am now working on
Banff (club there in 2005) in Canada as our next choice.
For Europe, I’m waiting on quotes for Morzine in the Portes du Soleil ski area spreading across France into Switzerland. I’m hoping to firm things up and crossing my fingers that the exchange rate works for us now.
At the recent Ski Show, I also asked a Travel Agent to work us up a quote for New Years in Quebec since New Years Day is a Friday and it would make a nice 4 night weekend. So stand by, announcements are forthcoming.
Hit’m straight and hit’m long.
Your Ski Director,
Ed Tideman