Diamond Day at Plattekill

There’s an old adage in the ski business: lack of snow in backyards yields a lack of skiers on the slopes, even when conditions are good. But since almost no one has a backyard in the city, this season’s snowfall totals didn’t hurt attendance at The Diamond’s first annual Ugly Sweater Party and Caravan Trip to Plattekill Mountain.

Diamond Bar Brooklyn
The Diamond in Brooklyn NY

Despite disagreements about whether my own green fleece qualified for $2 “ugly” beers, the fete was an unqualified success. With Aspen Extreme on the projector and party-goers lining up for the shot-ski, we spent Saturday night getting “ready” for our ski trip in the morning.

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Gun Running at Plattekill

Late Saturday night, I sent Laszlo Vajtay, the CEO of Plattekill, a note: “Laz… I have a few hours tomorrow — should I come up? I need a steep trail lined with soft bumps.” His response: “Come to Plattekill.”

View from Plattekill Mountain Lodge.

As I made my way up the valley Sunday morning, I could see the snowmaking crew was going all out. Almost everything served by the triple was getting new snow, and coverage looked good. I was pumped.

I ran into Laszlo in the lodge, and he introduced me to the snowmaking chief, Macker, and some other Plattekill notables. Plattekill has a unique, relaxed feeling in the morning: it’s the only mountain I ski where I’m willing to socialize, while chairlifts are running. You have the feeling that the snow isn’t going anywhere.

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Hunter Mountain Holiday: A New Hope

All stories have a beginning, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly where the beginning is. Like when you’re reading Tolkien, do you start with the Hobbit or the Silmarillion? Episode I or IV?

Hunter Patrol

And more personally — was it when I met Amy that I decided to torture her or was it just the other day when I suggested that she come with me on her first day trip to the Catskills? It wasn’t easy, but somehow we managed to get out the door before dawn and reap the rewards: Christmas skiing at Hunter good enough to bring her back again.

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