A Walk in the Woods at Plattekill

Thirteen years ago, a noted New York skier, a friend of mine, came up with the idea of recruiting lopper-wielding powderhounds to trim tree lines at Plattekill. He asked me to promote it and recruit volunteers on NYSkiBlog, and I agreed.

Route 28

We had a crew of ten volunteers that first year, and the numbers have grown. Now it seems we can count on 40 to 50 volunteers each year. I believe it’s really the right amount allowing us to split up into groups and spread out.

In my years of writing about Plattekill and promoting the work day, this is my first time contributing with loppers. My landscaping skills are limited compared to some others, but on the upside my enthusiasm runs high.

Continue reading

Plattekill Mountain Race 2023

Three days afterwards, despite plenty of foam rolling and stretching, my quads were still sore.

With no Whiteface Sky Race this year, my focus turned to the Plattekill Mountain Race. Yes, that Plattekill, beloved mountain for so many readers of this blog. Saturday night after closing the wine store, I hopped into the Fortunate Son, my new used shooting brake, and lit out for Platty.

Plattekill Mountain

I’ve never been to that part of the Catskills. Driving west of Phoenicia on Route 28, I entered terra incognita. In the pitch dark, I began questioning the wisdom of my plan: leave work at 8:45, drive straight to the mountain, and flop in the parking lot. Maybe I should have done dawn patrol.

Continue reading

Plattekill Closing Day 2023

I’ve got 26 days so far this season. I skied Gore 10 days, Plattekill 7, Belleayre 3 plus Titus, McCauley and Hunter once each. There were three days of nordic skiing in the Adirondack woods. I’m not saying this because I’m done or anything, just setting up the story.

Plattekill Closing Day 2023

At the end of the season I always seem to feel I didn’t ski Plattekill enough. I usually get five days, this year I got seven, but I still feel it.

Robert once claimed there were No Bad Days at Snow Ridge. I feel that way about Plattekill, like it’s actually foolproof when I go, I’ll have a good time.

Continue reading