Interview with Jessica Pezak of Hunter Mountain

Hunter Mountain logoThere have been significant changes to Hunter Mountain over the past few years including the installation of two new high speed lifts and the addition of North America’s longest and highest zipline.

We spoke with Jessica Pezak, Hunter’s Marketing Communications Manager, to check in on things at Hunter.

NYSkiBlog: First, did Hunter suffer any damage from Irene?

Jessica: Incredibly, no. We suffered zero damage. There is some normal erosion here and there, but that’s to be expected with that much rain. We had sandbags out and were prepared for water rushing down the mountain, and that really made a difference. While our towns were devastated, the Hunter lodge escaped unscathed.

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Jean-Claude Killy Skis the Trees

You can learn a lot about skiing by following SkiMadWorld. And on Friday nights, you can learn while watching great video.

Recently MadPat posted a piece on Jean-Claude Killy and his legendary accomplishments, in the late sixties and the 1968 Olympics. When I finished reading, I got drawn further into YouTube, and I found this silent video of Jean Claude in the trees — it’s really beautiful skiing.

“Killy came to a ski camp I was at in 1970 — Lange International Racing Camp at Mammoth Mountain. He could ski so well. He ran a course and we all went over to look at his perfect carved turns in the salted snow. I have never seen anyone with such body control and quickness in my life. It was otherworldly.”

-YouTube Comment

Echo Cliffs at Piseco Lake, NY

Echo Cliffs on Panther Mountain are at the end of short, steep, well-worn trail off the West Shore Road on Piseco Lake. The climb offers challenging blowdown, interesting boulders formations, a steep scramble for the summit, and a great view as a reward.

View from Echo Cliffs

We found this hike in Kids on the Trail! published by the Adirondack Mountain Club. It’s another great kid-friendly hike, but again today the book’s vague instructions for reaching the trailhead were frustrating.

With the Eastern Adirondacks off limits due to the effects of tropical storm Irene, we again looked to the west in our new guidebook. After hiking Castle Rock, Neve wanted to climb again for more views. We made the hour long drive over to Piseco Lake.

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