The Whales on Chatiemac

I go into the office to work every day, I actually prefer it. I have a desk and a chair and a light and everything else I need, just a few miles from home. Much of our staff comes in three days a week, while a few of us come in everyday.

On Fridays before a holiday, we often let those who are in the office leave early, a perk for coming in every day. It was pretty quiet on the Friday before Christmas, and when I remembered all this it was almost 3pm. I wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and sent them on their way. Then I did something I haven’t done before: I decided to take the rest of the day off myself.

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Plattekill Opening Day 2023

If you’re following me this year, get ready to hear more about how hard it is to respond to the alarm, and head north to the Catskills. It’s always been hard, but now somehow, it feels even harder.  I’m retiring next year so there’s also light at the end of the tunnel thing going on.  Bear with me, for now.

Route 28
Route 28 along the Esopus

I’ve always hated the expression “at the end of the day.” If something is true at the end of the day, isn’t it true all day long? In this case it actually makes sense to use it. At the end of the day, the reward for that early morning drive — a ski day — makes it worthwhile.  It’s the beginning of the day that gives me pause.

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Oak Mountain’s 75th Opening Day

My first time riding Oak Mountain was five years ago. I had just started writing for NYSkiBlog and was starting to go off the beaten path. In the years before that time, I drove past the hill on my way to Gore. Now it’s my mission to get to Oak at least a twice each season.

Lake Pleasant

The family-owned resort offers some surprisingly good terrain, a real vibe and no lift lines. Weather delayed their opening to this past Friday. Seeing an opportunity to rack another opening day in 2023, I drove to Speculator early Friday morning.

At the ticket booth I was greeted by Laura O’Brien, half of the husband-and-wife team that runs Oak.

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