1 Down, 2 to Go!
Tags: glades, Magic Mountain, ski, skiing, snowboarding, southern Vermont, tree skiing, vacations, Vermont
Posted: September 24, 2012 |
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Ready for a lift up the hill on the Red Chair
The first day of fall was also the first day of volunteer projects at Magic. And what a beautiful day it was to gather as a ski community and help prep the mountain for the coming winter season.
At least 40 people came to trim current glades, create new ones, and spurce up the lodge and deck. Thanks to all that came–you truly represent the spirit and dedication needed to keep an independent ski area vibrant in an era of large corporate resort entities.
The first glades crew went up at 9 am to tackle the mountain’s largest glade which is now “officially” on the map: The Wardrobe. It is steep and vast as it lies between both Sorcerer and Talisman. The crew cleaned it up and cleared it out to make the fall line to skier’s-right more accessible. But while the objective was The Wardrobe, the crew hit another great spot, not to be mentioned here, which is not on the official map, making a great new line for the upcoming season.
The first team cutting a new line
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At 10 am the next crew headed up to the East Side of the hill to hit glades both on and off the map…”on” being Disappearing Act which now has a new skier’s-right route and “off” being a baby called “Up Your Shirt”. Also on the East Side there was an additional crew of pros weed wacking both Goniff Glade and Twilight Zone–two trails that only “goats” with power tools can handle.
Meanwhile back down below, volunteers were busy painting and repairing the lodge–with plans for a new sound system for the outdoor deck!
So with sun and temps in the 70s as the leaves start to turn, Magic was a hub of work this saturday, while customers also flowed in to challenge themselves in the new TimberQuest tree-crossing obstacle courses. But lest you think Magic is all work and no play–all our volunteers came together at day’s end to share a few cold ones, some food and talk about the new hidden stashes which await the new season. And with that, Day #1 was in the books, with two more Volunteer Days coming on October 6th and 20th.
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With Magic’s first of three Volunteer days coming up on September 22nd, it is appropriate to recognize how important our volunteers are to this ski area. It is also important for the non-volunteers (yet!) to understand that this volunteer activity is truly a mutually beneficial relationship–and worth giving a try.
For Magic, our volunteers get critical work done to prepare the mountain for the new ski season. Our steep trails need hands-on trimming because in certain areas, machine-driven mowers just can’t tread. And, this cutting is necessary so that when we get snow, it doesn’t take as much to get a trail open. The glades also need attention to clear brush growth and remove fallen trees/limbs. And, for those that prefer to stay lower down on the mountain, a fresh coat of paint around the buildings is a big help to freshen Magic’s face.
You see, Magic is a place that needs a community to pitch in so we can control costs and keep things affordable for more skiers and riders. But it’s also about letting our skiers create some new skiable terrain which leads to a natural, incremental expansion of the adventure to be had here (for those who know where to find it).
So Magic looks forward to our army of volunteers to put their imprint on Magic. And, just as importantly, Magic puts its imprint on each volunteer after they’ve given their hard work and sweat.
Volunteers see the mountain in a different, more personal level out there on the hill (without its winter coat on). The tremendous natural terrain here is appreciated even more up-close (it’s why Hans Thorner selected Glebe Mtn to be the home of Magic, as its contours reminded him of the Swiss Alps). Plus, the camaraderie of working with other like-minded enthusiasts builds bonds and creates new friendships. And, clearing a trail or creating a new glade makes skiing or riding that trail a much more personally satisfying feat come winter time. In essence, you become one with the mountain–and that stays with you forever.
For those that have yet to experience it, a Magic Volunteer Day will leave you deeply tired, but also deeply fulfilled. Our volunteers have a part themselves on that hill, and both they and Magic are the better for it.
Bonding with Magic
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