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Thirty-nine members of the Top of the Hill Gang visited the Big Sky resort in Montana. After a ski season when most New England venues seemed to be under cloudy skies, the mostly blue sky of Montana was a welcome change.
TOHG members enjoyed a welcome dinner Sunday night consisting of traditional pizza and salad, with cookies for dessert.
Many of the group had 5 days of skiing on their IKON passes, and several intrepid groups of friends visited Yellowstone National Park, an all-day trip that was described as a tiring, but very enjoyable encounter with nature in the Yellowstone area.
Other members took part in a nighttime walk in the woods to view a light show called the Big Sky Enchanted Forest.
The mountains near our village were a magnificent sight throughout all of the days we spent at Big Sky. Several of our members took the tram to the very top of Lone Mountain. The summit, Lone Peak, reaches an elevation of 11,166 feet, and offers stunning views and challenging big-mountain terrain.
Additionally, we all benefited from 10 inches of snow Thursday night which led to a glorious skiing experience on Friday.
Several members sustained minor injuries and needed assistance on the way back to Boston. Our Gang responded with assistance and good cheer for these members, demonstrating that we help each other both on the trails and in life.
Also, wayward luggage and a lost cell phone were resolved successfully for the members involved.
The trip ended with an appetizer event on Friday night at the Carabiner Lounge at the Summit Hotel. Skiers agreed that Big Sky is such a large ski resort that we didn’t come close to skiing all of the mountain and look forward to the next Big Sky trip!
Bruce W
With temperatures forecasted to be in the 60s it was too good an opportunity to pass up a bike ride.
Seven TOHG members gathered at trail head in Methuen to ride the 4 mile round trip Methuen Rail Trail. The weather brought out a number of walkers we passed on the trail as we passed Nevins MSPCA farm, poets wall, and several other landmarks.
Finishing this trail we decided to pick up the trail in Salem NH and ride to Windham NH. We set off again, passing a good number of people walking along the trail. Unfortunately we were thwarted just a very short distance into our ride by a long stretch of snow on the trail making for impossible biking. Admitting defeat we paused for a group photo before turning around and settling for coffee and conversation at a local coffee shop. Hopefully our next ride will bring smooth sailing and warm temps.
Alan U
Twenty members of the GANG traveled to the Lost Nation of Craftsbury on February 23rd. We began our 5 day adventure with a Meet and Greet in the Cedar Lodge Lounge to get acquainted and to answer any questions members might have about the week's itinerary.
Maureen D
Sunday River Igloo
The last week in February, 38 members of the Gang sojourned North to Maine for our annual outing to the Sunday River Ski Resort. Skiers and non-skiers alike enjoyed a variety of activities and accommodating weather which allowed for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and of course downhill skiing. Regardless of which part of the many mountains folks skied on, most everyone rendezvoused daily at the North Peak Lodge for a group luncheon. Between having ski-in, ski-out accommodations and literally no lift lines folks had plenty of time to enjoy the slopes.
We welcomed several new gang members who were on their first TOHG adventure. Each day after our adventures we gathered for camaraderie and good cheer around a beautiful fireplace.
Among the highlights were two wonderful banquets on-site coordinated by our Assistant Trip Leader, Marge Cohen. It was a great week with many old friendships rekindled and new ones forged.
Tom J Sunday River Trip Leader
The Gang stayed at a different venue this year—the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. Rooms included a mini kitchen so skiers could conveniently make some meals, especially breakfast. Conditions the first three days were fantastic with some snow each night and flakes during the day, making for fresh powder atop well-groomed slopes. Most of us met for breaks at the base lodge.
At least a third of the group also enjoyed x-country skiing at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center or snowshoeing at the Nordic Center.
Rumor has it that three snowshoers got lost in the woods for three hours. But they found their way back! Get togethers were either in the hotel conference room or in Bob Glendon’s large room (thanks Bob!). Dinners were varied, with many frequenting the Bag and Kettle across the street and a few visiting the hotel’s 45 North Restaurant or Tufulio’s for Italian meals as last year.
Another activity enjoyed by the group was the outdoor hot tub. Hair turned into ice until we learned to wear hats, but we were glad to soak away any aches and soreness from the day.
The splendid week ended with a blizzard that started Wednesday night and continued all day Thursday. Because of accompanying high winds, the resort had only one lift open, so we gathered for a game of Balderdash, resulting in lots of smiles and laughter.
On Friday we enjoyed a ‘bluebird’ day for the drive home.
Ellen Willard
It didn’t seem possible that the perfect weather we enjoyed last year could be repeated, but guess what? It was! Temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s, great snow conditions, and brilliant sunshine all three days.
Some members x-country skied at the wonderful venues in the area, while others enjoyed snowshoeing and pleasant walks. And of course, quite a few sipped “refreshing beverages” (to quote a clever member) in one of the two beautiful lounges at the Mount Washington Hotel. The views, as always, were spectacular.
After happy hours both nights, we feasted on a potluck dinner one night and had a pizza and salad night the next. Being outdoors, skiing, snow-shoeing, walking, eating, and sipping—a sure-fire recipe for a great trip!!
Many thanks to our wonderful hosts at the Lawrencian Ski Club— Maureen, Irene , and Paul and Linda for their warm welcome and lots of help!
Couldn’t have done it without you!
Judy Temple
Fifty-one TOHG members spent a wonderful all-inclusive vacation at Silver Fox Inn at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. Joining us were downhill skiers, cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, and hikers.
The week started off with a welcome Pizza Party, followed by breakfast and dinner provided by the Inn each day.
Many members took advantage of the Athletic Center and nearly everyone enjoyed the nightly après-ski gatherings.
Most days were on the cold side, which is to be expected in New Hampshire in winter, but overall, the weather cooperated.
On the final day of skiing, 5-plus inches of new snow made for challenging visibility, but the conditions were fabulous with the ability to create “new” tracks on virgin snow during each run.
Since we sold out the Inn, the staff treated us like royalty (as they do every year), making the Silver Fox seem more like the Ritz Carlton!
Most nights following dinner, folks gathered either in front of the fire in the living room on the second floor, or on the third floor for games, which were always interesting, fun, and with lots of laughs.
Members and trip leaders are already looking forward to next year!
Bob Glendon
The Weekly Wachusett Ski Group Group is off and running. As in prior years, we meet weekly in the Granite Room of the Wachusett ski lodge. Our fearless leader, Mo, selects the best day of the week based upon the weather forecast and sends an announcement out, usually on Sunday evening. Please keep an eye out for the announcements and join for a morning of casual skiing. It’s a great opportunity to get out and ski fairly local to Boston for a few hours.
Nora M
On Tuesday, February 4, eight members of the gang took a snowy walk down the Lincoln Woods trail in Lincoln, NH. The trail runs along an old railroad track beside the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River off the Kancamagus Highway. We had about 4” of fresh snow covering the very flat, straight trail.
About two miles out we reached a convergence of trails; two hikers continued on to the Franklin Falls trail end and the rest turned back. Approximately a quarter mile from our starting point, we encountered a cross country skier who had slipped off the trail and was part way down the rocky slope towards the river and couldn’t get back up onto the trail.
The gang members “banded together“ and managed to pull the man back up onto the trail. He was unhurt, and after many expressions of thanks, continued on his way. The Gang rescuers ended back at the starting point with a story to tell!
Meredith Perry
Dibba and Walter and his wife Carole joined Kimm and Kenn for an almost-too-cold adventure of cross-country skiing at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, VT.
Prospect Mountain Nordic Ski Center, a non-profit community ski area supported by the Vermont Land Trust, has over 30 km of groomed trails. Despite the cold, we enjoyed a trek out to and across a beaver pond on well-groomed trails with plenty of fresh snow as promised. After warming up in the lodge with hot chili, some folks decided to call it a day.
Kimm and Kenn bundled up again and set out on snowshoes for a climb through the woods to the summit of Prospect Mountain (elev. gain about 600 ft.).
The panorama from the top did not disappoint, offering a clear view of nearby Stratton Mountain. We thought we’d be alone up there, but we were wrong! The expert-level cross-country ski trails also led to the summit. Many folks enjoyed the views, then skied back down. Prospect Mountain has a lot to offer!
On day two, Walter and Carole opted to visit Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) and The Clark Art Institute. Dibba, Kenn, and Kimm braved the cold once again to ski at Prospect. This time, we headed out in the opposite direction and even tackled a few intermediate trails.
A highlight of our trip was visiting local restaurants in downtown Bennington, VT. Though we were few, we had a great time
Kimm and Kenn
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