After Christmas the Merriconeag Ski Team traveled to Carrabasett Valley for a four day pre-season camp. After a struggle to find snow last year at Christmas camp, we were rewarded with fantastic conditions this time. Thanks to the generosity of the Cashell family, we were encamped at their wonderful retreat along the Carrabasett River in New Portland, a 35 minute drive to the Outdoor Center at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. Our camp was delayed one day thanks to a post Christmas snow storm that covered the state, leaving close to two feet of snow on the trails. I have skied often at the outdoor center, however this was the first time since the lodge was rebuilt and the parking lot moved. One thing I was aware of was the trail network itself, situated on the side of the alpine slopes. The network consisted of a maze of trails around the lodge and longer routes up the slope and back down.
Our first two days were spent exploring these trails, long climbs followed by a fast decent made for tired skiers all around. After two days we moved to the more moderate Redington Trail with rolling terrain and found great skiing. We skied twice each day and experienced cold winter conditions, just the way to kick off the ski season.
There was more to the camp than just skiing on perfect groomed trails - the group was looking for a special winter experience and it did find us! Returning to our warm and cozy cabin on a dark, cold, windy evening the team van and escorts failed to transit our local short cut on the well named Airport Rd. This road was well plowed at the entrance, however half way through the wind driven snow had drifted deep and firm, making the passage impossible. I was in my truck with 4 wheel drive and new studded tires and just made it through ahead of our caravan. I attempted to drive around the long way and save the rest from the pearls of the snow covered road but alas, without luck. Despite the manpower of the ski team we were unable to push out the snow stuck autos. After a return to the camp for shovels, with lots of snow removal and manpower we finally unstuck ourselves and returned a tired lot to a warm home. Luckily Susan's car was able to get free first and Jennifer with a few of the girls got a head start on dinner that awaited us upon our arrival
I was surprised after dinner that the team was still willing to venture outside for a moonlight ski on the local snowmobile trails after a full day of skiing and pushing out stuck cars. Lucky for us, the trail was just at the end of the driveway and the snow was packed by the snow machines, making for fun skiing with headlamps. Being outside in such conditions is always for me one of the highlights of winter, especially when the conditions are perfect.
On behalf of the team, a special thanks to the parents for making the camp possible, and extra special thanks to Jason, Jennifer and Susan for all their efforts and help during the camp. We are now in the middle of the competition season and the team is performing at a very high level thanks to their dedication and preparations - I will give a summary of our races to date shortly.
John
I was surprised after dinner that the team was still willing to venture outside for a moonlight ski on the local snowmobile trails after a full day of skiing and pushing out stuck cars. Lucky for us, the trail was just at the end of the driveway and the snow was packed by the snow machines, making for fun skiing with headlamps. Being outside in such conditions is always for me one of the highlights of winter, especially when the conditions are perfect.
On behalf of the team, a special thanks to the parents for making the camp possible, and extra special thanks to Jason, Jennifer and Susan for all their efforts and help during the camp. We are now in the middle of the competition season and the team is performing at a very high level thanks to their dedication and preparations - I will give a summary of our races to date shortly.
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