The Blue WorldThe Blue WorldThis is a blog about skiing, snowboarding, and mountain living. Articles
Start repairing your bad credit today
2008-03-31 13:20:00 In this day and age, bad credit is a reality all too familiar to many Americans. Sadly, this often means that people are unable to get loans or credit cards and live paycheck to paycheck without the chance to rebuild their credit. For anyone who has been I this situation, you know how important it is to get back on your financial feet and get your credit score back to a level that can get you good rates on things like housing, cars, and loans. Sometimes credit cards - bad credit go hand I hand, but there are some really good cards out there that can help you build credit without allowing you to sink yourself into further debt. More About: Credit , Today , Start
Closing time for many of the smaller ski operations
2008-03-31 13:08:00 I had a sad revelation as I was reading the sports section of the local paper yesterday. Ironically I had just gotten back form Sunday River where the mountains and surrounding lands are still buried in multiple feet of snow from this years? near record snowfall. And still with all the snow covering the mountains, I read the snow reports for the state?s smaller ski areas and many of them had yesterday listed as the last day of operation. While these areas will mostly all close at 100% of their terrain open, it is a time of year when running the lifts isn?t viable for them. They have no other cash cows like expensive eateries, lodging, or boutiques. Thankfully, the early reports out of the Ski Maine Association indicate that almost all the states? ski areas, if not all, had very good financial years. Combine that with the fact that a few of the larger resorts will be open for several more weeks to come and the sadness is lessoned, but it?s just one of those sign posts I hate seeing e... More About: Winter , Time , Skiing
Look out for the termites on the Krispy Kremes!
2008-03-31 04:41:00 Jules and I were in Tahoe this year and staying at a very nice resort with wonderfully laid-out townhouses. The first morning we were there, which was the middle of winter, I came down to the kitchen to find ants everywhere near a box of donuts. The manager said she?s seen it happen before in another unit and that at lake level the ants would strike in the strangest of places. Thankfully, they didn?t get into any of our stuff and were moved right away. I know that these things can happen and we didn?t get worked up over it, but I really hope that the place did some research on how to get rid of termites before they rented out that unit again! More About: Termites
Winter or Spring... Part 1. Winter!
2008-03-31 03:55:00 This past weekend was definitely one of the best since Jules and I returned from Lake Tahoe, but it had some surprises in store for all of us. After arriving at Sunday River fairly late Friday night, we awake early to some gently falling snow - just a little coating really, but enough to make everything look magical. I was a little surprised to see 18 degrees on the thermometer on the deck and then when the wind kicked in I though we had been transported back to mid-January. Nevertheless, we're from Maine and we're skiers and a little cold and windy weather doesn't hold us back... Until the wind puts lifts on hold, that is. This only happened to one lift on Saturday, but we had just ridden the Jordan Quad and had a super-sweet run down Rogue Angel with a nice firm center and wind-blown powder drifts on the sides of the trail. So we migrated over to Oz, and got first tracks on the upper part of Tin Woodsman and Lost Princess. It was amazing how the reported snowfall of 4 inches ov... More About: Winter , Spring , Part , Skiing
Want to discuss your favorite sports?
2008-03-28 21:01:00 One aspect of office like that companies across the country probably didn?t expect when the Internet came along would be the increasing popularity of sports forums. Whether for debate, news, fantasy leagues, or to post your weekly NFL football picks, sports forums are huge in the United States and around the world. Whether you?re into tennis, skiing, golf, baseball, you name it, there?s a forum ? or mostly likely many ? out there that will suit your desire to chat about your favorite athletic pastime. More About: Sports , Favorite
The Globe has called the ski season a wrap for another year
2008-03-28 14:18:00 For some of us, it doesn?t seem like winter is long enough. And while snow is currently falling outside my office window, one of the sure signs of winter has passed for another year. No, Boston isn?t considered a winter wonderland, so to speak, but over the course of the winter, skiers form all over New England pick up the Boston Globe on Thursdays to read the two pages dedicated to skiing and snowboarding. Having returned from a long day a work yesterday, I opened the sport?s section to the last few pages and the Tony Chamberlain articles were missing. There were no black and white photos of skiers or riders with smiles on their faces. I scuffled through the other pages, but to my dismay, it was all Red Sox, Celtics, and NCAA Tournament coverage. Yes, we will be skiing in northern New England for several more weeks, but my Thursday will be a little less anticipated till Tony and the gang returns next fall. More About: Winter , Season , The Boston Globe , Year
Oysters and skiing go hand-in-hand!
2008-03-27 03:22:00 I'm serious, skiers love oysters, especially New England skiers due to our proximity to the ocean. Of course oysters come from regions all over the world and that's just one great reason that you should know all the facts about oysters aside from the fact they taste great. Now my silly little video isn't going to teach much about the health benefits or possible health risks of eating Gulf oysters, so be sure to log on to beoysteraware.com for some great recipes and tips to keep healthy and safe! More About: Hand , Skiing , Oysters
Sunday Makes News of New Hybrid Lift Official
2008-03-26 19:28:00 While many people had been tlaking about the rumors of a new Chondola lift at Sunday River, the resort continued to stress for months that nothing was imminent. That was until today when the resort announced that plans are final for the $7 million combination gondola and six person chairlift, or "Chondola" as it's referred to. Sunday River will become the 4th resort in North America with one of these lifts, the closest other being at Mont Orford in southern Quebec. While additional plans were not annouced, this is widely thought to be the first step in a long-term expansion process that will include the Chondola as the center of the resorts activities including hiking and night skiing. More About: News , Hybrid , Official , Lift
blogtv is a new alternative to reading people's blogs
2008-03-26 14:52:00 While written blogs continue to get even more colorful and creative, blogtv has taken this Internet form of expression to a new level with live tv blogs and live shows that have content that is similar to written blogs in that it’s self-expression, but it’s vehicle if a live stream. Blogtv has a wonderful page design that is imaginative, colorful, and best of all, easy to use and offers a wide range topics ranging form new to music to arts & entertainment, which are organized through to help you find the type of live broadcast you’re looking for. More About: Reading , Alternative , Blogs
Sweetser finally cracks the top 10 at Nationals!
2008-03-26 13:43:00 After going five years without a breakthough performance at the national level, Sam Sweetser of Cumberland, Maine - and son of Ski Maine Association Executive Director, Greg Sweetser - finally cracked the top 10 on Monday in the men's downhill at Sugarloaf, Maine. Sweetser knew going into the event that it may be his last, especially without a top result, but was happy to be least attempted it on a mountain he grew up racing and knows well. The 5th place finish is Sweeter's best career result in the downhill, which was won by T.J. Lanning, the surprise winner who also captured the combined gold. More About: Finally , Nationals , Cracks
Nas featured on Rap Artists
2008-03-25 02:59:00 Rap Artists bills itself as the number one rap resource on the web and just by taking a look at their web page shows that they clearly mean what they say. You needn?t even be a huge rap fan to appreciate the amount of information, resources, music samples, and pictures. Rap Artists rates the best rap artists and even selects one to feature each week, complete with biography and discography. More About: Featured
For the Love of the Sport!
2008-03-24 20:36:00 Skiing, along with the resorts we frequent, present a lot of pride. You may come from a small mountain with a couple of rope tows, but damn it, if that?s your home hill, you better defend it! That?s the way it seems at least, and quite frankly, I am just as bad as anyone when it comes to sticking up for my home mountain, (Sunday River) the mountain I grew skiing and still love, (Sugarloaf) or indeed all the ski areas and resorts form my home state of Maine . I?d probably even raise an eyebrow is someone harped on Verbier or trash-talked Wengen. Why? Because it is human nature for us to be connected to these places that we love. To us, they are scared and represent a heck of a lot more than they do to others. Sadly, though, there are some that really take this a little too far. I mean far to the point of obsession. Yes, some friendly banter back and forth has always been good and will always be present in the industry. There are any number of online forums where you can go and talk ab... More About: Love , Sport , Vermont , Skiing
Great rates on tracker mortgages
2008-03-24 20:33:00 The despite the economic downturn that both the U.S. and U.K. are currently in, there is one group of people who will no doubt benefit from the economy and it happens to be the homebuyers. It?s a buyers market and if you are looking for the mortgage that?s right for you, Money Magic has a wonderful online pricing systems that provides fast quotes whether you?re applying for flexible mortgages or Tracker Mortgages . Tracker mortgages are great for the first time homebuyer as the rates are generally lower that standard mortgages and are directly related to the Bank of England rates. In my opinion, a great benefit to the tracker mortgage is that it is always fixed to the base Bank of England rate, despite typically being a very short-term loan. More About: Great , Rates
Miller Snubs Maine Faithful!
2008-03-21 00:27:00 One week removed from hoisting two crystal globes - one for the men's combined alpine skiing season title and the other for the men's overall, Bode Miller has apparently had enough skiing and press. As the annual U.S. National Alpine Championships begun at Sugarloaf, Maine , Miller was elsewhere. Having attended Carrabassett Valley Academy at the base of the mountain, Miller is a fan favorite and idol to many aspiring racers and recreational skiers alike in the part of the country, but apparently 7 months on the World Cup circuit was enough as Miller's agent confirmed that he was off to a sunny and warm place to relax after the season. I guess one more week was too much to ask from a guy who gained a lot from this mountain community. Quite frankly, it's sad, but thankful fans will get to see the women's downhill and overall champion, Lindsay Vonn in action, as she arrived for the week-long event. Ted Ligety, who won the giant slalom title in the last week of competition is home ... More About: Faithful , Skiing
To Learn of A Legend
2008-03-20 02:04:00 This season has been nothing short of amazing for those of us who ski and ride Sunday River. Much of this has to do with the abundant snowfall, which has been well above average, but also it has a lot to do with the new ownership and the new operators; Boyne USA. While the ownership changed hands a little late to see largely tangible results on the mountain, the philosophy and ideas that have come forth from Boyne are uplifting, energetic, and bring hope to the resort and the surrounding communities. While staying in one of the resort hotels, I noticed a copy of the family patriarch?s autobiography, Everett Kircher: Michigan?s Resort Pioneer. While I?ve only skimmed the book thus far, much of the information sheds light on why the late Kircher is so revered for his enthusiasm, ideas, and innovation. Everett Kircher passed away in January of 2002, but the family business is being carried on and his legact remains. For those who ski at areas operated by the Boyne family, this should b... More About: Learn , Legend
Shawnee Peak Shuts Off The Lights
2008-03-20 00:17:00 With my car packed before work, Jules and I had planned to make our last night skiing trip to Shawnee Peak yesterday. An employee had told me that last night would be the last night of night skiing for the season despite record snowfall. I can?t say enough about how night skiing after work relieves stress from a long day at the office and when timed right, the views over the horizon and towards the White Mountains of New Hampshire are hard to beat. Then when I check the web page to see what the expected temps were going to be, I was saddened to learn that Monday was actually the last night. While I?m not at a loss for skier days this year, I would have like one last night, but I?ll have to wait until next year. That of course will bring another topic ? where I?ll be skiing at night. Yes, I?ll still race at Shawnee on Wednesday nights with my team, but if all goes according to plans, I may be able to ski on Fridays as well? More About: Lights
Anyone heard from Stumpy???
2008-03-18 17:23:00 I?m curious if I?m the only one that is questions whether we will actually see the long-awaited Legend of Ahhhs this fall. While Rob Story recently wrote a piece on Greg Stump and this upcoming project, there has been little to no other press about it. As a matter of fact, when I do a Google search for the movie title, my previous post comes up first ? odd. You?d think that if a film was being made that was going to ?win the Sundance Film Festival? as Stumpy said in an interview in May of 2007, there would be a little more build-up. Perhaps I?m totally wrong or maybe I?m just worried that this won?t happen and this, like so many other rumored projects, will falls through the cracks. I certainly hope not, especially with the 20th anniversary of The Blizzard of Ahhhs this year. More About: Skiing
What's your mountain theme?
2008-03-18 15:36:00 I?ve recently talked a little with different folks about how music relates to skiing and being in a mountain environment. One thing to distinguish is that there is a huge difference from music you listen to on the mountain while you?re skiing, music you go to hear at a local bar or aprs venue, and music you think about when you picture mountain living. I know this may sound a little odd, but if you could suspend normal thinking for a moment picture you last trip to Telluride or Tahoe or wherever. If there was a soundtrack for the places you ski, what would be on it? I recall watching movies form the 70?s and 80?s that had a lot of country/western in them. I can see this; mountains have that rugged feeling that comes through particularly well in such music. So I pose the question of what musicians and types of music you associate with your favorite ski town. I?m still working on a list for mine, but for any town surrounding Lake Tahoe , it really is country/western all the way; John ... More About: Country , Theme , John Denver , Aspen
Eastern Spring Skiing Options
2008-03-18 14:30:00 While public relations often push ski areas to open as early as possible despite less than wonderful conditions and packed slopes, the race to stay open the latest is far-less heated in the east than in previous decades. After the announcement that Powdr Corp would run Killington, the Park City, UT based company advised that they would not operate the ski resort into May like all previous owners and operators had done. Killington is still scheduled to close in April this season despite extensive snow pack. Two seasons ago, Bretton Woods not only made a play to stay open the latest in the east, they pulled it off by operating a novice trail on the second weekend of May, but the scheduling of ?Bodefest? was one determining factor. Under new ownership since last season, BW?s philosophy on late season skiing has changed back to a more traditional model. For skiers and riders looking to make late-season lift serviced turns, there will be at least a few options in the east. The last few y... More About: Spring , Options , Eastern , Snowboarding , Skiing
Bethel Sets Snow-Person World Record Again
2008-03-17 20:32:00 Jules would be the first to tell you that I am a man filled with useless fact. I love random bits of knowledge that no one else knows or cares to know about. I suppose that records and such would fall into this category, but I?m for from knowledgeable on world records and such, unless they have to do with skiing. So anyway, it was a little over a decade a go when the good folks of Bethel, Maine set a world record by erecting the world?s largest snowman. I could lie and tell you I know how big it was, but I haven?t much of a clue other than its (his) name was Angus, which was the name of our governor at the time. So it came as no surprise when the good folks of Bethel decided that the world record needed to get broken. The problem is that apparently no one else is up to the challenge, except the citizens themselves. Armed with snowmaking machines from Sunday River and owners Boyne USA, Bethel?s newest ?Snow woman? was built and her name is Olympia ? pun intended. For the record, Olymp... More About: World , World Record , Sets , Record
Sugarloaf gears up for Alpine Championships
2008-03-17 15:33:00 The U.S. National Alpine Championships are set to begin on Wednesday, March 19th at Sugarloaf , Maine. After capturing 5 crystal globes this past week for perhaps its? best season ever, American skiers will converge on this western Maine resort for the 4th time since 1996 for the annual National Championships. Sugarloaf is home to Carrabassett Valley Academy, which is the alma mater of newly crowned overall World Cup winner, Bode Miller. The event will run through Wednesday, March 26th. As of today, all the stars from the U.S. Ski Team, as well as Bode Miller were expected to attend the races, which were last help at Sugarloaf in 2006. More About: Skiing , Gears
A Sense of Community at Sunday River!
2008-03-17 05:08:00 The second Meet n? Greet with Sunday River Management was a huge success once again on Saturday. The dedicated and faithful forum members were up early for first tracks and then got together for some food and fun in the afternoon. The sense of community is long been missing at Sunday River, but it?s been building over the last couple of years and I for one, am glad to be a part of it. It?s easy to go skiing or own a condo, but to take part in something special like this takes time and commitment. This is a special group of folks who love the outdoors, love Sunday River, love to bust on each other, and love to have a great time. Thanks to all! More About: Sense , Community , Skiing
No, I'm not a ski bum. Kinda wish I were, though!
2008-03-17 03:41:00 Okay, so the fact of the matter is that I really do love skiing. No kidding, right ? the first 15 or so posts on here have been all about skiing, but realistically, it is my passion. I know that others have passions and I am careful to respect them for what they are. That said, I am not a typical ski bum and quite frankly I think it?s silly that some folks choose to make that comparison because I?ve skied so many days this year. Don?t get me wrong, I don?t think there is anything wrong with being a ski bum. I couldn?t live the lifestyle that many do, but my life goals are what they are. The truth is that as long as the term has existed, people have considered ski bums to be unmotivated souls that have low paying jobs, ski everyday, and party every night. Sounds like a blast, but it?s not in the real world cards for someone like me. Now the fact that I?ve already skied 70 days this year has had some people actually criticize me and liken me to having this type of unmotivated lifestyl... More About: Kinda , Skiing , Sunday River
Vonn & Miller Clinch Over World Cup Globes!
2008-03-17 01:16:00 It was March 1983, 25 years ago when Sports Illustrated published a magazine with Phil Mahre and Tamera McKinney on the cover together. Who, you ask? Phil and Tamera had just become the first US skiers to win the overall Alpine World Cup skiing titles in the same year. Given the yearly dominance of the Europeans, it was the first and the last time this had happened until today. It should also be noted that a male and a female form the same country winning in the same year almost never happens, regardless of what countries they represent. Regardless, with strong finished in the giant slalom and slalom respectively, Bode Miller and Lindsay Vonn both clinched the overall titles today. While there will be much more on this later, especially as Miller, who skis for the US, doesn?t ski for the US Ski Team; however, another American clichd a title today as 2006 Combined Olympic Gold Medalist, Ted Ligety, won the final giant slalom, which was not only his second win in a month, but earned ... More About: Skiing , Clinch
Heavenly to stay open into May!
2008-02-19 01:30:00 There are pros and cons in having a large percent of your ski resort be in National Forest Land. Quite frankly, I haven?t found any of the pros as of yet, but I know there are many people out there who have a laundry list of them, so out of respect, I?ll agree that there are pros. I think one of the drawbacks for western resorts in the last few decades is that most have to close in mid-April when the mountain is 100% open, because of agreements with the forest service. Now I understand that there is a unique balance of nature, but as a skier, I doubt I?d make many friends with the environmentalist ?cause I think people should ski till the snow is gone. Interestingly, Heavenly Mountain Resort is almost entirely on National Forest Land, but for some reason or another, someone gave them the go ahead to break from tradition as Heavenly recently announced that they will not close at the traditional time in April and have extended their season into May due to the large snowfall totals to ... More About: Open , Lake Tahoe , Stay , Skiing
Sugarloaf's getting back to basics!
2008-02-14 18:33:00 Upon completion of the resorts former centerpiece ? the PHB base to summit 4-person gondola ? Sugarloaf ski resort wanted a way to make sure the skiing public knew they were out to be a major player in eastern skiing. With trails being cut to international racing standards, Sugarloaf added ?/usa? to its? name in 1966.For many of us, the resort has always been known as Sugarloaf/usa, but times change. The gondola that once stood as symbol for the massive ski resort, is now gone (The last remnant ? the decrepit mid-station was removed from the mountain this past summer.) and the resort finally has a financially viable operator in that of Boyne/USA. So while it was still a little under the radar, the mountain made the decision last summer to ?get back to basics,? as I?ve been told. Apparently many folks felt that ?usa? wasn?t the best representation of the resort that had been developed as just Sugarloaf for 15 years before the initial name change. There are many people that still don?... More About: Back , Back To Basics , Basics
Will Legend of Ahhhs make it to the silver screen?
2008-02-04 21:13:00 It's been almost 20 years since the debut of the ski film that changed the way we as skiers and riders truly viewed "ski porn." From the depths of almost absolute obscurity, Greg Stump has re-emerged and will put out his first film in 10 years, "The Legend of Ahhhs." Unfortunately there will be no new skiing or riding footage, but instead, this will be more of a documentary about the business of revolutionizing the ski movie industry. With the help of old friends, Glen Plake, Scot Schmidt, and Mike Hattrup, Stumpy has stepped up to the plate after several years of part-time work, so to speak.And after watching "Siberia " a few weeks back, I know why he did this. No. Of course I don't know why, but I have a better idea of why he stopped making ski films. First, I think he thought he'd done all he wanted to do in the ski film industry with the completion of a "Fistful of Moguls," (Some of which was shot in the Blue World, FYI) the passing of Craig Kelley may have been one of the big... More About: Screen , Silver , Make
A great weekend for U.S men in Chamonix!
2008-01-29 05:43:00 Skiers from the United States swept the top spots at both alpine events this past weekend in Chamonix , France. Now don't get confused; I didn't say that the U.S. Ski Team took both top spots 'cause in the era of Team America and a Bode-less USST, things can get a little wacky, but the fact of the matter is that Marco Sullivan, who has been long overdue, screamed to his first World Cup win in the downhill. On Sunday, Bode Miller won his 29th career race with a 1st in the super-combined. This was the second combined win in a row for Miller and put him back atop the overall WC standings, passing Austrian Benjamin Reich and Swiss downhiller Didier Cuche. More About: Great , Weekend
First to conquer Everest passes on
2008-01-29 05:41:00 Perhaps New Zealand is more famous for its’ national rugby team, the All-Blacks, their sailors, and sheep than they are for famous explorers, but perhaps their most famous citizen ever was just that – an explorer and an adventurer. Edmund Hillary, who was later knighted, became the first man to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest , in 1953. Known as “Sir Ed,” Edmond passed away Friday at age 88. And while the news has this pretty well covered given his legendary status, I thought that a note from here would be appropriate as many of us continue to explore the mountains with a similar passion and will remember him with respect. More About: Conquer
The not-so-calm before the storm!
More articles from this author:2007-12-05 01:29:00 While most of the northeast prepared for the first major snowfall of the season this past weekend, it was business as usual for vacationers, locals, and the avid skiers and riders at Maine 's ski resorts. And while the snow guns were blasting away on terrain at a rate I haven't ever seen, Mother Nature threw a bit of a curve ball our way this past Saturday.You always know who the hearty souls are out on the mountain. Aside from the telemarkers who are seemingly always the hearty souls, I include anyone who gets out and skis or rides when others shriek at the mere possibility of stepping outside. Granted, this is usually what happens in January as the mercury dips to below freezing and the winds begin to howl, but for a bunch of us, January came a month early and put on an early test of fortitude.With temps hovering around five degrees and a steady wind of about 20-25 knots, the snow conditions were nothing short of amazing. With less humidity, the man made snow is drier, which make... More About: Storm , Skiing , Calm , Sunday River 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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