For further information contact: Terri Messer at tmesser@aol.com or 207-671-0715
Despite rain, ice, sleet and snow, Prime Time Ski Club members continue to ski the trails of Sunday River weekdays (and a few on weekends as well) and are happy that the trail count continues to increase almost daily. After a day of pouring rain about 10 days ago, followed by very cold temperatures that night, many trails turned to sheets of ice. However, thanks to the mountain’s excellent groomers and snowmakers, most trials were back in great shape within a day of the big freeze. Several snow storms since then have also helped to improve ski conditions. Just remember to get out early to enjoy the best snow of the day. Let’s hope Mother Nature is kinder to snow lovers for the rest of the season.
In last week’s column the ski club’s activities were discussed. This week we’ll take a look at our membership, a diversified group of people with many interests outside of skiing. Our membership of approximately 130 individuals ranges in age from 50-something to 80-something with most falling somewhere in the mid-range. The majority of members come from Maine, Massachusetts or New Hampshire with a few from Rhode Island and Vermont. We also have two members from Pennsylvania, one each from Florida, and California and two from Ottawa, Canada, which, I guess, makes our club an international organization!
Although many of our members are retired, some are work full or part-time and have schedules that are flexible enough to allow for midweek skiing. Some of our members have retired to the Bethel area while others own or rent seasonal homes, condos or time shares. Some just come to ski for the day from southern or central Maine and New Hampshire and “commute” to club social events. Many club members are active in the community, teaching, attending classes or heading the board at the Western Mountains Senior College. One member offers free music classes in the public schools and a few belong to the Rotary Club. We also have members who are involved with the current effort to create a satellite facility of the Ski Museum of Maine in the Bethel area. Others volunteer for a local food pantry or for Maine Adaptive Sports as instructors, office helpers and snowmobile driver. Several members are on the board of the Mahoosuc Land Trust.
The skiing ability of our members is as diversified as their activities outside the ski arena. Some love to ski the glades, others love to ski the green trails. Some members are former ski patrollers and a few are certified by the Professional Ski Instructors Association. Some have been skiing since they were youngsters and others got their skiing start much later in life. What we do have in common is a love for skiing and for outdoor activities. We love skiing with others and having fun.
So if you don’t want to ski alone, consider meeting Prime Time Ski Club members (for those 50 years and older) at the North Peak Lodge every weekday around 10 a.m. in the area just beyond the bar. Introduce yourself to anyone that’s there and you’ll soon find yourself meeting a lot of new friends. After a brief time for announcements, we usually break into small groups of from four to eight skiers, based primarily on skiing ability and terrain preference. No matter what your level of skiing or comfort zone, you will find someone to ski with. Remember the Prime Time Ski Club motto, “No one needs to ski alone.” Check out our website at www.primetimeskiclub.com or just show up at North Peak Lodge around 10 a.m. weekdays.
