rfarren
New member
Mountain Creek is my local hill. It may not be big but what it lacks in size and snow, it excels at being less than an hour away from my apartment in manhattan. I use it as a platform to work on my technique, and to exercise. Night skiing is a plus because I can go after work on the weekends fairly easily. I can also go early mornings and be back in time for work during the weekdays. It has its virtues but on the whole it is not a great mountain. However, today while running laps just to focus on technique I realized something I really enjoy about skiing regardless of where you do it: the conversations you spark up with people on the lifts.
I met a person from Newburg who was a chaperone for a school trip. Mountain creek does considerable business with schools around the area. I asked him why was he here when Wyndham is closer and a superior mountain. He said he preferred the night skiing here and that his schedule was such that it was pretty much out of the question to ski during the days. The reply was rather benign but his accent was priceless. He had a very thick New York accent. It was unusual for me, because I rarely encounter anyone with a thick brooklyn accent on the slope. A maine accent, sure!... but this was weird.
Later on the cabriolet lift, which they should replace with a detachable 6 seater, I was with 5 teenagers, all of whom were of korean decent. I thought for a second, and it became apparent that I rarely ever see anyone ski, in new england or out west, who isn't white. It made me realize that one of the things that makes mountain creek so special, is that it is used by a variety of people coming from all different races and places. To see this: all you need to do is enter the cafeteria. Indeed, here skiing is unifying people.
Leaving tonight I felt pretty good about my local hill. Mountain Creek albeit small and sucky, is a pretty darn good ambassador to the sport I love. It may not be Vail, but it is a hell of lot more accessible --(in all interpretations of the word)-- and cheaper. :wink:
I met a person from Newburg who was a chaperone for a school trip. Mountain creek does considerable business with schools around the area. I asked him why was he here when Wyndham is closer and a superior mountain. He said he preferred the night skiing here and that his schedule was such that it was pretty much out of the question to ski during the days. The reply was rather benign but his accent was priceless. He had a very thick New York accent. It was unusual for me, because I rarely encounter anyone with a thick brooklyn accent on the slope. A maine accent, sure!... but this was weird.
Later on the cabriolet lift, which they should replace with a detachable 6 seater, I was with 5 teenagers, all of whom were of korean decent. I thought for a second, and it became apparent that I rarely ever see anyone ski, in new england or out west, who isn't white. It made me realize that one of the things that makes mountain creek so special, is that it is used by a variety of people coming from all different races and places. To see this: all you need to do is enter the cafeteria. Indeed, here skiing is unifying people.
Leaving tonight I felt pretty good about my local hill. Mountain Creek albeit small and sucky, is a pretty darn good ambassador to the sport I love. It may not be Vail, but it is a hell of lot more accessible --(in all interpretations of the word)-- and cheaper. :wink:
