Not bad for a snowboarder!

Happy Holidays!

And now that the Christmas rains have come and gone, it's dumping! Yesterday my intrepid Blazers headed to Mt. Ellen in the rain and hubby Drew and I followed with shouldered skis. The skiing was pretty good, albeit heavy where the 2 inches of wet granular had not been skied in. We quickly determined that, while the skiing was not bad, the boarding would be better! So off we went to trade in our gear. We spent the afternoon cruising maple butter (that's the consistency, not the flavor!) groomers at ridiculously high speeds, and stopping frequently to swipe the rain streaked goggles. What a great way to spend a rainy day. And today it's dumping. Snow.

Be flexible, be resilient, be here, be ready.....Be better here.

Have you seen my cover shot? Not bad for a snowboarder, eh?

Don't forget........W's Ski Discovery Camp, Jan. 13-15 and our Allyn's Lodge Ladies Night, Jan. 16th. Plan a long weekend and join us for both! Spots are limited in both, so sign up soon.

All the best,

Bear

Confessions of a ski-bum Mom.

My house is a mess and likely will stay that way until the end of April.

Though the snowblower is still broken, my skis are tuned.

While I'm president, the PTA has a powder clause.

My kids don't know it, but when it's dumping I'm hoping that school will not be cancelled.

Any of this sound familiar? I thought so.

Friday the 11th was my first day on skis and it snowed the night before and all morning. Lower mountain trails like Lixis Twist and Moonshine were opened for the first time this season and the skiing was great! I was ebullient and sore and smiling and stiff that night. What a way to start the season!

I'm quite convinced that once it starts snowing again, it won't stop, so consider joining us for our W's Ski Discovery Camp, January 13 -15. Also, Saturday January 16th is our first annual Ladies night at Allyn's Lodge. Hike up or ride the cushy cabin cat, wine and dine, then ski or ride down in the dark! Super fun and delicious.

See you on the mountain!

Bear

Lady Riders!

Hey, where are you? I know you're out there. Do you ride? Do you want learn to ride? Let me know! We have a great lineup of programs for the 2 plankers, but we don't want to leave snowboarders out in the cold. We're all sisters in the PowderRoom. So let me know if you're a shred betty (that's really old school, I'm dating myself) looking for a posse. I just came back from th Burton Super Clinic. This is a three day conference Burton hosts for resort employees. One whole day was devoted to Women's programs and I came away jazzed to ramp up what we offer. So let me know what you're looking for!

Join us on the 12th for our PowderRoom Social, 4-6 in Timbers, and at the Sugarbash for some late night boogie woogie.

Bear

Are you ready for the ride? Are you doing your snow dances and your required 8-10 hours/week of Snow God honoring? Whatever form it takes....do it! Perhaps you didn't see it in the fine print, but this is an important aspect of Sugarbush PowderRoom membership. The month of November is "Northern New England Honor the Snow Gods Month". Participation could take the form of washing that musty smell out of your ski wear, or shopping for new, attending an area Ski & Skate Sale (Yay, Sue! Thanks for coming!), getting your skis out of the rafters, and swapping with the neighbors for stuff that fits your kids. I figured out a formula for quickly growing children and ski gear and clothing.....a season and a half. That's all you get. Mid-February of season two you'll find gaposis (uncomfortable gaps at wrists and waist), pinched cold toes and helmets that no longer fit with the neckie. There is no solution. Just be glad that shops start to have sales that time of year!

Are you joining us on Dec. 12th for our Powderoom Party? 4-6 in Timbers. Free munchies, good company. Also plan on the Sugarbash!

See you there,

Bear

White Hot Fever!

Ramping up for the 30th annual Waitsfield Ski & Skate Sale! Nov. 14 & 15, 9AM -3PM, Waitsfield Elementary School. Ski, snowboard, tele, nordic, skate, snowshoes. Door prizes for every 30th person through the door while supplies last on Saturday. Happy Birthday to us!

Check out our SBPowderRoom lineup for Winter '09-'10. We'll be kicking it off on Dec. 12th with W's Turn opening day, Pairing of the Passions, PureStyle Rail Jam, and Sugarbash '09...White Hot Fever! If we're lucky, our favorite retro disco babe and PowderRoom member will be there again to set the pace!

SUGARBUSH POWDERROOM

WINTER '09 - '10

Women's Turn Club - Dec. 12th - March 27th, from 9:30 - 12:30. Seasonal instructional ski club, every Saturday, . Great instruction, video analysis, and fun. Every 4th Saturday is a full day of instruction with lunch discounts.

W's Ski Discovery Camps - January 13 - 15, and March 8-10. 3 day instructional vacations. Breakfast and lunch daily, instruction, video analysis, wine and cheese social, ski demos, discounts, gift bags, and more.

PowderRoom Social - Dec. 12th, 4-6 PM Timbers restaurant, Lincoln Peak. A season opener social. Ladies and their peeps enjoy après ski snacks, good company and raffle. Learn about our W's programs and meet some other SugarBabes.

Allyns Lodge Cabin Cat Dinner - Jan. 16th 5-9PM Ladies Night! Nighttime Cabin-Cat ride or hike to Allyns' lodge, amazing candle lit dinner with wine and fondue. Ski/ride down to Timbers for desert.

Yoga, Wine & Cheese - The last Wednesday of every month starting Nov. 25th...enjoy a 1 hour yoga class followed by a wine tasting social.

W's Demo Day - Sunday, March. 14th. Try out all the amazing W's specific gear out there. Alpine, Tele, Snowboard. Discounted group lessons and a PowderRoom Party.

PowderRoom Social - March 27, 4-6 PM Lincoln Peak Wrappin' it up! Come celebrate a great season and plan for summer!

OK, so it's not the most romantic vision of the mountains and what's to come...but just know these guys are already out there, crusting over and freezing in odd hours of the day so that we might ski at odd times of the year. Yay for them and hooray for us! Here's hoping that these efforts will be assisted by mother nature to produce.....

POW!

350!

350 - for all we love.

Frost is on the Pumpkin!

Yes, indeed. First hard frost here in the MRV. No doubt there are some hard cores out there skiing it! Carpe skiem applies to a hard frost, too! The colors have been amazing, though the weather has been somewhat grim. Last week as I ran on the Mad Path I had to stop and take in the freshly mown corn fields, the colors all around, the beautiful river, and the honking geese. All that on a cold, and drizzly day. Amazing how this place has so much to offer, even at it's worst. If you've never enjoyed the Mad Path on your visits to the MRV, I highly recommend it. My favorite run starts at the Tremblay Rd. Mad Path parking lot. It's great for kids starting out Mt. Biking; pretty flat, but super fun. Also great for x-c skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. FYI - the mad path does close for most of the month of November for hunting season.

The sun did come out for our Sugarbush Community Day, just in time for Pumpkin Carving!

I saw Julie & Julia at the Big picture this weekend and was inspired on several levels. First, to cook...more and better. Second, to blog......more and better. I launched this blog as a landing site for all our Sugarbush women's programs, information, etc., but I'm realizing it has to be more than a sales pitch. So now you'll be treated to all the random thoughts in my head as they pertain to the SugarbushPowderRoom...lucky you!

We are working hard to get our Ski & Ride winter programs on the website (Seasonal Programs are already up). We have lots of changes and additions to our Ski & Ride menu, so stay tuned. One of the most exciting changes in our world involves the W's Turn Ski Club. This has turned into a Saturday only program, and by the looks of the #'s signing up, that is a popular change! The more members we have, the more levels of skiers we can accomodate!

Stay tuned for more info on this and other SBPowderRoom programs. Please plan to join us for our Season Openning Social, December 12, from 4-6 at Timbers.

See you there!

Bear

Way hard core!

How could I have forgotten this shot??

Wrench & Ride! Blood, sweat, and cheers!

What an amazing weekend we had for our Womens' Wrench & Ride Mountain Bike Camp! The trails were in great shape and the sun shining. Many smiles and cheers and a few bumps and bruises, all well earned. From the terrain park to the woods, you all did such a great job!

WOMEN'S WRENCH & RIDE Mt. BIKE CAMPS

September 19 – 20, 2009.

Offered to beginner and intermediate riders ages 17 and up.

Campers are schooled in basic riding techniques and mechanics, and try out what they’ve learned on the great cross-country trails surrounding Sugarbush. A lift ride up the mountain gives us an introduction to downhill riding, with terrain available to a wide range of comfort levels. Our goal (beyond having fun) is to enable women mountain bikers to relax, enjoy and excel at what they love best, increase their comfort level, improve their riding skills and bike handling, and gain an understanding of basic bike mechanics so they can hit the trail with confidence. Great coaching and good company! Price includes breakfast and lunch each day, coaching all day Sat. and ½ day Sunday, lift ticket, zip-line ride, gift bags and a raffle with great prizes. $350 per person.

Wrench & Ride signs on Audrey Huffman

The Sugarbush Powder Room welcomes Audrey Augustine Huffman to our Wrench and Ride coaching team. Audrey is a Waitsfield resident and mother of two boys. She also happens to be a former World Masters Champion, US team member, and Olympic alternate. She might have a thing or two to teach us! Join Audrey and the rest of the team for our Women's Wrench & Ride Mt. Bike Camp, July 25 & 26 and Sept. 19 & 20. Ride on, Sister!

2 ways to improve your golf game.

Weekly Women's Golf Clinic - Thursday evenings from 5:15 - 6:30. $45 includes munchies. Contact the Pro Shop to sign up 802-583-6725.

Ladies Lunch & Learn - Every Wednesday & Thursday 10:15 - 11:30. 75 minute clinic with lunch at Hogan's and 18 holes of golf with a cart. $65/person.
Contact the Pro Shop to sign up 802-583-6725.

Bridge Jumping 101

The Waitsfield covered bridge has something for every thrill seeker!

Garden Workshops

Have you seen Beth's gardens? Beth Urie, Sugarbush Gardener Extroardinaire, has planted raised beds, kitchen garden style, in the courtyard outside Timbers. The whole project gives the courtyard a loved and lived-in feeling....and the gardens are beautiful. Thanks, Beth!

Join Beth for her gardening workshops, Wednesdays from 10-11 in the courtyard. $10/person

CamelBak sponsors women's programs at Sugarbush, VT

Hydration innovator CamelBak is a key supporter of women's programs at Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT. CamelBak came on board in March '09 to provide the all important hydration pack to coaches of the Women's Ski Discovery Camp. The Ice Queen was a favorite with it's "all-day-on-the-mountain" cargo space and winterized tube. Water bottles were provided to each camper and packs were also provided for the end-of-program raffle where swag rules!

But the fun doesn't stop when the snow melts away, so the Sugarbush Women's Wrench & Ride Mt. Bike Camps will also benefit from CamelBaks' sponsorship. Coaches have been outfitted with L.U.X.E. packs which prove to be the ideal size for an afternoon ride.

Let it be known that we LOVE the elixir!!!! Thank you CamelBak!

Thursday is Ladies Night at Sugarbush Golf Club

What a beautiful day! Vermont really pays us back in spades for all of the moisture we put up with. A day like this is never taken for granted.

Thursday is "Ladies Night" at Sugarbush golf course. Join Ron Philo Jr. for the Weekly Women's Golf Clinics every Thursday from 5:15 - 6:30. Enjoy an evening of great golf tips and good company. $50 fee includes instruction and munchies. Call 583-6725 to register.

WOMEN'S GOLF & TENNIS RETREAT

Available for women of all ages, June 16-18, 2009. This clinic is packed with drills, skills, strategy and game play. A perfect combination of Yoga, golf & tennis to help you start your summer strong. A welcome dinner will be held Monday night at Timbers with the Golf & Tennis pros. Students will meet at the Health & Racquet Club each morning for a yoga session followed by tennis specific exercises. Following the stretches, we will head to the courts from 9:30- 11:30 AM. After a break for lunch it’s off to the Golf course for an afternoon of play and lessons. Evening in-room massages available by appointment. Starting at $895 per person at double occupancy or $695 w/o lodging. Price includes dinner Monday night, lunch each day, yoga, instruction, equipment demos, gift bags, and lots of fun.

LADIES DOUBLES TENNIS CLINICS

Available for women of all ages during the Saturdays throughout the month of June from 9-10:30 AM. $21 per clinic.

WOMEN'S TENNIS TUNE UP

Available for women of all ages, June 8 through June 12, 2009 from noon to 1:30 PM. $100 for the week or $25 per day. Bring your receipt from the golf course and get 25% off your tennis apparel at the Health Club gear shop as well as 15% off semi-private lessons. Discount offer expires June 30, 2009.

WOMEN'S DISCOVERY MONTH - GOLF

Available for women of all ages for the month of June, 2009. Play golf at the Sugarbush resort Golf Club for $50 on weekdays and $75 on weekends. Ladies get 15% off* any retail purchase in the golf shop with purchase of greens fees. *Not valid with other discounts. Offer expires June 30, 2009.

At Sugarbush we are dedicated to providing the highest caliber of women’s programming. Our recipe combines phenomenal instruction with the insight and camaraderie that comes with learning with and from our peers. Add to that a dash of luxury, a pinch of pampering, and some good laughs and you have…voila!

For more information on all Sugarbush Camps, email or call Gretchen Browe at the Sugarbush Adventure Learning Center at 802.583.6819. Click here to access our web page.