End of Great Ski Trip

This trip has come to an end but the memories will last forever.

Everyone on the trip had a great time and will be talking about this trip for many years to come. The skiing was awesome. And the weather could not have been better for a ski trip to Alaska. There was lots of great food, conversation, photos and much more to remember.

Our day in Anchorage was one of great joy as we all seemed to go in different directions. A few went to the Zoo and got to see a two hump camel, bears of many kinds, birds an all manner of other animals.

Some of us just walked around the city looking for the elusive Moose we were told were very prevalent in downtown Anchorage. Many of us did get to see a couple of them in a parking lot from the 20th floor of the Capital Cook Hotel. What a site to see 2 Moose just hanging out in the parking lot. And a big thanks to the dinner patron that alerted us to the fact that they were there.

So as I close out this trips blog all I can say is we all had a GREAT time and there will be more to come.

Photos of the trip can be seen here - http://photobucket.com/msscalaska2012

More blogs to come just keep a look out.

A Day in Anchorage

Today was a great day in Anchorage. I visited the Anchorage Museum and Planetarium. There were some very nice exhibits on the native alaskan people.  Another was on the building of the Alaskan Oil Pipeline from Produe Bay to Valdez. 

I then went and had lunch with a few of the other club members at the Glacial Brewing Company.  Then went and did some shopping.

I then returned to the hotel and headed to the 20th floor to take some pictures. I got pictures of Mt McKinley and also some other mountains. And a few panoramic pictures.

Only thing i can say about this place is that the waitress serving us drinks is a real witch. She really needs a lesson in being nice to her customers.  

Well that is all for now.

Check Out Day

All of us are getting ready to check out and remembering our days here. The bus should be here soon and then we are off to Anchorage.

Our flight does not leave until after midnight tonight so we get a nice day to tour around Anchorage. Not sure what i am going to do but there are museums, shops, land marks and many other things to do.  I will find something.

Day 6 Coming To An End

On our last day here everyone had a great day. Some went snowmobiling, others went dog sledding, and some even skied.

As our day comes to an end there is 8 of us at the Aurora Bar reminiscing about the week. It been a wonderful trip with great friends.

Tomorrow will bring another set of challenges as we have to be out of the hotel by 10am but our flight does not leave until after midnight.

Arrangements have been made for use of a resort in Anchorage as a base for the day.  There are many different activities such as museums, antique shops, a zoo, shopping and many others for our enjoyment.

The Double Musky

A few of us had dinner at the Double Musky in Girdwood.  Dinner was wonderful. King Crab Legs, or Pepper Steak Tips, Crab Stuffed Halibut and Cardonelle were the meals that were ordered. All the meals were delicious.

Anchorage on the way in

 

 

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Gorgonzola

Six of us are at Jack Spratz for dinner the menu was limited but had some very good sounding meals. One od the appetizers was Dates Wrapped in Bacon. They were "AWESOME"   I really need to see if I can talk the chef into giving me the recipe. 

The meals were delicious and we all enjoyed every bite. Now to look at the desert menu.

Orange creamsicle panna cotta, shortbread cookies, orange soda reduction.

Marion berry bread pudding

Chocolate olive oil cake

Raw pecan turtle cheesecake

They all sound good so its going to a hard decision.

Sounds of Avalanche Shells

Day 5 is starting with the sounds of avalanche shells being fired at the mountain and all the night skiing lights are on. From what i can see there is about 1 inch of snow on the groomed areas near the hotel.  But that was also how it was yesterday and then when you got over to the main mountain there was 20+ inches for the white stuff on the trails. We will see soon enough what they have left ungroomed.

In other news the folks that went to Absolut Trivia had a great time. And tonight there is a band named Potcheen playing at the Stizmark. Many of the folks with the club have tickets and will be going. The band plays Modern Celtic music so a good time should be had by all.

Thats all for now. Have a great day everyone.

The "Laundromall"

A few of us decided we wanted Mexican food for dinner, so we hoped on the shuttle bus to down town. The bus dropped us at the "Laundromall"  where you can do your laundry, take a shower, and eat mexican food.

As day 4 comes to a close many of the guys who skied long and hard in the 20+ inches of snow today have crashed before 8 pm. A few others have headed over to the Stizmark for Abolut Trivia Night. And yet some of us are now sitting around the fire participating in some great conservation.

To Much Snow

All chairs are on hold at this time. Now sure why they did not get out earlier to make sure they could open on time.  

Day 4 Starts With Fresh Powder

It is early still here at Alyeska, only just after 7 am. With more than an hour before the sun comes up I walked out side on the patio to find a good 6-7 inches of fresh powder.  With that much powder just off the patio we can be assured there is more up on the mountain.

This is what many people are looking for. But they are going to have to wait for the sun to come up and the lefts to start turning. But there are a lot of smiles on the faces walking by me.  

To all have a great day.

Day Three Skiing Comes To An End

Todays skiing was an adventure for all. We had snow falling most of the day. The light was very flat which made it hard to see the terrain.

A couple of the guys went Kat skiing and reported back waist deep powder.

Some.of the folks went to the local Wildlife Conservation Preserve. And the report back was that some of them were able to the a bears in the afternoon.

Boston/Logan Airport Sunset from the plane, A Nice Start

 

 

Alyeska Photo of the Day

The Montachusett Ski Club made the Photo of the Day on the Alyeska Website for March 12, 2012. Here is the link to the photo. Alyesak Photo of the Day In other news everyone is having a great time. The weather forecast is for clouds today and a chance of snow with an accumulation of 3-4 inches. The clouds may make the mountain hard to ski with the flat light. Other days her in the shadows of the mountains it has been a bit difficult to see some of the actual snow surface. Some more photos have been added to the photo site at http://photobucket.com/msscalaska2012 So head on over and check them out.

Christmas

This afternoon a few club members went down a run called Christmas. It is the longest double black diamond in North America.

There will be some video if it posted to the photo site when we return to Massachusetts

Alyeska 3 Hour Tour.

<p>The group split up into three different groups.&#160; Each group was a different ability levels. I went with the Green/Blue group and had a awesome tour.</p>
<p>Out tour guide Vicki was from England has told us the fairy tale story of how she came to work here at Alyeska. She had come to Girdwood to work for a summer for family friends. She met a young man that lived here and they have gotten married and she is now a resident of the local area. </p>
<p>Vicki was extremely knowledgeable of the mountain and the local area.</p>
<p>Thanks to Vicki the 8 of us had a great time. She kept all of us entertained and skiing at a level that each of us was comfortable. </p>

All in all a great 3 hour tour.

Day 2 Has Arrived

Day one is not over and everyone had great time yesterday. Some went into town to explore, others went snow shoeing, a bunch went skiing and the two that went heli skiing said it was the best thing they have ever done. Hopefully i can get one of them to write about it. Last evening the resort had a sine and cheese social for the club where they told us about all the other activities they have here besides skiing. Things like dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, The Spa, excursions to Anchorage, and a few other things I can not remember. There was a lot of information. This morning at 9 am the resort is providing us with breakfast and will also be doing mountain tours. for the various different ability skiers so that we all know a little more about the mountain and what to watch out for or what trails are the best for your abilities. More pictures have been added to the photo site at http://photobucket.com/msscalaska2012 Everyone please enjoy day two.

Heli's Gone

The heli took off about 10:30 with the boys. I am sure they were going for a good time. Both were very very excited. I took my time heading back to the hotel. Walked thru some trails and was able to take some awesome picture.&#160; Just got on the tram for my second run of the day

Cleared for Takeoff

They have clearance to take off at 10 am for some Heli Skiing. They have completed their Avalanche Beacon Training as of 9am and are really ready to go.

Beacon Training

Brian and Jon are going thru their beacon training class. Odd are good that the weather will clear up so the can actually fly.