Rally at the Thunder Dome '12

[dingbat]

It's on!:biggthump

SATURDAY and SUNDAY, FEB 25th and 26th!

At Berkshire East Ski Area (http://www.berkshireeast.com/)

Lifts open at 8:30 am (Or there about. Things are run pretty laid-back at this hill)

Full day pass is $35.




It will run the same as previous years. I will start a list of names for the lift tickets below. Just reply to this thread that you are coming and I will add you to the list. When you arrive at the mountain, find customer service upstairs in the main lodge area, tell them you are there for the rally, and fork over your $35. You must have your name on the list to get the discount!!! Real name or forum name is fine.

The layout of the mountain is very simple making finding people easy, especialy if they are on gear that stands out. If you show up later in the morning, just hang by the main lift or do laps on Exhabition. You will run into someone soon enough.

:ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange :eplus2: :ices_ange

Joerg is coming! Sounds like he'll be out Sat afternoon or evening (for chicken wings and fries if not riding) and all day Sunday.

[lafcadio]

As if I had to tell you... sign me up. Although I will likely only make it for Saturday.

[*Ace*]

...Things are run pretty laid-back at this hill...

Boy thats an understatement! Put me down for at least one. I'll try and drag the GF and Andre in for a day.

[scrapster]

Definitely put me down for a day too. I should be able to abandon the infant for at least a little while. ;)

[Atom Ant]

I'll likely be there as well, although I can't say for sure at this point. Put me down for both days just in case, however.

[Jonny]

Saturday for me, then recuperate, then ECES monday, then the boards get hung up for the year:mad:

[dingbat]

This is the list:

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
GeneO
Liam
Nina Griffin
Scott Grey
AMK
David/Pow4ever
PointBreak
jimcheen
Queequeg
Paulk

[dingbat]

Nice start guys, thank you! Don't sweat which day(s) you'll be there. Same list for both days. So there's no worries if you change up plans at the last moment either.

Remember, It's the Rally.:cool::D

[Mellow Yellow]

Trying to make the ECES work.... maybe I can hit this up on Sunday and then proceed on to Stratton.... Looks like they are about 2 hours apart? Logistically that would mean I'd leave NC on Saturday.... anyone have a floor to spare near this event Saturday night?

I am house trained... just ask Michelle :D

[dingbat]

Come on up! One way or another, we'll find a spot for you to be.:biggthump

[lafcadio]

I would be there both days, but I'm helping an ECESer flying into Logan get to Stratton. I guess it would be a bit too crazy to drive all the way back to Boston on Sunday, pick up at the airport, then all the way back out to Stratton. But then again.... I've been known to do crazier. :D

[KevinS]

oh no! I might not be able to make this year. It is to close to ECES, and I am heading up to stratton Sunday for that!

bummer....

[dingbat]

Kevin,

Just pack up the Kevinmobile, head to the BEast in the AM, ride a while, then head up to Stratton.

It's easy!:ices_ange

[scrapster]

It may have taken a while to get going, but the BEast is riding really nice right now! :biggthump

[ken]

Hey Mark,.

Count me in for sat and sun,
Ken/Ken

Also, I am willing to do a "Flying Dutchman" clinic on Sunday afternoon for those who are interested.

Cheers

[*Ace*]

..."Flying Dutchman" clinic...



Errm, what the heck is that?

[ken]

Errm, what the heck is that?

Kinda an inside joke with Mark...long story.

Looking forward to the rally,

Ken

[lafcadio]

Ken, I just hope you've retired the Flying Dutchman for good. Glad you're back again this year. Looking forward to riding with you.

[dingbat]

Ditto!

[ken]

Don't worry, I have retired that trick.
Another stunt like that and I will be lucky to go tubing!
I will be doing some Mamby Pamby carving, just like grandma.

Will somebody please bring the snow? I'm going up to Windham NY today and I'm not sure if I should bring my snowboard or mountain bike...
This is craaaazy!

Ace, thanks for the heads up on the snowraider gloves. They rock!

See you guys soon

[griff]

Two more to the list:
Maybe we'll get lucky and have condictions like last year!!!!

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Grif/ed griffin
Kevin Arruda

[dingbat]

Maybe we'll get lucky and have condictions like last year!!!!




That'd be nice, but I'm thinking you might want to bring your water skis this year....just in case.:smashfrea

[Armtron2000]

I'm in!!

[dingbat]

I'm in!!

You're working tubing.:eplus2:......:rolleyes:o.k. just kidding.:ices_ange

[Armtron2000]

gee thanks Boss!!

[Mellow Yellow]

Two more to the list:
Maybe we'll get lucky and have condictions like last year!!!!

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Grif/ed griffin
Kevin Arruda

So, anyone live near Boston? I am flying in on Saturday the 25th and the plan was to drive to Stratton on Sunday with a Bob J. If anyone is near Boston, going to this event on Sunday and wants to take me in for the night and drive my arse to Stratton afterward I'd be much obliged... is that too much to ask? :D

Come on Ace....

[Mellow Yellow]

Not feeling any love here.... :(

[dingbat]

Been racking my brain. What time do you get in on Sat.?

You only need to get here from Boston. I'm fairly certain we can find you a couch and a ride to Stratton from there.

[Mellow Yellow]

Appreciate the effort. I am flying into Boston on Saturday, mid morning arrival. The current plan is Bob Jenny is picking me up and I was going to stay with him Sat night and we would drive up to Stratton mid day Sunday. Bob can't make the BEast work. Given I've never ridden there I'd like to try to make it. So to make this work I would have to: find someone to grab my arse and gear (dakine concourse bag) near Boston later on Saturday, couch surf Sat night, get a ride to the BEast Sunday and afterward on to Stratton.

[scrapster]

If I didn't have a newborn, I'd come pick you up. Come on people, we should be able to make this work!

[lafcadio]

I am driving to Stratton from Boston on Sunday, but my car is already full. I'm headed to the Rally on Saturday, but will be leaving at about 5:30 AM, which doesn't help, either. Sorry... :-(

I know I'm not the only one coming from Boston. Anyone?

[jskyhawk]

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Grif/ed griffin
Kevin Arruda
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk

[dingbat]

Johnathan, Glad you're coming. I've added you to the list. Are you headed out Sat or Sun? If Sunday, Mellow needs a ride out from your area.

[jskyhawk]

I'm probably heading there in the AM on sat+sun. pass for gas?

[Mellow Yellow]

I'm probably heading there in the AM on sat+sun. pass for gas?

can you handle a dakine concourse board bag?

[Atom Ant]

Hey Mark,

I was wondering: would it be possible to set up a small gate-course for folks to go through somewhere? Doesn't need to be anything large or expansive, and we can set it ourselves (I can set if need be). Having been at the event last year, I know that there was plenty of space available. I think it would be a lot of fun for people, and provide a great opportunity to learn together. Slowest time buys beers!


Also, I am going to add my buddy to the list:

afcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Grif/ed griffin
Kevin Arruda
Scott Grey

[griff]

This is the list:

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin

[griff]

Mark will you have Pure Board demo's we can sign up for? I think there is a few of us that would be interested.

[pow4ever]

This is the list:

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever


Most likely I can only make it on Sunday :-(

[Mellow Yellow]

Looking like I'll have a ride to the hill on Sunday. Now I need a lift from the BEast to Stratton on Sunday. Anyone have room?

[jskyhawk]

Mellow,

I don't know if I can fit a concourse bag in my sedan, we could try. You still need a lift?

[Mellow Yellow]

Mellow,

I don't know if I can fit a concourse bag in my sedan, we could try. You still need a lift?

Ace is going to get me from Boston to the BEast on Sunday, still need a ride to Stratton from the there on Sunday evening though. Is that when you are heading up to Stratton?

[dingbat]

Mellow, If it comes down to it, I'll drive you up to Stratton Sunday evening. It's only a little over an hour from my house.

[Mellow Yellow]

Mellow, If it comes down to it, I'll drive you up to Stratton Sunday evening. It's only a little over an hour from my house.

Great, if it comes down to that... I'll certainly get your gas for the trip.

So it looks like I'll be joining. See you all Sunday.

-Jasen

[dingbat]

...See you all Sunday.

-Jasen

Word.

[GeneO]

Mr. Liam and I are a go for the Rally!!! Looking for a place to stay without a coal stove...

[AMK]

This is the list:

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever
AMK


most likely Sunday in plans

[GeneO]

Add GeneO and Liam



This is the list:

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever
AMK


most likely Sunday in plans

[jskyhawk]

Ace is going to get me from Boston to the BEast on Sunday, still need a ride to Stratton from the there on Sunday evening though. Is that when you are heading up to Stratton?

I am not heading to Stratton until Thursday, sorry.

[dingbat]

Mark will you have Pure Board demo's we can sign up for? I think there is a few of us that would be interested.
Yes we have demos Ed. I'd like to give priority to the folks who don't have their own alpine gear, but I suspect there'll be no trouble getting you out on something at some point during the day.


Most likely I can only make it on Sunday :-(
Glad you're coming David. Looking forward to riding with you again!:biggthump


Mr. Liam and I are a go for the Rally!!! Looking for a place to stay without a coal stove...
Nice, I think we may manage a small posse of tenacious youngsters this year. I hear a coal stove is the best way to keep a place warm. Really, really, warm.;)

[PointBreak]

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever
AMK
PointBreak

[Jonny]

I'll be coming up from the Berkshires, arriving at the hill around 10 on Saturday, then heading down to Hartford, ct for the evening, in case anyone needs a ride either way.

[dingbat]

Hey Mark,

I was wondering: would it be possible to set up a small gate-course for folks to go through somewhere? Doesn't need to be anything large or expansive, and we can set it ourselves (I can set if need be). Having been at the event last year, I know that there was plenty of space available. I think it would be a lot of fun for people, and provide a great opportunity to learn together. Slowest time buys beers!


I checked with our racing department. We'll have to play it by ear. This is the last weekend they have to train before the J-4 championships, and there are only so many spots we can set on the hill, so we may not be able to get the slope space.

[jimcheen]

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever
AMK
PointBreak
jimcheen

[queequeg]

Sorry - late to the party, but I'll be there. Either Sat, Sun or both.

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever
AMK
PointBreak
jimcheen
Queequeg

[scrapster]

Looks like the BEast may get an unexpected freshening-up on Friday. And for ECES next week? 11" currently predicted for Wed and Wed night. Hope those groomers are ready to go.

[Mellow Yellow]

Me and Paulk will be rolling up maybe Sat, def Sunday... I no longer need any rides to or fro :)

Funny how things work out :biggthump

[Paulk]

If Mellow gets to the airport on time, we'll see you all Saturday afternoon.

lafcadio/Mike
Ace/Chris
Scrapster/Mark
Atom Ant/Mitch
Scott Grey
Jonny
Mellow Yellow
Ken
Griff/Ed Griffin
Kevin Arruda
Bobby Armstrong
Craig Damaschi
Jeff Hall
Bobby Buggs
Drew Chong
Jskyhawk/Johnathan Van Skyhawk
Nina Griffin
David/Pow4ever
AMK
PointBreak
jimcheen
Queequeg
Paulk

[dingbat]

If Mellow gets to the airport on time, we'll see you all Saturday afternoon.


Nice!

Hill should be open 'til 10pm.

[dingbat]

Conditions update:

It's raining this evening. Supposed to turn to snow for a few inches at the end. Could go either way. I'd suggest bringing your waterproof big boy pants and an all mountain board as back-up.
In any event, the Crazy Horse opens at Noon so if it's miserable you won't have to put up with it for long.:ices_ange

[lafcadio]

Conditions update:
It's raining this evening. Supposed to turn to snow for a few inches at the end. Could go either way. I'd suggest bringing your waterproof big boy pants and an all mountain board as back-up.

Dude, WTF? :nono: If you can't say something nice...

Or are you just hoping for some slushy mushy stuff so you can bring the Sooool Fun out to play? ;) :cool:

[Jonny]

Mark - are you likely to be able to post in the AM on driving conditions? I'm wondering what will happen to the roads if it gets cold enough to freeze. Not worried about the hill, just about getting there...

Had a chance to try that plate yet?

Thanks! Jonny

[Mellow Yellow]

Conditions update:

It's raining this evening. Supposed to turn to snow for a few inches at the end. Could go either way. I'd suggest bringing your waterproof big boy pants and an all mountain board as back-up.
In any event, the Crazy Horse opens at Noon so if it's miserable you won't have to put up with it for long.:ices_ange

Oh good..... just like home...

What is this all mountain board you speak of.... all I gots is my ol' schtub

[*Ace*]

I recommend "The People's Pint - IPA"

[dingbat]

Bad news. The hill will be closed today. We have gusts of 55-70mph on the way. Sorry for the late update, but I just found out.
I will be here. My direct line is (413) 339-6617 x 306. If I'm not in my office I'll probably be by customer service x305 or x309.

[scrapster]

Yikes. It's calm down in the valley, but I heard the forecast was bad up there.

On a positive note, looks like I got a furlough from baby duty for a few hours tomorrow morning, so I'll be joining ye' all on the mountain.

[Jonny]

Thanks Mark - all the more fun tomorrow! Hope eveything comes through the big blow OK. Pretty breezy down in Lenox, too.

[dingbat]

We're hiking lower comp and dodging the falling trees.

[*Ace*]

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

[dingbat]

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Other carving events may have things like, fancy lifts that run, groomed trails, and ski areas that are what you might call "open", but the Rally had some kick-ass people show up today.
I had a great time. If tomorrow is better, it'll be absolutely stellar.:biggthump

[lafcadio]

Awesome time at the Rally yesterday! Thanks again, Mark, for putting on this event and doing everything in your power to make it happen, despite Mother Nature not cooperating. Bribing us with free drinks wasn't at all necessary, but thanks for that also! Even though the lifts were not running, winds were howling and trees falling, the runs were well groomed and except for a few tele skiers, we owned the place!

At one point the wind was so bad (or good?) it was "helping" us up the hill and even blew snow over some of our trenches from earlier runs (no lifts, but self groomed runs at the BEast). :D

We even had a Pure Boarding clinic with Joerg -- tells you something when the man prefers to hike and ride with the Rally, rather than go to another mountain that has silly gimmicks like running lifts. "You must earn your turns!" Oh... we did.

Thanks to Ski Patrol who ensured we didn't have to hike every run.

And also a big THANK YOU to Jose, his "new" Suburu and his amazing off-roading skills, we were able to extend our carving late into the day when everyone was too wiped out to hike up again! :biggthump Glad you made it back alive, Jose. :rolleyes:

My only regret is that I cannot be there today. I hope you all have a fantastic day. I'm sure I'll see most of you at ECES over the next 5 days.

Carve on!

[lafcadio]

Other carving events may have things like, fancy lifts that run, groomed trails, and ski areas that are what you might call "open", but the Rally had some kick-ass people show up today.

Mark, don't sell yourself short. We absolutely had groomed runs. I was pleasantly surprised that even though the place was closed, the groomers were out there dodging falling trees, risking their lives, laying out the corduroy for us. I hope you don't get too much grief for all the trenches. :D

[thechonger]

Mark,

Thanks for putting this together, my first time hard-booting was awesome! Everyone was so friendly and encouraging. Joerg was really great and spent the whole morning working with us and I feel incredibly lucky for the experience. My only regret is that I had to head back early, I am completely converted to hard boots.

[scrapster]

Donek-1
Pole holding "Trails Merging" sign-0

Lots of fun today. Thanks again Mark! See everyone up at Stratton this week.

[dingbat]

Sure was luxurious with the lifts running today!

Drew, glad you made it. You're the guy this event is all about. Looking forward to seeing you ripping trenches.:biggthump

Mark, I spoke with ski patrol. They're going to send you a bill for the pole and replace the "Trails Merging" sign with one that says "Scrappy Coco Crossing".

Great day guys, thanks for coming out.:biggthump

[AMK]

Saturday Session @ Berkshire '12
First chair..... not sure about first track...

1.Mark
2. Jose, Mike & Mitch
298402984129842

[AMK]

1. Jose & Mitch .... no comment
2. Mr. Stratton and Mellow Yellow
3. Mr. Stratton killing some
298432984429845

[Atom Ant]

So wrote a pretty long and (I like to think) eloquent message about how much fun I had, how great the people were, how inspiring Joerg is, and how crazy Sat. was... but then I hit the wrong button in trying to post this message and it was immediately deleted. Suffice to say, once again this event was one of the best weekends of the year for me, in any season. Mark, thank you so much.

On a side note, if anyone is heading to Boston (or North Conway, NH... hey, it could happen) on Friday with an arrival time of around 5pm, and has space to give me a lift, I would be eternally great full. Otherwise I will have to leave first thing Friday morning, as that is when my current ride is heading out. Let me know... Mitchell.Pauly@gmail.com

[dingbat]

Mitch,

I had a beautiful shot of you deep in a carve lined up but then I hit the wrong button.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_104237.jpg

Glad you came out.:biggthump

[dingbat]

Here's my after the fact daily rub-in:

Arrive at the hill to find that the impending doom of 55-70mph gusts has caused the area to be closed for the day (by far the right call) so first chair turned out to be a pair of sleds.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_084422.jpg


Mike looks like maybe he's done this before. Just hope that sled doesn't lurch forward while he's holding the board like that.:eek:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_085106.jpg


After the sleds we turned to other means of getting up the hill. Paul K, of course, came fully equipped for the situation with split board, skins, and poles. Here he is demonstrating proper toeside technique for split boarding on gravely, icy, windswept, groom. Important to know if you ever plan to spend much time in the back country.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_135231.jpg

[dingbat]

The rest of the day getting up the hill looked more like this:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_135253.jpg

I like this photo 'cause you can really see how amazing the snow was. Lifts won't get you there. You've got to hike for conditions like this.:D


Jose decided to run a race clinic. He may or may not have been feeling a little light-headed from all the hiking.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_133514.jpg


Anna, Gene, and maybe Mitch? follow Joerg up for what promises to be the most concentrated Pure Boarding clinic ever.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_140042.jpg

[dingbat]

Mike manages a pretty decent looking heelside despite the wind. Those white specks in the photo that look like snowflakes are actually ice pellets from the previous day's inch and a half of rain being whipped through the atmosphere by a 50+ mile an hour wind gust.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_090900.jpg


The official Rally at the Thunder Dome green energy tour.
Jose validates his Man Card by driving his all wheel drive wagon through ice and mud, and around and over fallen trees on the logging roads that lead to our wind turbine and then drops us a mere couple of yards from fresh groom at the top of the hill.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/neclassic/IMG_20120225_143413.jpg


Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, I had an awesome, awesome day that finished with the best run of my life. And even though fatigue, caused by hiking what I estimated to be 4500 feet of vertical, may have caused me to hallucinate the two pretty women on tele gear cheering for me at the end of that run.... in my mind it was real.:cool::p

Great day everyone. Can't wait for next year!

[lafcadio]

Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, I had an awesome, awesome day that finished with the best run of my life. And even though fatigue, caused by hiking what I estimated to be 4500 feet of vertical, may have caused me to hallucinate the two pretty women on tele gear cheering for me at the end of that run.... in my mind it was real.:cool::p

Um... no, that was real... unless we had the same hallucination. :D

[cail]

Nice! dingbat, put me down for '13 if the world doesn't blowup. I was going to get back into it this season, but with the lack of snow...

[scrapster]

Um... no, that was real... unless we had the same hallucination. :D

Pretty women on tele gear? That alone should be a red flag.

[ktv]

Other carving events may have things like, fancy lifts that run, groomed trails, and ski areas that are what you might call "open", but the Rally had some kick-ass people show up today.
I had a great time. If tomorrow is better, it'll be absolutely stellar.:biggthump

Mark,

Sign me up for 2013. Attending ECES was great riding with even greater people!

I'm planning to make the 14 hour drive from Dayton OH to attend!

Joerg attending again next year would be a definite plus!

(Chaka) (Wrath of) (Kkkk) Khanh

[dingbat]

Oh hell yeah!
Ka-ka-ka-Khanh!

[thechonger]

Count me in for 2013! Hopefully I will be able to induce a couple of friends to come along.