Snow Sharks woke extra early on the morning of January 17th, arriving at Tampa Airport 2 hours before their 7AM departure on Delta Airlines. Arriving in Albuquerque right on time, we met up with fellow Snow Sharks coming in from Los Angeles and New York City. Others were driving in from a previous ski week in Vail, Colorado.
Roger and crew were there to load us up for the ride to Taos Ski Valley with a stop at the famous Trading Post for a late lunch. Then on to Snakedance, got settled in, did the rental thing, followed by a Welcome and Orientation Party in the Library, then dinner. A busy day followed by a busy week.
Yoga was every morning at 7AM by Saray. She was up at 5:30 every morning getting ready and making preparation for her yoga class.
Free breakfast at 8AM, lifts opened at 9, Ernie Blake Ski Better Week at 10, scheduled lunches at different establishments on mountain at 12:30. Apres Ski or Wine Tasting in Snakedance Lounge at 4PM, dinner reservations every evening at 7, and this was our agenda for the week.
Sunday, we had a great Bonco Party and free Pizza dinner, thanks to the gracious help from Ron and Donna Siegel. The big money winners were George Lawton and Bruce Trautweiler.
Monday, lunch was at Rhoda's, dinner at Tim's Stray Dog (check pictures on Web site). The weather was bright, blue sky with sunshine until Tuesday's group picture when the snow started.
Tuesday’s lunch was on the Club at the Martini Tree Deck. By 12:30, everyone had arrived and was seated except Saray, Alex and Donna. “I hope nothing has happened” someone mentioned. Then they arrived – all but Donna, who during their class, had broken her right arm just above the wrist and was taken down the mountain in the “Basket”. Ron, immediately rushed off to the Clinic. It was our biggest setback of the week. The rest of the group enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Martini Tree and regrouped to ski together in the afternoon. After this enormous lunch, dinner was on our own.
Wednesday was still snowing, another 10”. Lunch was at Snakedance, with many taking the afternoon off to attend the Historical Tour of Taos, visiting the Rio Grande Gorge, Martinez Hacienda, and St. Francis de Assisi Church in Rancho de Taos. On returning, most of the group attended the Fetzer Wine/Dinner at Snakedance.
Thursday, after 2 days of solid snowing, the sun came out in a breathtaking wash of the mountains. Lunch was at the Phoenix, closest to the NASTAR course for our 1PM NASTAR Challenge against Snakedance, Orlando Ski Club, and Hudson Valley Ski Club. 19 Snowsharks competed. Nine of our members received Bronze Medals: Ken Venner, Bob Munday, Ron Siegel, John Czipri, Hal Brown, Rene’ Mailaender, Herb Elliott, Jack Shea, and Lou Bonsey. But two members – Polly and Bruce Trautweiler, just by competing, gave us the winning points to recapture the Taos Cup (Check Pictures on Web site). We celebrated with a group of 20 at dinner at the Bavarian Lodge.
Friday, lunch was at the Phoenix so that we could all ski together as a group which was wonderful! Gorgeous day and many pictures were taken. Then on to the Club Dinner and Awards Banquet/Wine tasting in the Snakedance Library.
Saturday, breakfast was included, then a comfortable bus ride to spend 2 hours in Santa Fe for lunch, shopping, or a quick jaunt to Canyon Drive.
It was a super week with super people – no whiners or complainers, truly a great trip!
Snakedance Inn is Snowshark friendly! Thanks Roger, Dan, Chris, Mitch and staff!
Trip Leader Lou Bonsey
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