Hello Everyone –.
This is my last column of the year and to cap off a season that has seen over 100 inches of snow in certain parts of the region in March, I have come up with Joe’s eighth annual (Mike has been putting up with me that long) “SNOWY” awards or “SNOWIES” whichever suits you the best. The committee (which again this year consisting of me, myself and I and we argue) picked out ten categories and spent hours upon hours tabulating the results (believe that and you saw me win the Giant Halfpipe competition in X-Games). So without anymore (thank goodness) fanfare, here are the 2012/2013 season “SNOWIES”.
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Most Indecisive – Southeast Skiers and Snowboarders, every time there was a large snowfall, it was always well I’ll go next time it snows. Luckily this season there was always a next time.
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Most Valuable – First time Southeast Skiers and Snowboarders – For having faith that all of the region’s resorts would teach them how to have fun in the winter time outside on the slopes.
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Unsung Hero – The weatherman who actually look out the window and tell everyone what they need to hear not what they think everyone would like to hear. There is a huge difference in the two.
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Most Overrated – Repeat winner in this category. Advanced weather forecasts, such as five and ten day forecasts. Unfortunately too many people give too much weight to those future forecasts and make incorrect plans accordingly. This more than anything drives resort marketing folks completely nuts.
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Go For It – For the resorts that were willing to listen to the skiers and snowboarders who were willing to hit the slopes past the announced closing dates and then remained open for a few more days.
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Fighting To The Bitter End – Wintergreen in Virginia for giving everyone one more weekend, in April.
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Most Patience – Group Sales Desks representatives who have literally thousands of skiers and snowboarders (many first-timers) in front of them every Saturday and handle the surge with big smiles.
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Going The Extra Mile – A repeat winner here, the region’s lift attendants that understand that not everyone knows how to ride a lift and go out of their way of making sure their experience is a safe and enjoyable one.
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Cy Young (Best Pitch) – Another repeat winner here, to the folks who continue the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month national campaign. New blood in the sport means future skiers and snowboarders and continued fun during the winter.
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Stepping Up To The Plate and Hitting It Out Of The Park – To Mother Nature who actually didn’t listen to that rodent and gave us plenty of winter to enjoy.
That’s it folks for the 2012/2013 season – it’s been fun riding with you again this year. Just remember to always be patient as whether it be cold or whether it be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather will be. Think about it! Time to get everything tuned for the 2013/2014 season.