Sicilian Snow in June

It was on a Sugarloaf chairlift this March that I started to tell someone that I skied at St. Lawrence, before quickly correcting myself.
“Actually, I used to ski for SLU,” I stuttered, my last season having come to an end the day before. I have since slowly gotten used to the reality of the statement, but while my career may be over SLUski certainly hasn’t left me yet, and hopefully it won’t for many years to come!


That said, I couldn’t resist the temptation to leave a little SLUski shout-out when near the top of the volcanic Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy two weeks ago. A fellow ’09 grad and I saw piles of white stuff on our way up, but thinking snow was impossible we were unsure what it actually was. The temps at the bottom of the mountain were 30C, although at the top it was considerably cooler, and we thought the black, volcanic rock would prove inhabitable for the snow under what my skin certainly found to be a very strong sun. But it was!
As it turns out, not only can you ski the volcano and its lava flows during the winter, snow lasts straight through June. So she and I constructed a little tribute to SLUski.

Happy Summer from a still snowy Sicily!

Skiing in the Clouds

I think it was on the ride home from Shelburne that Steve mentioned to me that he thought rollerskiing up the Mount Greylock access road would be a good workout.  I nodded, thinking of all the times I’ve skied up it in the winter, realizing that he was right, it would be a good workout. 

            Interestingly enough, when I got around to checking email today after work, I saw that the local training group was holding practice on the toll road—level 3 intervals up Massachusetts largest and most rugged 3,491 ft mountain (its actually just 9 feet short of being considered a true mountain, but here in mass, its all we’ve got).  Excited, I thought it would be fun.  I jumped in the car and headed over to the visitors center at the bottom of the access road. 

            Though it had stayed dry in most parts of the area, it was a different story on the Greylock.  As we neared the top, the clouds grew thick and condensation began to fall.  Fortunately it never actually rained—mostly it was just a drenching mist.  Don't get me wrong though, it wasn't in the least miserable.  Rather, it was quite enjoyable. Skiing through the clouds, while catching up with some high school buddies--what could be better.  Despite the wet, we reached the summit in a speedy 1:30 and were shuttled to the bottom by some devoted parents. 

            It was a good workout and an even more enjoyable ski.  Fresh pavement and little traffic made the ride smooth and uneventful—definitely a new favorite.  So Steve was right, it was good.  And if anyone is in the area, call me up, and I would love to do it again.