Midwest Mini

[Nohillsnearby]

I'll post this here, too.

I'm calling January 20th at Swiss Valley as the official location. Be there or be heckled.:p :D

[Egon]

Pray for snow.

[Andy_B]

Dec 15th. Boyne Mtn.

6 for 1 day.

[marshalolson]

if you can make it at devils head, i;d come back just to ski there again.

[Particle]

Out of curiosity, I don't know what states any of these places are in...anything within a few hours of C-bus?

[Xover]

^ michigan, michigan and wisconsin retard ;)

[WhiteHunter]

if you can make it at devils head, i;d come back just to ski there again.

It's almost like crack.

[motown_fatty]

Holy shit this weather makes me sad.

[thephatkid]

i might be able to make it we'll see how work is goin and if i can get some others to join me

[flatNshallow]

this would be about 1 mile of drive for every foot of vert on that "mountain"... better break out the oxygen and crampons!

[kid4lyf]

Seeing this thread poking up in the midst of Utah, JH, Mammoth, and Chamonix Mini threads just makes me really sad.








Where's my gun?

[Venus Flytrap]

Don't do it, Kid! Just grab another magazine and DREAM.:cool:

[INDY GS]

We need cold. This is getting farging rediculous. It is 55 at my house right now. Sayying we may be able to turn the guns on for a while late tomorrow night, but who knows.

Kid4lyf. It may be depressing that we ski little 200-500' hills, but it's what we got. A maggott gathering on 200' and a bar is better than sitting on your ass in Crown Point chilling at Southlake Mall. deal with the geography and make the most of it, it makes life more fun.

[baseWeldr]

leaving tonight or tomorrow for some cabFae &/or mishyCrustal ackshun...
packin the golfDiscs too of course and plan on a couple multiSport daze

lookin ahead the wknd of the 20th we might just be free- could possibly meet up with our chiTown friends too at SV- that way the wife&I would each have friends to ski with...

[uglymoney]

We need cold. This is getting farging rediculous. It is 55 at my house right now. Sayying we may be able to turn the guns on for a while late tomorrow night, but who knows.

Completely ridonculous. XBoat and myself were up at Chestnut on Tuesday night and the snow was just complete concrete from the freeze thaw cycles. Its been too warm to make snow since then. Think wet pack ice. Glacier hip crushing hard. I'd still be up there today if I could have.

Snowmaking is on for tonight though. Temps look good every night for the next week, but still the freeze thaw cycle will haunt.


Kid4lyf. It may be depressing that we ski little 200-500' hills, but it's what we got. A maggott gathering on 200' and a bar is better than sitting on your ass in Crown Point chilling at Southlake Mall. deal with the geography and make the most of it, it makes life more fun.

Well said. Its the midwest, not prison.

[Woodsy]

nihils makes me hot in a we are noth taken kinfa way

[kid4lyf]

44 degrees and rising.
Maybe we should just throw in the towel and meet at Ft. Custer with mountain bikes. :(

[flatNshallow]

nihils makes me hot in a we are noth taken kinfa way

alcohol?

[Nohillsnearby]

nihils makes me hot in a we are noth taken kinfa way

Uh, yeah. I do that....

[INDY GS]

OK don't write off the season yet. It looks like a good 24 hrs of snowmaking coming up, then a brief warmup and then plummeting in time for the mini summit to actually happen at Swiss Valley on the 20th. Keep an eye on the site, as the 20th approaches.

I'll be there regardless of weather as long as there is snow.

[Andy_B]

Flat, you wanna meet up and head over?

50/50 gas.

[Nohillsnearby]

OK don't write off the season yet. It looks like a good 24 hrs of snowmaking coming up, then a brief warmup and then plummeting in time for the mini summit to actually happen at Swiss Valley on the 20th. Keep an eye on the site, as the 20th approaches.

I'll be there regardless of weather as long as there is snow.

Thanks for the update, Indy! We'll be there.

[INDY GS]

I was at Swiss a few days ago doing some work, etc... They are still hanging onto some of the snow they had made, There is not a lot, but some decent patches streaking the hills, and in a few spots was still pretty deep, I'd say even up to 10" or more in a few spots maybe up to 15". It won't take much to get the hill skiing again. Right now we are looking at about a 30-50% chance of opening back up on Wednesday of this week. But that just depends on what the snowmaking can crank out in a good 24 Hour window.

Looking forward to changing nickles with some maggots at the local hill!

INDY

[flatNshallow]

Andy-
Not sure I am gonna make it... I've got my daughter that weekend and my better half is making noises about a family weekend at Boyne. I won't know until next weekend at the earliest - I'll PM ya.

[Diz_MT]

Crystal Mtn is not too bad right now (according to an icebum i know). Make sure and stop at AnnArbor to piss on something, go bucks! Damn we just lost......

[INDY GS]

Midwest Mini Update & Roll Call.

I just left Swiss this afternoon, they were able to make a significant amount of snow. Hopefully two days of unfavorable temps will spare us and not damage the snow too much. Sunday night it is going to get good and lead to a weeklong snowmaking blitz. I would have skied today if the lifts were turning, it was looking that good.

Anyway, I suppose this is a roll call for the 20th. I will be at a JR's race at Cannonsburg on saturday morning, but back at swiss as soon as we can get back to town, the munchkin will be worn out, so daddy will get some adult time on the hill and at the bar.

So I we all know who to look for, speak up.



BTW, Crystal Michigan was in excellent shape yesterday, although they were only half open, it was by far the best skiing this season that I've had, with the exception of opening day.

[Nohillsnearby]

Yay! The Nohills will be here.

Indy- Check the thread in the main forum for the pussy no-shows. ;)

[flatNshallow]

I'm still a maybe... my gf and I both have our daughters that weekend so if I go, it'd be a family affair. (which is actually a plus as the better half would be available for Designated Driving Duty!) Problem is talking the 3 of them into 3 hours one way for 225 ft of vert... so far they are amped on the prospect of skiing but keep mentioning words like "Boyne" and "Nubs"...

[INDY GS]

I hear your pain Flat, 3 hrs is a long trip, but it can be a good time, what are the ages of your daughters? younger kids can have a good time at swiss, and the nice thing is if you feel comfy letting them run around alone, they can't get too far away.

Anyway if you make it, I'll be wearing a blue giro helmet and khaki pants fer sure, don't know what coat yet.

[kid4lyf]

younger kids can have a good time at swiss, and the nice thing is if you feel comfy letting them run around alone, they can't get too far away. My yougest son's first day skiing was at Swiss.
Here he is four years later. (1/2hr hike out the gate from the Ninety Nine 90 lift at The Canyons)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/kid4lyf/Canyons2-12-04.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/kid4lyf/Canyons2-12-04II.jpg

[Andy_B]

Uhh... Where is Swiss Valley?

[flatNshallow]

ok - first things first...

[antijinx!!!]
and with that out of the way... from www.johndee.com (midwest mags should bookmark this page!) The 5-10 day accumulation forecast (http://www.johndee.com/forecast_graphic.htm)...

Looks like the lake effect machine may be getting revved up (finally!).
[/antijinx!!!]

Indy- I'll lobby hard and be looking for ya if I make it. Black pants w/ white stripes, flat black visored Giro... like you, jacket is tbd.

[INDY GS]

Thanks for the link, that graphic looks pomising. You raised a ripper.

I'm heading up to Caberfae this evening, skiing there tomorrow and Crystal Sunday. If any maggots are around at either place. See ya there.

INDY

[Nohillsnearby]

I hear your pain Flat, 3 hrs is a long trip, but it can be a good time, what are the ages of your daughters? younger kids can have a good time at swiss, and the nice thing is if you feel comfy letting them run around alone, they can't get too far away.

Anyway if you make it, I'll be wearing a blue giro helmet and khaki pants fer sure, don't know what coat yet.

Plus I have a 10yo to lead them around into trouble and a 14yo who might help, too. (If her friends don't come along) Our church youth group members will be there, too.

I look like my avatar.

[flatNshallow]

Indy-
That's Kyd's ripper in the pic's... my girls are 13 (hers is a week older than mine)... what fun! And yeah, they pretty much go where they want unless we are out west... and they might even solo this year there too. :D

Andy - its in Jones, MI... West of Kazoo, about 20 miles south of I 94... 2.5+ hours from AA. If we end up going, and if you don't mind riding Family style (and in the 3 row of the van), you're welcome to hitch a ride - gratis! (heck - I should pay you for putting up with the girls!) We'd be pulling out around 530am - but not sure if would be from H20Ford or Canton... drop me a PM if interested.

NoHills - a mini maggot mini? :D

[INDY GS]

Sounds good. A mini-maggott Mini! My son is 5 and should be with if he isn't wiped from racing at Cannonsburg in the AM. Hopefully I get back before everyone is too bored of the hill. If so, the bar sounds good too.

INDY

[Andy_B]

Andy - its in Jones, MI... West of Kazoo, about 20 miles south of I 94... 2.5+ hours from AA. If we end up going, and if you don't mind riding Family style (and in the 3 row of the van), you're welcome to hitch a ride - gratis! (heck - I should pay you for putting up with the girls!) We'd be pulling out around 530am - but not sure if would be from H20Ford or Canton... drop me a PM if interested.

:D


errr... Shot gun.

[Egon]

any cheap motels/campgrounds nearby?

[PTracy P1]

http://www.perfectnorth.com/snowcams.php?view=1

webcam from perfect north in souther indiana.


YES! they have *snow. :lol:

[INDY GS]

any cheap motels/campgrounds nearby?


There are several campgrounds, fairly close, I have no idea if they have winter camping or not. I don't have the sac to winter camp in MICHIGAN, but google campgrounds & jones michigan you'll get some numbers.

Here is a link to local lodging options in the area:
http://www.skiswissvalley.com/arealodging.html

Camp Eberhart may have something on the cheaper end, but they may not like drunks rolling in as it is a YMCA camp. Three rivers is really your best option 10 miles east of the ski area. The usual, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, etc... There is also a flea bag looking place called The Spartan Inn, I would assume this is the cheapest option of all the hotels, and you may be able to score some meth from the adjoining room!

[baseWeldr]

'fraid it don't look good for me- wife's payin back all the time-off from xmas and works fri morn to sat morn then again sun to mon morn- somehow getting either the whole fam or even just me to drive the couple 3hrs down from lansing is seeming unrealistic... plus we're gearing up for a montanny visit in feb too so we'll be getting a skifix soon enough I guess...

/I was holdin out to see what developed but think I'm out on this party- have fun at SV all-
back to the northern mitten a few times in march probably...
http://www.caberfaepeaks.com/1.3.07.1.JPG

[Egon]

There are several campgrounds, fairly close, I have no idea if they have winter camping or not. I don't have the sac to winter camp in MICHIGAN, but google campgrounds & jones michigan you'll get some numbers.

The usual, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, etc... There is also a flea bag looking place called The Spartan Inn, I would assume this is the cheapest option of all the hotels, and you may be able to score some meth from the adjoining room!

Okay, I think I'll catch opening weekend in northeast Ohio instead because I don't think I have the SAC to even handle the icy drive.
and I need to save some change for utah.

[Nohillsnearby]

Okay, I think I'll catch opening weekend in northeast Ohio instead because I don't think I have the SAC to even handle the icy drive.
and I need to save some change for utah.

What icy drive? NE IN didn't get shit for snow/ice.

[300hp]

nubs nob

ya'll know its the best in the midwest. now come up and see me :D

[baseWeldr]

my momNlaw just skied nubs monday in 'bout 8" of new and said she didn't like it cuz she couldn't see her skis, this after her week at a condo at schuss skiin for free with the 70+ crowd where "...it was a blizzard the whole time we were there..."
I hope I get half the powdays she's had already...
lake effect lovin
http://www.caberfaepeaks.com/1.16.07.4.jpg

[Nohillsnearby]

nubs nob

ya'll know its the best in the midwest. now come up and see me :D

Might work that in this year. But for a day trip, that's more time driving than skiing....

[flatNshallow]

flatNshallow regrets to inform you that he will not make it to the mini this weekend...

kitchen pass = revoked :tdo13:

pink seemed the proper color for this post.:nonono2:

[INDY GS]

Bummer Flat! I'll be around most weekends at Swiss if you ever decide to swing out.

Yeah Nubs is one of the better Up North places, but like NoHills said for a day trip, kinda hard.

See you all on the hill saturday afternoon.

INDY

[300hp]

well when you indyites come up, I can hook up whatever you need. I've got a season p so I'm spoiled.

[PTracy P1]

Fuck, that's a 3.5 hour drive for 200 feet of vert. I can get to Denver in 2 hours. :D not gonna make it, too far for what I can get in 1.5 hours to Perfect North. Meet you all one day....:smile:

[PTracy P1]

Not that I don;t want to meet all of you, but the little guys would come with me, and that's 7 hours in a car. And I gotta be back for the big game Sunday night too.

will any of you ever meet up at Perfect North? :eek:

[INDY GS]

I usually only ski perfect if I have a free ticket, and it is on a NON weekend day. That place is regoddamndiculous on weekends, and thier lift prices rival that of less popular out west areas.

[INDY GS]

How about you let me in on this secret to get to denver in 2 hours.

Last time I flew out, it took 45 minutes to the Indy Airport, 1 hour for parking, security and waiting. Then a 3 hour flight. Shuttle to rental car. Get car. Drive I70 nightmare traffic up to Copper 2 Hours Minimum. We're looking at almost 7 Hours and that is being fairly quick through security.

Anyway, hope to see some maggots around this weekend.

Later,

INDY


Fuck, that's a 3.5 hour drive for 200 feet of vert. I can get to Denver in 2 hours. :D not gonna make it, too far for what I can get in 1.5 hours to Perfect North. Meet you all one day....:smile:

[Nohillsnearby]

Fuck, that's a 3.5 hour drive for 200 feet of vert. I can get to Denver in 2 hours. :D not gonna make it, too far for what I can get in 1.5 hours to Perfect North. Meet you all one day....:smile:

OK, We'll just talk about you, then. ;)

[flatNshallow]

Next year rather than arguing about which 200-500 foot pimple the Midwest Mini should be held we should just pick a "real" mini and crash it!

[kid4lyf]

Next year rather than arguing about which 200-500 foot pimple the Midwest Mini should be held we should just pick a "real" mini and crash it!The best idea I've heard yet.

[Nohillsnearby]

Next year rather than arguing about which 200-500 foot pimple the Midwest Mini should be held we should just pick a "real" mini and crash it!


The best idea I've heard yet.

Oh, kiss my ass. The whole point of a Midwest Mini is to get together, have fun, laugh and drink a beer (or two or three) It matters not where we ski, just that we ski. :rolleyes:

[Egon]

Gas is cheap, and I'm desperate.

Time and place?

Is there anyone left? :D

edit: look for brown fate jacket, old dynastar bigs (w/ dragon), and red/black Univ. of Utah hat.

[kid4lyf]

Oh, kiss my ass. The whole point of a Midwest Mini is to get together, have fun, laugh and drink a beer (or two or three) It matters not where we ski, just that we ski. :rolleyes:Lack of snow killed your sense of humor, too? :the_finge

[baseWeldr]

http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/Loop/centgrtlakes_loop.gif

well its stayed pretty cool with some nice bands comin off the lake- might be kinda soft over there tomorrow... have fun to any and all that can make it



----------------------------------------------------------------
cFae next wknd for the weldrFam, midminimini maybe, goin up indy?
http://www.caberfaepeaks.com/1.17.07.1.JPG

1/19/07 The South Peak chair will open later today! We have also opened the mini park on Gum Drop. The park offers a rail, fun box, hip jump, & 1/4 pipe with a tree jib!

[Nohillsnearby]

Lack of snow killed your sense of humor, too? :the_finge

Not at all. I'm tired of the "fly somewhere to ski" mentality. Sure SV has 225 vert. So what?? It's skiing. And it's fun to get together with other snow fans that are stuck in the same hell.

[Sensisnow]

I usually only ski perfect if I have a free ticket, and it is on a NON weekend day. That place is regoddamndiculous on weekends, and thier lift prices rival that of less popular out west areas.

You should've been there last night, it was just as bad as most weekends. 15 minute lift lines, full parking lot, 12 schoolbuses, and they still aren't 100% open. Gaper slaloming at its finest.

[kid4lyf]

Not at all. I'm tired of the "fly somewhere to ski" mentality. Sure SV has 225 vert. So what?? It's skiing. And it's fun to get together with other snow fans that are stuck in the same hell.My point is that we're just screwing around; basically making fun of ourselves and our situation.
No reason for attitude.

As for the, "fly somewhere to ski", mentality.
Guilty.

"Sure SV has 225 vert. So what?? It's skiing"

"So what?? It's skiing"?
Comon.
Yea, and you can "surf" on Lake Michigan, right?
You can kayak on the pond behind your house, right?
You can ride your mountain bike in the back yard, right?
However, these things kinda lose some of their appeal if you have the ability level to surf Maui, kayak in Idaho, and bike Moab, don't they.
I understand the making lemonaid thing. Just don't get all pissy when someone teases you about the lemons.

[INDY GS]

I don't think anyone was trying to get pissy with anyone, and I agree with Nohills the "fly to" mentality is overplayed. I can't make it to the mountains every time I want to ski, so i make due with what I got, and that is weekend trips bracketed by big mountain trips. I have skied more locals in my 30 year tenure of skiing than many have, and I still enjoy skiing at places like Swiss, Timber Ditch or the occasional free day at a place like Perfect North Slopes. Yeah it's making lemonaid, but it sure is better than sitting on the couch eating cheetos on a cold saturday afternoon.

The Small areas are the places that teach people to enjoy skiing for what it is, a fun day outdoors sliding with 2 sticks on your feet (or board). It does not matter what is below your feet, 225 feet or 2,225 feet of vert, the first 20 turns are the same, it just matters what your frame of mind is!



To the question of When and where:

Swiss Valley, Jones Michigan
Saturday Jan 20th, 2007
All Day untill closing time, 10:00 pm.

I'll be there in the afternoon after my son is done racing at Cannonsburg.

[PTracy P1]

have fun kids.

also indygs, the 2 hours to denco was just an appx time. direct flights about 2.75 hours, you are correct.

anyway - go colts!:D

[Nohillsnearby]

I don't think anyone was trying to get pissy with anyone, and I agree with Nohills the "fly to" mentality is overplayed. I can't make it to the mountains every time I want to ski, so i make due with what I got, and that is weekend trips bracketed by big mountain trips. I have skied more locals in my 30 year tenure of skiing than many have, and I still enjoy skiing at places like Swiss, Timber Ditch or the occasional free day at a place like Perfect North Slopes. Yeah it's making lemonaid, but it sure is better than sitting on the couch eating cheetos on a cold saturday afternoon.

The Small areas are the places that teach people to enjoy skiing for what it is, a fun day outdoors sliding with 2 sticks on your feet (or board). It does not matter what is below your feet, 225 feet or 2,225 feet of vert, the first 20 turns are the same, it just matters what your frame of mind is!



To the question of When and where:

Swiss Valley, Jones Michigan
Saturday Jan 20th, 2007
All Day untill closing time, 10:00 pm.

I'll be there in the afternoon after my son is done racing at Cannonsburg.

Hands IndyGS a "may speak for me" card...

[flatNshallow]

Oh, kiss my ass. The whole point of a Midwest Mini is to get together, have fun, laugh and drink a beer (or two or three) It matters not where we ski, just that we ski. :rolleyes:

now now... don't go getting your panties in a bunch!:D Can't a snow deprived guy wax cynical anymore?

[mnflyfish]

SOooooooo, how did the mini go? I spent the day at my daughter's race and Mich is a pretty good drive for us over in MN. I'm looking for pictures, funny stories about someone crashin and burning, etc.

Also, MN mags. How about a Mini on the west side of the Midwest?

Jay

[Egon]

I didn't run into anyone (i showed up late), but I had fun. Swiss Valley is the first hill I've been to where you park at the top, and ski to the bottom.

I especially liked the 80's tunes they had playing all day. Nice big fire pit at the chalet too.

I was impressed, not so much with the skiing itself, but with the people. Everyone was out just enjoying the snow, and having a good time. I didn't hear a single person bitch about the conditions.

Also, it was refreshing to be on a hill that was purely about skiing and boarding, not real estate development, $80 lift tickets, or macho attitude.
The soul of skiing is definitely alive in the midwest, probably more so than a lot of western ski areas.

Indy, sorry I couldn't make it on time, slept in a little. Made it there by 1 and skied til about 4 on saturday. Had to make it back to catch the playoffs. great hill, definitely beats alpine valley, OH

[wi3dzmin]

SOooooooo, how did the mini go? I spent the day at my daughter's race and Mich is a pretty good drive for us over in MN. I'm looking for pictures, funny stories about someone crashin and burning, etc.

Also, MN mags. How about a Mini on the west side of the Midwest?

Jay

Yes, yes... excellent idea wrt to both pictures and another summit. It looks like winter has just begun here in Iowa...

[INDY GS]

Egon, sorry I missed you, I didn't get back to SV until just a hair before 5PM the race my son was at lasted alot longer as there were about 180 JR racers there. It was a great time. Then awards were a bit of a snafu, but I wasn't gonna deny my boy his chance at the podium.

Anyway, I am going to pass the kind words you said about SV and midwest skiing on to the owner and GM of SV. It is testimonials like that that keep hills like ours alive.

Glad you had a good time on my stomping grounds.

[Nohillsnearby]

Indy, sorry I couldn't make it on time, slept in a little. Made it there by 1 and skied til about 4 on saturday. Had to make it back to catch the playoffs. great hill, definitely beats alpine valley, OH

Egon! The Nohills were there at that time. Sorry we missed you! We stayed mainly on the lift near the terrain park. Things 1 & 2 were getting the slide box dialed in.

Me, watching Thing 1:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/Fotofriend/Skiing/Picture020.jpg

And Thing 2:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/Fotofriend/Skiing/Picture008.jpg

[Nohillsnearby]

Egon, sorry I missed you, I didn't get back to SV until just a hair before 5PM the race my son was at lasted alot longer as there were about 180 JR racers there. It was a great time. Then awards were a bit of a snafu, but I wasn't gonna deny my boy his chance at the podium.

Anyway, I am going to pass the kind words you said about SV and midwest skiing on to the owner and GM of SV. It is testimonials like that that keep hills like ours alive.

Glad you had a good time on my stomping grounds.

How did your ripper do??

Indy- my horse's veterinarian told me to say "Hi" for him to the owner. Doc bought a rope tow & motor for his own backyard hill.

[INDY GS]

He ended up 6th place, they podium to 8th. It was actually a really close race, and was a lot of fun. There were about 15 kids in his catagory.

I unfortunately left my digi at the cabin and only got a few shots at the awards with my camera phone. I'll post one in a bit.

What is your vets name, I'll tell JW he says hi tomorrow when I'm in.

Later,

INDY