Skiing Withdrawl

Photo from Holiday Valley*

As I return from my reading week vacation in Florida I am left with that feeling that something is missing. Getting of the plane was not only shockingly frigid cold, but it also left me feeling at home. I love the sun, sand, and warm air but nothing beats a cold snowy day where you can hear the crunch of the snow beneath your boots.  This week I thought I'd share some insight into snow, and snowmaking. 
HolidayValley is setting the bar across the eastern ski resorts by investing $10 million in their snow making system.  This snowmaking system is an air/water system that consists of 475 tower guns, 50 ground guns, and 560 hydrants.

So what makes ideal snow making conditions? “According to Steve Crowley, Director of Mountain Operations and former head of Snowmaking, it is 18 degrees wet bulb with about a 10 to 15 mile per hour wind from the west and frozen ground.”* 

Photo from Holiday Valley*

For those of you not in the snowmaking business wet bulb temperature is the measurement of surrounding temperature that includes the cooling effect the humidity in the air allows for. The amount of water in the air affects the degree of evaporation. Dryer air leads to more cooling.

Holiday Valley is continuing to practice sustainable initiatives and this includes their snow making capabilities.  They take the water from their 64 million gallon Spruce Lake as well as their various ponds on their golf course. They also installed in 2013 put in HKD energy saving Tower Impulse guns that allow them to adjust for the weather. 

Now that my tan is starting to fade, I am excited to get back on the slopes this weekend and enjoy the last month of skiing. If you can make it out to your local ski hill don’t forget to consider the snow your skiing on.

Bundle up,
Joanna

Check out the video below of the Holiday Valley Snowmakers hard at work on a cold night.

*cited

•  http://www.holidayvalley.com/explore-our-mountain/snowmaking-at-holiday-valley#.UxXbWoI-PLg  
• http://instagram.com/holidayvalley 

Cooking for a full house

As every weekend approaches I am always faced with the same question. What will I be feeding my friends and family? This task usually includes the lunch I will be bringing to the ski hill on Saturday. Skiing is so much more to me then going down a hill, it's the whole lifestyle that comes with it. I am going to share my favourite and easy lunch recipes with you from one of my favourite blogs Two Peas & Their Pod. I love making their Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili It is easy to prepare and all I need to is bring my crock pot with me and plug it in. When you are out on the hill skiing and breaking a sweat you don't want to come to a lunch of fats and sugars. My goal every week is to make a healthy and enjoyable lunch, and this recipe always is a big success. 

 

There is nothing more satisfying then getting off the hill on a cold day and enjoying a nice big warm bowl of chili. This recipe is easy follow, and the ingredients are easy to come by. In most ski towns the grocery stores are small and don't always have  specialty  items. This recipe has simple and healthy ingredients. I love this chili because its light on the spice so everyone can add more to their individual taste if they like (if I remember to pack extra). 

When making this recipe at home, I love to serve it over brow basmati rice or quinoa.(check out my friends quinoa blog, its sure to inspire you) This makes for a hearty meal that is sure to satisfy all your hungry skiers.

I hope you are inspired to get outside today, try an activity and enjoy a healthy lunch. 

-Joanna

What I ride.

This week called for an equipment review. First things first, know your level of ability.  I am categorized as an intermediate to expert skier, make sure you know your level before you go out an buy equipment. I will be reviewing the 2011 Salomon Lady and my boots are a 2013 Salomon X-Max 110 W. I got this equipment from my local ski shop The City Garage. They take the time to make sure I am well equipped and answer all my questions.
The Salomon Lady skies are categorized as an all over the mountain ski. The skis took turns with ease and their wide base pushed me through all the powder on the mountain. The bright colours definitely drew me in and I was not disappointed. The skis were easy to maneuver across all types of terrain. The twin tips made it easy for park and mogul skiing. I really enjoyed these skis and would give them a 9/10.
The Salomon X-Max 110 W boots fit like a glove. They were a little difficult to get on, but once they were on they were as comfortable as a ski boot could get.  With an adjustable circumference, and heated insoles they boots felt as custom as one could get. These boots also offer a 360 custom shell technology allows the entire lower boot and portions of the cuff and my leg and foot. This was a stiffer boot, which is what an aggressive skier enjoys. I was able to get forward while skiing and still feel full support. I really loved these boots and would give them a 9.5/10. 
Overall I really loved these skis and boots. I recommend checking out your local ski shop for a demo your next ski trip. Can't hurt to try something new.
-Joanna

Friday, Friday, Friday

Another Friday has arrived and I am itching to get out the door and on the road. 

My trusty Jetta Candy. I think she needs a car wash!

Before I start I should give you some background on where I ski.  My home mountain is in the small town of Ellicottville, NY called HolidayValley, which is, an hour and half from where I live and go to school. So when Friday finally rolls around I can’t wait to get out the door to brave Mother Nature and hit the road.  It is common for me to drive through whiteouts and sometimes I am forced to take the back roads because the main highways are closed due to weather conditions.  I am sure you all know the saying, "rain or shine" well mine has become "snow or shine". If I don't have any homework, group projects, or family chores I am out the door running on Friday afternoons. This week I am free to hit the road early.

The rush isn't to get there to ski Friday night, the rush is to get there to see all of my friends and family. We always cook an amazing dinners, drink some great wine and get to bed early, because tomorrow morning we separate the skiers from the lodgers. Its always a competition to who will be out the door first? Now I won't say I am always out the door first, it all depends on the night before, I won't lie, but I am out the door first 75% of the time.

This week I am not only rushing to get Ellicottville but I am also on my way to the airport to pick up my godmother, who is coming in from Chicago for a weekend of skiing. 
Well I better hit the road. I hope you all make time for the things you love.
-J

My name is Joanna, and I am a Skier.

My name is Joanna and I have an addiction, I am a skier.  I am told the first step is admitting you have problem.  I have been skiing since I was two years old, and there is nothing I love more in life then a sunny winter day with lots of snow.  This blog will highlight not only my passion for skiing and the lifestyle but also all the different kinds of skiing available. 

My dad and I at age 4 at Holiday Valley Resort (Ellicotville, NY)

First, I should explain how I became so consumed with this winter sport. It all started when I was two years old and my father strapped me to a pair of skis. It wasn’t long after that I knew I was hooked.  I went on to take lessons and join many different teams.  Downhill is the type of skiing I do now but I used to race, freestyle, free ride (halfpipe and park), and cross-country ski.  Skiing is such a complex sport; even after all these years I am nowhere near a master.

As you can tell I love skiing, but sadly I am forced to get a job and move out of my parent’s house. So this year I decided to go back to school to help meet these societal standards. I am currently enrolled at Niagara College in the Graduate Public Relations Program, and I think I’ve come up with the perfect future plan.  I will get a job at a ski resort doing PR…

Thanks for joining me on this adventure of trying to balance my obsession with real life.

Lets make some turns

– Joanna