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Schweitzer Mountain Resort,
ID
Date:
March 2-9, 2013
Trip Leader: Steven Krapes
Trip Assistant: Raghu Naik
(Pictures are clickable for high-res images)
  An early morning departure: everyone on time: some even early, smooth
and efficient sailing at the airports and a smooth bus journey thru
flatlands, mountains, and rivers and a huge lake to Sandpoint kicked of
this wonderful trip. A stop on the way to Schweitzer at a world famous
store (Walmart J ) had
folks “fueling” up for the week. Purchases made there clearly indicated
that quite a week of “liquid” enjoyment was ahead of us. We arrive mid
afternoon at the Selkirk Lodge, and soon we are treated to a nice
reception by the awesome staff and, in addition, a good dinner and wine
tasting session thanks to the club. A good start. Oh yes, and this huge
mountain looms in the background to be visited in the morning.
  The Selkirk lodge had very comfortable rooms, with lovely views, a very
convenient ski storage room, and a very cozy lobby with a fireplace
where several drinks and food were shared. With everything (rentals,
stores, food) located with a few feet of the lodge and a good breakfast
everyday at the slope side lodge, made for easy mornings.
Evening sunsets were amazing, as the clouds caught the waning sun and
bathed the mountain in red.
  Conditions the first two days were a bit atypical of Schweitzer. Not
much snow, but a very deep base made for fast groomers and awesome
sunshine. Schweitzer has some of the steepest groomers with Kaniksu (50+
degrees at top), K’Macs, and Bud’s Chute. By mid afternoon the packed
snow warmed up enough for the tree skiers to enjoy several different
tree sections all over the mountain. Lots of open skiing, two big bowls,
all levels of skiing. Staying close to the groomers was a good option
as several folks found out while either rolling down, and edging down a
ice mogul run called J.R.
 A
lot of bright sun made for some awesome views, great pictures, and … … a
SUPERHERO skiing down the hill.. BATMAN took over the mountain,
spreading his bat cape, flying down the mountain, signing autographs,
captivating kids.. You can check out what the Schweitzer marketing team
did by clicking on the picture at left (it is one of our
members).
  Sunday night après skiing included a drink on the club at the Tap Room,
a few games of pool, and dinner at one of the several restaurants at the
base. Monday night also included an intense cardio snowshoeing “walk”.
Often uphill, dark, and after a day of skiing, it made it more than a
walk. The days following offered opportunities for
x-country skiing and daytime snowshoeing. Thursday included a
tubing party. Champagne, wine, beer, cookies, a nice fire, and tubing
down two lanes had folks enjoying the evening.
  We heard of several folks doing the snow dance on Monday all over the
mountain.. Well, it worked… SNOW.. SNOW.. SNOW.. it started snowing
Tuesday am and went thru Thursday mid morning dumping ~8+ inches. The
whole mountain was now skiable: trees, glades, the bowls, the groomed
trails, all had lovely soft powder. Lots of playtime, hard work, and
enjoyable days of skiing followed. The hut tubs soothed many muscles.
Some folks enjoyed rejuvenating massages at the spa. The week of skiing ended with a lovely day
on Friday with good powder and bright sun.
Steve and Raghu wish to thank everyone for being
great trip buddies! We all had an awesome
experience!.
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