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Sugarloaf, Maine
Date:
January 16-19, 2009
Trip Leader: Dianne Furrer
Trip Assistant: Laura Gugliotta
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 The
Sugarloaf
trip began at the Telcordia parking lot in Piscataway on Friday, January
16 with 49 participants. The bus was loaded and by approximately 12:45,
we were on our way. Soon after departure, the drinks and snacks
started flowing.
 Participants
had a choice of beer, wine, soda, and water as well as chips, cookies,
cheese, and fruit. As darkness fell, the movies began. One quick
stop for a fast-food dinner and then we were back on the road.
We
arrived at the Sugarloaf Inn around 11pm. The front desk was ready for
us with the room packets which included the lift tickets. The group
quickly unloaded and checked in, allowing us all to settle in before
midnight.
 The
Sugarloaf Inn had a tasty hot breakfast buffet that was a great way to
start the day. Many of us gathered at breakfast to make plans for the
day. Then we headed to the ski room to gear up and take the short walk
out the back deck to the SawDuster lift, just 50 feet away. Lunch and
dinner were served at the Shipyard Brew Haus restaurant/pub, which is
located in the Sugarloaf Inn – how convenient.
The first
day of skiing was a tad challenging since the temperature was in the
single digits. Bonus – the mountain was void of crowds, never a lift
line. The morning’s complimentary mountain tour turned out to be a
one-on-one experience since our club members were the only skiers that
showed up. The snow was well groomed corduroy that was hard but at
least there was no ice. The tour’s free hot cocoa was a welcome treat.
An adult
lesson was offered as part of the package. Many people, even the ski
instructors in our group, took advantage of these lessons. A few
people came back early to use the health center hot tub. Other people
spent the afternoon at the Village Base area, sampling those awesome
burgers and brews. The food opportunities at Sugarloaf are quite
extensive and reasonably priced.
  The
Club hosted a meet and greet Saturday evening in Dianne and Nancy's
room. Cheese and crackers, chips and dip, beer, wine, and soda were
served. Almost everyone attended, to the point where we were
overflowing into the hallway! After a couple of hours, many of the
participants regrouped downstairs at the hotel’s restaurant for group
dinners while others walked up to the Village Base area for dinner.
Some ventured out to the night life; some closed down the hotel bar;
others hung out in their rooms, swapping stories of the ski lessons; and
the last group took advantage of the quiet lounge to talk and hang out.
 As
we went to bed on Saturday night, the news channels were humming about a
blizzard that was to hit Maine. We were all smiles – we’re stuck at a
ski slope waiting for a storm. We awoke Sunday morning to about 6” of
snow and it was snowing, heavily. All roads were closed. Maine
declared a state of emergency.
 We all went skiing. It was an awesome
powder day. The slopes were blanketed with new snow on each new run.
Eight people decided to take advantage of the Cross Country Skiing.
After a short shuttle ride, the group was outfitted with cross country
gear and set out with an instructor on their new adventure. After a
couple of falls, most people caught the hang of it. Although most
returned to the mountain to downhill for the afternoon, one person
enjoyed it so much that she has not been seen on a downhill slope
since!
  The
snow
continued to fall and by Monday morning, the depth was about 2 feet.
First tracks were incredible. Knee high powder was flying as the
skiers screamed with joy. Sugarloaf is a large mountain so it took
several hours before the runs became tracked. We were incredibly lucky
to be slope side during this blizzard.
Around
noonish, the members returned to the hotel, changed out of our ski
stuff, had lunch at the Shipyard Brew Haus restaurant, and loaded their
bags on the bus.
 The bus
trip home was quiet since most people were tired and were fading into
sleep. We enjoyed some more snacks and stopped for a fast-food dinner.
Upon arrival in Piscataway, we unpacked quickly so that everyone was
home for a good night’s sleep before work on Tuesday.
Dianne and Laura would like to thank everyone for being such a great
group and making it a memorable trip for all. |
