Ski Bus Trip Dec 13th, 2024

By Maureen Cavanaugh from Dec 26, 2024

Miramar Ski Club’s first ski weekend of the 2024/2025 season was a great start! The weekend of December 13th-15th was filled with excitement and camaraderie. Blythe Austin leading the trip showed the strength of the club’s leadership, and with Maureen Cavanaugh as Staff and Elizabeth Ernish as Staff-in-Training, there was plenty of support to go around. Al, the Hampton Jitney bus driver, was an invaluable part of the team, always ready to help.

Matt and Maddie were key players in making the weekend even more special! Matt, as our fantastic chef, kept everyone well-fed with delicious meals, adding to the overall experience. And Maddie, our new trusty dishwasher, played an equally important role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes—her help made the meal times easier and more enjoyable for everyone. It’s great to see such a supportive and hardworking team behind the scenes, contributing to a memorable weekend for all.

Saturday at Sugarbush was a fantastic day for the Miramar Ski Club. The conditions were solid for mid-December, and skiing with a group makes the day even more enjoyable. Ending the day with apres-ski drinks at Rumbles was a great way to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures. At dinner, the surprise birthday celebration for Gail Tuzman added a fun, personal touch to the weekend, and her win at the ‘Ugly Holiday Sweater Party’ was a highlight, especially with her creative, hand-decorated sweater.

The White Elephant Gift Exchange was a blast, with plenty of surprises and plenty of laughter—especially with popular items like the bottle of Bourbon, the 1000-piece apres-ski puzzle, and the ski boot dryers – a hit for anyone heading into winter’s chill. What a wonderful way to bond as a group and kick off the ski season.

Sunday at Killington wrapped up the weekend perfectly, with great conditions to keep the momentum of the trip going. Big kudos to Blythe for organizing and leading the trip—her leadership clearly set the tone for an enjoyable weekend. Elizabeth Ernish also deserves a shout-out for staying on top of all the communication via WhatsApp, ensuring everyone was in the loop for each day’s activities.

With 21 people at the lodge, including six guests (four of whom were first-timers), the newcomers integrated seamlessly with the group. They were friendly and cooperative guests who respected ‘The Miramar Way’. A harmonious group dynamic always adds to the experience, and it seemed like everyone had a wonderful time from start to finish.

Lauren Haegele’s work on the mural in the lodge dining room was a wonderful addition to the weekend. Her industrious effort over both Saturday and Sunday, especially with the intricate details of the lodge doors and ski-fence and her Renoir-esque landscape – has brought a unique and creative flair to the space. It’s always special when someone contributes their artistic talent to a shared space. Lauren’s mural not only enhances the dining room but also adds to the overall vibe that the lodge is our home and Miramar is a family. Lauren’s hand painted mural is a thoughtful and lasting touch to the lodge.

Here’s to a fantastic ski season ahead!

Quote of the weekend: ‘Pro tip: Don’t follow Hildingur.’ By Ethan Strell.