Ski Bus Trip Jan 31st, 2025

By Kirsty Jardine
Breaking New Ground: A Weekend of Firsts at Miramar Ski Club

When the mercury plunged to a bone-chilling -5°F in Vermont last weekend, you might think we’d hunker down by the fire. Instead, Miramar Ski Club members and an unprecedented wave of 21 guests (including 16 first-timers!) bundled up for an adventure that would prove unforgettable.

Our weekend kicked off with what’s becoming our signature style – rolling up to Sugarbush on the Hampton Jitney, already a highlight for our newcomers who quickly learned why this hassle-free transport is legendary among Miramartians. As one first-time guest put it, the level of organization and seamless execution of the weekend exceeded all expectations.

Saturday morning saw our group split between Mount Ellen and Lincoln Peak, with five intrepid Miramartian women joining Sugarbush’s coveted Women’s Series. What followed was pure Vermont skiing gold – one lucky participant even scored an impromptu private lesson when she found herself the sole survivor of her group! The other cluster dove deep into mastering Vermont’s notorious “natural ice skating rinks,” perfecting their turns under the guidance of an instructor who had a delightful revelation: “Wait, Miramar are the ones who come on the Hampton Jitney? I’ve always wanted to know who that was!”

Despite the arctic blast (a balmy high of 9°F), spirits remained unshakeable. Even a rebellious ski binding that decided to call it quits early in the morning couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm, thanks to the swift intervention of Dr. Alpine Options with an emergency replacement.

The evening brought its own magic. Between birthday celebrations and swapping tales of the day’s adventures, our creative trip leader introduced us to “Waitsfield Wally” – our very own staff member David, transformed into a prognosticating groundhog. In a moment that will live in club lore, Wally/David surveyed the lodge dining room and, finding no shadow, gave the green light for Sunday’s venture to Pico Mountain.

And what a venture it was! Breaking a 30-year hiatus, our return to Pico Mountain proved to be the weekend’s crown jewel. While we may never reach consensus on whether it’s “pike-o” or “peek-o” (the debate rages on), everyone agreed this was a hidden gem. To quote our trip leader “think Mad River Glen meets Mount Ellen with the best attributes of each”. Wide cruisers for the speed demons, narrow winding bump runs for the thrill-seekers, all centered around a single, charming base area. Best of all? Not a lift line in sight.

The cherry on top? One of our first-time guests dominated the Saturday night Left, Right, Center game, proving that beginner’s luck is alive and well at Miramar!

As we packed up on Sunday, the sentiment was unanimous – whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Miramartian, there’s simply no club like ours. Pico welcomed us with open arms, and we might just have found our new favorite mountain. Though we still can’t agree on how to pronounce it, we can all agree on one thing: this weekend reminded us why we brave the cold, chase the snow, and keep coming back for more.

See you on the slopes!