Jay Peak, Vermont
Jay Peak, Vermont
We went to one of our favorite mountains for New Year's Eve, 2013. Jay still seems to be a fairly "unknown" mountain, perhaps because it's so far away from NYC. Perhaps because there is nothing else around for miles. But that works well for us: there's hardly a line anywhere, and once you get up into the mountain there's so much terrain that people can really spread out.
Even though the temperatures dipped way below freezing — with a windchill approaching -25°F — we weren't feeling the cold. And not just because of the flasks filled with Scotch. The excitement of such varied terrain, the long runs, the glades and steeps; all of this in such a gorgeous resort made for an excellent time.
St. Anton, Austria
And Zürich, Switzerland
St. Anton, Austria
And Zürich, Switzerland
In March of 2012, we went on our first international ski trip to the gorgeous Tyrol region of Austria. We stayed in St. Anton at a very sleek. modern hotel named Lux Alpinae Hotel, just up the road from the main town and lifts. This was also our first overnight trip with the Ski Bums, the world's largest ski and snowboarding LGBT club. We'd done day trips to the Catskills, and met some amazing people, and this trip exceeded all expectations.
In the valley there are several little towns, all along the mountain and accessible. You can start up the lift in one village and ski down to another, go back up and ski to yet another, drinking, eating and shopping your way through the mountains. The weather was gorgeous, clear most days with some fresh snow a few times. The top of the runs were frigid at about 9,000 feet with hard packed snow, softening to spring-like conditions at the 4,200 foot base. By skiing top to bottom you can practically experience an entire winter's worth of conditions!
Zürich, Switzerland
After leaving the Bums and St. Anton, we took a train to Zürich. We stayed a few nights in a cool part of the city, and were able to rendezvous with some Bums who were also spending a couple nights there. We went out, saw the city, tried the local food, beer and shopping. It was a great way to prolong the European experience.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Mr. Worf, you do remember how to fire phasers? That might've been one of the shortest assignments in the history of Starfleet. Fate. It protects fools, little children, and ships named "Enterprise." Shields up! Rrrrred alert! Fate protects fools, little children and ships named Enterprise. My oath is between Captain Kargan and myself. Your only concern is with how you obey my orders. Or do you prefer the rank of prisoner to that of lieutenant? Some days you get the bear, and some days the bear gets you. How long can two people talk about nothing? The look in your eyes, I recognize it. You used to have it for me. When has justice ever been as simple as a rule book?
