BIG MOUNTAIN - EXPEDITION TRIP WITH TSC

Courageously led by Marlene Heineman, the following DSC members joined the Texas Ski Council for The Final Showdown at Big Mountain: Kenneth & Linda Barber, Loyd Braffett, Bob Cox, Ed Cox & daughter Brandy Smith-Cox, Somsri Griffin & grand-daughter Paige, Tom Keever, Richard & Enika Shulze, Sherry Sefko & daughter Katie, Ray Tolson, and Art Whitlock.

Bright and early Saturday, March 11 we arrive at DFW with ease only to drop our jaws at the lines wrapping around Delta's terminal entrance. Spring break was in full effect and very apparent. The amount of ski bags and snowboards was abundant - after all, great minds think alike! The flight into the Salt Lake City airport was smooth, but the connecting plane headed to Kalispell, MT caused us to worry. We were buckled in and commenting on the lack of spare seats or overhead bins when everyone's attention turned to the two large carts overwhelmed with ski-duffels right outside. Well, you know how the ladies in the club like to pack . . . . Unfortunately, some of the members of the DSC's gear was left behind, but later delivered (sorry Tom!), due to weight restrictions. Fortunately, that was the only real mishap of the whole trip!

After about a twenty-minute bus ride from the Kalispell airport (talk about convenience), we arrive at the beautiful Grouse Mountain Lodge located in the city of Whitefish. This was to be our home for the next seven days and we were eager to get in and get settled. That evening we opted to stay in and take advantage of G.M.L.'s restaurant, The Grill. After a satisfying meal and great conversation, most of us turned in to rest up for our first day on Big Mountain.

The fresh breakfast buffet each day was nice and convenient, offering eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, bagels, cereal and yogurt, fresh fruit and several choices of juices. The Texas Ski Council arranged for charter buses between Grouse Mountain Lodge and Big Mountain resort that departed every 30 minutes to an hour, which eliminated public shuttle concerns. As we pulled up to the mountain that first day we were eager to see exactly how big Big Mountain really was. I must say, it did not disappoint!

Most of us began with a complimentary guided mountain tour to familiarize ourselves. The snow conditions were great and there were many groomed blue runs to enjoy. If you wanted more technical out-of-bound skiing, that was there too! Riding Chair #1 up to the top of the mountain was especially breathtaking due to the incredible display of "Snow Ghosts" (the result of fog trapped beneath heavy snowfall causing trees to freeze into unique shapes). Big Mountain is one of only six places in the U.S. to foster the conditions that create Snow Ghosts. All of the staff at the mountain was very friendly and gracious to have so many Texans as their guests. Did I mention that there were 200+ TSC members from around the state on this trip? Or that we were practically the only skiers on the mountain, despite a handful of locals? I never endured more than a three-minute wait in any of the lift lines!

The itinerary for the week was jam packed with great things to do. Sunday night we had a meet-and-greet with the members of surrounding Texas ski clubs complete with a DJ and silent auction benefiting the Texas Ski Council Youth Foundation. Afterward, DSC members migrated over to The Grill for drinks and to get better acquainted.

Monday was a typical fun-filled day of skiing . . . except for Kenneth Barber. He is a very brave man . . . and maybe a little crazy. He took on a black diamond mogul run (he's not quite there . . . yet), to retrieve some money that his wife Linda had dropped off the lift . . . and yes, he got it! Amazing what one will do when given the right motivation!

That evening we took the lift up to the top of the mountain for the once a month "Moonlight Dine & Ski". We had a wonderful meal; and under the light of the full moon, we skied down to the base guided by ski patrol (a few members decided to give their legs a rest and ride down in the gondola). She may look sweet and innocent, but our very own Somsri eyed some gloves and a nice shiny helmet outside the restaurant that she liked a little bit better than her own and did a quick swap. In the end, she had a change of heart and anonymously left them at the hotel's front desk. At Somsri's request, her accomplice and trip photographer, Ed Cox, deleted the evidence from the camera's memory. I'm telling you, there was never a dull moment on this trip!

Tuesday we took a day trip to Fernie, Canada. Fernie was AMAZING! It is a very secluded mountain with lots of wide-open runs . . . though the designation of the difficulty levels was a bit deceiving. As quoted from Enika Schulze, "most of the runs were labeled blue, but I thought navy would have been a more appropriate color." The texture of the snow was very nice and the views were out of this world. It was also fun to do as the locals and add eh? at the end of each statement. The comfort of the buses helped the 2 ½ hour ride each way go by . . . as well as the obscene amount of beer and wine for the ride back! I recommend Fernie for at least a day if you're in the area.

On Wednesday Marlene and Loyd took a half-day trip to Glacier National Park, while Sherry, Katie, and Paige took a horseback riding trip complete with a meal cooked over an open flame. That evening the Dallas Ski Club and Lone Star Ski Club met for dinner and drinks at the Great Northern Bar in downtown Whitefish.

Thursday morning, The TSC Club races were held, and nine of Dallas Ski Club's finest raced for the Gold! After a nice luncheon, the TSC Individual races were held. That evening we enjoyed our most pleasant dinner of the week at the Whitefish Country Club. Thanks to Bob Cox for making the arrangements.

Friday was the day that the "die-hards" were squeezing in their last runs of the season, I took a morning snow mobile trip with my father (Ed), and others took the opportunity to shop the boutiques downtown. It was definitely the hottest day of trip. Around three-o-clock, the snow began melting rapidly and we were literally trying to ski slush. It's so much easier to say

"goodbye" to the season with conditions like this.

That evening we attended the TSC Awards Banquet complete with a sit-down three-course dinner. And boy did DSC clean up!! We were awarded First place in Division 3, and Linda Barber was awarded First place in Sr. Women. We won 13 medals: Bob Cox- Gold & Silver; Art Whitlock- two Silver; Marlene Heineman- Silver & Bronze; Linda Barber- two Bronze; Kenneth Barber- two Bronze; Ed Cox- two Bronze; Sherry Sefko- Bronze. Also racing and helping us win first place in Division 3 were Ray Tolson, Paige Griffin, and Katie Sefko. The night ended with lots of celebratory dancing thanks to the DJ.

All of the trip leaders did a great job organizing the activities a.k.a. adventures! The Apres ski get-togethers were fun. The special discounts for our members all over town were an awesome touch. I have to say that Marlene is the ultimate DSC cheerleader! This was my first trip with the Dallas Ski Club and it was a wonderful experience. I'm proud to be a member of such a quality group of people.

Now how big is Big Mountain? I'd say big enough for a four or five day trip, though the week was a blast.