A perfect day to celebrate a great season – bright, clear, and warm. Over 150 members came out to take advantage of the 2009 Snowfest at Devil’s Glen. The volunteers did a fantastic job of lining up fun events. A new twist was that we could earn tickets to enter for great prizes simply by participating. My ski instructor friends and I had a ball challenging each other again and again on the dual slalom. Suppliers were good also enough to come out with next year’s skis for us to try; represented by Head, Nordica and Squire John’s, who provided skis from all the other manufacturers.
At lunchtime we found ourselves enjoying a delicious barbeque on the sunny patio. It was the perfect opportunity to meet new industry peers and reconnect with old friends. The highlight of the day was the afternoon activities. Different ski schools went head-to-head in a synchro competition for the coveted Golden Ski. Narrowly beating out Craigleith, Blue Mountain took top honours this year. They did so dressed as Yetis with blue jeans and flowers. Their synchro could be described as having moments of “synchronized unsynchronicity”. To understand, you had to be there.
The traditional puddle jump was another big draw. Many attempted to cross the almost 20ft crossing, some having more success than others. My good friend Michelle Monroe, at her first Snowfest, was finally able to fulfill her dream of skimming across the water on her skis. Unfortunately, in her zeal to make sure she made it across the pond Michelle went a little too fast and found it impossible to stick her landing. Nothing several martinis at Twist that night and some intensive osteo sessions the following weeks couldn’t make better!
Après rocked on with Campfire Poets covering anything from AC/DC to disco. Many prizes were awarded with the grand prize being two VIA Rail tickets to Quebec City. Other prizes were sponsored by Concretetides, Aspen/Snowmass, Warren Miller Movies, SkiCan, Cadbury Chocolates, Alpine Ski Club, Beaver Valley, Mansfield Ski Club, Craigleith, The Toronto Ski and Snowboard Travel Show, the AGO, ROM, Casa Loma, Second City, Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club and Wild Water Kingdom.
I would highly encourage all of Ontario’s instructors to come out to next year’s Snowfest. It is a fantastic way to wind down your season with fun events and great people. Thanks to Allison and all of her wonderful volunteers who worked to make Snowfest such a huge success.
- Laurissa Stebeleski, CSIA 3, CSCF 1
