February 10, 2012

PINK IS THE NEW BLUE..  OR RED OR WHATEVER... WEAR IT & SHOW SUPPORT

Well it's been a week since the Airbag invaded and wow..  Did you like it?  I watch our google analytics all the time on our website and Facebook page and it skyrocketed that weekend!  

Danny Collins - "sooo I think it's decided, you guys are buying an airbag.  End of Story."

"It was insane. I was able to
do a back flip for the first time and now I have the confidence to try
it in the park. Easily one on the most fun days riding this season."

Then there was this kid Will Givens who gave us like a book on how the airbag would make money.  He basically wrote a proposal for us.  Thought it was pretty cool.  Thanks Will.   

Yes we are intrigued by the AirBag and how much fun everyone had on it.  The Tour was a sales pitch and they did a good job.  The guys running the tour were a lot of fun as well.  If we decide to pull the trigger on one I'll be sure to announce it from the rooftops so stay tuned.

We have two big back to back weekends lined up for you with some great conditions out there.  Finally after a month hiatus practically we got the snowmaking guns going this week and will continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights as we have winter back.  The snow surface right now is a great packed powder and we have some natural snow falling as of 2:30pm Friday.  This should last through the night too!

Sunday is a big day with the Pretty and Pink Event happing all day long.  It's a great event that raises awareness and $$ for the Stephanie Speilman Fight Against Breast Cancer.  It is rare almost impossible these days to know someone who has been affected by cancer of some sort.  The C word sucks and it took away my father 3 1/2 years ago.

If you have the chance on Sunday buy a pink bandana, wristband, or just wear something pink to show your support for the cause.  The ladies will be out on the race course on Chute this weekend and then we have a fun filled park event in the re-designed Capital Park on Sunday.  It should be a blast and for a good cause.  

Well this is a short one as I'm going to head out and hit the snow.  It looks too good to pass up this week.

Greg 

February 2, 2012

VARMINT...   

Groundhog Day.  Great Movie.  Stupid concept. Isn't it funny how two of Bill Murray's greatest roles involved this cute little pudge ball?  

How does this tradition become a holiday that pops up on my Outlook Calendar.  Seriously weather people can't even predict the proper temperatures yet we celebrate a bunch of people in nowhere land Pennsylvania when they pull out a Groundhog from a cage that is scripted and pre-determined based on what they are feeling like that day?!  Lame.

Either way whatever the Groundhog says (he did say 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER so I can't bash him too much) Mad River will be carrying on the tradition of Winter Fun not matter what the temperature is outside.  

Yes it's been warm (this whole winter has) but we still have great snow out there.  Will you find a few brown spots here and there.  (Yes I'm not going to lie to you.  I never do but the snow surface is still really good and there is plenty of it to go around)

I've been able to take some great turns this week with a legend - Dean Schaefer.  He's our Asst Ski School Director and at the prime age of 70 something he's a much better bump skier than I. Check out the sweet photo I took of him on our Instagr.am account.   We seeded some moguls over on Regulator if you haven't noticed and now is the perfect time to sharpen up those knee pounding skills.  They aren't huge but there are some "zipper" lines as Dean would say.

We have some pretty cool and fun events this weekend once again starting with something I'm really excited about - the US Airbag Tour. 

These guys have hit up Attitash, Snowshoe, and Kirkwood on their tour.  We're the only Midwest stop along the tour and are excited to have them here.  They are actually going to get the bag set up tonight Thursday for College Night!  We'll have it set up
Thursday 7pm - 9:30pm, Friday 5pm - 12am, Saturday 12pm - 12am and Sunday 12pm - 8pm.  

It's going to be sweet to not only hit it but also to watch it.  A couple things to note. 

Wear a helmet. You have to be over 12 years of age, and if you're under 18 a parent needs to sign off on the waiver.  A tent will be set up at the bottom of the Sugarbush lift to sign up and pay.  Cash only!  $5 for two hits.  $10 for 5 and  $25 for 15.  Have fun! 

Saturday night in the Loft we'll be celebrating all things 70s!  A sweet disco band is ready to take the stage - Funky G and the Groove Machine...  8pm - 12am!  

Sunday is the big game.  What really in my opinion should be a national holiday.  It's the SuperBowl.  Pats v Giants in what should be a phenominal matchup.  I'm taking the Giants.  (I'm a Jets fan and really it's hard to want either to win but I have to go with the hometown boys - plus they've actually won me about $100 this season!)  

We have a 30x40' inflatable screen that will be out in front of the Loft and of course the game will be on inside as well.  The bartenders will be throwing out some Bud Specials all night long with 24oz pounders available and the new Bud Light Platinum too.  Get in on the $10 pick a box pool at the bar as well.  

I'll see you on the hill and in the Loft for the big game.  

Greg

 

January 26, 2012

BUD LIGHT WINTERFEST WEEKEND IS HERE!  

Since I took over the GM position the old GM (now my boss) Josh explained to me that Winterfest was his favorite weekend out of the year here at Mad River.  Why?  Why not!  There is so much going on this weekend that it's pretty crazy that we can fit it all in!  This year it's even bigger and better than ever as we're celebrating our 50th Anniversary this weekend with some serious partying complete with a brand new beer and penguins..  Yup I said penguins.  

We'll get to the penguins in a little bit..   

Friday morning Anhesuer-Busch is rolling into town with the Bud Light Build A Bar.  It should be called Pop Up Bar because that's exactly what happens.  This 45' trailer rolls in and up pops this bar. 

This sweet set up has an amazing reverse draft system that will fill your tasty Bud Light from the bottom up using special cups.  Sick right..  We're not done.  

Not only are we hosting the Build A Bar (which after heads to Indianapolis for this
small football game next week) but we're also the first place in the world to have Bud Light Platinum for sale!  That's right I said the world.  BLP goes on sale on the 30th but we worked it out with Mr. Busch to have it here first.  (He's a lifetime season passholder now! haha)  Bud Light Platinum is like Bud Light except with a little more of a punch.  6.0% ABV in Platinum compared to 4.2%ABV of Bud Light.   

On Regulator we have the Mad River Mountain Open. Two days of racing!  The Columbus Ski Club, Mad River & The Ohio Valley Ski
Council are all working together to host will our largest race of the season. This event is
open to all skiers and snowboarders.  Check out the full details and schedule here. We'll have a BBQ and beverages for sale atop the hill on the Sun Deck too!

Ok I'll admit there are lots of "adult activities" this weekend but I did say penguins before.  

Mad River Mountain has a partnership with the Columbus Zoo and for years have helped them during the Wildlights.  We've had a little tubing hill set up down by the Polar Bear set up.  This year's warm weather didn't allow us to set it up but we still like to work with them on promotions.  Jack Hannah offered up to bring some animals up to the mountain.  Instantly the #1 response from staff - Penguins.  I mean they are hysterical and perfect for the winter environment we have here.   Between 2pm and 3:30pm look for some little creatures to be running around the base area.  (and I don't mean your kids either.)  As long as the penguins are feeling up for it they'll be here along with some other furry/slippery friends!  

Saturday night the party continues with a huge Big Air competition at bottom of the Mad River Trail followed by a Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.  Torchlight parades are sweet and I can't wait to see our Ski School Instructors & Ski Patrollers  in action.  The rule is if anyone falls they have to buy everyone in the parade a round of drinks!  Followed by the parade we'll light up the sky with our biggest Fireworks Spectacular yet. 

The Big Air starts at 7pm. 

Torchlight Parade at 9:45pm and Fireworks at 10pm.  

Oh yeah we have 3 bands playing too!  Katty Whomp Us 4pm, Skratchmatic 8pm, and my favorite band of the year thus far - Kress Ross & Hoof - 10pm. 

Don't forget to fill out the 50 Days of Giveaways on Saturday too for a trip to Mount Snow!!  I know some people from there it's a pretty cool ski resort in Southern Vermont!   

Check out Winterfest's Full Schedule!

Rest up because it's going to be one crazy weekend! 

Greg

 

 

January 19, 2012

USSA, Dos Equis, Jager, OCD & Parks All Going On!!!

Wow what a difference a few days of snowmaking makes!  We’ve been blessed with our first real good weather of the season and this weekend looks like the best conditions thus far.  I know I said that last weekend too! 

Last night I enjoyed hanging out with a bunch of fun people – Adult Racers!  The Adult Race League at Mad River is every Wednesday night and last night we had a great turn out with nearly 30 people registered at this time.  Each week we’ll have special giveaways and prizes to hand out.  Last night the Brennaman’s took home some sweet dudes from PBR including a snowboard to our top Snow Angel – Shellee!

Enough about last night I’m so amped up for this weekend it’s ridiculous.  There is so much going on this weekend it’s hard to get it all in one blog post but I’ll try.

Kicking it off tonight it’s College DAY & NIGHT!  College Students can score lift tickets for only $20 for the PM Session with $15 rentals!  Plus we’ll have the $5 PBR Pitcher Special as well in the Loft.

Friday night Dos Equis rolls into town with a special Friday night show with Juke Box Hero as we’ve added a new draft line in the Loft – Dos Equis Amber.   The Most Interesting Man in the Universe won’t be there but there are some great giveaways and $3.50 specials on 20oz drafts. Did you know that the Most Interesting Man actually lives in my homestate of Vermont.  – Check it out…

Back to the weekend. 

Saturday the conditions will be perfect as we’re going to be shutting off our guns early and grooming out all our trails to perfection.  Our Park Crew has been working non-stop for five days on redesigning Capital Park and the Jumpline is now up to rave reviews!  Super Sweet Video. 

USSA rolls into town for the Central 4 Race event Saturday and Sunday on Chute/Lower Mad River.  Over 100 racers will be on hand for events in Slalom, GS, and a Combine.  The Mighty Midwest Tour is here too with a freestyle camp for those looking to learn to ride in the park.  It’s a great tour that has been coming to Mad River for years.  Check out all the details.  Saturday night the Jagerette’s will be out and about on the mountain and then in the Loft with OCD Rock Band!  Look for Jager Shwag, drink specials and more. 

Don’t know how to ski or ride yet but dying to try?  January is Learn to Ski Month and the CD 101 Staff are ready to have some fun along with you.  CD 101 Disc Jockeys and staff will be on hand to greet our newbies at 10:30am along with our talented ski and snowboard instructors.  The snow is going to be soft and the day looks to be fantastic! 

Sunday we wrap up the weekend with temps in the mid 40s and beautiful sunshine and bluebird skies predicted.

Can’t make it this weekend?  Next weekend won’t be too shabby either.  It’s the Bud Light Winterfest Weekend!  We’ll have the Bud Light Build A Bar, (This thing is SWEET!) Anheuser Busch’s newest beer - Bud Light Platinum – for sale before anyone else in the country, lots of giveaways, live music, a Torchlight Parade & our biggest fireworks show of the season!!   The Mad River Open Race will take place on Regulator and the Big Air will be right out front of the Loft again! 

Even if you don’t have snow in your backyard (hopefully you will by tomorrow as we’re under a little winter weather advisory  be assured we do here. 

As I type this out it's snowing like mad out my office window!  Time to hit the Four Star!

I’ll see you on the slopes!!

- Greg

 

January 11, 2012

It's been about 10 days since I last wrote.  Today I'm sick.  It sucks.  The resort has had a little bit of the flu going around. No I didn't get a flu shot.  Everytime I seem to get one of those I get sick right away.  The good thing is that all my staff were back in another day.  So I'm looking forward to tomorrow.  

I'm looking forward to tomorrow for another reason as well. The weather finally looks like it will turn here towards some colder weather.  At least for a few days.  If you haven't been out the conditions for what we've had to deal with this year couldn't be better.  They really couldn't.  We're skiing and riding on terrain for all abilities and feature two parks and all our learning terrain.  Thursday night we'll ramp up "Team Blizzard" and get the Fan Guns prring.  By Saturday morning our operations team feels that we'll have some solid conditions and be 100% open for the first time this year.  All we really need is Eagle's Nest, Peril and Upper Sidewinder.  Team Blizzard will get em.  We'll be focused in on getting some depth too so we will continue to make snow this weekend as we can on some of our trails so bring your goggles!  We'll flip flop on Saturday and Sunday so don't expect to every trail to get blasted while you're out there. 

Last weekend we held our first Big Air of the season in a brand new location - Lower Mad River.  A good turnout, solid competition, and a great crowd watching from the Loft Deck.   Our park crew did a phenominal job creating a feature in a new location.  

I haven't worked on a Big Air event in 4-5 years.  The last one was at Mount Snow and it was called "The Mega Mother Hucker."  A Big Air in which competitors jumped over a live band!  I think it needs an after life.  Maybe next year.  The jump will remain up through the weekend.  We will get some jumps going over on Sugarbush eventually but for now the 35' kicker is a perfect size for those looking for a little more pop.  Plus it gives those of us in the Loft someting fun to watch.  

Last weekend we also unveiled a new race course over on Regulator.  We'll host races there this year more often as we will flip flop back and forth between that course and the one on Chute for USSA events, NASTAR, and the Mad River Open.  I jumped out on the course on Wednesday night for our Adult Race League.  Tons of fun to get out on a Wednesday night.  IF you haven't run gates in a while this is super fun and really chill.  This week we'll have Pabst Blue Ribbon on site for some fun after the event.  

This year folks I will admit we will play with somethings on where things lie and how they work.  Many have asked about our jumps, the race courses, and even moguls.  I'm listening but like moving into a new home you need to feel it out.   I love the idea of some seeded moguls as they are simply fun to play in for a few turns before hitting the corduroy down below. 

I couldn't be happier with our staff this year. They are working hard and when I get a simple hello it brings a smile to my face as I jump on the lift.  I hope it does for you too.  

Happy MLK Weekend everyone.  Let's have some fun!  I'll be out on the Quad often.

Say hello maybe we can make a run or two.  I'm feeeling better already thinking about the snow.  

Greg

 

January 1, 2012 - 11:26am

I just wrote this.  Well at least something like this.  My computer froze and I had to do a force quit ;(

So anyways I was writing how I was talking to one of our ski instructors about how happy I was to see 2011 go.  I've been (we've all been) a bit depressed due to the weather so I was really referring to the last bit of 2011.  It actually was a pretty good year for me and I hope it was for you but it is alot easier to remember recent situations.  

2012 will bring in some colder temperatures tonight through Wednesday night as a cold front is currently ripping it's way through Mad River.  (A few minutes ago I watched one of our Tower Pads fly past my window as the bungie cord broke.) 

Tonight we'll be making snow again and we plan on continuing to make snow as long as we can until we can't anymore the next four days.  Monday and Tuesday look great for temperatures.  The wind is going to be our biggest hurdle.  45mph winds mean we can make snow and it can land in Marysville!  Luckily since it will be so cold that we'll be able to aim our guns a towards the ground a bit more.  (If you are wondering what I'm talking about we aim our guns higher to allow for more time to crystalize when we have marginal temps - upper 20s).  We will be buffering up the terrain we currently have open and will look to expand to our big boys of Regulator and Mad River.

Capital Park has been continuing to offer the best park in Ohio but we know it needs some love.  The lower section I think has been changed out three times due to snow loss where our base was low.  We are planning to have the section to skiers left of Flight Deck open by the weekend probably sooner with rails and features.

The Big Air planned for this weekend is still on and will have a new home.  Lower Mad River where the Louie Vito Rail Jam was will play host.  Perfect viewing for those of you not hucking air but hucking back a beer on the Loft Deck! I know all my park guys are pining for a jump line on Sugarbush but we need one more week to get the snow down to build.  Patience my Park Friends.  We'll get there.  

The Tubing Hill will also be receiving the white paint job as we are pushing to expand our terrain there to 8 lanes by Thursday night's first $50 carload of four package night.  Tubing has been and continues to be a big hit this holiday break.  I've spent alot of time down there this week as we've seen good crowds for the limited chutes we have.  Once we can get those additional lanes going and our other carpet there will be plenty more sliding to come.

I've had so many people come up to me and introduce themselves this week.  It's been great to get to know many of our guests and loyal season passholders.  Everyone is mad at Mother Nature.  But what can you do.  We've been holding on with only two days of snowmaking. 

Many guests have said this to me:  "Welcome to Ohio.  If you don't kike the weather wait five minutes."  

That's funny.  When I moved to Vermont they said the same thing.

Still waiting.....

Greg

 

December 23rd, 2011 - 10am  

Merry Christmas.  Happy Hanukkah.  Happy New Year.
Happy Holidays however you celebrate.

While it hasn’t been a cold winter as of yet I have faith that Old Man Winter will eventually get to Mother Nature and have the chance to paint this town (mountain) white. 

Our snowmakers and groomers do miracles with what they’ve been given and I have to say that’s all I can ask. In fact I think our guys have worked harder this year than in year’s past due to the uncertainty of the weather.  I mean in reality we have had one 72-hour period to make snow!  A few weeks ago I wrote about how impressed I was with our snowmaking only to watch a 55 degree, sideways rain day take it all from us.  We put it back together and then had almost identically the same weather the following week.  Again we put it back together. 

The next four nights have temps with lows around 25 – 26 degrees.  It hits that temperature late at night or even early morning.  Our snowmaking crew will be here on call to make snow even if it is for a few hours.  We know you are pining for it!  We are too.  We need it. 

This morning as we opened back up for skiing and riding at 9am Old Man Winter said good choice as he gave us about 20 minutes of snowfall.  (I’d love for him to give us 24 hours of snowfall). 

We have some fun activities this week lined up including the Louie Vito Rail Jam.  I’ve gotten to know his father quite a bit and he’s a wonderful gentleman who is heading up the event.  The LVRJ is a charity event and raises money for a local church here in Bellefontaine.  Thursday we’ll have the Rail Jam on lower Mad River, live music with Trouble Andrew in the Loft, and of course the man of the hour will be here to sign autographs.  At night we light up the sky with a huge fireworks show and product giveaways. 

It doesn’t stop there as on NYE we rock the Loft again with the reggae rock band the Ark Band. 

It is the holidays and I’m stoked to be in Ohio to celebrate the holidays with my new family at Mad River as well as my wife’s family for the first time.  It’s been 10 years since I didn’t have to wake up and go to work on Christmas morning.  I’m looking forward to watching my wife open her big gift on Christmas Day instead of the Christmas Eve or late at night.  It’s been something she’s been crying about for a few years so I hope I hit a home run.   (You can ask me Christmas night!) 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.  The product out on the mountain might not be the most sensational or what we’ve come accustomed to in year’s past but believe me when I say this that there has been an enormous effort with genuine heart put in by all our staff here at Mad River.

Happy Holidays and see you on the slopes… 

Greg & Mary

December 18th - 2011 - 5:15pm 

It was great to see everyone out this weekend as our team of groomers were able to put together a product I was extremely happy with given our run of bad luck weather.  That being said we are coming into another week just like the last one.. aka not a good one. Unfortunately this bluebird day will be
ending with some wet weather rolling in on Monday morning through
Tuesday!!  GRRRR.

We will be in the “MAINTAINING SNOW” business the next few days and therefore I have to say it MAD RIVER MOUNTAIN will be CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY and probably WEDNESDAY.

I'm sorry.  I really am!  With wet, warm weather the more we ski it, groom it, the more we lose it.  We need to stay off it and keep what we've laid down to look forward towards the Holiday Week.   

We will re-evaluate the forecast on Tuesday with our plans moving forward for the week.  Closing
down after just opening really is the pits.  But it has to be done to
ensure we'll be operating come the holiday period when we know many of
our young one's have off.

The first weekend we were open was great though as many came out on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the weahter and our snow.  I was stoked with 7 trails on Saturday and experienced night skiing again after a 7 year layoff.  

Capital Park and the slew of skiers and riders making “hot laps” was pretty sweet to see.  I was amazed by the talent of some of the individuals out there on Saturday especially.  The Park crew out did themselves with 16 features spread out including two jumps.

 

This is Elia – Peak Resorts – Director of Freestyle Terrain checking out the latest build here in Ohio.  He ride’s hard, fast and with style!  He left Ohio impressed with the level of commitment by tour park rangers and can't wait to be back for the Louie Vito Rail Jam in a few weeks. 

Mad River not only opened up with a great park set up but the Learning Terrain especially today was quite crowded.  I watched a ton of people learning to ski right out my front window.  It was beautiful to learn.

I found little miss Kaitlin practicing her slalom (her father Dave told me she has a big USSA event coming up here) .  She’s adorable.   I love kids.   They make the world go round but you don’t have to be a kid to learn. 

I am hopeful that the weather here will not be giving us a complete rainout like last Thursday's monsoon.  

With the imited terrain we have we need to conserve what we have until some better snowmaking weather rolls in here.  I really hope you can all understand that we want to be open and skiing everything it's just a battle this seaons. 

It looks like Christmas Eve - Santa and his reindeer will be ushering in some colder temps it is really all I want for Christmas!!!

Keep checking back in here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  I’ll keep you in the loop. 

Greg

 

December 16th - Noon

Open for Business.  That would be the Snow Business.

Many of you don’t know me but I’m a nervous wreck.  Taking tests as a youngster, big baseball games in high school, to running events to now getting a mountain open with some of Mother Nature’s worst weather!  The night before I’m an anxious wreck.  Even if I know everything is going to be fine I can’t take the waiting. 

Well the waiting is almost over as our grooming department here at Mad River has truly impressed this New England boy.  After going through one of the worst 24 hours of snow loss on Thursday the temperatures dropped and our mountain ops team got to work.  Low and behold Friday morning we have some pretty good runs and a full park to offer everyone come Saturday morning.  WE'RE GOING TO OPEN FOR THE 2011/2012 SEASON - MAD RIVER'S 50TH SATURDAY MORNING AT 9AM. 

WOOHOO THAT FELT GOOD!

It’s not going to be the most epic skiing and riding any of us have ever done but it’s open and ready for you.   I’m excited to meet some of our regulars and also check out some of Ohio’s finest jibbers as I’ve heard nothing but great things about the quality of some of our regular park “rats.” 

Capital Park is and will continue to be the best park in the Midwest.  We have a great crew of Park Rangers and builders here .  Peak Resorts (our owner if you didn’t know) is lucky enough to have some very talented individuals who will be travelling around to our resorts to help build and maintain our terrain parks to the highest quality.  As I type this my good friend Elia is out there pushing snow around with Clyde our home park builder who you already all know has quite the talent from past Capital Park builds. 

Elia brings along a pretty long resume –ESPN Winter & Summer XGames, Winter Dew Tour, Carinthia at Mount Snow principal builder, and is also a lead panelist for Ski Area Management’s Cutter’s Camp.  (A week long program designed to help resorts build great terrain parks.)  Not bad right..   He also brought pizza and a two six packs of Great Lake’s Christmas Ale when he showed up at my doorstep last night.  Like I said, he’s a good friend! 

Snowmakers and Groomers are tough cookies.  Randy, Leonard, Clyde, Alajos, Chet, Dawg, Cookie, Chuck, Buffalo, and Arizona are just some of the names of our guys out there putting the final touches on the trails as we speak.  Randy told me this morning he sucked down two Red Bull’s, a Full Throttle, two cups of coffee and he greeted me with a lollypop in his mouth.  This is after a 14 hour shift.   He was still smiling like a school kid because he was in his favorite vehicle – the Bomb.  Our 1992 Yellow Cat with over 200,000 hours.  She’s still perring and he love’s her. 

I’m stoked with the dedication our guys have put in to doing everything they can to get open.  If you see them tomorrow give them a high five or maybe a cup of coffee! 

Tomorrow the Golden 50th Anniversary Chair will be awaiting you for Mad River’s 50th Season. 

I’ll see you on the hill or in the Loft.  Say hello. 

Greg

December 13, 2011 - 10am

Mother Nature - The boxing, crabby, traffic cop who plays poker. 

Waiting.  I hate it. No one likes it.  I mean would you rather be cruising down 33 headed to the mountain or sitting at a crosswalk?  Mother Nature is messing with our flow of traffic right now.  She's like a traffic cop putting a hold on our ski season.  Luckily she doesn't give parking tickets too.  

Our snowmakers did an awesome job Thursday – Sunday night and have blanketed Mad River with large piles of snow.    Randy, our Mountain Manager, was even impressed with the output of some of our fan guns.  Deer Run, Sugarbush, Capital Park, and even our learning hill out in front of my office have huge piles. 

So now we wait as Mother Nature gives us her best left hook after she has already punched us in the junk early on this season without allowing us to open up last weekend.  I mean come on –it is December 13th (by the way Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife and MRM sales manager – Mary) and I’m looking at a 50 temp mark on forecasts for tomorrow.  Really?!  Oh yeah – with rain – head-butt.   (Notice how Mother Nature now is a boxer to go along with her traffic cop career).  

Side note:  Many ski resorts choose not to say the villainous four-letter “R” word like it’s a swear.  Guys it’s going to RAIN.  There I swore on my own website then.  Here’s another “R” word.  REALITY. 

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is cold temps.  I don’t even care if I have a White Christmas (it will be first one in 10 years for me if it doesn’t happen) but for the sake of good skiing I’ll be happy with temps in the low 20s every night for the 12 days of Christmas. 

Lots and lots of people keep asking:  Why can’t you open?  So much snow is out there.

In this situation we need to keep the piles where they are so they stay insulated and can fend off the warm temps.  The surface of the mounds will solidify a bit and much of the rain will drain off to the sides keeping the gold inside.  After the rain we’ll assess the conditions and determine IF (BIG IF THERE) we can push it together to OPEN on Saturday.  (NOT FRIDAY.)  We know now we simply won’t have the time to do get it done by Friday like we had hoped. 

We also have to look at the future forecast so there is a chance we don't get open this weekend too.  We have to wait and see.   The more we thin out our product (snow) the more we open it up to melt.  We will let you know as soon as we know about OPENING DAY I PROMISE! 

I can only tell you what I know right now and that’s going off a ton of weather people’s forecasts. We all know they’ve been wrong before. 

If it was going to be wonderful and cold all week we’d be skiing right now.  

For our Facebook fans – psst it’s not just a trendy thing anymore –  you’ve seen some of our fan guns at work via some photography from yours truly and our Marketing Director, Brian.

Shooting snowmaking at night and in the morning has always been something I’ve enjoyed doing for the past few years.  Mad River’s layout makes for some perfect shots at both sunrise and sunset. 

The moon the other night was awesome too but didn’t have the camera in the car for that one.

Anyways that’s the update.  I didn’t really tell you much other then we’re waiting.  Sorry guess you could have skipped to the end. 

Waiting patiently – not really, 

Your GM Greg

P.S. If you believe eagles bring good luck, we have a pair here on our property that are absolutely beautiful.  Let's hope they give us some luck on our side.  

 

OPENING DAY UPDATE - 11:30am - December 7, 2011

Well, well, Mother Nature really knows how to stick it to you sometimes.  Last night we brought our snowmakers in to get the guns fired up and await that perfect snowmaking temp – 28 degrees for you weathermen out there – but alas she only made it down to 31.  At least we got some natural flurries out of her.  Hey, we’ll take anything at this point.

Tonight temperatures should be dipping down to 23 degrees so needless to say we’ll be going at it full steam.  Looking good for tomorrow too at 26 degrees, and down into the teens on Friday and Saturday.  Temps stay decent through the early part of next week and we should be able to lay down snow each night for the next seven days. 

All that being, said three nights isn’t enough to get Mad River Mountain up and running with full operations for this weekend.

BUT-  We know you’re itching so we’re still going to get some fun activities going for Saturday night.

SATURDAY NIGHT 50TH SEASON KICKOFF EVENT   5PM – 10PM

• HIKABLE RAIL SET UP on lower Capital Park for anyone wishing to
  come out and slide on some features  - $10 and SIGNED WAIVER REQUIRED
• Rail plan & design set-up to be released Saturday AM
• BONFIRE PIT
• The LOFT BAR featuring - LIVE MUSIC starting at 6:30PM w/JUKE BOX HERO, FREE PIZZA @ 5PM (while supplies last)
• FIRST 50 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS raffle for a 48” Soccer Fooseball Table – RETAIL VALUE $400.
• NEW DRAFTS YUENGLING Lager & Black & Tan drink specials

While I know you all want lifts and full mountain access it just isn’t feasible.  Looking ahead with the temperatures it’s going to be a battle but we are shooting to be
OPEN on Friday, December 16th at 10am.

That Friday and Saturday we’ll have our first Midnight Madness of the year with skiing and riding until 3am both days.  This is all weather dependent and we can only work with what we’re given.

The Avalanche Tubing Park
has a TBD opening date right now.  That puppy needs tons of snow and more time in a groomer to get it ready.  Look for tubing glory to open around Christmas.

While I know we’re not opening as soon as we’d all like we can only do what Mother Nature allows us to do.  Lately she’s been quite the …..  well you know.  Hopefully she’ll get in the Christmas spirit and give uswhat we want soon!

I hope to see you in the Loft or out hitting some rails this weekend. 

Greg

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Gambling on Mother Nature isn't so easy..

December 3, 2011 - 5pm
Gambling on Mother Nature isn't so easy.. 

Hi!  How are you?  Have a good Thanksgiving?  Me too!  It was the first one with my family in 10 years. I've worked every Thanksgiving since college. Who works on Thanksgiving?  I did.  Usually that day included skiing too.  I've been skiing as apart of my job for 10 years and I can't think of anything I'd rather do.  

I'm Greg Fisher - Mad River's new General Manager. Nice to meet you.

For the past 10 year's I've been calling the small town of West Dover home.  West Dover is home to Mount Snow - one of Mad River's big sisters. (why is it always a female?)  I was the Marketing & Event Director there for a number of years and I've been blessed to work with some amazing people who thought I'd be pretty good at running a resort too.  I hope they're right.  

 

Mad River & Mount Snow really aren't much different. Ok they have a "slight" difference in vertical but who's counting.  Both employ good people, have killer terrain parks, fundamental ski schools and huge event calendars.  This place is a skier's oasis in the middle of fields!  I walked into our Rental F

 

acility and was blown away.  This is the Roman Cathedral of all rental facilities this side of the Mississippi.  I kid you not.  

I believe and enjoy social media, ahem blogging. Follow us on the Spacebook and Twitter,
(me too if you want @madriverfish) and you'll know if your school is closed for a class V snow emergency
before the news stations. I can't wait to go through my first snow "emergency."  I'm excited.  Ohio calls them emergencies I call them blessings.    

We have a ton of things planned for you this year including some fun promotions like the 50 Days of Giveaways, the Bud Light Winterfest (bigger and badder then ever with this huge pop-up bar) and a new event - the Yuengling Spring Fling in March.  Pond Skimming, Park Events, Live Music, and a Cardboard Sled race over at the Tubing Hill.  

Enough babbling Fisher!  THE QUESTION: WHEN IS MAD RIVER going to OPEN?!  So many of you have been asking or so I should say yelling about that on our Facebook Page.   I'm with you I want to ski already. I got the itch.  

As the marketing guy, I was always pleading with our Mountain Ops director to just to do it!  Just to make the snow.  I didn't care what it felt like as long as it was white.  If the temp was below freezing I wanted the guns to be ablazin with the white goodness our fans were screaming for!  

Roll reversal. 180. Now I get to call the shots.

Gambling with water, wind, unpredictable temperatures & forecasts is really, really hard. Not to mention wasting electricity is expensive. We could make snow everytime it dips below the "mendoza line" (essentially 28 degrees for quality powpow) but we need consistency to make a solid product.  

It is Friday afternoon and as of right now the temps starting Monday night look marginal initially then better as the week progressesses.  I'm a glass half full kinda guy.  I believe in stars aligning and believe in our snowmakers.  Saturday, December 10th has been my goal since I arrived July 4th. I want to hit that goal.  So think COLD!  

The temps I'm refering to are as of DECEMBER 2ND at 5:00pm. 

Three days ago they looked terrible.  Seven days ago they looked awesome! Who knows what Al Roker will say tomorrow.  I prefer Jim Cantore personally but they've been shipping him all over these days.   

I like this map from accuweather we're right on the "Worst of Winter" line.  The ice can stay in Kentucky. 

I'll see you on the slopes or maybe at the Loft.  I prefer Yuengling's Black & Tan.  Of course I put it on draft! 

Think cold thoughts friends.

Greg

P.S. I went to two Ohio State football games this year.  Colorado and the amazing Wisconsin game.  I'm 2-0.  If someone offers up season tickets to ensure a perfect season at home I'll be happy to help.