tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11592756989997870102024-03-13T07:08:47.137-07:00Ski House of the DayA tour of intriguing ski houses from around the world -- some typical of their locale, others totally unique, and some with their own one-of-a-kind story to tell.Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-24898103525671793902018-02-02T07:51:00.001-08:002018-02-02T07:51:44.587-08:00A Ski House with Character<i><b style="background-color: white;">The Ski House of the Day</b></i> is Lindsey Vonn's new ski house in Vail, Colorado. To state the obvious, Lindsey Vonn is the greatest American female skier with an unsurpassed and staggering number of wins in ski-racing....including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdJ-BvG9tbM">Olympic gold.</a> <br />
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Lindsey Vonn's gorgeous alpine ski house combines a stylish flare with a rock-solid strength that seems a perfect representation of its owner. It is strikingly beautiful, grounded and solid; it's a house with character.<br />
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Constructed of huge timber frame and beautiful stone, this contemporary ski house is perfect for its setting in the Colorado mountains. Out front is one of my favorite features...a simple double chair from a ski lift that serves as a front yard bench and perfect welcome to this skier's home. The spacious house has five bedrooms, an exercise room fit for an Olympian, an amazingly huge stone fireplace that also serves as a fitting display place for some of Lindsey's most prized medals (there's another huge trophy case for the rest of them), plenty of closet space (including an impressive custom-made shoe rack), and a special doggie-door for her three beautiful, beloved dogs. To me this house exudes a warmth and character that is Lindsey's alone.<br />
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I offer no photos of this house because there's something more important than its appearance that defines this ski house. Invisible to the naked eye, that "something else" makes this place even more inviting than the gorgeous ski house that it is, just like the "something else" that makes its owner even more powerful than the super-athlete that she is. That "something" is Lindsey's principled strength of character. (<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/character">Merriam-Webster's</a> defines character as "moral excellence," and <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/browse/character">Dictionary.com's</a> example of the word is: <i>"It takes character to face up to a bully."</i>). As evidence of her character, Lindsey Vonn recently told a CNN interviewer that she <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/06/sport/lindsey-vonn-donald-trump-white-house/index.html">will be representing the American people NOT the US president</a> when she competes in the 2018 Olympics. And even if she wins a gold medal, she will NOT accept the customary invitation to the White House. <br />
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Unlike some Americans that have been swayed by the loud noise and bombastic promises of an inexperienced, unprincipled, and uninformed political leader....and unlike some in government who seem blindly loyal to a person who recently marked the start of the new year by obscenely taunting the world with the size of his nuke button...Lindsey is not intimidated. She refuses to be a follower down this dangerously slippery slope. Who would want to represent a person of such vulgarity, intolerance and self-serving bias on the international stage?<br />
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Lindsey's self-reliant character was forged through goal-driven hard work, personal commitment and an uncompromising positive attitude even in the face of daunting adversity. Her unencumbered independence should be an example to us all. Yet, where is this principled level of independent thinking among more Americans? And moreover, where is this level of character in Congress? And why do our elected representatives seem intimidated by such a juvenile, small-minded and potentially dangerous leader? When will our elected officials take a lesson from Lindsey and realize that they too must become independent and principled? Will they, like Lindsey Vonn, be representing the American people, not the US president, when they are put to the test?<br />
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I wish Lindsey well in the upcoming 2018 Olympics, which I will be following at every turn. But, regardless of how much more Olympic gold she may add to her trophy case, to me Lindsey's Olympic gold is but a portion of her accomplishment. Her golden example is in her principled character. And, American pride in her is not limited to her performance on the slopes.<br />
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People Magazine (t<a href="http://people.com/home/lindsey-vonn-colorado-house-tour/">ake the People tour</a>) presents a wonderful tour of Lindsey Vonn's ski house (given by Lindsey herself), and <a href="https://www.vailmag.com/articles/2017/11/17/a-pre-olympics-visit-with-lindsey-vonn">Vail Magazine</a> offers an interview and photos of the same. But while taking the tour, consider this: that the lovely character of the house is actually defined by the principled character of its owner. This is a ski house with real character.<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-8640744723178299112017-03-08T07:45:00.002-08:002017-03-12T07:23:55.273-07:00Ski Lodge for International Women's Day<a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/">International Women's Day</a> is today...and we women are supposed to show our strength and value by wearing red and <i><b>not</b></i> doing things. While I get that, and I will wear red, I'd prefer to focus on the active, productive, positive power of women. Women in business, politics, sports and government are making positive progress every day. Women skiers all over the world are demonstrating their strength and skills in the white Pow every day. And in all sorts of other pursuits, women are making first tracks in many powerful, positive ways.<br />
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While <a href="http://en-us.k2skis.com/womens-ski-day">International Women's <b><i>Ski </i></b>Day</a> is celebrated in December, today's International Women's Day expands that to include all women, whether skiers or not. So my goal today is to combine both, and highlight a place that celebrates women (skiers or not) on a regular basis. And that's how I found this place; and that's why the words "Every Day is International Women's Ski Day" impressed me so much.<br />
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The ski area is <a href="https://www.skiwhitewater.com/">Whitewater</a> in Nelson, BC. Their interesting website features a blog, written by a woman, who points out that Whitewater is women-friendly (in many ways) everyday of the year! Check out <a href="http://www.ginabegin.com/search/label/Gina%20Begin%20At%20a%20Glance">Gina B</a> and her blog for her eloquent description of how <a href="https://www.skiwhitewater.com/blog/every-day-international-womens-ski-day">every day is international women's ski day</a> at Whitewater...and while you're at it, check out Gina B's non-profit foundation, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/outdoorwomensalliance">Outdoor Women's Alliance</a>, which promotes leadership and confidence for women. That vibe is the kind of positive female energy that I think today's International Women's Day is all about!<br />
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The Ski House of the Day is featured on Whitewater's site, and looks like the perfect place for a group of women to relax apres-ski (or any other time), celebrate their first tracks, revel in their abilities, share in each other's accomplishments, and generate positive female energy and encouragement. The ski house is called <a href="http://www.logdenlodge.com/">Logden Lodge</a> and is located in the Kootenays, of British Columbia, Canada. It consists of four, very private cabins situated on an expansive 42 acres of forest along the Elise Creek, near skiing at Whitewater, and more. (<a href="https://www.skiwhitewater.com/blog/details-luxury-ymirs-logden-lodge">Gina </a>B even says the <a href="https://www.skiwhitewater.com/blog/details-luxury-ymirs-logden-lodge">cabins</a> look like something out of Architectural Digest!).<br />
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To me, the cabins look charming and inviting...with warm and cozy spaces by the woodstove,<br />
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...bathrooms with (the oh-so-nice-after a hard day of skiing) large soaking tubs,<br />
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...and other things like luxury bedding, plush robes, and the all-important keep-your-feet-dry from the melted snow-droppings: slippers!<br />
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This ski house seems like a perfect place for whomever might be there on International Women's Day today...hopefully it's a group of women wearing red while skiing (like these) at Whitewater...<br />
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Whether you're a skier or not, whether you're a woman or not, I hope you will focus on the active, positive, productive power of women on this day...and every day.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqbA2unikko/WMAc_8jFwAI/AAAAAAAACZE/xDJGjVDnQ1Y_GMdZuWw8i2_1jn6vZtiSQCEw/s1600/Logdenwomanondeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqbA2unikko/WMAc_8jFwAI/AAAAAAAACZE/xDJGjVDnQ1Y_GMdZuWw8i2_1jn6vZtiSQCEw/s400/Logdenwomanondeck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And just one more thing about this awesome Canadian ski lodge.....it is co-owned by a woman!<br />
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A happy, positive and powerful International Women's Day to all!<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-27322118998505088112017-02-24T06:25:00.000-08:002017-02-24T06:51:13.352-08:00Simply Wonderful<a href="http://www.villaboreale.com/">Villa Boreale</a>, a beautiful Quebec ski chalet, is located near big skiing at <a href="http://www.lemassif.com/en">Le Massif</a> (with the highest vertical east of the Canadian Rockies). Like the snow outside on the mountains, the immaculate cottage is almost entirely white inside. Emblematic of a classic ski chalet, it has a hot tub out in the snow, a bunk-room, a wood-burning fireplace, animal skin rugs artfully arranged throughout....but the streamlined, elegant, minimalist theme is its dominant feature. <br />
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Fortunately for those who want to ski in the Charlevoix area, this modern, inviting chalet, with four bedrooms (accommodating up to 14), is a <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/945677">rental property</a>. <br />
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I really like this place, but I've kept the theme of my comments true to the Scandinavian minimalist design of this house...allowing the chalet to speak for itself: However, there is one fabulous feature (which I love) that I must comment on...it is a perfect feature that, for me, truly identifies this chalet as an unmistakably wonderful ski house: the ski lift chair hanging next to the front door:<br />
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Apres-ski or off-season, you can be on the chairlift whenever you want at this ski chalet...simply wonderful!</div>
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C'est magnifique!</div>
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-34084237683041876882017-01-18T06:09:00.002-08:002017-01-18T06:09:50.251-08:00The Aspen Experiment: Tiny Ski House<br />
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The Aspen experiment is this year's housing option for a lucky group of seasonal workers at Aspen Skiing Company who are living in one of the six brand new tiny homes this winter, according to <a href="http://www.aspentimes.com/news/aspen-skiing-co-joins-tiny-house-nation-with-experimental-housing-project/">Aspen Times</a>. <br />
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Affordable, yet suitable winter housing is a tricky problem in an area where demand for seasonal housing swells with the ski season, and where the average rent is more than double (and sometimes exponentially beyond) that of the <a href="http://www.areavibes.com/aspen-co/cost-of-living/">national average</a>. Hence, the Aspen experiment: the creative solution of rolling in some very cool new tiny ski houses on wheels.<br />
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The tiny homes, similar to this one, were made by <a href="http://sprouttinyhomes.com/">Sprout Tiny Homes</a>. <br />
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Each tiny ski house is only about 500 sq ft in size...but, according to Sprout are strong, sustainable, green, energy efficient homes with chemical-free interiors. Complete with kitchens and bathrooms, the tiny homes offer very modern, stylish, surprisingly upscale and functional interiors....with lots of windows to invite in those Aspen views. Nice. (Skico is reportedly targeting a rental rate around $600 per month per person for their employees in a tiny ski house).<br />
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The tiny ski homes have been set up in a local Aspen campground, which has both the infrastructure to instantly support the homes, as well as bus transportation to the mountain(s)/work. Pretty sweet for those who got first tracks on this deal!<br />
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Skico purchased six of Sprout's tiny homes for the experiment; and if all goes well, they could be in for many more in the years to come. I'm hoping it works out, because it sounds like a step in the right direction.<br />
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It's a tiny experiment...with huge potential!<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-65924284886089214442016-07-01T09:55:00.000-07:002016-07-28T10:56:37.163-07:00Peter Grubb Ski Hut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of four unique, back-country huts operated by the Clair Tappan Lodge in the Lake Tahoe area, <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">The Ski House of the Day,</span></i></b></span> the Peter Grubb Ski Hut,<b> </b>"may be difficult to locate in heavy snow years:"</div>
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But an intrepid group of skilled back-country skiers found it, enjoyed it, and recently shared their experience with me! (These photos were taken during a January 2016 visit). The hut is located about 3 miles (hike or ski) from Route 80. The remote hut is maintained by volunteer groups organized by the Sierra Club (during the summer and fall) who then get priority in the lottery to reserve the hut for winter stays.</div>
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In addition to the abundant snow, visitors are welcomed to the hut by the small signs posted on the front door...first a welcome sign:</div>
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...and then, particularly noteworthy, an earthquake warning sign:<br />
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The hut was built in 1938 in memory of avid skier and outdoorsman, Peter Grubb whose untimely death occurred at age 19 in Europe. In a letter to his grandfather, shortly before his death, teenage Peter wrote: <span style="background-color: #faf5e9; color: #292929; font-family: "cabin" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;"> <i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #faf5e9; color: #292929; font-family: "cabin" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;"><i>"I just got back from my second trip to Norden at the Sierra Club Ski Lodge. We had a grand time skiing. </i></span><i><span style="background-color: #faf5e9; color: #292929; font-family: "cabin" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">As you probably have heard from Mama, on the first day I broke my skis which I used over New Years, the ones which I made at school, luckily though they broke exactly in the center so I sawed them off to about 3 feet each and used those successfully the rest of the trip, the only disadvantage being that they sank further then ordinary skis in the soft powder snow.....</span><span style="background-color: #faf5e9; color: #292929; font-family: "cabin" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">I am including a diagram of the lodge which is just about completed. I do not know if you have heard yet about the group of small ski huts which they plan to start this year, thus making a John Muir trail of the winter...near Tahoe...."</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0BzgmOYa3E/Vq9ajBwWPYI/AAAAAAAACT8/vmbiwAfHXbs/s1600/petergrubb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0BzgmOYa3E/Vq9ajBwWPYI/AAAAAAAACT8/vmbiwAfHXbs/s640/petergrubb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blanketed in that soft powder snow, this is one of those huts that Peter wrote about, and is named after that young skier. <br />
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The Peter Grubb Hut has a "back-door" off the upper level of the hut...offering accessibility when the front door becomes totally covered by snow. A solar panel powers the lights.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gVO7GiP5aU/Vq9akfLYt3I/AAAAAAAACTg/VFZ0ud-0NhU/s1600/petergrubbskis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gVO7GiP5aU/Vq9akfLYt3I/AAAAAAAACTg/VFZ0ud-0NhU/s640/petergrubbskis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are two rooms inside the Peter Grubb Hut: a main room which includes a cooking area (with counter space, cabinets, pots and pans, etc.) a wood-stove, a few picnic tables, benches...and happy campers:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLiSNbUkbXE/Vq9ajI27x8I/AAAAAAAACUU/yZ_5rF9R1RA/s1600/petergrubbkitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLiSNbUkbXE/Vq9ajI27x8I/AAAAAAAACUU/yZ_5rF9R1RA/s640/petergrubbkitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Off to the side is a welcome sight...a small room full of dry wood...<br />
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...which comes in handy to build a beautiful, warm fire in the wood stove:<br />
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It's pretty cozy with logs for stools, and a clothesline for drying skins or other wet gear:<br />
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The ladder leads to the second room, an upstairs sleeping loft...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn5sZOHo7z8/Vq9ajXE221I/AAAAAAAACSY/eIIjlEDizao/s1600/petergrubbladder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jn5sZOHo7z8/Vq9ajXE221I/AAAAAAAACSY/eIIjlEDizao/s640/petergrubbladder.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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...basic and comfy for a few people...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2mMbi7uTjk/Vq9ak5Bn-NI/AAAAAAAACUA/p9FPsGdeNU0/s1600/petergrubbsleep1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2mMbi7uTjk/Vq9ak5Bn-NI/AAAAAAAACUA/p9FPsGdeNU0/s640/petergrubbsleep1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...or warm and cozy for a lot of people...<br />
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Apres-ski in the Peter Grubb Ski Hut:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfqsTIE9oXg/Vq9ajsGjQWI/AAAAAAAACUY/B920gSjo-5Y/s1600/petergrubbpeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfqsTIE9oXg/Vq9ajsGjQWI/AAAAAAAACUY/B920gSjo-5Y/s640/petergrubbpeople.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And how about this split-level out-house...the upper level will remain more accessible after the lower level door becomes obstructed with snow:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Plq9RvWq10o/Vq9ajgVFi7I/AAAAAAAACSk/GtV4oFkggXY/s1600/petergrubbouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Plq9RvWq10o/Vq9ajgVFi7I/AAAAAAAACSk/GtV4oFkggXY/s640/petergrubbouth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A nice collection of skis ready to go...</div>
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A captivating smile emerging from the hut through the snow-tunnel:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqdgNcbqX5Y/Vq9alMYS45I/AAAAAAAACT0/jHZrAFzpcmc/s1600/petergrubbter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqdgNcbqX5Y/Vq9alMYS45I/AAAAAAAACT0/jHZrAFzpcmc/s640/petergrubbter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And they're off:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wp3ECmzBAw/Vq9akVS76EI/AAAAAAAACTI/3tYejnyhnpA/s1600/petergrubbski2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wp3ECmzBAw/Vq9akVS76EI/AAAAAAAACTI/3tYejnyhnpA/s640/petergrubbski2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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...for some spectacular skiing:<br />
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...until it's time to watch the sunset over the mountains...<br />
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Special thanks to Tim and Teresa for sharing their experience at the Peter Grubb Hut! <br />
Check out their other amazing ski adventures on the <a href="http://mexicanblankett.blogspot.com/">Mexican Blankett</a> .<br />
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The Peter Grubb Hut may be "difficult to locate in heavy snow years" but that's exactly what makes it a back-country skiers dream house!Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-65526438271919725212016-05-04T12:19:00.000-07:002016-05-04T12:21:50.682-07:00The Freestyle Ski House<br />
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It's that time of year when high school seniors are deciding what college to attend. Many factors go into the decision...including where and with whom they will be living. There's something in the works that could sway the decision for some Vermont-bound students next year. The <i><b>Ski House of the Day</b></i> is one that actually doesn't exist...yet. It is the Freestyle Ski House, at the <a href="http://www.uvm.edu/">University of Vermont</a> (UVM) proposed for the 2016-17 school year.<br />
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Situated in Burlington, Vermont, UVM is in the heart of ski country and within an hour or two of some major New England skiing, such as <a href="http://www.stowe.com/">Stowe</a>, <a href="http://jaypeakresort.com/">Jay Peak</a>, <a href="http://www.smuggs.com/">Smuggs</a>, and a whole lot more. There's also Mount Tremblant and other international slopes just across the northern border. In fact, <a href="http://www.theskichannel.com/news/featured/20130622/top-10-universities-for-skiing/">The Ski Channel</a> has named UVM one of the top ten US colleges for skiers. So, instead of a regular dorm, a house dedicated specifically for skiers is probably an easy sell to most college students who decide to go to UVM.<br />
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According to one of the Program Directors, UVM's <a href="https://vimeo.com/153052557">The Freestyle Ski House</a> concept is a proposed living/learning environment for students who are interested in furthering their goals related to skiing. And <a href="http://www.uvm.edu/llcenter/programs/1617/2016-2017-ai-gv-ll-program-overviews.pdf">UVM's Living/Learning Center</a> says the house is designed for students "to progress their skills and knowledge of the sport." But is this really just a My Kappa Pow frat house? Maybe. Or maybe it's a place for students to actually inspire ideas that intertwine skiing with academics... hey, how can we improve the safety engineering of that tele-binding?...Can we come up with some new app that could help keep us safe from severe weather threats?....We need to invent that new safety device, or something to improve first-aid out on the slopes?...or, what about the business aspects of snow-making efficiency...maybe there's a better way?.....Or, we're going to have to be the ones to put an end to global warming before it puts an end to our sport! Hopefully this is the kind of conversation that might be sparked in the living room of the proposed Freestyle Ski House, and if so, I'd say....skiers: make first tracks to get there! And please, send me some pictures of the house when you do!<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-9121168060767810742016-03-14T07:45:00.001-07:002017-03-14T05:38:46.057-07:00Trump Palace in Aspen? No Deal.Recently I listened to yet another Donald Trump presidential campaign pep rally. His views and attitude are outrageous and embarrassing to me as an American. Trump's primary claim to fame is that he is rich, and successful at business deals. Is that enough to make us trust and respect him with our future? Not for me. However, since he incessantly boasts about the size of his...bank account, I wondered what and where his ski house might be. Is there a Trump ski house? Surely someone with his wealth must have one (or more than one), right? I was expecting to find something really huge, garish, and oh-so-expensive. But, I discovered an even better representation of Trump than a personal ski house...one of his famous "deals" in an iconic ski town.<br />
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But first, here's where the real skiers, the locals as well as the competent, experienced, skillful visitors, challenge themselves in Aspen, (not a place for braggarts and loudmouths like Trump)...Highlands Bowl Hike. Majestic and fragile, it takes skill to ski here (and skill even to get here if you actually hike it); it's an environment where people like Trump (for whom trash-talk substitutes for skill) could not even presume to be able to succeed:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKE9nQbcBaI/V6JJR3y-OtI/AAAAAAAACWE/erW4gxfFXc80iiahU_25OsbFOuT9qUPigCLcB/s1600/tim%2Baspen%2B2016-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKE9nQbcBaI/V6JJR3y-OtI/AAAAAAAACWE/erW4gxfFXc80iiahU_25OsbFOuT9qUPigCLcB/s640/tim%2Baspen%2B2016-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photographer: Tim Swain</i></td></tr>
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Beneath those majestic mountains is the quaint yet glitzy ski mecca of Aspen, Colorado. This is the story of Trump's failed ski hotel deal in this historic, fragile town.<br />
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It was to be called the Trump Palace. (Really? <i>Trump Palace</i> - in Aspen?). According to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/realestate/1988/08/27/opposition-may-bury-plans-for-resort/2e401805-eb60-4015-80a1-1ede62f4a13c/">Washington Post</a>, in the spring of 1987 Trump was confident that he had worked out all the details of a "deal" to purchase a prime piece of real estate at the base of Ajax, Aspen's main slope. With the property in foreclosure, Trump artfully put down about $17 million to get his big hands on this enviable ski property...one that would surely generate a great fortune. However, it turns out that he was getting out in front of his skis. While he was planning the design of his proposed ski "palace", another developer, <a href="http://www.mohamedhadid.com/press-coverage/unmasking-the-mysterious-mohamed-hadid/">Mohamed Hadid</a> was taking steps to purchase the same property. But apparently unlike Trump, Hadid actually did his homework and learned the all-important facts. Hadid discovered an outstanding priority debt on the property, paid it off, and under the law of Colorado the site became Hadid's at the last minute of the "deal." Whether it was ignorance of the law, or not bothering to uncover the facts, or maybe smug arrogance, I don't know; but Trump's efforts failed and it cost him this valuable Aspen ski property.<br />
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About a year later, in <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=RELWZy48h30C&pg=RA1-PA160&lpg=RA1-PA160&dq=trump+ski+house+aspen&source=bl&ots=GH8l7HWqiO&sig=ZvM8VXJ9Z4FkZchsBvmWMNM1_AQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjn-e_uhOvKAhWHuoMKHWDeAhU4HhDoAQg2MAU#v=onepage&q=trump%20ski%20house%20aspen&f=false">Ski Magazine</a> (Jan 1989), I. William Berry pointed out that the locals were in fact distrustful of Trump. Revered long-time Aspen local, <a href="http://gretluhl.com/">Gretl Uhl</a> (who established and ran the famous <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saAq3sMzMxA">Gretl's</a> on Ajax for many years, and who earned great respect and admiration in Aspen), told Berry <b>"I don't trust the big developers and their sweet talk...businessmen like Donald Trump and his kind have no feel for this fragile town." </b> (Thought-provoking words, indeed, from a <a href="http://www.aspensnowmassshrines.com/index.php?37-The-Gretl-Uhl-Plaque-and-Chair-Aspen-Mountain">wise woman</a> who in her youth had seen the ugly side of power and politics converge when another charismatic sweet-talker seized political power and in her Bavarian mountain village the Nazi's confiscated her family's business and drafted her to work for them against her will).<br />
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Shortly after the failed Aspen deal, Trump recycled the proposed name into his new apartment building on the upper east side in NYC (where you can get a nice 2-bedroom condo for about $3 million, but you certainly can't ski).<br />
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Despite that failed Aspen ski hotel deal, Trump's most infamous episode in Aspen, according to the <a href="http://www.aspentimes.com/news/17570709-113/donald-trump-and-aspen">Aspen Times</a>, is the 1989 on-snow fight between him and his then wife Ivana, and his then girlfriend, Marla. Apparently Trump's idea of a family Christmas was to go to Aspen with his wife (an expert skier, by the way) <b>and</b> his girlfriend....same town, same slopes, same restaurants, same parties, different hotels. Good times. It came to a <i>huge</i> head one afternoon just outside of a trail-side restaurant (formerly Gretl's)--with all the shouting/fighting/cheating/rich guy/wife-meets-mistress/dirty laundry being thrown down right out on the ski slopes for all to witness! <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/wealthy-aspen-legends">Vanity Fair</a> called the scene a cat-fight. This behavior might be a good plot for a B-movie, a trashy novel or a reality TV show in the making; but presidential? I think not. That on-ski spectacle is more predictive of the behavior we are now witnessing as Trump tries to use the "low-educated" that he claims to love in order to bully his way into the White House.<br />
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In fact, in watching his roller-derby style political rallies over the past few months, it occurs to me that Trump would probably have thrown Samuel Adams out of a Trump rally labeling him a "troublemaker" for voicing his revolutionary calls for freedom; he would surely have thrown out Thomas Jefferson for protesting against Trump's religious intolerance; and likewise the common sense words and Thomas Paine himself would have been expelled with jeers and ridicule. "Get him out of here." "Knock the crap out of him." How different our country might have been if Trump and his kind were perverting the course of justice on their bully pulpit at our country's inception. <br />
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Considering her thought-provoking criticism of Trump, he would probably even expel the beloved Aspen icon Gretl Uhl, too.<br />
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Which brings me back to the thoughts of the Aspen locals like Gretl....distrustful of Trump's sweet talk, and perceptively understanding that Trump and his kind have no feel for their fragile town. Maybe Gretl's sentiments are even more significant today in a broader sense than just Aspen...maybe Trump and his kind have no feel for this fragile democracy of ours.<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-19609762772201916852016-03-12T07:56:00.002-08:002016-03-12T07:56:48.377-08:00The Slalom House<br />
The Slalom House, a totally unique structure, is an innovative, new concept introduced by <a href="http://mataibekov.com/en/portfolio/multifunctional/99.html">Shokhan Mataibekov</a> in the city of Astana (a planned city in which there are numerous futuristic buildings) in Kazakhstan (formerly part of the Soviet Union).<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvznfrDELx4/VruUlo9fkEI/AAAAAAAACVA/Dhf9ONTOT5M/s1600/Slalomhouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvznfrDELx4/VruUlo9fkEI/AAAAAAAACVA/Dhf9ONTOT5M/s320/Slalomhouse1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a 21-story apartment building that has as its dramatic, imposing, functional feature...a ski slope that spirals around the exterior of the building from the rooftop to the ground level! This amazing structure gives new meaning to ski-in/ski-out! The building is called The Slalom House, for obvious reasons:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YJ7OVIalv4/VruUlvBdwXI/AAAAAAAACU8/F1VGzEw5baQ/s1600/Slalomhouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YJ7OVIalv4/VruUlvBdwXI/AAAAAAAACU8/F1VGzEw5baQ/s320/Slalomhouse2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If approved, it will contain 421 two-bedroom apartments, wrapped up in a 1,000 ft outdoor <a href="http://www.snowflex.com/">snowflex</a>-covered ski-slope. This means residents will be able to ski right from their apartment, in the city, in any season! Think of the possibilities: forget the treadmill - how about a quick couple of runs before work in the morning, or for the kids who live here there will always be friends wanting to come over to play, and those single millennials who live here have a built-in destination to invite a date over for some night skiing and maybe a little apres-ski.<br />
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I think the Slalom House is a very cool city-style, year-round ski house! And after Kazikhstan, I'd love to see it duplicated in a place near me.<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-56088565230886487442016-02-09T09:41:00.000-08:002016-02-10T07:44:05.704-08:00The Ski Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today the first of the preliminary votes of the 2016 US Presidential election will be tallied; it is New Hampshire Primary Day. With billionaires central to this season's political conversation (those funding their purchased candidate, those running for President themselves, and those targeted for take-down by Sanders...), I'm wondering how many billionaires-in-chief have a ski house of their own in the ultra-rich ski town, Aspen, Colorado. It has, after all, mountains of spectacular skiing (alongside those mountains of money)...and it's also the place for the wealthy to be seen. But even Aspen billionaires aren't immune from less than respectable behavior...the slopes of Aspen were, after all, the site of that ugly on-the-ski-trail cat fight between Trump's (then) wife, and (then) <a href="http://articles.philly.com/1990-02-13/news/25882899_1_ivana-trump-donald-trump-trump-empire">girlfriend</a> at Christmas in 1990. </div>
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So... with those politically-minded billionaires in mind, check out the ski house that CNBC dubbed "the biggest home in the richest town in America." The house is an astonishing 21,000 sq ft, on 7 slope-side acres, with features like a car turntable in its immaculate, massive garage. In 2013, the incredible house was for sale at the reduced asking price of $40 million. </div>
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On this 2016 New Hampshire Primary Day, this Aspen ski compound is my pick for <i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day. </span></i> </div>
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It is simply called "The Ski Home." </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2013/09/24/the-biggest-home-in-the-richest-town-in-america.html">Source: CNBC</a><br />
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There are not enough superlatives to describe this ski house, so I'll suggest the quick tour instead:</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2013/09/24/the-biggest-home-in-the-richest-town-in-america.html"> Tour The Ski Home </a></span></span></div>
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...and remember to vote!<br />
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Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-81548635017474852852016-02-05T07:53:00.000-08:002016-02-09T06:59:41.519-08:00Ski House Gone RedValentine's Day is coming up this weekend, but for a more important reason, February is Heart Month (according to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/">CDC</a>). In addition, the American Heart Association's <a href="https://www.goredforwomen.org/">Go Red for Women / Wear Red Day</a> is today...to call attention to women's heart health in particular. According to this organization, heart attacks are the Number 1 killer of women (more than all cancers combined). Even we women skiers can be at risk for cardiovascular disease, like <a href="https://www.goredforwomen.org/?story=leann-lehners-story">Leann</a> who experienced a heart attack <i><b>while she was skiing</b></i>. But it is empowering to note that (the American Heart Association says) 80% of all cardiovascular disease may be preventable!<br />
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My interpretation of the "Go Red for Women" program is that maybe each time we see something red (whether it's a red dress, red shoes, red car, red skis, red ski parka, red mittens, red home decor, red furniture, red house ...anything) let it be a reminder about our own <a href="https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/well-woman/">heart health</a>. <br />
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So, in honor of "Go Red for Women," I'll offer today's <i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i> as a gentle suggestion to us all to find out about our risk, know the warning signs, and have a plan about what to do in the event of a heart attack.<br />
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The<i><span style="color: #444444;"> Ski House of the Day</span></i> is the <a href="http://www.discoversunriver.com/vacation-rentals/aquila-lodge-14-sunriver#.VqpgC5orLs1">Aquila Lodge</a> in Sunriver, Oregon. Why did I select this one for today? Like women who take control of their heart health, it's bold, beautiful, strong, and in its own way it's got GO RED written all over it:<br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><a href="http://www.discoversunriver.com/vacation-rentals/aquila-lodge-14-sunriver#.VqpgC5orLs1"></a>
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Check out the red leather furniture in this cozy living room - it is gorgeous!</div>
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Bold and beautiful log bed and red decor in the bedroom.</div>
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Pretty red towels in the bathroom.<br />
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(OK...the hot tub is one thing that isn't red, but maybe some apres-ski red wine could complete this inviting scene):<br />
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Whether in a lovely <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/498689">ski house</a> like this or elsewhere, take notice of everything red and empower yourself this February. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Olympic skier </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLiD3KdbSSE" style="text-align: start;">Lindsey Vonn</a><span style="text-align: start;"> showed her support for "Go Red for Women / Wear Red Day"...and similarly we can all do the same by wearing something red (skiing or not) this month, as a sign of support, awareness, and most importantly as a reminder to ourselves that we each have the power to take action for our own heart health.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">Go Red for Women!</span></b></i></div>
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Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-75626840904154775792016-02-03T06:48:00.000-08:002016-02-03T06:48:58.425-08:00A Sweet Swap in SwitzerlandHere's a <a href="http://www.snowswappers.com/property/view/116">ski house</a> that could be just perfect for a Valentine's Day ski trip later this month:<br />
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I recently found this very sweet ski chalet on an interesting website that was new to me (although it's been around for several years)...<a href="http://www.snowswappers.com/">Snow Swappers</a>. They way it works is that owners of ski houses join in order to "swap" with each other. This way owning a ski house doesn't keep them stuck skiing the same mountain all the time. There are simply swap agreements between members -- no rentals, no sales, just a system of "I'll let you use mine, if you let me use yours." What a great concept! <br />
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Assuming that I'd find less-than-desirable ski houses here, I was pleasantly surprised when I actually browsed through to see what kind of places were being listed for swaps. Ski houses of all types, all over the world, in some fabulous ski resorts, and many that were highly desirable...just like this one. <br />
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First, I'll say that when a ski house is in a location like this, I don't know why anyone would need to ski anywhere else because you can ski 400 miles (650 km) of trails right from the front door of this chalet! It's in Morgins, Switzerland, and is connected to the expansive Portes du Soleil which is Europe's largest linked-together ski area:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBmUITy-Pnk/VqpJ0VTVazI/AAAAAAAACQc/DqY4yo9e3yc/s1600/skihousevaldayext2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBmUITy-Pnk/VqpJ0VTVazI/AAAAAAAACQc/DqY4yo9e3yc/s320/skihousevaldayext2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The chalet itself looks adorable, and it seems pretty roomy with three bedrooms and two baths, plus the all-important heated ski boot room!<br />
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There's even comfy leather living room furniture for resting up after hitting all those trails:<br />
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So, for those lucky enough to own their own ski house...this is something to have a look at...and maybe swap for a cute chalet like this for a cozy Valentine's Day ski holiday. Sweet swapping!<br />
<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-2417938008184760552015-03-08T12:20:00.000-07:002015-03-08T12:20:00.284-07:00The Woman Behind the First American Ski Lodge<br />
<a href="http://peckettsonsugarhill.com/rent-with-us-">Pecketts on Sugar Hill</a>, an illustrious northern New Hampshire resort in the early 20th century, didn't start out as a "ski house" at all...but it evolved to have a special place in the history of American skiing. And it was a woman who made that happen.<br />
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Pecketts on Sugar Hill was originally an upscale resort that catered to clientele who vacationed in northern New Hampshire in the summertime: <br />
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<a href="http://www.trinity.edu/rjensen/Tidbits/Hotels/Hotels.htm">R.Jensen, Trinity.edu</a></div>
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But after studying culinary arts in Europe, the inn owner's daughter returned home with new ideas that went way beyond cooking skills. She had noticed that the resorts in Europe embraced the winter, and offered their guests winter activities -- particularly skiing. So she encouraged her parents to develop their business by introducing skiing into their business model. <br />
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And thus, <a href="http://www.skihall.com/index.php?_a=document&doc_id=11&id=146">Katherine Peckett</a> (1906-1999) was largely responsible for starting the ski resort /ski school industry in America. Although Sig Buchmayr was credited with establishing the first ski school...it seems that Katherine actually deserves the credit. Not to take away from the substantive contributions of Sig Buchmayr (and others), but as was typical of the pre-war (WWII) era, women just didn't get the credit they deserved. It was Katherine that took note of the ski industry in Europe while she was there to study culinary arts. She was the one who then encouraged her parents, to develop their winter business by offering guests skiing. It was Katherine who in 1928-29 recruited two German, and then three Austrian skiers to come to teach skiing at their inn. And it was she who, in 1929, actually cleared and developed a ski slope on their property, thus establishing America's first ski school (which she staffed with those European ski instructors including Sig Buchmayr) to promote winter business at the inn. (<i>Skiing Heritage</i>, Sept. 2005, Vol. 17, No. 3).<br />
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Peckett's-on-Sugar Hill is widely recognized as the first ski school in America...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lskxrAWyPiY/VKgGdkVOzdI/AAAAAAAACEw/eYQm_6Nj900/s1600/First%2Bski%2Bschool.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lskxrAWyPiY/VKgGdkVOzdI/AAAAAAAACEw/eYQm_6Nj900/s1600/First%2Bski%2Bschool.gif" /></a></div>
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...but it seems to me that Katherine should have at least been mentioned on the historical marker, too.<br />
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Further glamorizing the new winter sport of skiing, the Pecketts (...probably Katherine with her European culinary ideas) also introduced al fresco winter picnic lunches cooked over an outdoor fire in the snow, and cozy apres-ski "teas" in front of the fireplace (according to <i>Franconia and Sugar Hill</i>, by Arthur F. March, Jr.). It must have been glorious in the 1930's!<br />
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Pecketts-on-Sugar Hill became the first ski resort, and remained the only New England ski resort for the next ten years, hosting an array of impressive guests such as Nelson Rockefeller, Averill Harriman, and Lowell Thomas.<br />
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A few <a href="https://www.cardcow.com/276889/pecketts-franconia-new-hampshire/">rare old post cards</a> of Pecketts-on-Sugar Hill reveal a glimpse of the elegance of the inn in its heyday:<br />
(you can see the edge of what looks like a huge stone fireplace in what appears to be an expansive living area/sun-room/sitting room...<br />
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...and for even more "apres-ski" elegance, this was the dining room...<br />
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What remains today are a few of the smaller buildings on the property of Pecketts-on-Sugar Hill. You can even rent some of them (check them out on vrbo).<br />
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To me (especially now during Women's History month) the most significant thing about this ski house, is that it led to the now ubiquitous ski-school that we all expect at the ski resorts we go to, and it led to the creation of an entire new business model, the ski lodge. And it seems to me that none of it would have occurred (at least not as early as the 1920's and 30's) if not for the efforts of Katherine Peckett. And for that, she is the one who deserves a mountain of credit. While things continue to improve, the imbalance still occurs today, almost a century later: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/08/women-take-less-credit-for-success-group-projects_n_3239673.html">women routinely take / receive less credit</a> for their work than men do. So, on <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/405598/National-Womens-History-Month">Women's History Week</a>, (despite the bronze plaque giving the full credit to a man)...I want to give Katherine Peckett her due. After all, she deserves the credit for envisioning the American's first ski school and New England's first ski lodge, and taking the steps to make them happen.Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-44860814181016091422015-01-26T08:48:00.000-08:002015-02-09T09:00:39.947-08:00Mitt Romney's New Ski House...On the Trail: Success or Last Chance?Will 2016 be one last chance for Mitt Romney to schuss his way out onto the political campaign trail for one more run? We'll soon see, because right now Romney seems to be poised to announce his third run for the White House. <br />
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Meanwhile, let's take a peek at the ski house where, if you look closely enough, you might see the white smoke of those presidential aspirations wafting out of the massive stone chimney, and those potential donors warming the deep pockets of their parkas by the fireplace. <br />
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According to <a href="http://www.realtor.com/news/mitt-romney-ski-chalet/">realtor.com</a> Mitt Romney has a fancy new ski chalet in <a href="http://www.deervalley.com/">Deer Valley</a>; so the <b><span style="color: #666666;"><i>Ski House of the Day</i></span></b> is, one more time, a ski house belonging to Mitt Romney.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1ZCLAdHsnM/VLbUJylcK1I/AAAAAAAACMg/gKGaqjJXDAE/s1600/mittext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1ZCLAdHsnM/VLbUJylcK1I/AAAAAAAACMg/gKGaqjJXDAE/s1600/mittext.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via Realtor.com</i></td></tr>
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Like the Romney's <a href="http://skihouseoftheday.blogspot.com/2012/01/mitt-romneys-deer-valley-ski-lodge.html">previous ski house</a>, their new ski chalet is an extremely impressive slope-side mansion near Salt lake City, Utah. It's a gorgeous 6-bedroom, 8-bathroom log home with over 8,700 sq.ft. of ski house luxury. Absolutely stunning! <br />
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(Do you think they actually ski? In the snow? Alongside regular skiers? What kind of skis emerge from this house? And does Mitt Romney remain perfectly coiffed under a ski helmet? These are some of the questions <i>I'll</i> be listening for when he's "on the trail").<br />
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Anyway, the house was listed for $8.9 million shortly before the Romney's ("trust") bought it about a year ago.<br />
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I think this is one fantastic log "cabin" with gorgeous views plus, of course, a ski-in ski-out location. And check out this fabulous private hot tub sunken into the perfect Utah powder. Absolutely spectacular!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pOoHrqPomE/VLbUJ8VU23I/AAAAAAAACMc/GybyxiIUGBk/s1600/mittht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pOoHrqPomE/VLbUJ8VU23I/AAAAAAAACMc/GybyxiIUGBk/s1600/mittht.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via Realtor.com</i></td></tr>
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<b>But here's the thing I really noticed about Mitt Romney's new ski house...it's situated right on a ski trail named: "Success."</b><br />
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Huh? Anybody superstitious? Could "Success" be the reason they selected this particular ski house? <br />
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And, there's more: Romney's house is situated between two ski trails: the one called "Success" and the other called ....."Last Chance." I can't make this stuff up! <br />
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So, on the campaign trail, as on the <a href="http://cdn.deervalley.com/web/Content/pdf/planning/trail_maps/DVRWinterTrailMap.jpg">ski trail</a>, Romney could be heading out for a run on Success, or one on Last Chance....which will it be?<br />
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As much as I'd love for our next President to be a skier, and have a luxury slope-side ski house (like <a href="http://skihouseoftheday.blogspot.com/2012/02/presidential-ski-house.html">Gerald Ford</a>), I'm not so sure that this will be the one. But there's no denying that this ski house sure is on the right "trail" to entice skiing supporters, friends, and that very large family preparing to take a run.<br />
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No matter what the 2016 election may bring, as long as they're skiing from this ski house, the Romney's can be sure to experience a "Last Chance" or "Success" as many times as they want. <br />
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<i>Update Feb. 9, 2015: Looks like the Romney's have decided to settle for Success on the ski trail, not the campaign trail.</i><br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-63066162673693937422015-01-19T13:23:00.001-08:002015-01-20T07:26:16.017-08:00Inspirational Mountaintop Ski HouseToday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It's a day to reflect and honor the slain civil rights leader. It's not only a national holiday, but also a day that has become synonymous with a long ski weekend. I don't know whether or not Martin Luther King ever skied, set foot in a ski house, or even went out into the snow. But I do know that he has "been to the mountaintop". And I also know of another civil rights leader...one who, like King, fought for the rights of African Americans with regard to voting, education, and other rights, but who did live in a ski town....even before it was a ski town. <br />
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These two civil rights leaders' birthdays are only a week apart, so today seems fitting to honor them both. And on this day of recognition, I think Dr. King would welcome sharing the spotlight with one who came before him and who fought for the same things: Barney Ford, of Breckenridge, Colorado in the 1880's.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Ford">Barney Ford</a> was born to a white plantation owner and a black slave on January 22, 1822 in Virginia, and grew up on a South Carolina plantation. Inspired by his mother to become well educated, Ford taught himself to read and write. As a young man, he escaped slavery, and fled to Chicago, where he became active in the abolition movement. There, and in various other locales including Denver, Ford eventually became a successful entrepreneur and businessman (establishing restaurants, hotels, barbershops and other businesses) despite a number of them of them having burned down. By 1854, when he was just 32, and it was still seven years before the start of the Civil War, he was generating the 14th highest income in the state of Colorado! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBVr5WQBov0/VL1sm7AAcXI/AAAAAAAACNU/nxTEzKVRPqY/s1600/Barney_Ford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBVr5WQBov0/VL1sm7AAcXI/AAAAAAAACNU/nxTEzKVRPqY/s1600/Barney_Ford.jpg" /></a></div>
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Although Ford was apparently cheated out of a gold mining claim on a hill in Breckenridge (by discriminatory laws and an unscrupulous lawyer), the entrepreneurial Fords were highly successful in business and went on to become the <a href="http://www.summithistorical.org/barneyfordhouse.htm">wealthiest family in Breckenridge</a>. Ford played a significant role in the admission of Colorado to the Union as a free state; and he was the first African American nominated to the Territorial Legislature. His original house in Breckenridge is now the <a href="http://www.summithistorical.org/barneyfordhouse.htm">Barney Ford House Museum</a>. In recognition of his civil rights efforts, a beautiful stained glass portrait of him, resides in the Colorado House of Representatives:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKi1CWFLHH8/VL1tBzX76kI/AAAAAAAACNc/g8KVEVC0b-c/s1600/Barney_L._Ford_stained%2Bgl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKi1CWFLHH8/VL1tBzX76kI/AAAAAAAACNc/g8KVEVC0b-c/s1600/Barney_L._Ford_stained%2Bgl.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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So, in honor of both civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barney L. Ford, the <b><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></b> is the <a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/11-Barney-Ford-Dr-Breckenridge-CO-80424/2146857602_zpid/">Barney Ford Lodge</a>, in Breckenridge:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_38SWpSIKU/VL1RwnjMLPI/AAAAAAAACM0/p51WTqRRKDE/s1600/barneyfordext2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_38SWpSIKU/VL1RwnjMLPI/AAAAAAAACM0/p51WTqRRKDE/s1600/barneyfordext2.jpg" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via: Zillow.com</i></td></tr>
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This ski house is a beautiful 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom house on a cul-de-sac called Barney Ford Drive. According to Zillow, this house was last sold in 2008 for $1.4 million. </div>
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The house has an amazing panoramic view of the ski trails of Breckenridge Ski Resort, as well as the entire Ten Mile Range. Absolutely inspirational!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skdgno09fKM/VL1RwtyEr3I/AAAAAAAACNA/4MwKved9_1I/s1600/barneyfordview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skdgno09fKM/VL1RwtyEr3I/AAAAAAAACNA/4MwKved9_1I/s1600/barneyfordview.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via: Zillow.com</i></td></tr>
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"I've been to the mountaintop..."</div>
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<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oehry1JC9Rk">Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</a></i></div>
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Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-73633566059406341922015-01-14T11:31:00.000-08:002015-01-15T05:39:50.775-08:00Memorable View...CamelbackSince January is Learn-to-Ski Month, I decided to find out where the best places to learn are. I was thinking it would probably be an expansive ski resort like Deer Valley, or maybe family-friendly Smuggler's Notch, or Okemo in Vermont. <br />
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So, imagine my surprise when, <a href="http://www.liftopia.com/blog/top-4-places-learn-to-ski-snowboard/">Liftopia</a> named <a href="http://www.skicamelback.com/">Camelback</a> (Pennsylvania) on its short list of top places to learn. Camelback is a family-friendly ski area in the eastern Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains. It's got an just an 800 ft vertical, with 16 lifts serving 34 trails that are evenly divided between beginner, intermediate and expert. It's advertising claims an award-winning ski-school, and yes, they do have some perks for beginners.<br />
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I have moved on with regard to skiing, so I haven't been there in years. Camelback wasn't the first place I ever skied. But, I did do my own share of learning there, and I have skied Camelback many times in the past. More importantly, it's the place where my own kids (now grown-up, expert skiers) did some of their own learning to ski...particularly night skiing in after-school ski clubs during high school.<br />
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So today, in honor of Learn-to-Ski Month, and with fond memories of skiing there, the<i><span style="color: #666666;"> Ski House of the Day</span></i> is this <a href="https://www.flipkey.com/tannersville-vacation-rentals/p689188/">townhome at Camelback</a>. It's an attractive, new, easy-access, 4-bedroom (rental) vacation home:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jNnPLErqGxs/VK7VYuFJ8RI/AAAAAAAACKM/MAHEeoMQ0j8/s1600/tannersvilleextwview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jNnPLErqGxs/VK7VYuFJ8RI/AAAAAAAACKM/MAHEeoMQ0j8/s1600/tannersvilleextwview.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's a soaring stone fireplace in the living room, and (one of my favorite ski house design items) a pair of vintage wooden skis on the wall:<br />
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But to me, the most captivating feature and my reason for selecting this particular home as <i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i> is that amazing view of the ski slopes of Camelback out the window...one that seems to light up the night, and put on a spectacular twilight show:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91xjFxGMQgU/VK7VZJJVuxI/AAAAAAAACKg/-uKZjxzK540/s1600/tannersvillelrview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91xjFxGMQgU/VK7VZJJVuxI/AAAAAAAACKg/-uKZjxzK540/s1600/tannersvillelrview.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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This kitchen has beautiful upscale finishes...and a view of the slopes from the kitchen sink:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0HpG-bVjzk/VK7VY7xiDLI/AAAAAAAACKc/Q_GuJbPg0tQ/s1600/tannersvillekit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0HpG-bVjzk/VK7VY7xiDLI/AAAAAAAACKc/Q_GuJbPg0tQ/s1600/tannersvillekit.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even from the bedroom, the view of the illuminated ski trails seems to light up the room at night:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ff_4TgeEDE/VK7VYnbynKI/AAAAAAAACKs/rGxoJhdtmsQ/s1600/tannersvillebr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ff_4TgeEDE/VK7VYnbynKI/AAAAAAAACKs/rGxoJhdtmsQ/s1600/tannersvillebr.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZVEsCev0iw">night run</a> at Camelback under the lights...ahhh, twilight in the Poconos!<br />
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The brightly lit trails are familiar sight for anyone who has skied Camelback (or who has driven by on Route 80) on a winter's night. Whether with a school ski club, or after work with good friends, or on the weekend with family/friends learning to ski, this is the view for many NJ/NY/PA ski novices...and a memorable view it is:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NMYDVAGD6Q/VK7VZfhyDzI/AAAAAAAACKk/2f0RLCmvX_c/s1600/tannersvilleniteview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NMYDVAGD6Q/VK7VZfhyDzI/AAAAAAAACKk/2f0RLCmvX_c/s1600/tannersvilleniteview.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">To me, this view is pretty special...and today's <i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i> has this view all over it.</span></div>
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So good luck to all who will learn to ski this month at Camelback. (And cheers to all who will teach someone to ski this winter!). Whether at Camelback or somewhere else, remember the view from the place you learned to ski...it's pretty memorable, no matter where it is.<br />
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This powerful ski house is made using only a pencil, and a voice. Although some may try to destroy it, it stands strong. How can it be found? It is recognizable because it is the one whose bright lights cannot be turned off. It's a beacon on top of a world-wide mountain.<br />
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Its name? Let's just call it...<b><i>Ski House Charlie</i></b>. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ffwc0VN0Xg/VK_xH4owfGI/AAAAAAAACLA/34mlRXRhMHc/s1600/20150109_101202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ffwc0VN0Xg/VK_xH4owfGI/AAAAAAAACLA/34mlRXRhMHc/s1600/20150109_101202.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Where is it? Look around, maybe it's so close you don't even notice it. Or maybe it's in the fleeting powder snow just beneath your skis...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uN_7nnpXjGA/VLArygVBoiI/AAAAAAAACLQ/wnHNtM_Rea8/s1600/20150109_135256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uN_7nnpXjGA/VLArygVBoiI/AAAAAAAACLQ/wnHNtM_Rea8/s1600/20150109_135256.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Hopefully, everyone will eventually see its light, and embrace it. Meanwhile, it's a cherished place that continues to stand as strong as ever.<br />
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<i>Je suis Charlie</i><br />
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Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-49501409677940718642015-01-06T10:23:00.001-08:002015-01-06T10:23:51.002-08:00Adirondack Contemporary Great CampAmong the crown jewels of the Adirondacks are Lake Placid, Whiteface, and the Great Camps of the Guilded Age. In upstate New York, Lake Placid is the beautiful, quaint mountain village which is home to skiing at <a href="http://www.whiteface.com/">Whiteface</a> (one of the mountains that comprise the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks). It's also home to one of my <i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i> favorites - the <a href="http://www.adirondackestates.com/property/contemporary-great-camp">Contemporary Great Camp</a>.<br />
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The original Great Camps of the Adirondacks were grandiose, elaborate, rustic summer homes built a century ago by wealthy urban businessmen to escape the city and to enjoy the great outdoors and nature at its finest. Constructed during the late 1800's, they were characterized by being rustic, yet elegant structures built from native materials (logs, stone, artistically designed twigs used as architectural features, etc) by local labor, and being situated in natural, scenic, wooded landscapes, usually on lakefront property. It was common for the camps to have separate structures for different functions thereby forcing people to interact with the outdoors as a part of daily life. The great camps were exclusive, yet naturally organic, elegant yet rustic. They were an interesting contradiction in design, and an irresistible combination of function. Among the owners of the original Adirondack great camps were JP Morgan, the Rockefellers, and the Vanderbilts. In <i>Great Camps of the Adirondacks</i>, Harvey H. Kaiser said that "comfort and luxury coexisted with a vague concept of roughing it." They were fabulous, impressive structures, and yet only a limited number of the original <a href="http://web2.clarkson.edu/projects/hp200_adk/Great_Camps/maptour.html">Adirondack Great Camps</a> have survived. The demise of many of the great camps was the ironic result of the "forever wild" protections of the Adirondack Forest Preserve legislation of the late 1800's which later restricted the repair and even existence of the camps that eventually fell into the hands of the <a href="http://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=luc_diss">state</a> and disappeared.<br />
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To me it seems that the style of the great camps defines the Adirondacks and its lifestyle; and it seems that this style retains a certain mystique to this day. Elegance, rustic luxury and that vague concept of roughing it combine to create a uniquely Adirondack charm.<br />
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This brings us to what I'd call one of Lake Placid's own crown jewels: an absolutely fabulous log home, reminiscent of the best of the Adirondack great camps of the Gilded Age, but new and spectacular. My pick for <i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i> is the Lake Placid <a href="http://www.adirondackestates.com/property/contemporary-great-camp">Contemporary Great Camp</a>, a wonderful, modern combination of elegance and nature. (This house is currently <a href="http://www.adirondackestates.com/">on the market</a> for $2.35 million).<br />
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Just like the original great camps, this large log home is beautifully situated among the trees, and in the snow:<br />
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Reminiscent of the great camps of the nineteenth century, the living room is a stunningly gorgeous combination of wood, stone, soaring spaces and views of nature:<br />
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The living room fireplace (one of four native stone fireplaces in the house) is magnificent! What a wonderful place to enjoy the fire and the views after a cold day on Whiteface.<br />
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"Comfort and luxury...with a vague concept of roughing it" sums up the style of this house. Every piece of furniture and decor in this house just seems to ooze with comfortable, luxurious Adirondack charm.<br />
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The use of large logs and small twigs along the stairs is artful as well as functional, and so perfectly Adirondack! But, wait a minute...is that a beaver gnawing on a ... log? (Now that's a great sense of humor!).<br />
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Another cozy feature of this house (unlike the great camps), is the radiant heating - cozy on skiers' frozen toes.<br />
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This kitchen looks beautiful, functional and elegant. I love the extra large gas stove, multi-level granite island, and of course that gleaming, detailed tin ceiling (a feature that was, in fact, popular during the era of the original great camps' construction):<br />
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The birch-bark ceiling in the dining room makes it unmistakably Adirondack, and blends with the white snow-capped trees outside:<br />
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This outdoor living room is one of my favorite areas of this house...and is so in keeping with the great camps in that it's designed to provide comfortable yet rustic enjoyment of the great outdoors:<br />
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Simply fabulous!</div>
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The <a href="http://www.adkmuseum.org/exhibits_and_events/online_exhibits/naturesart/great_camps/">Adirondack Museum</a> says that one of the things that defined the Great Camps located in the forest was that they were closely linked to the land and to the American vernacular traditions of log and bark construction...with prevailing romantic notions of the wilderness. And the entry foyer of the Contemporary Great Camp is spot on with that definition; linked with the land via the wood/log and birch bark construction and the romance of the snow-covered wilderness just outside the windows:</div>
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As in the great camps...there are massive logs gracefully supporting this house:<br />
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Although this contemporary home is just five years old, it has a cozy, warm and inviting feeling that hints at days gone by in the Adirondacks. <br />
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The bedroom has a wall of windows for a special view of that Adirondack "prevailing romantic notions of the wilderness:"<br />
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Here's one of the 4.5 bathrooms in this beautiful house...it's elegant, but with rustic touches like the birch bark mirror frame, and stone finishes. Gorgeous!<br />
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The log furniture is perfect:</div>
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The snow that is visible outside of every window in this house is not lost on me...I love it!<br />
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How I wish I were writing<i><span style="color: #666666;"> Ski House of the Day</span></i> right now from the birch-bark clad desk in this elegantly rustic home office:<br />
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Okay, they may not have had a coffee table like this in the original great camps, but how can you resist this toboggan-turned-coffee-table in a house that has all that snow just outside the door?<br />
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The family room/game room area is home to yet another fireplace, plus a bar, game tables, and more. How great is this room for some apres-ski fun?<br />
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I love the wooden "ski" pub-chairs, and the vintage skis on the wall...it is in Lake Placid, after all.<br />
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There's a spacious built-in bar in the family room/game room...nice for apres-ski, for sure! And check out the antique brass cash register on the bar...it is an item whose lifespan roughly coincided with the great camps of the Adirondacks. In addition to being a beautiful conversation piece, I think it could be a subtle nod to the wealth of those who created the Adirondack great camps in the first place. </div>
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The impressive Contemporary Great Camp just seems to go on and on. </div>
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I am simply awestruck by this ski house!</div>
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Like the great camps of the past, I think the Contemporary Great Camp is an absolute masterpiece of rustic elegance in the Adirondacks.Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-20180822021148989302014-12-31T12:15:00.000-08:002015-01-05T08:15:44.961-08:00Happy New Year<br />
The <i><span style="color: #444444;">Ski House of the Day</span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></i>is the snow-covered <a href="http://www.vacation-apartments.com/9430.htm#property">Holiday House Hahnenkamm.</a> It's a well-situated, compact, 2-bedroom ski chalet on Hahnenkamm, the local mountain in Kitzbuhel, Austria. The ski run leads directly back to the house - perfect! I think this ski house is simply adorable...and oh-so-Austrian. And check out that roof full of snow!<br />
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This could be the perfect place to ring in 2015 because of the spectacular <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuK_mCQtt0o">fireworks over the ski slopes in Kitzbuhel</a> on New Year's Eve.<br />
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Happy Skiing and Happy New Year!Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-34656324719810926912014-10-09T11:16:00.000-07:002014-10-11T05:55:56.980-07:00College Ski Cabin On the Road Less TraveledIt's early in the school year...that time when schools and colleges renew their efforts to educate, to inspire, and to encourage independent thinking. Today's <b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i></b> is one that exists because of some inspired college alums...it's the ski cabin owned by the <a href="http://www.dartmouth.org/clubs/docnc/index.php">Dartmouth Outing Club of Northern California</a>.<br />
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This unique cabin, is owned, manged and enjoyed by alumni of <a href="http://dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth College</a>. As they put it, it's a magical little piece of New Hampshire transplanted to California. And as I see it, it's a magical little place...right along the road less traveled.<br />
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This ski house is a cute, compact, cozy cabin, with rustic logs (sporting the requisite Dartmouth "green" on its upper exterior), nestled in the snow among the pine trees in Donner Pass. In winter it's only accessible over the snow (skis / snowshoes).<br />
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The common areas on the first floor include a kitchen plus a cozy, comfortable living room...<br />
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...and two (college dorm-style) bunk rooms on the upper floor:<br />
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It looks really great, and I bet those alums love being there; but there's a story behind this ski cabin. The history of this place can be traced (at least in part) to 1934 when Johnny Ellis graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Johnny Ellis, like poet Robert Frost (who also attended Dartmouth some 35 years earlier), took <a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-road-not-taken/">the road less traveled</a> after he graduated from Dartmouth, when he made his way to the mountains of California.<br />
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According to the <a href="http://donnersummithistoricalsociety.org/PDFs/newsletters/news08&09/april09.pdf">Donner Summit Historical Society</a>, Johnny Ellis wasn't ready to go to traditional work after graduation (even though it was the Depression) so he left New Hampshire and headed out west to carve out his own future. He found work helping to construct the Sierra Club's Clair Tappan Lodge and it must have suited him, because he stayed on as self-appointed "major domo and floor cleaner" performing the jobs of fireman, cook, plumber, doctor, ski-instructor, snow-shoveler, washroom-scrubber, cashier, etc. (...the original "ski-bum"?). "It was a grand job." But Johnny had a few other big ideas, and soon took steps to put them into motion. One was the formation of the western version of the popular Dartmouth Outing Club (which he did, along with other alums), and the other was his grand vision of creating a ski resort at Donner Summit.<br />
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The first step was to acquire some land, which he did (for $3.50 an acre), on which he built a warming hut, and constructed the first tow-rope in the west in 1937. Johnny's entrepreneurial spirit continued as he constructed two additional tows, and started land development of ski lodge lots. He had specific plans for an innovative first-class ski resort development in 1941, but it was not to be. WW II broke out that year, and the ski tow, although successful, unfortunately was dismantled due to the war. Johnny headed back East, working in engineering, all the while gathering ideas for improving lift operations in the Sierra. After the war, Johnny did not return to the Sierra, but rather he moved on to "plastics" thus once again taking the road less traveled toward that new, innovative material, even before <i>The Graduate</i>. So, his visionary ski resort was an idea that was left to others to pursue. Whether ultimately successful or not, it seems to me that those with new ideas who break new ground and who travel their own path, create new opportunities for the rest of us, and leave inspiration in their wake.<br />
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After the war (1946), club members began constructing the ski cabin using discarded railroad timbers from Southern Pacific's snow sheds that were being rebuilt. Two years later, electricity and a toilet were added. The 1950's brought an addition, running water, and dedication of a memorial fireplace (which even includes New Hampshire granite!):<br />
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According to the Donner Summit Historical Society, Johnny later said, "Perhaps I left a mark or two on Donner Pass...it is nice to know that some of the things I cared about are still growing." <br />
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I think this ski house is a testament to those, like Johnny Ellis, who see possibilities, dare to dream, and who dare to take the road less traveled.<br />
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Remnants of that original tow remain on the site of this ski cabin...invisible to some, but for the independent-minded adventurers who see the possibilities they can be found... they're right along the road less traveled.Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-79274313134038255002014-05-22T06:32:00.000-07:002014-06-10T09:24:55.662-07:00Casa de EsquiLooking forward to the upcoming South American ski season ... The <i><b><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></b></i> is <a href="http://www.casafarellones.com/">Casa Farellones</a> on the mountain in Farellones, Chile.<br />
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This stylish luxury ski chalet is located one hour from Santiago, and is within minutes of three popular ski resorts: El Colorado, La Parva, and <a href="http://www.vallenevado.com/en/">Valle Nevado</a>. You can even walk or ski to the lifts at Farellones...and that's something I love about any ski house! (And it looks like it's a nice <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co8WiSkUXs">ride from El Colorado to Farrellones</a> on the slopes).<br />
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This huge and gorgeous house is actually divided into three apartments with a flexible configuration so that as much or as little can be combined / divided, as needed. Smart design, I'd say.<br />
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So, the first thing I notice about this ski house is this really spectacular and inviting...garage! Huh? Garage? I'm not usually one who cares much about garages, but this one is bright, spacious, attractive and overall pretty special! <i> (Update: The owner has told me that since this photo was taken, they have added a cool bunk room above part of this garage - even better!):</i><br />
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The entrance area echos the South American flavor a bit, with combined influences Asian influences...beauty, culture, and local color wrapped in a snowy package - perfect. <br />
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The kitchen and dining areas (the photos shown are a combination of all three apartments) are modern and inviting, with a touch of a rustic feel that most skiers can appreciate:</div>
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And...check out this grill with a view! Who wouldn't want to be the grill chef here? Pretty spectacular:</div>
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I love that the window is uncluttered and wide open to this view, and that the bed faces it to take full advantage of the beautiful view of the mountains:</div>
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And for the icing on the cake, there's a hot tub in the snow, with a wind-break along the side and unobstructed views all around (check out the view reflected in the window):</div>
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Gorgeous!</div>
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Me encanta esta casa de esqui!</div>
<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-27017064838140436992014-04-22T07:44:00.000-07:002014-04-23T15:09:55.096-07:00Ski House for the Future (of the Earth)<br />
On Earth Day 2014, consider, for a moment, how interdependent are our energy consumption, our future quality of life, our climate, and even our snowfall. Well, here's a ski <a href="http://continuum.utah.edu/departments/spotlight/a-house-for-the-future">house for the future</a> that is a brilliant example of what can be done to minimize energy consumption, improve quality of life, and work with (not against) our earth's climate. And this house embraces, in fact depends on, the legendary Utah "pow" to enhance its functionality! Quite impressive -- especially on Earth Day!<br />
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The<i><b><span style="color: #666666;"> Ski House of the Day</span></b></i> is the <a href="http://www.ruegemer.com/">125 Haus</a>, a living laboratory, home and brainchild of <a href="http://faculty.utah.edu/u0541763-JOERG_RUEGEMER/biography/index.hml">Joerg Ruegemer</a>, a University of Utah Architecture Professor. Constructed a few years ago, this house, a modern 3-bedroom, 2400 sq. ft. residence, was conceived as an interdisciplinary research and design project for high energy-efficiency, and sustainability. <br />
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The house is located in prime ski country in <a href="http://www.parkcitymountain.com/site/index.html">Park City</a>, Utah. (And to make it even better, according to a ratings study by the <a href="http://www.skiareacitizens.com/index.php?nav=top_ten">Ski Area Citizens Coalition</a>, the nearby <a href="http://www.parkcitymountain.com/site/index.html">Park City Mountain</a> has one of the top ratings of sustainability among ski areas).<br />
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It's a very nice looking house...but the more I learned about how it works...the nicer looking it became! Incredibly, this house uses only about 10% of the the energy of a comparable house in this area! (How about spending only $25 a month to heat/cool such a spacious and beautiful ski house in Utah?). This house is 80-90% more energy efficient than a standard house -- even at its location which is at an elevation of 7,000 ft. Amazing!<br />
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How is this magic possible, you might be wondering. The secret is passive design, and embracing simple low-tech and site-specific elements. First, the placement of the house is very precise in order to face South to soak up the sun. There is no furnace in this house, rather it uses a heat-recovery ventilation system that seems to recycle heat. With 15 inches of insulation, the walls are 2-3 times thicker than ordinary walls, and the house is air-tight, with high-performance, specifically shaped windows to balance views and sunlight in the precise proportion for efficiency. Incredibly, this house was built for a cost that is comparable to a conventional house.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyE693o0bbA/U1g5EC78MgI/AAAAAAAAB7k/lOp6gfWvr0c/s1600/125hausnewext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyE693o0bbA/U1g5EC78MgI/AAAAAAAAB7k/lOp6gfWvr0c/s1600/125hausnewext.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<i> Photo credit: Scot Zimmerman, of Heber City, UT</i><br />
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You can hear about the <a href="http://giving.utah.edu/uupci/education/energy-efficient-and-cost-effective-the-125-haus-in-park-city/">impressive details</a> from the architect himself, or check out <a href="http://www.ksl.com/?sid=20024436">ksl.com</a> for more.<br />
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This house is indeed one for the future, in more ways than one. It's a house that will improve the future of the earth as it consumes less energy, contributes less to global climate change, and thus enhances the quality of life for all. It seems to me to be a model of using low-tech simplicity to create high-efficiency highly impressive results. And I, for one, hope this effort is duplicated in ski houses (and regular houses) all over the country. I think it's truly a house for the future of the Earth.<br />
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And here's one more detail that (especially as a skier) I found refreshingly logical. With annual snowfall in this part of the Wasatch Mountains at about 400 inches, there's truly a lot of snow for a home to handle. Well, unlike most, this house (and its designer-homeowner) isn't wasting energy trying to melt it, move it, or get rid of it. This house is designed to embrace it! In fact, the flat roof is designed to capture and support the snow, and use it as a thermal blanket. So, the home's thermal efficiency, like Utah's skiing, just keeps getting better as the snow piles up! I absolutely love this. <br />
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Happy Earth Day!<br />
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Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-6481268598090409592014-04-04T05:34:00.000-07:002014-04-04T05:43:16.844-07:00Golden Opportunity, SlopestyleLike other Americans, I was proud as I watched <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/sage-kotsenburg-wins-first-gold-medal-2014-sochi-olympics-slopestyle?ctx=golden-moments">Sage Kostenburg</a> win the first ever gold medal in Slopestyle Snowboarding recently in the 2014 Winter Olympics. It was awesome to see him tear it up in Sochi. Congrats and thanks to Sage for the opportunity to ride along with him on that mountain of American pride!<br />
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In honor of Sage's Olympic Gold, the<b><i> Ski House of the Day</i></b> (...or maybe this time I should tweak it to <i>Snowboard</i> House of the Day...) is one in Sage's hometown, <a href="http://www.parkcity.org/">Park City, Utah</a>. </div>
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This house was recently <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/offices/park-city-ut-usa">on the market</a> but here's the<i> twist:</i> as it turns out, Sage's snowboarding <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/associate/180-a-916-4023064/steve-kotsenburg">Dad</a> is among the real estate agents selling this cool house!<br />
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I'd say that the style of this house is, well, "slopestyle".....! It's a compact yet spacious house within walking distance of the slopes of <a href="http://www.parkcitymountain.com/site/index.html">Park City Mountain</a>. This mountain was the site of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics' snowboarding events which Sage remembers watching at age 8 and, according to what he told Good Morning America, watching that "got me so stoked about snowboarding." </div>
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The house has a sturdy, historic Old Town look on the outside, reminiscent of the mining town that Park City was (silver mines, and "gold" as well). On the inside the house has a sleek, modern style:</div>
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I like the stacked stone fireplace facing the living area and kitchen. There are upscale finishes including the flooring in the living area which appears to be slate - perfect for the Utah pow that might find its way inside. </div>
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This inviting house has a spacious master bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and its own balcony:</div>
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...plus two other bedrooms....plenty of room for the whole crew.</div>
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There are two bathrooms; and I absolutely love the beautiful over-sized shower: </div>
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It's handy that the house has a garage - great place to stow the snowboards and other gear.</div>
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There's also a hot tub out on the deck overlooking the beautiful mountains of Park City where Sage Kostenburg perfected his tricks:</div>
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I like this house and its "slopestyle" vibe. It could be a <i>golden</i> opportunity to get out there and shred Park City. Like Sage, it's a slopestyle winner!</div>
Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-9711028081264545472014-02-06T07:49:00.000-08:002014-02-11T10:49:56.053-08:00Sochi...so much to LearnWith the Winter Olympics opening tomorrow in Russia, excitement, as well as <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/22/travel/sochi-olympics-security-travel/">security concerns</a> about Sochi, is mounting. While security and other issues surrounding the Games are obviously paramount, I felt compelled to see what I could learn about the ski houses in Sochi. With Russia's unique culture and extensive history, surely there would be some fascinating local snow-covered ski houses, right? I found that I had...and still have...a whole lot to learn before I can begin to understand anything about the ski houses there.<br />
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The first thing I learned is that Sochi is actually a seaside town, and more a summer resort than a winter one. But, beaches aside, the mountains are short distance (25 miles or so) away. There's a newly constructed train, and brand new roads to get from the sea to the mountains. This actually sounds like a fantastic location for a resort...beach and ski mountains in the same place - sweet! (Ooops, strike that...is it really true that part of the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/sochi-blogger-explores-the-dark-side-of-the-olympics-1.2520726">beach has been paved over with concrete</a> just before the Olympics?).<br />
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The next thing I learned is that Sochi and the areas around Rosa Khutor and Krasnaya Polyana, the Olympic ski venues, have a long, complicated, turbulent and even <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-glyn-williams/the-dark-secret-behind-th_b_4531256.html">"blood-soaked history"</a>. <br />
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Old mountain cottages of the past seem to have given way to the new construction blitz that has re-defined the mountain ski village as a sleek European style ski town, at least on its face. My own preference in a ski house, ski village (and mountain) is that they are true to their own identity and that of their local culture. According to <i>Russia Beyond the Headlines ("</i>the Russian government's paper of record"), these "sleepy mountain roads are now filled with European-style ski chalets", viewed as surreal, "as if Russia had built a winter Disneyland in the mountains". But, I am unable to find details to learn more about these ski chalets (where are they? who designed them? who built them? are the for rent? for sale? who owns them?...), so my uncomfortable skepticism reminds me that Disneyland, after all, is the tangible version of a pretend world. <br />
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With initial news reports questioning the quality of some of the new, seemingly sleek accommodations, and the above reference to Russia's new Disneyland-like village, I can't help but wonder about the original local mountain cottages that may have literally given way for the sake of the Olympics and this copy-cat version of a European ski village. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444712904578024320180061596">Homes pushed aside</a> for progress....a village redefined with a new identity? Maybe that's the ongoing echo of these mountains.<br />
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Whether or not this re-development will fuel the economy (or at least some narrow part of it) is yet to be seen, but it opens yet another chapter in the complex cultural evolution of these mountains. <br />
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Despite the overwhelming volume of new construction for the Olympics, there appears to be no houses lining the ski trails. However, the ski trails themselves...they do seem pretty impressive. Check out this bird's-eye <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA5JTX7aJqU">preview</a> of Ted Ligety's giant slalom run on the Sochi slopes, the views from this lift ride up and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PccB-x5zIkE">ski run</a> down the slope, or this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8YkuuAlHwc">pow ride</a>. We're all cheering for the home team as they race the Sochi slopes!<br />
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In my research I'm accustomed to a multitude of details about ski houses in most resorts worldwide, but with this one, there seems to be a curious void of information. I can't be sure whether that is because there aren't really any houses that I'd call "ski houses" there, or whether there is simply a lack of published information about them. It's possible that because of the language barrier, I simply can't find an abundance of information. And it's also possible that as someone who understands the value of shared information, I am simply accustomed to information being readily available, and my expectations for details are too high. Whatever the reason, it seems to me that something is missing. As put by <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/sochi-russia/forrest-text">National Geographic</a> and a local businessman who had created an earlier version of this ski hill, "Things you build attract the attention of someone who can take them away." Maybe that sentiment hints at the void of ski houses, and/or information about them.<br />
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After searching, eventually (on <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Krasnaya_Polyana">wikitravel</a>) I found this photo of a ski house in Sochi's Olympic mountain venue area, Krasnaya Polyana ski area. It's title is the View at Aibga Ridge, from Polyana Grand, Krasnaya Polyana. To me it looks more North American than Russian, more Summer Olympics than Winter, but nonetheless the houses look welcoming, attractive and strong. I can't be certain, but perhaps this is the Disneyland-like mountain road filled with European ski chalets. Whatever it is, I like the sturdy logs, the familiar design, and the warmth of these all-wood ski houses. At least from the outside, these Russian ski houses look pleasantly inviting:</div>
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I hope that the warm strength of the logs in this ski house symbolizes the strength of the safety and security that will surround all the Olympians in Sochi. <br />
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In researching Sochi ski houses, my end result was more questions than answers. Maybe after the Olympics I'll be able to find some details about Sochi ski houses. (Anybody going? I'd love to hear a first-hand account of the ski houses!). I really hope that I can eventually find that elusive multitude of information, so I can continue to learn more about Sochi, its history, its Olympics, and its ski houses. There's so much to learn.<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-72884897501945761552013-07-28T11:20:00.000-07:002013-08-01T10:34:17.385-07:00Ski House in Tons of Alta SnowYou can tell you're in some serious snow country when your ski house is constructed with an Avalanche Hazard Analysis as part of its design engineering. The<b><i><span style="color: #666666;"> Ski House of the Day</span></i></b> is located in Alta, Utah...which sits at the end of Route 210 / Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. According to the town of <a href="http://townofalta.com/town_safety.php">Alta</a>, this road has the highest avalanche hazard rating of any major highway in America. In fact, I'm told by the locals that the town of Alta is the only place in the country where the local government has the authority to require people to remain indoors (which they do regularly) when they feel the avalanche threat is high and/or when there is dangerous avalanche control work underway. They call this an "Interlodge Alert" and although it usually only last for a few hours, it happens with surprising regularity in this town which is nestled between the canyon walls at an elevation of 9,000 ft.<br />
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Sitting past the end of the road, above the town of Alta, the <b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i></b> is specifically made to stand up to the force of an Alta avalanche...and is built to last under the weight of "tons" of snow:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okkPXq6w6PI/UfUspARlRpI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/PQ06m5PiaXg/s1600/072813ext.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okkPXq6w6PI/UfUspARlRpI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/PQ06m5PiaXg/s640/072813ext.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This beautiful custom ski house is a reinforced concrete home (engineered by <a href="http://www.ctsengineering.net/residential.cfm">CTS Engineering</a>) which, according to what the engineer has told me, has been designed to withstand a snow-load of <i>over one thousand</i> <i>pounds</i> per square foot to protect against the impact of avalanches! Any way you <a href="http://www.had2know.com/househome/roof-snow-load-calculator.html">do the math</a>, that's a load of snow!<br />
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Perched on the mountainside in the Grizzly Gulch area of Alta (the off-piste area in which Alta offers their expert-only <a href="http://www.alta.com/pages/snowcatskiing.php">snow-cat skiing</a> at an elevation of 10,500 ft), this house is in a sweet spot for some exclusive <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-smwert7LsQ">skiing</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cme0Cr-mBg4/UfUspt88ehI/AAAAAAAAB4o/00-byTrxn8U/s1600/072813extsummr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cme0Cr-mBg4/UfUspt88ehI/AAAAAAAAB4o/00-byTrxn8U/s320/072813extsummr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Inside, the great-room has a towering stone fireplace, skylights (to look straight up the mountain), and a walkway above....<br />
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....which leads to the third floor bedrooms:</div>
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The 28 ft tall windows across the front of the great room provide a magnificent view of the mountains, Alta and the canyon below... beautiful no matter what the season:</div>
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The house has a perfect setting for skiing, inviting living spaces, and stunning mountain views...</div>
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...but here's a look at this ski house's invisible yet most important feature: an abundance of strength...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncyOHUzj6TY/UfUsplmsnEI/AAAAAAAAB40/Sh2dvB5mf6w/s1600/072813extsnowroof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncyOHUzj6TY/UfUsplmsnEI/AAAAAAAAB40/Sh2dvB5mf6w/s640/072813extsnowroof.JPG" width="640" /></a> ...this is what it looks like after an avalanche struck the house. There was no damage to the structure, and no one inside was harmed -- because this ski house was designed for tons of Alta snow! </div>
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159275698999787010.post-34272435620838547092013-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:002013-07-26T09:12:28.492-07:00Historic Ski-Jump CottageThe <b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Ski House of the Day</span></i></b>, is the Tidholm-Koch Cottage. Built as a ski house (and with a ski identity that includes an address on Ski Hill Road), this suburban home hasn't actually been witness to any skiing in a long, long time....almost 80 years, in fact! This was one of the original "ski houses" built as part of a planned ski-theme community constructed in the 1920's...not in New England, not in the Rockies...but rather, it's in the unexpected ski state of Indiana!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVgGAbHqsqU/Ue2Z_dN379I/AAAAAAAAB3g/Y-W7P-umx_A/s1600/072213extpatio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVgGAbHqsqU/Ue2Z_dN379I/AAAAAAAAB3g/Y-W7P-umx_A/s400/072213extpatio2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The site of this ski house, in Ogden Dunes, is a mere 40 miles outside of Chicago, and is only a few thousand feet (as the crow flies) to the shore of Lake Michigan. While Indiana is quite flat for a ski destination, the dunes along Lake Michigan rise to an elevation of about 200 feet in this area; so considering that, and lake effect snow, maybe it's not such a big jump to imagine skiing as a reality in this unexpected location. But how this house came to be (and its distinctive early owners) is an interesting bit of history.<br />
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Back in the 1920's, visionary entrepreneurs and skier club members envisioned an upscale, very exclusive community here...with a ski jump as its crowning dune-top centerpiece. So, a planned community of about 100 home-sites was mapped out (with ski-flavored Scandinavian street names like Viking Lane, Norge Road, Lupine Lane) surrounding a central spot on the summit of the dunes that was chosen as the site for the ski hill / ski jump. In 1927, concrete piers were built to support the massive steel structure that would become the jump. Touted as the largest steel ski jump in the world (according to the <a href="http://odhistory.org/3701/38301.html">Historical Society of Ogden Dunes</a> which has photos of the jump and more) the jump was an incredible 200 ft. tall and 600 ft. long! The excitement must have been palpable as their first international ski jumping competition was held in 1928.<br />
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Built just two years later by MIT-trained architect, Harry Howe Bentley, the Tidholm-Koch Cottage (namesake and second home of its original owners) was one of the first houses in the new ski community, and became the model home for the other ski homes which followed. The style of this home was influenced by the architect's affinity for English manors and French village houses: <br />
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It has interesting features such as multiple sets of French doors, Palladian windows, various bay windows, multiple fireplaces, archways, stonework, etc). The walls are built of cement blocks which form both the interior and exterior walls, giving it a rustic, stone-like appearance.<br />
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The house was originally reached by a flight of 63 stairs up from the road (but has since been reconfigured to be more user friendly) with the entrance remaining on the lower level:<br />
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The large living room with fireplace, wood floors and natural wood ceiling looks like a spacious and inviting place for socializing (apres-ski, or otherwise):<br />
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This impressive original ski-house of Ogden Dunes, the Tidholm-Koch cottage, was only a stone's throw from the ski jump. With an estimated crowd of up to 20,000 spectators attending the ski jump competitions, this ski house surely was in the center of some high-flying action! And, since the owners were restaurateurs (owners of the Imperial House, a well-known Chicago restaurant) during the roaring 20's and prohibition, I'd have to guess this house hosted its share of exclusive, swanky apres-ski parties! The home has been updated, as can be seen in the modern kitchen; but house's dumb-waiter to the kitchen is surely a legacy of its original restaurateur-owners.<br />
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The house has two bedrooms (plus den), in its expansive 3300+ sq. ft (according to <a href="http://www.homeswing.com/property/11-Ski-Hill-Rd-Ogden-Dunes-IN-46368/201-60-336079">Home Swing</a>), and has various other charming and interesting spaces throughout:<br />
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This bathroom looks as updated as that of any modern ski house:<br />
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I surmise that this ski house was the place to be and to be seen (...or maybe not seen, as the case may have been...) around 1930. Unfortunately, the Great Depression, compounded by a lack of snow, led to the demise of the ski jump. It closed after only five years in operation. The structure itself was sold, dismantled, and moved. There's apparently a marker commemorating the former jump site, but the landing/ski hill are now part of a community ball field.<br />
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The second chapter in the history of this ski house was its artist era. (Artists seemed to be attracted to this area; in fact, it was the local artist community that sparked the development of the Indiana Dunes State Park in the 1920's, with the future goal of it becoming a national park. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore became a reality in 1966). In 1946 this house was purchased by Joseph and Marie Tomanek. Tomanek, a Czech-born Bohemian-American artist, painted mostly nudes in natural settings (such as the lakefront, the gardens, and the woods...all scenes that incidentally can be found very near this house), also painted several works of these dunes, including at lease one that featured snow-covered sand dunes. My guess is that the setting around this house was probably the backdrop for many of Tomanek's works. The gardens and patios were artistically expanded:<br />
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This 83-year old ski house has been updated and renovated, but the charm and integrity of the original Tidholm-Koch Cottage has, fortunately, been maintained. <br />
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Even though ski-jumping is long-gone, and even though this house has had a varied past, because of its unique origin (at least in my mind) the Tidholm-Koch Cottage remains a "ski house" to this day.<br />
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<br />Denicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055623898570501603noreply@blogger.com0