Poley is Easy Peezy.

Seth and I at the top of Poley Mountain.

NOTE:  This is a column I had published in a local Sussex, NB paper.  I was truly impressed with the way people didn't make me feel like the amateur I truly was.  I'm sure I got in the way of a few faster skiers but not one said anything and all were very courteous.  For me, a non-skier, it may have convinced me to ski more frequently.

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“Dad, I want to go skiing!” 

“Hey Dad, it’s snowing out.  Let’s go skiing.”

I heard a lot of this through the first part of winter.  My son, Seth, was pushing my limits with his insistence that we go skiing.  It wasn’t the fact that he wanted to go skiing that bothered me.  It was the fact I’d have to go with him. 

The day came when I couldn’t say no any longer and my sister and I took Seth and my nephew Cole to the hill for a Saturday afternoon of skiing.  With some promotional lift tickets and buddy passes our costs would be minimal and we were prepared to make the most of our day.  Seth would be using borrowed gear but I had to go through the process of renting equipment.  This process was much quicker than I anticipated as the staff at Poley quickly took my height and weight and used that to provide the properly sized gear I needed and adjusted my bindings so I could head out worry free.

Mother Nature hadn’t been kind to the hill the previous days and that meant two first timers would have to deal with fast and icy conditions.  With some trepidation I took my first steps in my ski boots and my confidence grew slightly as I didn’t fall over.  The next task was to find my way to the bunny hill.  Seth had already joined a couple of his cousins and had already made a few runs down the hill.  Now the pressure was on me to make my first run down the bunny hill.

Seth quickly adapted to his new sport and was eager to move from the bunny hill to the big hill.

As John McNair, from Poley stated in a column recently, it turned out to be “Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.”  I was able to manage my speed and stay upright, granted I snow plowed for most of that first trip.  As I got comfortable I practiced some parallel turns and slowly built up more speed.  I was just getting truly comfortable when the moment came.  “Dad can we try the big hill?”  At that point I was glad my sister, Becki, and my brother’s girlfriend, Lindsay were there.  If we had been on our own there would have been no way I would have taken him to the “big” hill. 

My nerves went to another level.  Now I was not only worried about coming down the hill but also getting up the hill.  As we made our way over to “Some Easy” to descend to the chair lift, our challenge became real.  It was super icy, or at least to me and Seth it was.  Poor Seth fell over trying to avoid an ice patch and I didn’t know if he was going to be able to get back up.  He struggled but got his skis where he needed them and pushed himself on his feet again.  When we got to the chairlift I thought he might hesitate but I needn’t worry as he stepped up and jumped on.

Getting off would be a different story.  Three of the four of us on the chair collapsed in a heap as we tried to glide off the smooth ride.  As better skiers easily disembarked the lift, they patiently made their way around us and thankfully no body poked fun.

We made four runs that afternoon and surprisingly I only fell once.  Seth struggled a few times but showed no inclination of quitting or any dislike of what he was doing.  On one occasion he took a long time to get up after falling and I thought that would be it and we’d head to the lodge.  I was proud when he looked at me and said “No way, Dad, let’s do one more.”

Supper time came and we enjoyed some live entertainment while we enjoyed burgers and fries at the lodge.  The atmosphere was very friendly and I found myself feeling extremely relaxed despite being in a new setting.  Just when I was ready to call it a day, Seth asked to go back out and hit the bunny hill.  Since snow started to fall, I couldn’t say no and we spent another couple of hours taking trips down the bunny hill with the lights showing the way.

I never pushed myself beyond my limits, matter of fact, I never came close.  It was great to see that we could ski and not over do it.  No one made us feel like we were holding them up or we were in their way.  Honestly, I think that the next time we get a chance to go skiing, Seth and I will jump all over it.

Fall Fun at Poley Mountain

I have seen the post on-line a number of times "Cousins are our first friends."  Looks so true here.

What a beautiful fall day!  Wow.  The kids and I made the best of it while my wife visited family in Saint John today.  Poley Mountain is typically considered a winter destination but from what I saw this afternoon, they should expand their marketing strategy.  The view from the chair lift and from the trails was astounding.  I met my sister and her two boys in the parking lot and at that time was uncertain what to expect.  I didn't need to worry, we were outdoors and the weather was sunny with a light breeze.  What more did we need?

After exploring the facilities a little, including a brief stop at the cozy "Fireside Lounge" we purchased a lift ticket for a reasonable $5 fee.  I know I have paid $5 for a lot worse experiences.  We then made our way to the chair lift.  Now might be a good time to mention that I haven't been to Poley Mountain since I was a kid about 8 years old, so I guess about 20 years ago (wink, wink.)  I was a bit nervous about getting on the chair lift as the last time I was there, I struggled riding the t-bar to the top.  The chair lift is much easier.

Getting on the chair lift was easier than I anticipated and the kids loved the leisurely ride.

The kids and I sat nicely into a chair, pulled the security bar down, and enjoyed the slow pace ride to the top of the hill.  Numerous times we would crank our necks around to see the view back down the hill and across the Trout Creek Valley.  The Bluff, which is usually a dominate land feature from the valley floor looked tiny from our perch high up on the mountain and in the chair.  The various shades of yellows, oranges, and reds, expanded your imagination as you would never have guessed how many shades there were.  As we got about half way up the hill the drone of the lift turned silently and the ride became very peaceful and even the kids were able to enjoy the whole situation.

When we got to the top we excitedly jumped off the chair and before I could say a word the kids were running back down the hill.  I'm not kidding, the boys ran off, leaving Shaylee, my sister Becki, and I behind.  When they realized we weren't running to catch up they slowed down.  We finally convinced them to come back to us so we could snap a photo.

The view from the top of the "Mountain" was impressive and full of fall color.

The whole way down the hill the kids laughed while I let my eyes explore the surroundings.  I noticed a mountain bike trail that would add another great activity to the hill.  I had a fantastic time throughout the day but I was left wondering...why don't they open the hill up more often for this type of event?  They could even have hike in tent sites available there through the summer months.  Since I may have some time this winter to partake in new events, maybe we'll have to try skiing.  Regardless, I hope to visit the slopes again sometime, even without snow.

Thanks to my sister for sharing the pictures she managed to take on her phone.  I have been terrible lately at taking my camera along.  Thanks too Becki for sharing our fun adventure.  Love you.