Saturday morning, finally after months of planning, the Utah Ski Sampler trip is starting.  Bob DeBell had already called the previous day  trying to figure out how to get to Salt Lake City including joining our Continental flight on Saturday morning.  No luck for our flight, so Bob arranged to get to Salt Lake City earlier today.  Manolo Valle showed up without his driver`s license and used his Texas Concealed Weapons Permit for identification to get on the flight.  He did not bring the gun.   Ross Baker and Manolo were last to the airport to check in, but in plenty of time.

David Richards met us at Salt Lake City and joined the Continental Airlines group for the transfer to Hilton Homewood Suites.  We picked up one 15 passenger van for the week, found the Express Vans, and made the transfer with no problems.  Joe Deleo and Linda McNeilly decided to rent a vehicle, so they could sleep in every day before skiing plus do some sightseeing in SLC.

Homewood Suites is a beautiful place.  Everyone scattered to their rooms to unpack. The van took a group to Canyon Sports to rent their equipment.  While there, Arlen Isham picked up a weeks supply of adult beverages across the road at the state liquor store.  Later Arlen Isham & Jim Hodges checked out the locations for the bus stations, the local Enterprise rental, and food at Sam`s club for later purchase. 

The pre-trip party was at the hotel with 11 great pizzas from the Pie Union combined with hor devours, and adult beverages.  Frank Adams had driven from Colorado and provided some Breckinridge trip supplies.  Jim explained the bus system with wonderful color coded schedules.

Sunday, Brighton (Warm up Day) –  Summary 29,240 feet vertical, 46.8 miles distance, 26 runs.  Great snow on the mountains, overcast and more snow during the day.  Full breakfast at Homewood every day.  Davis Tucker decided to ski Snowbird the first day. Our first experience with the bus system was a bit unpleasant – they have fewer buses on Sunday plus with 12inches of new snow at Brighton everyone in SLC was going skiing!!.  It worked OK and got us to Brighton in time to catch the early lifts.   The group split up into about two parts with Keith Kirkman leading off the “Big Dogs”.   For most of the week, the “Big Dogs” included Arlen Isham, Jim Hodges, Leslie Hajdo, Frank Adams, Keith Kirkman, Charles Allen, Dennis Newell, Ross Baker, Kurt & Karin Schidlowski, Davis Tucker, Charles & Beverly Roberts, Bob De Bell, Bill Bomberger, & Sharon Simandl.  Dennis Newell, was on this trip with a recently repaired shoulder, so he helped many of us find alternative routes during the week occasionally.  The other group eventually decided they wanted to be called the “Weiner Dogs”.  This group ultimately was comprised of Mary & Robert Simpson, Manolo Valle, Roger Holzman, David Richards, and sometimes Linda McNeilly and Joe Daleo.  Andy Smith, SCSC club member, also drove up from Houston, and skied with this group.  Linda, Joe, Roger, & David also made some runs with the “Big Dogs”.  Manolo Valle took a lesson and made friends with random people, who spoke about Manolo on the buses 2 days later.

Joe & Linda showed up to ski about 10:30 and had lunch with us at the Alpine Rose Cafeteria at 11:30.   Karin & Kurt Schidlowski took each other out on one run this morning and the question remains, who did what to who?   Kurt wanted to let everyone know it was Charlie`s doing, however Karin was quick to tell him it was his own fault.  After all these years, can you believe Kurt tried to stick with his version of the story instead of accepting the version of his wife?  What was he thinking?  Big groups all day with the group splitting about 1:30 to do blues vs. black.   Arlen & Karin are the last off the mountain.   

Happy hour was at Hoppers Restaurant.   Many of us ate the rest of the pizza from Sat. night.

Monday, Deer Valley (Cruise Day) – Summary 34,860 feet vertical, 53.0 miles distance, 27 runs.   Blue sky with a few clouds.    Easy drive to Deer Valley with the two rented vans and cars including Frank Adams.   Today, we switched into two groups.  Arlen Isham led the “Weiner Dog” group and Keith Kirkman leading the “Big Dogs”.   Lots of great skiing on the smooth runs of Deer Valley.   The “Big Dogs” did their thing.   In general the challenge each day was to do the entire mountain, not every run, but a great cross section.

David Richards skied right out of his boots about mid morning.  One of his ten year old boots toe broke completely off.   His sock was sticking out the end.   He accepted a ride down the mountain on a ski patrol sled.  He said that is quite a ride!    The next thing we knew, he bought some new boots and was back on the mountain after lunch at the Silver Lake Restaurant.    The “Big Dogs” did lots of mogul runs in great snow after lunch.  Last off the mountain were Kurt, Karin, & Arlen.

The happy hour at Homewood included a great salad, today combined with chicken wings/legs, wine & beer.   Many of the group never left the hotel to eat outside with the food & drink supplied in the happy hour.

Tuesday, Snowbird (Get Serious Day) –  Summary 31,700 feet vertical, 47.1 miles distance, 20 runs.  Another clear day with a few clouds.    Frank Adams had left his helmet at Deer Valley the previous day, so drove back to pick it up and still missed very little skiing.  We found a direct bus up to Snowbird at 7:15.  This saved the normal transfer.   The “Big Dogs”, about 16 of us, skipped the tram up early and took the fast quad.  Went through the cool tunnel to Mineral Basin and skied Mineral Basin for awhile before going to the front side.   The snow was still great.   Lunch was at the Mid Gad Restaurant.   Frank Adams, Leslie Hadjo & Arlen were last off the mountain.   Leslie and Frank often would leave the “Big Dogs” and go off to ski more radical serious stuff.  Bob & Mary Simpson took today off to relax and just hang out.

Happy hour tonight included mystery beef meat tacos, great salad, beer & wine.   This was the first night for the post happy hour hot tub social including the box wine of choice, Merlot tonight.    Participants varied from night to night, but the group included Arlen, Mary & Bob Simpson, Kurt & Karin, Manolo, Roger , Linda, Joe, and David.   Most of the group kept their clothes on.   It was first reported at this hot tub social that Manolo Valle snored loud enough that Davis Tucker`s ear plugs did not do the job.   Davis moved out and slept on the sofa the rest of the week.  

Wednesday, Solitude (Hang out Day) – Summary 27,910 feet vertical,  39.3 miles distance, 25 runs,  Clear day with a few clouds .   The bus was at 8:05, but we still made it after the transfer.   A routine has developed, Andy Smith is taking Dave Richards, & Roger Holzman up the mountains each day.  Sharon Simandl had rented a big vehicle, so she was taking up 6 skiers each day.  Joe  Daleo and Linda McNeilly would show up eventually, usually to ski a couple runs and see the group at lunch, Last Chance Mining Camp, today.

Today Bob De Bell did a face plant.   Arlen Isham lost a glove, & Mary Simpson did a double disconnect, so we began to hear the first about “Beer Fines”  This is an informal fine system developed by and for the “Big Dogs” and people that ski with them.   The fines are somewhat set by the ad hoc committee with no clear supervision, which accounts for the lack of discipline related to how and who gets beer fines.   A summary of this week`s beer fines are listed at the end of this story.

During the day, the group got to a very hairy radical double black diamond interesting spot where, Dennis Newell decided he wanted to look for a better route.  As a result Karin Schidlowski & Arlen followed.   BIG MISTAKE.   We had to slide slip down through a steep tree area to get to a spot big enough to make a turn, and then traverse out.

Story note:    Most of the week Charles Roberts was the hill sweeper, which means he was supposed to pick up the pieces. 

Yesterday, Leslie Hajdo, who has been skiing since early last century offered to give a private lesson to the “Weiner Dogs” and some of the near “Weiner Dogs”.  So at 10:00 am. Leslie did a great job until lunch providing tips for the group of 7, Mary & Bob Simpson, Arlen Isham, Sharon Simandl, David Richards, Roger Holzman, & Andy Smith.     Where was Manolo Valle?   Last off the mountain today were Frank, Leslie, & Arlen.

Happy hour at Homewood was meat loaf, salad, wine, & beer.    The wine at the hot tub social after the happy hour was Zinfandel.

Thursday, The Canyons (Big Mountain Day) – Summary 31,420 feet vertical, 47.3 miles distance, 20 runs.  Cloudy day, with about 2 inches of new snow.   Once again, easy drive.  We parked under the main hotel at the gondola.    16 people in the “Big Dog” group all morning, & 7 people in the “Weiner Dog” group.  Today is the day, Arlen Isham rented skis to try out the new technology.   Wow, what a difference.   He later decided to leave his personal ten year old K-2 Merlin IV skis at the hotel to be given to someone rather than pay to take them home and never use again.   Keith Kirkman continued his great leadership to get the group over the whole mountain, and The Canyons is a big one.   We all did some tree skiing today.  Lunch was at the Red Pine Lodge Cafeteria.    Last off the mountain today, Leslie, Arlen, Kurt, & Karin.

Jim & Arlen get out to Sam`s to buy food & supplies for our Friday night dinner.

Happy hour at Homewood today was salad, chicken & beef fajitas, wine, & beer.   Some of our group would bring down their own wine to add additional adult beverages to make the happy hour, happier.    The wine at the hot tub social after the happy hour was Merlot.

Friday, Alta  (Last Chance Day) – Summary 18,200 feet vertical, 27 miles distance, 11 runs.  Overcast day with flat light and periodic snow.   The “Big Dogs” did their best, but today, the flat light, and perhaps a bit of fatigue came into play.   Our heart was in it, but the enthusiasm was getting low.   Lunch was at Alf`s restaurant, and it only took two or three runs after lunch and the group started to head for the bar.  Bill Bomberger fell and hurt his shoulder, but thankfully, no paperwork.   Last off the mountain today was Leslie, and second to last was Roger Holzman & David Richards.  It was reported they were drinking beer at Alf`s which may account for their later trip down the mountain.   OK, it is almost 3:00, we are enjoying adult beverages and we said we would leave at 4:00.  Now if we can find Manolo Valle, perhaps we can leave early?

Our evening party included lasagna, salad, lots of hor devours beverages, two different cakes including one from Linda McNeilly to celebrate Sharon and Joe`s birthdays., and cheese cake.    Sharon Simandl made presentations of special photos for the various groups and acknowledged Leslie Hadjo in particular. 

The total vertical feet skied for most of the group was 173,000 feet or almost 29,000 feet per day.   The total miles traveled on skis including lifts were about 260 miles.

The beer fines were posted on the board.   Here is the summary.

1. Yellow boys – Davis Tucker & Bill Bomberger  - Wrong Lift
2. Charlie Roberts – Double Release
3. Jim Hodges – Yard Sale
4. Arlen Isham – Lost Glove
5. Bob Simpsons – Unauthorized entrance to women`s lounge & Slide down entire slope on stomach.
6. Keith Kirkman – No Falls all week
7. Bob De Bell – Acting like snowboarder, sitting on snow
8. Beverly Roberts – Not stopping to render aid to SCSC skier (Under protest)
9. Mary Simpson – Double release
10. David Richards – Wearing old boots that break
11. Kurt & Karin Schidlowski – Full body contact on mountain
12. Joe Daleo & Linda McNeilly – Not enough time on mountain to get fines.
13. Manolo Valle- Ski pole left on lift, went on without him     

Saturday, darn we have to go home.   Frank heads home to Colorado with some left over supplies.  Keith heads for the SCSC Bachelor trip with the rest.    We make the transition to the airport, get on the much smaller Continental  plane and get back to Houston with our entire luggage.  Our thanks to those SCSC members who had Continental Visa credit cards or special elite status, which helps many of us get our luggage home with less cost.