GRP Rowers Strap On Their Skis

With the end of the fall rowing season upon us and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time for the rowers to put up their oars and try their hand at skiing. In the words of Coach Roock: “Your rowing future depends on this, no pressure.” Temperatures have started dropping to the point where the snow guns are roaring full blast at night to make enough snow for us to start skiing. So far there is a 750m “lollipop” loop where we have started testing our skills, or lack thereof.

Mt. Craftsbury grows on the lower field behind Cedar Lodge (photo credit: Judy Geer)

Fresh new gear, good to go! (Photo Credit: Liz Donald)

Some of the novice skiers learn from the best (Photo Credit: Liz Donald)

Dan shows us how it’s done (Photo Credit: Juliet Hollingsworth)

Some of the rowers have more of a background than others in snow sports, such as Emily Dreissigacker who actually started her athletic career in nordic skiing, and Steve Whelpley who has competed in downhill ski races. However, for some of the rest of us there has been a bit of a learning curve.

Steve Whelpley and Phil Henson quickly progressed from casual laps around the course and immediately challenged one another to a no poles race or three:

No poles final:

And then at the other end of the spectrum there was this:

Another one bites the dust:

(Movie credit to Juliet Hollingsworth)

All in all though it’s been a successful start to the winter season and we’re excited to get some experience on skis and enjoy even more of what Craftsbury has to offer.

-Phil “Jr”