Trailblazer Ski Club Parties

For many years we have belonged to the Stratton Trailblazer Ski Club. Its for the over 50 crowd that frequent Stratton Mtn in VT. When we first joined it was not very large, under 200 members. It was primarily a social club which afforded a group of similarly minded skiers who could join together and ski together with a few apres ski events or socials during the year. Since Nancy has always worked as a mountain guide at Stratton as well this pretty much rounds out the package. She can ski with her work buddies on working days and with the Trailblazers on the other days. For me its great cause I usually go to the Mtn and ski alone. I can buddy up with one of the trailblazers or I can sit with them on chocolate or coffee breaks. There is always someone to talk to. At least that's mostly what it was when it started out.



Today there are over 1,000 skiing members of the club. Everything is done over the Internet and while still being the social networking club it was it now offers lots of new benefits. Primarily discounts offered by the various Mtn stores etc. The social events have become mega events with three or four hundred sometimes attending. Even so there is a core group of members who still cling to the older smaller virtues of the club. The regulars if you will. People who ski during the week. Almost every day. Live somewhere on or near the Mtn during the season and who have over the years built a genuine friendship with many people. That's where we like to think we are. And that's where we were tonight/



Tonight was the season's opening party. It was billed as cocktails and dinner and held in the west wing of the base lodge at Stratton. This is the nest for the club as it is where everyone looks to join up when skiing. Stratton does a great job at transforming the lodge area into a dinner area for events like this and there is plenty of room. This year, because of the lack of snow and yet to start ski season, about a 150 attended. Last year and in recent years we have had well over 300 and we have had to use both the west and the east wings of the lodge to feed everyone.



The smaller crowd was great as many of the newer less frequent skiers just were not there. Tonight you had the old guard. Most everyone knew more people than not and those who they did not know by name were known by face. You'd be amazed how many people that can be after 12 or so years at the Mtn.



Mark Katzman is the current president of the club. He puts his heart into all that he does and works with an unmatched ernergy and commitment. Every club needs a Mark somewhere and we are blessed to have him. Arranging, planning, leading, directing holding things together. Seating, menu, wines, remarks, announcements, budget, planning, spokesperson, politicking. You name it Mark does it all.



And best of all....we had our first real ground covering snow fall this afternoon and into the late evening so when we ventured to the Mtn we could do more than just dream of snow. We still need lots more before they can open but at least it looks like mother nature is helping some.



It provided a fantastic backdrop for the evening.