Sometimes the BUMS get a little deep. Even in a party town like Killington.
On our trips to Vermont -- like every SKI BUMS trip -- we begin by breaking up into groups by skill level. Beginners often head into group one, intermediate skiers & riders meet up as group two, advanced folks comprise group three... and then there's group four, the people who enjoy things like moguls and trees. When you've got seventy-five members up on a mountain, these groups prove immeasurably valuable; it's a guarantee that you'll spend your time on the slopes with other skiers and riders who enjoy the same terrain that you do. There's almost nothing more fun than a day with people who aren't holding you back, people who have the same goals that you've got...
And by the end of the three days, some of those BUMS are ready to move to a new level. "I just skied my very first black diamond!" became both an exclamation and a Facebook status update. BUMS who had just begun skiing and riding a month earlier on Bunny Hill were starting to feel things click. It's exhilarating when something that used to frighten you becomes fun.
Our weekends in Vermont are known for a few things. For starters, we usually stay in condos, rather than hotels. This affords us the chance to cook dinners together, which feels refreshingly old school. And on Saturday night, one of the condos hosted a fantastic birthday party -- complete with some intoxicating libation called swamp juice. Our memories of that night are nearly as blurry as the photos. ;) But for a real memorable moment, it'd have to be our Friday night party at the Wobbly Barn.
The Wobbly Barn consistently ranks as America's very best ski town club / bar / music joint. SKI BUMS rents out the balcony for our very own private party, and with free pizza and a glamtastic bartender, the BUMS get set up for a superbly fun night. But before long, we start gazing down to see the main floor fill up with... well, the straight folks. A fantastic band comes on. They're actually better-sounding than the DJ's tunes. And you can tell that many of the BUMS are itching to get their groove on... but do we stay up here on the balcony, or head for the main floor?
On our trips to Vermont -- like every SKI BUMS trip -- we begin by breaking up into groups by skill level. Beginners often head into group one, intermediate skiers & riders meet up as group two, advanced folks comprise group three... and then there's group four, the people who enjoy things like moguls and trees. When you've got seventy-five members up on a mountain, these groups prove immeasurably valuable; it's a guarantee that you'll spend your time on the slopes with other skiers and riders who enjoy the same terrain that you do. There's almost nothing more fun than a day with people who aren't holding you back, people who have the same goals that you've got...
And by the end of the three days, some of those BUMS are ready to move to a new level. "I just skied my very first black diamond!" became both an exclamation and a Facebook status update. BUMS who had just begun skiing and riding a month earlier on Bunny Hill were starting to feel things click. It's exhilarating when something that used to frighten you becomes fun.
Our weekends in Vermont are known for a few things. For starters, we usually stay in condos, rather than hotels. This affords us the chance to cook dinners together, which feels refreshingly old school. And on Saturday night, one of the condos hosted a fantastic birthday party -- complete with some intoxicating libation called swamp juice. Our memories of that night are nearly as blurry as the photos. ;) But for a real memorable moment, it'd have to be our Friday night party at the Wobbly Barn.
The Wobbly Barn consistently ranks as America's very best ski town club / bar / music joint. SKI BUMS rents out the balcony for our very own private party, and with free pizza and a glamtastic bartender, the BUMS get set up for a superbly fun night. But before long, we start gazing down to see the main floor fill up with... well, the straight folks. A fantastic band comes on. They're actually better-sounding than the DJ's tunes. And you can tell that many of the BUMS are itching to get their groove on... but do we stay up here on the balcony, or head for the main floor?
"I was worried that the group activities would feel forced... but they didn't. There were just the right amount of group activities. I also appreciated the fact that the attendees were of all different ages---it really made it interesting.
Also, the trip is so well organized-- from the lodging, to the equipment, to the social events--- you don't need to think about anything other than having fun. The highlight was, in fact, as SKI BUMS predicted: fifty of the BUMS dancing in the middle of your typical New England ski bar. "
Also, the trip is so well organized-- from the lodging, to the equipment, to the social events--- you don't need to think about anything other than having fun. The highlight was, in fact, as SKI BUMS predicted: fifty of the BUMS dancing in the middle of your typical New England ski bar. "
You may understand why we might be a wee bit skittish. Yes, this is Vermont, which narrowly approved a new gay marriage law earlier this year, but Killington's skier & rider dudes enjoy a particularly bad-ass reputation. Some of the BUMS remarked that this would become the very first time they've danced en masse at any place other than a gay bar.
The band wouldn't have had it any other way. The INCREDIBLE lead singer started singing directly to us, belting out tunes from Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas. Before we knew it, nearly all of us had escaped the balcony to get our jam on right there on the dance floor, and the bemused straights couldn't help but join in the infectious energy of the party. It happens like this every time we go to Killington.
And it's just like that first time down a black diamond run. Sometimes you simply need to give yourself a dose of courage -- descend -- and move to a new level. It's exhilarating, and when you've got the SKI BUMS alongside you, it's an awful lot of fun.
The band wouldn't have had it any other way. The INCREDIBLE lead singer started singing directly to us, belting out tunes from Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas. Before we knew it, nearly all of us had escaped the balcony to get our jam on right there on the dance floor, and the bemused straights couldn't help but join in the infectious energy of the party. It happens like this every time we go to Killington.
And it's just like that first time down a black diamond run. Sometimes you simply need to give yourself a dose of courage -- descend -- and move to a new level. It's exhilarating, and when you've got the SKI BUMS alongside you, it's an awful lot of fun.
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