In case you've been thinking that it's too early to start thinking about skiing, take a look at what those of us who live near BOYNE are thinking. First, what we're going to do with all the stuff when it comes. And then about how we're going to play in it.

 And if you need more reasons to start thinking snow, check out what's going on this weekend in the Boyne Mountain Village. The first-ever Skitoberfest is going to be the party of the season - and there are dozens of reasons why you, your family, and your friends shouldn't miss it. For the whole scoop check it out HERE - but here are the top four things that interest me:

1) Fall food and drink. Brats, cider, and, for the adults in the crowd - beer! Some of Michigan's top micro brewers will be showing off their handiwork.

2) Snowsports Summit. Two presentations by recently retired U.S. Ski Team coach Greg Needell. Greg is 'the man' behind 'THE MAN', Olympic Gold medalist Ted Ligety, and Ted's rise to become one of the best technical ski racers in the world - find out how he did it, and what's the next trend in technique at the highest levels. Oh, and then there's this Simon Dumont guy who will be there. I'm told that the kid gets air like Tiger Woods plays a little golf. Find out how he does it. Find out WHY he does it!

3) New gear. This is a rare chance for consumers to be able to meet and talk with the manufacturers reps for the top snow sports equipment companies. Bend the skis, see what's new, and get the straight story on what it can do for you.

4) All the other stuff. OK this is a favorite because it means I don't have to cajole the rest of my family to come and spend the weekend with me. This time, it's the other way around. Artists, dancers, kids, and kids who are artists and dancers. A parade with golf carts that includes secret surprises? Makes me wonder what could be more surprising than a golf cart parade. MSU/UM on the big screen. Four (4), did I say FOUR, bands. Uh, well, so much other stuff that I won't even try to list it.

So pack up the car and come settle in for a fabulous weekend in the Village. Oh, and plan to sign up for your BOYNE Pass now - because a lot of the Skitoberfest offerings are free to passholders! Again, read all about it HERE.

Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing

The scene didn't make much sense: a professional skier, and admitted tennis hack speaking to the group at the new Boyne Mountain Tennis Academy. When I was first asked to speak, it didn't make much sense to me either.

At first, I wondered what in the world I might say to help people - some of them expert tennis players -  improve a skill I know little about. After some contemplation, I realized that my lifelong athletic adventures have perhaps qualified me to speak - certainly not about tennis technique - but about effective approaches to learning skills and preparing for competition. And then it hit me that the confidence I have in my approach to sporting success is not as much rooted in my career as an Olympic and World Cup skier, but rather in my experiences as a novice sportsman over the last few years.

During that time, I have undertaken the goal of becoming as proficient as possible at the game of soccer. I also jumped back into the sport of ski racing - a sport which is now far different from the sport I knew decades ago.

My success with learning these sports has made for really fun experiences - and I think the fun is a big part of what has generated some success. I am still far from being an expert, particularly in soccer, where I started from scratch. But regardless of one's proficiency in a discipline, I discovered that certain general strategies are universally effective - like keeping an open mind and a learning attitude, and a willingness to seek out and listen to the experts. A little bit of patience sprinkled in ensures that frustration does not stall the learning or the fun. The formula is really no different from the one that helped me during my professional career, and I have realized that it's virtually the same regardless of the discipline you're trying to master.

As I spoke to the group, it was gratifying for me to see coaches Bill Perlmutter and Larry Stark (former Michigan State University #1 singles player) nodding in agreement from time to time. When it comes to mastering difficult skills, it seems that there are indeed universal paths to success.

If tennis is your thing, you can't do any better than to open your mind to the expert coaches at the BMTA. As they pour in the knowledge, you'll be guaranteed to find a more competitive tennis game and a richer enjoyment of the sport. There are still two sessions with openings.

Boyne Mountain Tennis Academy 

 Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador

Ski and golf on the same day? Sounds fun. How about teaming up with a buddy to compete in both sports against other teams made up of equally unique individuals? Naw, that's crazy talk.

Exactly. 

I read over the rules (a very short document indeed), and I see that helmets are required. I assume that just means for the ski racing part – but if they let me on the golf course, a person might be well advised to keep their helmet on all day. 

UPDATE: Unfortunately (or fortunately if you're ready for summer activities), the recent warm weather and rains have diminished the snowpack so much that a safe ski race isn't possible. Read about it here. Hopefully, the weather next spring will cooperate.

 Thanks to the entire Boyne snowsports community for an awesome ski/ride season. I am off on the mountain bike to scout morels. 

Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador 

Boyne Mountain.

The carpet is laid.

The lift is ready.

One more weekend.

Be there!

Ceilings too low in your living room to practice your golf swing? Local courses not open yet? Just not sure what to do with yourself? You could clean the garage - always tons of fun.

I've got the perfect solution for your problem. Check out this photo which I took about an hour ago.

If you need interpretation, you are looking at a handful of skiers and riders enjoying what is virtually their own private ski area. Because of the recent and upcoming cold nights, you can expect great snow conditions, lots of sunshine, and no waiting for anything. And did I mention that there are great lift and lodging deals now through the upcoming Easter weekend? Speaking of Easter, you can find out here about the Egg Hunt and other activities planned for the weekend at Boyne Mountain.

Great skiing and riding - fun activities - Avalanche Bay Waterpark - fantastic dining - best prices of the year. The garage can wait. Gather your gang and come up and put this awesome winter to bed properly . . .

Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador 

UPDATE: One more weekend of skiing and riding! Boyne Mountain will be open on April 18 - 19. Help us slide the 09 season into the history books. Toss something on the Barbie at the Halfway House and spruce up your spring break tan - that garage will just have to wait one more week.

The BOYNE Season Pass. Those of us who can get to Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain more than a few times a winter know what a great value that pass represents. There's skiing and riding, of course. And then all the other benefits like discounts on other BOYNE products. Then there's the convenience – just hang it around you neck and head for the hills - no daily transaction to deal with. This is especially important if your route to the lift doesn't happen to pass by a ticket window.

Ok, so there's all that. But my experience this week has revealed to me - or more correctly reminded me - what a fantastic bargain that pass is. My family and I are spending this week in Salt Lake City. Being tourists, shopping, we'll see an MLS soccer game, AND by the way, we are enjoying some of the best skiing of our lives. You see, we have been skiing at  Brighton Ski Resort which has received the better part of four feet of new snow in the last week. Steep tree skiing in deep powder. Rolling intermediate groomers. Zero lift lines. Just a 30 minute drive up from the city. And all we had to do was present our BOYNE Passes to receive our daily lift tickets at no charge.

No question, if you can take advantage of even a small portion of the benefits available, the BOYNE Season Pass is an incredible bargain. I haven't even mentioned places like Sunday River, Loon Mountain, Sugarloaf, and Big Sky! And between now and April 30th it's even better. I won't explain it in this space - just click here to see what I mean.

 Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador 

The runaway leader for information requests through boyne.com in recent days revolve around whether there will be skiing and riding through the end of March and into the first part of April. In some cases, people ask whether we have skiing now! A quick glance at this photo which I snapped yesterday addresses that.

Not only do we have snow, but some - myself included - think that this is the best time to ski and ride. The list of reasons is long - and I have hit upon them many times here. Sunshine. Elbow room (not that that is ever much of a problem). Suntans. Carve-able snow. Did I mention that we get lots of sun this time of year?

I live in Boyne Falls, and I occasionally forget that many of our customers live and work in places a few mile south. You know, where the climate is just a little different. You are looking at brown golf courses and little piles of dirt where snowbanks used to be. We look at quite a different sight every day (again, reference photo). And virtually every year, we see a white hill until at least the middle of April.

So, for locals, snowsports is just a part of our natural consciousness until the first or second weekend in April. Some years longer. So, come and live the local life for a few days - you'll be happy you did.

Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador 

It's been a 'winter of olde' — with plentiful and frequent doses of new snow adding to paradise for those of us who like to slide on snow. This evening promises another 6 inches of new snow and perfect temperatures for another weekend on the white playground. Even the recent warm spell hasn't completely erased the huge snowbanks which evidence nature's contribution to this old fashioned winter. Now the banks will be growing again and they'll be painted that blinding white by the March sun.

A few years back, I was starting to wonder if all the amazing improvements in ski resort technology - from snowmaking, to lifts, and grooming - and the even more impressive improvements in equipment and clothing - would go for naught because it wouldn't be cold enough to freeze water. But the string of long, old-fashioned winters we are notching for the last few seasons has me excited to renew my commitment to the sport. Seems the nightly news folks aren't the climate experts they pose as after all.

Who knows what the future will bring. But until Nature shows me otherwise, I'll be be making winter plans and investments of our family's recreational dollars based around the premise that there will continue to be a white wonderland to enjoy. It's been a great one this year — and it's not even close to being over with. In BOYNE country, we are content with the state of the weather and the sport. An attitude not to be confused with that of Richard III back in the Sixteenth Century.

Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador