Start with a crisp, clear, calm, and cold northern Michigan morning. Add a manmade snowstorm from dozens of snowmaking Low E guns on the southern ridges of the resort. Finish off with a remarkable temperature inversion.

What you get is a scene right out of the Alps or the Sierras: skiing and riding above clouds which fill the valley below like soup in a tureen.

It all happened on Tuesday morning, December 22, 2009, and it provided the very real illusion that we measure our vertical in the thousands and not the hundreds – and it certainly showed that humans can control the weather, at least on a local scale. The pictures tell the story – scroll down to see them all. A magical holiday season it will be . . .

 Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing 

Big flakes pouring from the sky. Low-E Fan guns pouring it right back. Man and nature teamed up today – and for the last week – to create a virtual snow factory. Everywhere you look…white. I cannot remember ever seeing snow pile up this fast in Michigan.

 It was the first day of skiing for Boyne Mountain today, and together with Boyne Highlands, it's now open for the season.

 Today was a neck gaiter day – pretty brisk out – but I was cozy in my new DNA outer gear. I quit only because I had to get home to plow out my captive family – not because I was cold.

OK, skiing was fun in the 60's, I remember that. But it's the stuff today, like snowmaking, modern fabrics and insulation, skis, goggles, you name it – it's the stuff that makes it so much easier to have fun.

I do love this sport.

Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing 

I don't often type while wearing ski boots. But after checking out this aerial photo my friend snapped with her cell phone a few hours ago - and looking at the forecast from Accuweather.com -   I figured I'd better start getting my feet used to the dark.

 Yeah, I'm one of those who might be caught in flip-flops when it's 35° out. In my book, they're three-season footwear. But, no longer – it's WINTER, and baby, it's cold outside!

Notice that beautiful little cloud of a snowstorm hanging over the Mountain? 

 I live five miles from Boyne Mountain and I've heard the guns roaring around the clock for a couple days. Looking at the forecast, I'd say the snowmaking crew will be piling up some serious overtime between now and the holidays. Low to mid twenties in the day and mid-teens at night for a far as the eye can see (or the meteorologist's eye, to be sure). Our patience with Mother Nature in November seems to be paying off . . .

 This will be one of those Decembers not to miss.

 Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing

photo credit: Deanne Jackson              pilot: Eric Jarema 

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.