Loon Mountain Community

A network for skiers & riders passionate about snow sports

It is one year ago exactly I found myself in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, preparing to cross off #6 on my Bucket List: I was bringing my grandparents ashes to the top of the 10,500-ft. Eagles Perch, to put them with their son’s ashes (my uncle Peter’s). As I was literally 100 feet away from the trail head to start my journey that morning, the US Forest Service came in and shut down all the canyons and trails within a three-mile radius, due to a rather large forest fire that unfortunately lasted longer than my vacation did. Long story short- #6 is still on my bucket list…

I was thinking about this today as I was on attempt #2, or was it #3, of filming a trail ride to post for our video snack. This video has been on my to-do list pretty much since we’ve opened for summer operations. I’ve done the gondola skyride video, the bungee trampoline, the Hot Dog Fest- and now it was time for the trail ride video. I had some success before we opened filming a preview video, while on horseback. So I thought, “Perfect, this will be cake!” I signed up for a trail ride, brought out the Flip camera, got my giddy up, and went out on the ride.

I got back to the office and downloaded the videos. Then I sat down at the computer to started to look through the clips. Pretty soon I felt like I needed some Dramamine. It has come to my attention that riding a horse while shooting videos is not one my many talents.

So it was back to the drawing board this morning. Not a big deal- summer is finally here, and I can always use an excuse to hike up the mountain. So I once again got out the Flip, put on my hiking boots, and started my way up Brookway. I shot video of the group riding by, and then I quietly ran up ahead of them to get to a new spot to keep filming from a different angle. When I turned the corner at Camp III, the ride was just coming out of Brookway Extension. So I bolted up the hill, got low, and was able to shoot the group as they came across grass with the lodge and the mountains in the background.

As I was walking back to my office from the Barn where I shot the “closing scenes,” I thought I had some really great footage for our newest video snack. Then I thought that if I had used the footage from last week, the video snack would not nearly be as good, and I wouldn’t have been able to have the time reflect on my bucket list!

As someone who is a little on the anal-retentive side, I don’t like it when the plan doesn’t come together like I planned it! However, as I get older, I’ve learned to go with the flow. A lemon gets thrown at you- make lemonade!!! Get some not-so-great video- try again another day. It rains on the day of a photoshoot- reschedule.

That is why I love my job so much. We have an idea of how things are going to go on a daily basis, but Mother Nature can be a total crank some days. You still have to get on the Gondola and see where it’s going to take you!

Stacy Lopes

Comment

You need to be a member of Loon Mountain Community to add comments!

Join Loon Mountain Community

Members

  • Susan Watson / Loon Mountain
  • Brenda Kneeland/Loon Mountain
  • Molly Mahar/Loon Mountain
  • Terri Walsh
  • Stacy Lopes  /  Loon Mountain
  • Kerry Balassone
  • Robert Butler
  • vicki watt
  • Kristin
  • Andy Thomas
  • stephen hopkins
  • Jeffrey Beir

Season Pass Info

The New England Pass The best season pass deal in New England.

Loon Snow Conditions RSS

Loon Mountain Current Conditions - March 10, 2010

Lifts Open: 10
Trails Open: 54
Miles Open: 25
Acres Open: 329
Superpipe Open: True
Minipipe Open: True
Surface Conditions: packed powder
New Snow (last 24 hours): 0"
Temperature °F: 46°F
Today's Weather: Mostly clear overnight with temps in the 20s.
Forecast: Increasing clouds Thursday, temps in the 40s.
Comments: I'm running out of words to accurately describe how beautiful the last few days have been. They just don't make them much better, so when we see a little less sun tomorrow, no doubt we'll all being going Oohhh!" However, Thursday should be as good on the hill as ever. In spite of the relatively warm temps, most of the runs have remained fairly firm, with the soft stuff basically being limited to the base areas near the lift entrances. Traditional Spring conditions will be here soon enough, so enjoy this while you can! Have a good one! -Bud

© 2010   Created by loonmtn

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy  |  Terms of Service