click to enlarge 2009 sunset orchard challenge

CHECK OUT THE 2009 SUNSET ORCHARD CHALLENGE VIDEO

click to enlarge Alpine team for climate control at Sunset Orchard Challenge.

We showed our support for 350.org and the movement for international climate control during our the team Sunset Orchard Challenge on Saturday.
More pictures and sweet video from the challenge and bbq are coming soon.

click to enlarge

Ever wonder why the sky was blue? Ever wonder how a potato gun worked? Ever wonder how they got those massive ski towers up on the hill?

Well today is your lucky day! Check out all these great pics of the guys workin on the snow bowl's new lift - or head up there and take a look at it yourself! Either way, you can now tell people that you know how they got those towers up there! YAY!

They're hoping to be done with the lift by the beginning of December, so keep your eyes peeled for further updates!

HELICOPTER IN ACTION

click to enlarge Jacket has Middlebury Panther Logo on the right chest and back with Middlebury Skiing just below it.

We have two mediums and 3 small jackets left. Special price of $75. The Spyder Breakaway insulator hoody jacket is a dark shade of blue with the Middlebury Skiing logo on it the back and front chest, that will make a definite statement of your support for Middlebury Skiing. You will not be disappointed with the jackets, they are great presents, and all the proceeds support the Middlebury Ski Team.

for more information or to claim a jacket call 802 282 2880
or email shbartle@middlebury.edu

logo on front right chest and on the center back

click to enlarge

Update time from Nicole!

It has been a while so I thought it time I sent another update. The weather here has been awful. Rainy cold days where the temperature is just hovering above freezing so the rain is rain and not snow. But apparently the mountains have gotten a foot and a half so I am excited for the skiing season to start early. My Czech friends and I were planning a trip to the Swiss alps for a few days in a couple of weeks but it looks like we might be able to just stay here in Czech. They were saying how excited they are about busting out their one-piece ski suits and leather gloves, and I’m afraid they weren’t joking. Naturally I won’t be taking any pictures.

Being in the country for 5 weeks now, I’ve been able to make some conclusions about the “culture”, or as my sociology professor puts it, “the way we do things around here”:


When you cheers with someone (which is mandatory at the beginning of each and any drink) it is critical that at the moment your glass clinks their glass you look them in the eye.
The jeans are tighter, the heels are higher, and the style is slightly alternative with a punk edge. I don’t really fit in.
On the tower before you cross Charles Bridge, which is the first and most famous bridge built across the river that bisects Prague, there is a sculpture of an older female teacher and a male student in each other’s arms. Apparently when locals walk past it they spit at it to signify their distaste for forbidden love. I haven’t formed my own opinion yet.
PDA here is not only accepted, it’s mandatory. No boyfriend no social status. Sad, I know.
Soup is served before lunch and dinner always. Passing on the soup is rude. I hate soup already.
Doing the Hitler salute is not only frowned upon, but forbidden by law. The penalty is 40 Euro.
Putting a straw in a beer will keep you from getting service for the rest of the night.
Cab drivers are crazy. Two of my friends have already been in (small) accidents while they were getting a ride from a cab. Actually let me rephrase, the driving here is crazy. Which leads nicely into my next list.

Things drivers have yelled at me while crossing the street:

In Czech:

*****, get out of the way or I will….(I can’t bring myself to type what was actually said)
Next time I’ll break your legs
I’ll take you to the ghetto

And In English:

My lane, lady
I run you!
(Honk) (Hooooooonnk) (Middle finger) I driving!
Why do you do this?!
Gooooooooooo! You idiot!
Jesus, sons of *****.

Crossing the street here is an art, which I still have yet to learn.

The food here is good. I like it, but I’m used to it. My roommate says it’s a little weird. The standard dish is a side of baked meat with spinach or cabbage and what my roommate refers to as “boiled bread”. Technically they are sliced dumplings but she says the texture is more like gooey baguette. I think it’s an acquired taste. Yesterday for the first time I had Beef Tartare. It’s ground, completely raw filet mignon mixed with a raw egg and various spices, which you then spread on fried garlic bread. This is a first rate, addictive food product. If you ever see this on the menu (when you are traveling internationally of course, it doesn’t quite pass FDA standards) please order it.

Besides being caught in downpours without an umbrella and my Danskos occasionally being referred to as “farming shoes from Vermont”, I think I’ve been settling in nicely. I’m hearing from my sources that the team is working hard and I am glad to hear it. Go easy on Bobby, he almost started crying when I video chatted with him the other day so don’t give him too much of a hard time. Kidding.


Until next time,

N

Links and Resources

Head Alpine Coach

Stever Bartlett

Bartlett enters his fifth season as the Head Coach of the Middlebury College Alpine Ski Team in the winter of '10-'11. In his four years as head coach, Bartlett has worked hard to continue the success of Middlebury Skiing. On the circuit this past season the team collected a handful of carnival podiums and numerous eastern cup wins. In 2008 Bartlett was awarded the EISA Coach of the Year award and led the team to a 5th place finish at the 2008 NCAA Championships. In 2010 The alpine men finished 3rd in the nation in slalom and 4th in the nation in GS at the Championships hosted by the University Colorado. In 2008 they were 2nd in the nation in slalom and 3rd in the nation in GS. Bartlett came to Middlebury after working with the U.S. Ski Team in Park City, Utah. He most recently worked as a World Cup assistant coach for the alpine women's team during the winter of 2005-2006. Bartlett has also served as the head Europa coach, a Development Team coach and as a strength and conditioning coach with the program. Bartlett was a staff member at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, where he worked as a coach for gold medalist Julia Mancuso. In 2002 Bartlett was awarded the VARA (Vermont Alpine Ski Racing Assoc.)"Coach of the Year" award while working as the head coach of the Killington Mountain School. Bartlett is a 1996 graduate of St. Lawrence University, where he was captain and member of the alpine team. He earned his degree in environmental biology, with a minor in sports science.

shbartle@middlebury.edu

802.443.5845

Assistant Alpine Coach

Abigail Copeland

Copeland will be entering her second season as the alpine assistant coach. Copeland was an integral part of the teams success in 2009/2010 and brought much energy and dedication to the team. As well as a valuable on hill coach she also took on many of the strength and conditioning duties. Copeland comes to Middlebury from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where she worked as the assistant men's and women's coach from 2007-2009. Copeland graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2006, where she was a four-time member of the alpine ski team and field hockey team. She graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and received her masters degree in Education Administration in the Spring of 2009. Prior to her education at St. Lawrence, she attended the Mount Mansfield Winter Academy in Stowe, Vermont.

acopeland@middlebury.edu

802 443 5270

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