Life always gets in the way when you want to go skiing. Before the internet, soccer moms, and twelve hour workdays, we seemed to have a lot more time. Coming to a club meeting was important because we really did not have anything else important to do on a Thursday night. Seeing my friends and talking up our sport almost gave me the same thrill as actually going skiing; or at least it was the next best thing. Well, as time rolls on and our lives have become more complicated, some of us have put Watchung on the back burner.

  Here I sit (really), next to the pool on Labor Day weekend, and my mind is on that perfect turn. You know when it just feels smooth and natural, and your mind and body are all in sync with the mountain. No other thoughts are in your head but the anticipation of the next turn. Life as you know it no longer exists. As you coast into the chair lift area, you have that feeling of total satisfaction. Your mind is now racing to what the next run will be. Ok, I admit it! I am a little hooked on skiing! But from what I have seen, and who I have skied with, I am not alone. Just ask Kathi Wolder, or John Ski, or Deena Altman. I have seen the look. I bet you have shared this feeling also. And to top it off, it.s still legal. We don.t need any drugs or alcohol to be there. Life is grand!

  Well, back to reality.and the pool. Getting to the mountain is not as simple as hopping on a bus or a plane and presto, there you are. Unfortunately, life is not as simple as it was. Today.s vacation and leisure time is affected by inflation, high fuel costs, and over crowded air lines. This year we cannot continue business as usual at Watchung. Air lines and hotels need reservations finalized months in advance. Bus rates change monthly and the bus companies are not as interested in charters as they have been in the past. Mountains have a bigger price disparity than ever between early, late, and prime season pricing. The overall price of that perfect turn is getting expensive. Making a ski trip fun and affordable takes a significant amount of time and effort. Your council has been busy behind the scenes all summer so you can just walk on the bus.

  With that said, I want to thank and congratulate all the committee members that have tirelessly given their time and talent. We could not make that perfect turn without them.

  Want to join us on a trip? You must commit early for trips, earlier than ever before. This year we need to have our plans and reservations finalized as soon as possible, as the companies we deal with have given us very early deadlines. This year we are very excited to be offering extended trips to Stratton, Telluride, and Jay Peak, as well as our ever popular one day bus trips!

  I hope you all have had a wonderful summer, tanned all the right spots, and are now all spooled up and ready to ski!

Bob Gittleman
President, WASC
Phone 732-770-0205
E mail berniesw@aol.com