After a late morning departure from Lost Valley my wonderfully cooperative “go with the flow” sister Kate or Katie as our family lovingly calls her, hit the road for another of New England’s delightfully small volunteer ski clubs.  I have driven past Pittsfield, Maine hundreds of times on my way from everywhere to hometown Bangor but never took in this one-rope-tow ski hill – and boy am I glad I sought it out.  Just a snowballs throw from Interstate 95 we were greeted by a proud sign proclaiming Pinnacle Ski Area and proceed up a short rutty road.  There before us was the approximately 150 vertical feet served by one rope tow.  Thanks to Heather at Ski Maine Association, we were cleared walk up the hill off-hours (at our own risk of course) to take our runs.

 

I say runs because to get in my requisite 50 turns (official rules of the Woody’s Ski Odyssey!) we had to climb the hill twice – its true that we were able to get in only 25 turns per run from the very Pinnacle of this quaint New England Ski Slope??  And of course I have to tell on my dear sister Kate (sorry Katie – I just have to tell this story!).

 

 First you must understand that Kate is likely one of the best skiers not just in my family, but better than most advance skiers with whom I have hit the slopes.  My dear Sis has spend nearly three decades (golly you sure are old – I won’t tell them how old just that you are older than me!!) skiing Alta and Snowbird in Utah and has perfected the art of graceful turning.  So, to see my Sis turning in the crusty snow and then FALLING (not once but twice) was all I the fodder I needed for years of gentle kidding.  Yes it’s true (she will tell you) she must have caught an edge or forgot to un weight or rotate those shoulders – gee Katie – I would be glad to give you a lesson later on.  Thanks Katie for showing us you are not always a perfect skiing champion!

 

Pinnacle also receives two awards; 1) ski area with smallest vertical drop of an estimated 150 feet and 2) most creative bench; you see, lined up at the base of the hill were several surprisingly soft bales of hay at exactly the right height for sitting to put your ski boots on.  Thanks to all the Ski Club members for letting us grab a run down your memorable hill.