Our Lake Placid Ski Weekend is upon us!  This email should answer all questions about our trip this weekend.  If you have an additional question, please let us know by replying to this email.  Please make sure that this email is forwarded to everyone in your group - we rather people get it 3 times than not at all!

First and foremost, if your room is not full and you know of someone that wants to get in your room, we can probably help them out.  Please have them email us ASAP - it will lower the cost of the trip for everyone in your room.

Now... on to the GOOD STUFF!! 

Please print and bring this email with you on the trip.  We will answer any additional questions that arise and post the updated information at the following URL on our website Friday at 9am: http://www.phillytrips.com/page/490/  Also, please review the Trip Itinerary: http://www.phillytrips.com/page/485/    Please print a copy of both off our website after 9am Friday and take it with you on the trip.

Thank you.  We look forward to seeing or meeting everyone Friday!

Dennis Gaudenzi
PhillyTrips.com
http://www.PhillyTrips.com

PS: Do not forget your bathing suit!

:: EMERGENCY CONTACTS ::

If you get injured, are running late, etc... Call Dennis ASAP.  We need to know that something has happened.  If something occurs and you think that we even MIGHT need to now about it or you are looking for what is going on for happy hour or at night, please feel free to reach out to Dennis.  On the trip, unless it is URGENT, PLEASE TEXT-MESSAGE DENNIS ONLY.  We are here to to assist and make sure you have the best possible time that you can on all of our trips.  Text-Message is the fastest way to reach us.

:: FINAL PAYMENTS ::

Please check your account on our website to make sure that you are paid in full.  For all of you that are, thank you.  If you have not, please do so immediately.  Please email your roommates to check their balance as well.  Since it is so late, any final payments at this point must be made via credit card on our website.  Login to check and/or pay your balance: https://www.phillytrips.com/secure/login.asp

:: FRIDAY BUS PICK-UP ::

Bus starts loading in Philly at the Home Depot on Delware Ave/Columbus Blvd (South Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19148).  Please park against the access road in front of Home Depot so we give the better spots to their customers.   PhillyTrips.com will be suppying some beer for the ride up, but please feel free to bring what you would like! DO NOT BE LATE, or you will find yourself driving to New York! The bus will promptly depart at 3:00pm.  Please be sure to get a flyer fromus telling Home Depot you are with our group.

:: THE BUS RIDE ::

Drinking on the bus IS allowed.  Smoking on the bus is NOT.  Please try to bring cans of beer (instead of bottles) for the bus ride.  We will provide trash bags - please keep the bus clean if possible as we are on it for a long time.  Coolers and such are allowed, but remember that space is limited, so try and keep them small and unbreakable.  Also, feel free to bring any DVDs you might be willing to play on the bus!

The bus is a motorcoach and does have a bathroom.  Food is allowed on the bus - feel free to bring what you would like.  Please help to keep the bus clean - this is important.  We will be on it for about 6-7 hours.

We will be making a ~30-minute rest/dinner stop in New York on the New York State Thruway.  We will limit the stop to 30 minutes or so as we are trying to make it to Lake Placid as soon as possible!

:: CONDITIONS AND WEATHER ::

Whiteface has reported a few inches of snow the last few days, which is good.  Almost the entire mountain is now open.  It has been very cold (zero to 10 below!), so the snow should be pretty decent for the trip.  The weekend weather is shaping up to be not as cold as it has been with comfortable daytime temperatures in the 20's.  This is about the best you can get temperature-wise at Whiteface in January!  Check out the snow report here: http://www.whiteface.com/mountain/conditions.php

:: THE SKI BUM ::

For those that can make it to Chaddsford, PA or Newark, DE, the Ski Bum has offered our group a discount off of merchandise you might need for this trip.  Details & Coupon: http://www.phillytrips.com/page/488/

:: SKI RENTALS ::

If you need rentals, you can get them when you check in.  The fee is $55 for 2 days, ski or snowboard complete package.  These discounted rates apply if you get them at check in.  Payment is cash-only, there is an ATM close by.

:: 3RD DAY LIFT TICKETS ::

If you want to get a 3rd day lift pass, please email us ASAP and we adjust your account so you can pay for it online.

:: LUGGAGE ::

When packing, please limit yourself to one carry-on type bag and one piece of luggage to store under the bins under the bus, in addition to your boards, skis, boots, and/or poles.  Space is limited.  It is only a weekend and you can stuff clothes in your ski/boot bags.  Try to pack light or maximize space for quicker bus packing and a speedier leave time.

:: CLOTHING ::

So, you are going to the mountains and it is going to be a pretty cold weekend.  Please dress warmly to have a great time - on and off the slopes.  Remember:  DRESS IN LAYERS WHEN SKIING/BOARDING  It will keep you warmer than just a big bulky jacket. 

As for going out in Lake Placid, jeans and your favorite shirt/sweater are perfectly acceptable.  There is no real need to dress up like you are going out in the city!  Bring your good jeans, your hanging out shirts, a couple sweaters, and a fleece if you got one.  You will be fine.  Boots are fine to wear everywhere as well.

:: CUT YOUR TOE NAILS ::

Sounds silly, but make sure you cut your toe nails.  Want to make sure you do not ruin your trip with a hurting toe nail from jamming it on the front of your boot.  Yes, we are speaking from experience...

:: SKI LEVELS ::

Ideally, we encourage people with similar skiing abilities to spend time together on the mountain.  Feel free to ask each other about your skier/boarder ability on the bus up.  It makes for a very fun day when you can ski with new people who are the same ability as yourself.

 
:: ARRIVAL IN LAKE PLACID ::

Once we arrive at the complex, we will stay on the bus for a few minutes for a checkin representative to speak to everyone (5 minutes max).  One group leader from each room (you can determine who this is) will then enter the hotel to check in.  A credit card must be left with the front desk for incidentals.  Keys and lift tickets will be given to the group leader to be distributed to everyone in your room and everyone can then exit the bus, get your belongings, and go to your room.

 
:: HIGH PEAKS RESORT ::

This hotel is very nice and located in a great spot just minutes walking distance to Main St in town.  There is a POOL and HOT TUB (BRING YOUR BATHING SUIT) as well as a very nice gym (Details: http://www.highpeaksresort.com/activities-recreation/fitness-pool/index.cfm).  There is a popular bar right on site (Dancing Bears) where you can get food and drinks.  It is a great place to start your night out.  Be sure to check it out.  There is also a Spa right on site.  Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access is also available.   More Info on The High Peaks: http://www.highpeaksresort.com/overview/

The hotel is just minutes walking distance to Main St in town.  We will be contacting Dancing Bears as well as other Lake Placid bars to set up special drink specials for our group.  More info on the bus about this.

After breakfast, head over to the mountain!  We will be running transportation to the mountain with our bus at 8am and 9:15am.  It is approximately 15 minutes to the mountain on our bus.  There is also a town shuttle that can take you if you do not make our bus.  It is about 30 minutes drive time with other stops. 

For those interested, we will be trying to meet for lunch at 12:30PM at the Base Lodge.  It is always fun to be with the group at lunch.

:: SUNDAY - LET'S HIT GORE MOUNTAIN!! ::

After breakfast, head over to the mountain!  We will be running our bus at 7:30am to Gore Mountain (about an hour ride).  The bus will return to Lake Placid promptly at 5pm.  It would be nice to hit Gore on Sunday for something different.  It is not a requirement to go to Gore, but remember you need to use the town shuttle to Whiteface if you choose to stay local.

For those interested, we will be trying to meet for lunch at 1:00PM at the Saddle Lodge at Mid Mountain.

:: COMMUNICATING ON THE MOUNTAIN ::

For communicating on the mountain, we recommend using 2-way radios and not cell phones.  Please set your radios for station 3-16.  Is a good way to stay in touch with people throughout the mountain - not required, but helpful from past ski trip experience.  Radios can be purchased at any local sports store - you do not need to spend alot of money either.  Here are samples: http://www.sportsauthority.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=684362&cp=875822 (tip: get a pair so you have one for a friend)

:: MONDAY CHECK OUT ::

Monday is very important.  Please check and print the itinerary for more information and leave time.

WE WILL SEE YOU FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!

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