CVOA Fun ..... We Have Lots of It!

When we say we "do it in the outdoors" we mean it!

We have outdoor activities planned for every month for everybody!

If you'd like to join in the fun, check out what we have planned in 2011: here is our current schedule. BUT check back often, there are always new things and revisions!

Here's some of the fun we had in 2010!

Our Most Recent Adventures...

MARCH 26, 2001

OVER THE BORDER ... AND INTO THE PARC

Mont Megantic: C'st Bon!!!

There was nothing but rave reviews Saturday after two dozen snow enthusiasts caravanned across the border for a day of cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the Parc Du Mont Megantic.

The provincial park, located just an hour from Sugarloaf in the province of Quebec, offers 38 m of challenging cross country trails and 30 km of snowshoeing trails, including the 10.7 climb to the top of Mont Megantic.

It was the first outing to the park for the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association… but it won’t be the last.

“Let’s do this every year,” said Helen Poulin, who skied the 17.4 km black diamond Andromede Trail The vote was unanimous.

“This place has been on my radar for years,” said Mike Rifkin, who led the “A Team” on the Andromede Trail.

CVOA members were greeted by about 4 inches of soft, fluffy snow .. and flakes still falling .. when they arrived at the park at 9:30 am Saturday. Snow continued to fall but the wind could be heard more than felt as the group took to the hilly trails rising and falling throughout the woods.

Several snowshoers pushed their way up to the summit of Mont Megantic while others climbed to the warming huts for lunch, hiked around the lower trails or took the “Shuttle Suburu” to the peak.

“Tough climb,” said Sandy Osterrieder. "Love to go back!"

Linda Trueworthy, one of the hikers, said severla members climbed to the 1105 m. summit while others enjoyed the views from the scenic overlook about a quarter mile from the top.

"Very picturesque," said Linda, whose group stopped at the warming hut for lunch, marvelling at the quality of the huts, the fabulous snow and the magificent trail system.

"We all enjoyed the views of Lac Megantic and the surrounding mountains and hills all covered in snow," she said.

Members of the group made informal plans to return for hiking next summer .. and definite plans to put the provincial park on CVOA’s 2012 adventure calendar.

Following the outdoor adventure, the caravan pointed towards Piopolis and the home of Nadene and Johnno Macleod for some Canadian fare and beer. Nadene, of WSKI, offered to host the appreciative crew, which couldn’t offer enough [praise for her hospitality.

The diversity of the 600-member outdoor organization was quite apparent during the border crossings, when members of the group handed their passports to the border guards, who were surprised to see membership in a single car range from Kingfield to Belfast to New York.

What’s the connection, he wondered?

Carrabassett Valley … and CVOA … was the answer!!!

FEBRUARY 24, 2011

CVOA GOES ZIPPING

By LINDA TRUEWORTHY

More than a dozen members of CVOA put a little zip in their lives last week … soaring down Sugarloaf’s new zip line.

“You were just flying through the trees,” said Linda Trueworthy, who organized the group outing for the local outdoor club.

Sugarloaf offered the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association a discounted group ticket rate to test out the Zip Line, which  was installed last summer and has been drawing enthusiastic crowds ever since.

“It was fun,” said Elaine Fitzpatrick , a former gymnast, who was not about to be outdone by some of the younger members of a 14-person zip contingent: She flipped in her harness and took part of the ride upside down.

“It was a blast,” said Linda.

Riders gear up in harness and helmets and ride the lines between six separate stations on the mountain, travelling at high rates of speed between trees and glades. The adventure lasts about an hour and a half.

“Would I do it again? You betcha!” said Linda.

CVOA plans to work with Sugarloaf to offer discounted rides during April vacation week.

FEB. 12, 2011

SHOE AND STEW …. A SUPER HIT!

By Jan Mildram

Neither cold nor wind nor lack of a full moon proved a deterrent to the 75 hearty members of CVOA who showed up for the annual ski, skate and stew event.

The event was organized by Jan Mildram and Anne Hanson, with help from Bonnie Farrar, Becky Dick and Scott Dolan.

 Bonnie led the skiers on the trek from the main lodge to the warming hut and back while Becky led the snowshoers. Others skated on the rink or hung around the lodge waiting dinner.

“After many years off skates, they felt like kids again,” said Jan. “And the great spirits took the chill out of the air.”

Although a lengthy meeting prevented the board of directors from strapping on skates and skis, they were back at the lodge in time for dinner which “tasted delicious as always,” said Jan.

The menu featured an assortment of appetizers, a wide variety of soups, stews and chowders and a table of desserts.

“Everyone was reminded how enjoyable the facilities at the touring center are. Our thanks go out to Scott and his crew,” said Jan.

The next event will be a day-trip to Mt. Megantic in Quebec March 12 for snow-shoeing and cross country skiing in a beautiful provincial park just an hour from Sugarloaf.

JAN. 29-Feb. 5, 2011

CVOA Spends a Week at Vail

BY PETE WESTON

“Bowl after bowl after bowl!” That’s how John Pease described the place after the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association’s annual western ski trip took 45 people to Vail, Colorado. While they could have used more fresh snow, there was plenty of base, and the 24/7 grooming was unbelievable. To see 10 groomers all working in tandem to groom a trail is impressive. During the week the mountains did receive several inches of fresh snow, which was fun to play in. Quite a few in the group headed over to Beaver Creek, a 20-minute ride from Vail. Martha Drury and Michelle Amoroso really enjoyed their day at Beaver Creek, especially the history of the area where the 10^th Mountain Division trained.

The trip was run by Dick Foote who did a great job of coordinating the trip starting at the bus station in Portsmouth, NH early in the morning, and ending back at the same place 7 days later. When asked for his thoughts on the trip he replied, “Fantastic trip, fantastic group, just needed more Pow!”

Vail is one huge resort with an amazing number of modern lifts (too many according to Joe Loughran!). Neal Trask loved the variety in the terrain, and all of it was great skiing. Everything from the 4 mile long perfectly groomed Reva Ridge trail to “Steep and Deep”, a glade in Pete’s Bowl which Peter Weston and Duff Doherty jumped into and found to be a thrill. The weather started off sunny and warm the first day, but turned very cold in the middle of the week. The temperature was -28°F one morning. Of course the hardy Sugarloafers were out on the slopes just the same. The snow conditions were fantastic and none of the locals were out skiing, so the CVOA members practically had the place to themselves! Several in the group will remember one lift ride up the Tea Cup Express as it was snowing and blowing so hard the visibility was at a minimum. But other than that one time, the wind was not a factor all week.

Jan Doherty said, “ Awesome ski trip, just needed a little more fresh snow!” Of course it had to snow the day the group pulled out of Vail, making it real tough to leave. There were no major injuries, just a sore back from lifting luggage on the way out, and a pulled muscle while putting on ski boots one morning.

This was the first ski trip out West for a few of the group, and the first CVOA ski trip for others. John Marden, on his first CVOA trip, said “We made lots of new friends this week. Can’t wait to do it again!”

Everyone was impressed by the amenities at the resort, from staff people handing you a Kleenex as you walked into the on-mountain restaurants to the bathroom doors being made out of something besides plywood. And the lifts all started on time and all of them worked!

The group stayed in beautiful condos at the Lionhead Village, within an easy walk to the gondola. There are acres of heated stone walk ways between beautiful shops, restaurants, and hotels, making the stroll through the village magical, especially while it was snowing. In the middle of the village is a skating rink that anyone can use. While things tend to be more expensive in a resort town such as this, there were plenty of good pubs and rib joints to eat at without breaking the bank. One place had a photo of Tuckerman’s on the wall and lots of Red Sox photos. Obviously a New Englander who moved west owns the place. At night, the resort runs the gondola up to the summit until 9 pm. Several CVOA’ers enjoyed the surreal ride up and down the mountain.

Rick Chenard said it best. “Good people, good friends, great trip. I will be back!”

2010 Holiday Hike and Cookie Swap: 
by Nancy Perry

Bet you didn’t eat just one!!
CVOA’s third annual holiday hike and cookie swap featured:  Cookies ... all kinds, all shapes, all colors and all delicious: about 1300 of them!   Complete article here...

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CVOA group visits the mid-coast, Tours Islesboro by bicycle

By John McCatherin

There were no John Travolta sightings. Nor did Kirstie Allie make an appearance.

But a group of bicyclists from the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association saw plenty of reasons recently why the mid-coast Maine island of Islesboro has become a haven for the rich and famous like the two parttime island residents and fulltime Hollywood stars.

Islesboro bike trip click here for the complete article.

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