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DCSki Columnists

The following volunteer DCSki Columnists contribute many informative (and often entertaining) articles throughout the ski season, sharing insight into local and far away ski areas. You may view past articles from your favorite columnists below.

 
Robbie Allen

Robbie Allen learned to ski on Whitetail’s opening day! Since then his travels have taken him to many a ski area from the smallest 150-foot hill to the Swiss Alps to Ski Dubai. His passion is for small local ski areas.

When not skiing Robbie can be found in melted snow, an All American swimmer in his youth he continues to swim today. He has raced in the waters around Manhattan and across the Chesapeake Bay. Also he has completed 4 Ironman triathlons - winning the swim portion in each. When not swimming he is found working on his other goal of running 50 marathons by age 50.

An aspiring writer Robbie he has written for Sprit magazine, Metro Sports, Xtri.com, Trip Advisor.com as well as others. In his day job he is a Project Manager and/or a Naval Reserve Officer. He is married with two kids (The Team) who all ski!

Robbie has written 31 stories for DCSki since 2008.

Recent articles by Robbie:

Going Further Afield: Ski the Plastic! (November 22, 2012)
Robbie Allen recently found himself in Lynchburg, Virginia, and decided to try skiing some runs at the Snowflex Centre. What makes Snowflex unique is that it isn’t made out of snow, but rather misted plastic, providing a surface that can be skied year-round. Robbie provides his assessment of the experience.

Going Further Afield: The Smallest Ski Hill in Colorado - Frisco Adventure Park (June 29, 2011)
While on a Colorado ski trip during the Spring of 2011, DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen swung by a local tubing/ski hill in Frisco, Colorado. He provides this Firsthand Report.

Going Further Afield: Beaver Creek - How Heaven became Hell (April 17, 2011)
Robbie Allen recently returned from his family’s annual spring ski trip to Colorado. While there, they visited Beaver Creek to experience its heaven-like skiing. A sudden and freak lightning storm turned the visit into an unexpected adventure.
(4 reader comments)

Going Further Afield: Ski Cooper - Old School Colorado (May 8, 2010)
Robbie Allen was able to squeeze another ski day out of the season with a late-season trip to Ski Cooper, Colorado. He describes the throwback ski area, which provided great skiing on Easter Day for his family at a very affordable price.
(4 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Heroes on the Hill at Massanutten (March 24, 2010)
The rain and time change didn’t stop a few folks from coming out for Massanutten’s Heroes on the Hill day on March 14, 2010. Robbie Allen provides this Firsthand Report.
(2 reader comments)

View more articles by Robbie

Lou Botta

While actually born in the tropics (Cuba), Lou grew up in New England and went to College in Vermont, where he initially took up skiing. He then embarked on a twenty-two year Air Force piloting career that took him to over 50 countries. He has skied in Europe and America (both North and South). His second career as a senior officer with the Federal Government spanned thirteen years and in 2010, Lou retired to pursue a more leisurely life style. Lou’s spare time is almost entirely devoted to skiing, whether at West Virginia’s Snowshoe, where he has a second home, or traveling and skiing throughout New England and the Rockies. Lou also takes a yearly ski trip to Europe, having been most recently to Katschberg, Austria and Zermatt, Switzerland. He is also a pilot, scuba diver, long-distance cyclist, and marathon runner.

Lou has written 10 stories for DCSki since 2001.

Recent articles by Lou:

Firsthand Report: Altitude Skiing with no Attitude at Telluride (March 31)
In mid-March, DCSki Columnist Lou Botta spent four days at Colorado’s Telluride Ski Resort., In this Firsthand Report, he provides a detailed look at the experience, concluding with three simple words: “I love Telluride.”
(2 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Snö Mountain (February 12)
DCSki Columnist Lou Botta recently returned to Snö Mountain, where he discovered great skiing, but dining options that left a bit to be desired. He provides this Firsthand Report.

Firsthand Report: Mont Tremblant (January 26)
Returning to Mont Tremblant after a long absence, DCSki Columnist Lou Botta discovered that the Canadian ski resort has undergone a lot of changes since his college days. He provides this detailed Firsthand Report from a mid-January trip.
(1 reader comment)

Firsthand Report: Retirement Celebration in Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland (April 17, 2012)
In celebration of his retirement, DCSki Columnist Lou Botta recently took a ski trip to Switzerland. He provides a detailed account of the magnificent trip in this Firsthand Report.
(10 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Snö Mountain (February 14, 2009)
DCSki Columnist Lou Botta recently went on a group trip to Pennsylvania’s Snö Mountain (formerly Montage Mountain Resort). Lou provides this detailed Firsthand Report, describing the expert terrain that is among the best in the East and the unusually excellent ski cafeteria food.
(4 reader comments)

View more articles by Lou

James Chen

James “Jim” Chen is a member of the National Ski Patrol and a volunteer patroller at Liberty Mountain ski area in Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania. Jim has been a member of the Liberty Patrol since the 1995-1996 season. Off the slopes, Jim is the Director and Associate General Counsel for the Washington, D.C. office of Tesla Motors, Inc., a California-based company that specializes in the manufacture and sale of high performance, all electric cars. During the off-season, Jim usually can be found on the Potomac River trying his luck with the local fish population.

Jim has written 23 stories for DCSki since 1999.

Recent articles by Jim:

Firsthand Report: Surprise Weekend Getaway at Northstar-at-Tahoe (January 30, 2011)
An unexpected trip to the west coast gave DCSki Columnist Jim Chen a chance to ski someplace he had never skied before: Northstar-at-Tahoe. Jim provides this Firsthand Report.
(5 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Wonderful Weekend at Liberty (December 21, 2009)
As a patroller at Liberty Mountain Resort, DCSki Columnist Jim Chen had to work over the weekend. But don’t feel too sorry for him; Liberty received 20 inches of fresh powder in the recent storm, and Jim was one of the first to make runs down powder slopes. Jim provides this Firsthand Report from a weekend that can only be described as “epic.”
(8 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Spring Skiing in February at Liberty, February 8, 2009 (February 14, 2009)
With temperatures approaching 70 last week, DCSki Columnist Jim Chen headed to the mountains for a day mid-winter “spring skiing”at Liberty Mountain Resort on Sunday, February 8. Jim provides this Firsthand Report.
(2 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Powder on Super Tuesday Weekend at WIsp (January 24, 2009)
DCSki Columnist Jim Chen spent the Inaugural Weekend on the slopes of Maryland’s Wisp Resort, with a crew consisting of a snowboarder, a telemark skier, two alpiners and a seven year old sold determined to make it down the mountain with turning. Jim provides this Firsthand Report.

Liberty Mountain Patrol Gears Up for Ski Season (November 18, 2008)
With the ski season rapidly approaching, DCSki Columnist (and volunteer ski patroller) Jim Chen provides a look at the preparations Liberty Mountain ski patrollers go through before the lifts start running. This past weekend, Liberty patrollers met for their annual “On-The-Hill” refresher, the first of many training sessions designed to ready patrollers for any emergency that might arise on the slopes. Jim also reports that Liberty was recently awarded with a prestigious award for their “National Safety Week Program.”
(1 reader comment)

View more articles by Jim

Matthew Graham

Matthew Graham is a skier as well as a hang glider and paraglider pilot, SCUBA diver, cavern diver, equestrian, polo player, sailor, hiker, biker, rock climber, paddler, and skater. He’s also yoga teacher and certified personal trainer and has dabbled in just about every other sport, even stunt car driving and bull riding! He has written for the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, USA Weekend Magazine, Hooked on the Outdoors, Richmond Magazine, Chesapeake Life Magazine, Metro Sports, American Fitness, Blue Ridge Outdoors, Recreation News and numerous other outdoor and travel publications. His wife, Karen Carra, is a freelance photographer, dancer, aerialist, skier and extreme sports athlete.

Matthew has written 26 stories for DCSki since 2002.

Recent articles by Matthew:

Firsthand Report: Keystone, the Key to Skiing Fun (February 10)
DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham spent time skiing at what he calls one of the country’s most beautiful resorts: Keystone Resort in Colorado. He provides this Firsthand Report.
(1 reader comment)

Firsthand Report: Snowshoe in the Rain (January 22)
Can skiing in the pelting rain at Snowshoe be fun? If you’re DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham, it sure can be. He describes his recent rainy adventure in this Firsthand Report.
(1 reader comment)

Firsthand Report and Top Five Tips: Snowshoe Mountain Resort (February 5, 2012)
DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham recently visited West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort, finding some of the snow that may have been missing this mild winter. Matthew provides five key tips for maximizing your time on the slopes at Snowshoe.
(3 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: A Bumpy Day at Elk (January 22, 2011)
DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham made a trip up to Elk Mountain over Martin Luther King Weekend, where he decided to battle moguls. Find out who won in this Firsthand Report.
(2 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Massanutten Weekend (February 28, 2010)
DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham found ample opportunities for fun during a weekend visit to Massanutten February 20-21, 2010. He found fun on the Virginia resort’s popular snow tubing hills, in the indoor water park, on the ski slopes, and listening to live entertainment at night. OK, there might have been one face plant that resulted in a trip to the first aid office, and that probably wasn’t fun. But the rest of the weekend was “plain stupid fun.”
(2 reader comments)

View more articles by Matthew

Jim Kenney

Husband, father and civilian employee of the Department of Navy, Jim Kenney is a D.C. area native and has been skiing recreationally since 1967. Jim’s ski reporting garnered the 2009 West Virginia Division of Tourism’s Stars of the Industry Award for Best Web/Internet/E-Magazine Article.

Jim has written 103 stories for DCSki since 2000.

Recent articles by Jim:

Firsthand Report: Snowy Luau at Timberline Resort (March 25)
Jim Kenney thought he was done writing trip reports for the 2012-2013 season, but after one last trip to Timberline Resort in West Virginia, he had to share. He describes the Snowy Luau festival and prime late season conditions at Timberline.
(1 reader comment)

Firsthand Report: Sierra at Tahoe - Our Huckleberry Bowl Buddies (February 17)
Sometimes lunch is worth skipping. Especially when a foot of fresh snow falls the night before. That’s the verdict Jim Kenney made on a recent ski trip to Sierra at Tahoe.

Firsthand Report: Kirkwood, California - Off the Beaten Track (February 17)
The Kirkwood ski area is a bit off the beaten track, located 45 minutes south of Lake Tahoe, but on a recent trip, Jim Kenney discovered it’s worth a visit. He provides this Firsthand Report.

Firsthand Report: Wintergreen Wahoo (February 14)
Jim Kenney has been skiing at Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort for the past 25 years. That tradition continued with a visit this past weekend, where Jim found Wintergreen’s 25 trails dressed in wonderful snow. Jim provides this Firsthand Report.

Firsthand Report: Sugar Bowl, CA - Tasty Terrain Steeped in History (February 8)
DCSki Columnist Jim Kenney reports on his first-ever visit to Sugar Bowl, California, a Lake Tahoe ski area rich in history.

View more articles by Jim

Connie Lawn

Connie Lawn calls herself “The Skiing White House Reporter.” She has been covering the White House as a correspondent since 1968, and heads her own news bureau. But, as the years roll by, the passion for skiing and the mountains has become more intense. Connie now does her snow reports for DCSki. She also circulates her feature reports on radio, and is looking into television and a book about humorous ski experiences. Some of Connie’s funny ones (in Czechoslovakia in 1968) can be read in her book, You Wake Me Each Morning (iuniverse.com). Connie skis the local areas and, when possible the West, New England, New Zealand, and Europe. The industry keeps growing and Connie believe this is a good time for as many people to be involved as possible. In 2012, Connie was named An Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit by the New Zealand Government and Queen Elizabeth. One of the reasons cited was for her writing about skiing in New Zealand! In this photo, she is seen with New Zealand Ambassador Mike Moore.

Connie has written 162 stories for DCSki since 2003.

Recent articles by Connie:

Firsthand Report: Liberty Mountain Resort (March 25)
Connie Lawn provides a late-season Firsthand Report from Liberty Mountain Resort, which recently held a “bring your pets to the slope” event. Liberty plans to stay open through March 30, 2013, conditions permitting.

Firsthand Report: Warfighter Weekend at Liberty Mountain Resort and Gettysburg, PA (March 6)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman participated in the Warfighter Weekend at Liberty Mountain Resort on March 3, 2013. The annual event hosts injured military veterans and their families for a weekend on the slopes.

Firsthand Report: Whitetail Resort (February 20)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman visited Pennsylvania’s Whitetail Resort over the Presidents Day holiday weekend, discovering prime conditions. They provide this Firsthand Report, describing Whitetail’s Adaptive program and sharing plans for future enhancements by Whitetail General Manager Don MacAskill.

Firsthand Report: Ninth Annual Warriors Conference at Wintergreen (January 27)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman spent the past weekend at Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort, attending activities for Wounded Warriors. They filed this Firsthand Report.
(5 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Snowshoe Mountain Resort (January 13)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman spent the weekend at West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort. They filed this Firsthand Report.
(7 reader comments)

View more articles by Connie

J.R. Patten

J.R. Patten is an outdoor nut and would probably still live in the middle of the woods if the animals hadn’t kicked him out for being uncivilized. He does anything and everything that gets him outside, and a lot more other stuff than he has time for. Among other seemingly unrelated things, he enjoys playing banjo, running ultramarathons, doing freelance web development, backpacking, camping, kayaking, reading, writing, and spending what little money he has traveling places. He also manages to get to class at Georgia Tech from time to time, where he is majoring in Computer Science.

If he’s not at the computer or in class, you can find him in the mountains of north Georgia, the Smokies, or his new favorite place east of the Mississippi: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. However, more and more frequently you’ll find him in the mountains west of the Mississippi. If and when he ever gets out of school, he plans on moving out west, starting a company, and doing fun stuff all day long.

J.R. has written 3 stories for DCSki since 2008.

Recent articles by J.R.:

Vail: Getting There is Half the Fun (or: It’s the Misadventures) (January 6, 2009)
Vail has been the subject of many DCSki Firsthand Reports: The Colorado ski area offers a setting and conditions that are unparalleled. But sometimes, the adventure — or misadventure — starts before you arrive at the slopes. DCSki Columnist J.R. Patten provides an engaging story in this unconventional Firsthand Report.
(7 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: The Canyons (December 26, 2008)
Timing can be everything: A lack of early December snow meant that The Canyons had little of the “Greatest Snow on Earth” to offer DCSki Columnist J.R. Patten on a recent visit. But this didn’t stop J.R. from checking out the Utah resort and filing this Firsthand Report.
(7 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: The Canyons, Utah (August 6, 2008)
DCSki’s newest Columnist, J.R. Patten, just returned from a trip to The Canyons Resort. While most visit the Utah resort in the winter to take advantage of its deep powder and 3,700 acres of skiable terrain, J.R. discovered there’s more than one reason to visit during the “off season.”
(10 reader comments)

View more articles by J.R.

John Sherwood

John Sherwood hails from Bedford, Massachusetts - the snow belt of Boston’s western suburbs. He first experienced the joys of skiing on the 240-foot vertical slopes of Nashoba Valley in Littleton, Massachusetts. As a teenager, he enjoyed skiing at Gunstock, Waterville Valley, and Stowe. A season pass holder at Timberline for the past 8 years, John now considers himself a connoisseur of West Virginia powder. John also enjoys skiing in Europe, where he has skied or visited over twenty resorts, mainly in Austria. More recently, he has taken a keen interest in Utah’s Wasatch mountains.

In addition to DCSki, John has published winter sports related articles in the The Slovak Spectator, Financial Times, Ski Racing Magazine, and the SkiEurope Report, and has written five books on military history. His most recent, War in the Shallows: Navy Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam, will be published by the Government Printing Office in 2013.

John has written 86 stories for DCSki since 2001.

Recent articles by John:

Shots of the Day: Austrian Visit (October 7, 2012)
DCSki Columnist John Sherwood recently stopped by Zell am See Kaprun during a visit to Austria. Kaprun offers high elevation skiing up to 9,843 feet. John provides a few photos from his trip.
(1 reader comment)

Book Review: Ski Training - How to Ski All Day, Volume 2, The Truth About Skiing (April 24, 2012)
DCSki Columnist John Sherwood reviews a book that describes how to properly condition in preparation for the ski season.
(1 reader comment)

Going Further Afield: Snowbasin (March 23, 2012)
DCSki Columnist John Sherwood decided to forgo a ski trip to Europe, saving money by heading west to Utah’s Snowbasin Resort instead. He has no regrets. John provides this detailed Firsthand Report from his trip to Snowbasin March 12-16, 2012.
(3 reader comments)

Getting Fit for the Slopes: The Benefit of Strength Training for the Skier (February 13, 2010)
We often perceive skiing more as a pastime than a sport, especially in this region where the slopes are short and almost always groomed to perfection. Skiing, though, involves many muscle groups, some of which never get properly exercised under normal circumstances. DCSki Columnist John Sherwood describes the benefits of strength training for on- and off-slope activities, using his own experiences as a guide.
(3 reader comments)

Springtime Snapshots: The Canaan Valley Region in Late Spring (June 25, 2008)
DCSki Columnist John Sherwood recently made a trip to the Canaan Valley region of West Virginia, where he visited Dolly Sods, Roaring Plains (South Prong Trail), and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. He provides some photos from his visit.
(2 reader comments)

View more articles by John

M. Scott Smith

Scott is Editor and founder of DCSki. He writes the articles, takes the photographs, designs the pages, programs the site, pays the bills, and occasionally catches a wink of sleep. In addition to DCSki, Scott works full time as a researcher and computer scientist.

Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, travel, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer, and also plays keyboards and drums. Scott grew up in Colorado and currently resides in Maryland. (That’s right - he went from Colorado to Maryland - what was he thinking?!) Scott maintains a personal weblog at www.mscottsmith.org.

Scott is a member of the Eastern Ski Writers Association and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Scott has written 748 stories for DCSki since 1997.

Recent articles by Scott:

Mid-Atlantic Ski Season Pushes into April (March 28)
Yes, you can still ski or board in the Mid-Atlantic. Several resorts have announced that they plan to remain open into early April.

“Hope on the Slopes” Event Comes to Canaan Valley Resort March 1-2, 2013 (February 20)
The 2nd annual “Hope on the Slopes” event is returning to West Virginia’s Canaan Valley Resort March 1-2, 2013, to help raise funds on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

Desert Images of Snow (February 17)
On a recent winter road trip through the southwest desert, DCSki’s Editor captured photographs of the magical ingredient that makes skiing possible: snow. He provides this collection of shots from national parks such as Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches.

Firsthand Report: Vail and the Vail Village at Night (February 8)
DCSki’s Editor just wrapped up a day of skiing at Vail, and a night exploring Vail Village. He provides a Firsthand Report and pictorial, showing a snowy Vail Village at night.
(2 reader comments)

Cold Front Brings Back Winter (January 20)
It seems like a January thaw has become par for the course for the mid-Atlantic. Thankfully, a cold front has pushed away warm weather, and snowguns are now roaring back to life. Temperatures over the next 5-10 days will remain below freezing with overnight lows dipping into the teens, providing a chance for significant snowmaking opportunities.

View more articles by Scott

DCSki is sponsored in part by the following companies:


Canaan Valley Resort: Canaan Valley Resort, located outside Davis, West Virginia features 39 slopes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced West Virginia skiing. With a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet, the experience is as challenging as you want it to be. Night skiing is also offered during holiday and prime ski weekends. The resort features a 150 room lodge and 23 cabins/cottages for your convenience. Additional winter sports include XC skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, airboarding and ice skating. An indoor swimming pool, fitness center, whirlpool and saunas are also available after a day on the slopes.

Liberty Mountain Resort: Located about an hour from both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas, Liberty Mountain Resort is the perfect place for a mountain getaway! Whether you are searching for adventure or relaxation, our mountainside amenities are sure to treat you. Our mountain boasts over 100 acres of skiable terrain, including 16 trails, 3 terrain parks, and a large tubing hill. Our Ski and Snowboard Schools offer a wide variety of lessons for both beginners and advanced. Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing features 15 tubing lanes, party rooms, and food and beverage, creating a fun atmosphere for everyone. Take a "snowcation" by lodging in the slopeside Liberty Hotel and dining in one of many eateries, including the popular McKee's Tavern.

Seven Springs Resort: Seven Springs Mountain Resort is the perfect place to escape with your family this winter and reconnect! At Seven Springs, you'll find a mountain of fun - skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoe tours, a luxurious spa, sporting clays, delicious dining, nightlife and more. Enjoy a mountain of fun on 285 acres of slopes and trails including beginner trails, black diamond slopes, mogul runs and five terrain parks. Come up to Seven Springs this winter and make a new memory. What are you waiting for? You really should be here!

Whitetail Resort: Head to Whitetail for some of the best skiing and riding in the mid Atlantic Region! Enjoy nearly 1,000 feet of vertical and the Region's only High Speed Quad Chairlift. Spend less time on the road and more time carving down some expert terrain like Bold Decision or intermediate favorites Limelight and Snow Dancer! Don't worry, there is plenty of fun to be had for all ability levels, and for freestylers be sure to check out Jib Junction Terrain Park (not for the faint of heart)! We even have Park Place 101 for the beginner freestyler! Don't forget about Whitetail Adventure Tubing, fun for all ages!

Wintergreen Resort: Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains three hours from Washington, D.C. With accommodations ranging in size from studio condominiums to 9-bedroom homes, your winter escape has all the comforts of home. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding on 26 slopes and snowtubing in Virginia's largest park; Ridgely's Fun Park for young children; ice skating, a zipline; indoor tennis; a spa with indoor pool and hot tubs; and a variety of enticing dining options. Overnight packages offer great value and savings, call 800-266-2444 or book online - www.wintergreenresort.com. For more information, call (434) 325-2200.

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