Club News

PRESIDENT'S LETTER, March 2012

Well, March is here and that means Spring Skiing, Spring Fling, J4 States, a Wine and Cheese party, Racers Banquet and more Spring Skiing. It's going to be a busy time for the Club and it's members.

Coming up first is the J4 States being hosted by the Pico Ski Club and Racing Program. Starting March 16th to the 18th the Ski Club will play host to the J4 racers from all over the State, their Parents and Coaches. The Race Committee is working hard to make this a memorable event. If you have time to help talk to Tim or Meg, I'm sure they will find something for you to do.

Then it's on to the Spring Fling, Saturday March 24th. Our annual end of the year party and Club Race. This years theme will be Hobo's and Hillbillies. So if you're a Hillbilly, get your straw hats out, a bottle of moonshine and head to the outhouse located at the High School start and get ready to race. Or maybe your a Hobo with a sense of adventure. You can rent a pair of skis for .50 cents and hitch a ride on the Ski Club Express. Michele Opsahl is chairing the Spring Fling. Interested in helping Michele give her a call.

We will throw a Wine and Cheese in there somewhere just to keep things humming.

Next will be the Racers Banquet. This is where Racing congratulates all the racers and awards those who did their best. Best day of the season for the Racers, Parents and Coaches.

After all that we have a General Meeting on April 7th. Before the meeting there will be a quick clean up in and around the Club House, then a BBQ, followed by the General Meeting. We will elect Officers and Directors for the 2012-2013 season. Come join us.

I would like to thank all of you who worked and helped around the Club House to make it a safe and fun place to meet.

Thank You,

Barry Cupoli
President, Pico Ski Club

PSC Members save 20-percent at Aspen East, Surf The Earth

Stop by Aspen East or Surf the Earth and pick up your Rewards Plus Customer Card. This card entitles you to 20% off on in-store purchases of qualifying non-sale items. All you need to do to sign up for the card is provide your email address to receive our weekly winter newsletter, “SnowNews”, with mountain updates, special offers, sales and events. This card is for your personal use only and that of your immediate family, and is non-transferable. Your discount will automatically be taken at the register whenever you shop with us. It cannot be used at our online ski and snowboard stores. We reserve the right to discontinue this program at any time.

This season, we are also offering exclusively to Pico Ski Club members, a PSC Tune Ticket Book of 5 tune-ups for only $99.00 (a $175.00 value), good for you or a family member. You must present a ticket each time you bring your equipment in for tuning.

We look forward to being of service to you and your family.

If you have any questions, please contact us: 802-422-3739 or cathyq@aspeneast.com. Thanks!

Coach Greg McClallen Inducted into Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame

Retired Pico Ski Club Race Director and Coach E. Greg McClallen was inducted into the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at well attended ceremony at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel.

Coach McClallen was in good company as his fellow inductees for the evening included Killington founder Preston Leete Smith, professional mogul skier Karen Huntoon Miller, and legendary biathlon skier and cross country coach John Morton. The audience included several Vermont ski legends, Hall of Fame dignitaries, and ski resort executives from all around Vermont and New England.

Coach McClallen’s induction speaker was his brother Rob McClallen. Rob’s comments highlighted that Greg was an extremely successful coach over the years, but more importantly, he was a beloved one. On any given day, under any circumstance, Coach McClallen could find a platform for a learning experience to be taken even from a seemingly unsuccessful day. Rob described Greg’s uncanny ability to always find something positive to focus on for his athletes to learn from and move forward.

Coach McClallen’s own comments included broad and heartfelt thanks to the Vermont Ski Areas Association for the “wonderful playground” that they have provided and continue to provide for Vermont’s kids. He also revealed his philosophy of teaching students which paralleled in many ways his coaching philosophy. “After all”, he said, “good teaching is basically the same as good coaching.”

Coach McClallen’s successes with the Rutland High School Ski Team and with the Pico Ski Club are legendary. He coached athletes and taught for over 40 years in the Rutland/Pico community. He led Rutland High to seven State Championship ski titles, and to a New England Ski Championship in 1976. In 1997, he was named the National Coach of the Year for skiing by the National Federation of Scholastic Coaches. Hundreds of his athletes have gone on to successful NCAA and other elite competition, and he has mentored dozens of young coaches as they developed their own coaching talents.

Coach McClallen retired from Rutland High in 2003 and from the Pico Ski Club in 2007. He still can be found on the hill throughout Vermont ski country as race Technical Delegate at many Eastern USSA and Vermont High School events, and he still serves as a director on the Pico Ski Education Foundation Board of Directors.
The Pico Ski Education Foundation plans to honor Coach McClallen at its Annual Dinner and Silent Auction event on February 18, 2012.