Yesterday I went snow boarding at Belleayre mountain in upstate NY.
On the way in I noticed an SUV in the parking lot had a "Taxed Enough Already" bumper sticker. (it's always the SUVs isn't it..)
That, unto itself, would not be all that noteworthy except that Belleayre is a STATE OWNED ski mountain.
Anyone who skis can tell you that the sport is not cheap. The average adult lift ticket costs around $70, for one day of skiing. The inefficient government bureaucrats at Belleayre have to charge adults $54 for the peak season/weakend days. Except no one pays that, since showing just about any card (AAA, any union, a ski club, AARP) get's you $10 off. But chances are you won't need that either since 1/2 the season is under special pricing where you'll pay $20 or $25 Dollars Those prices are not applicable on your birthday however. On that day you ski free, along with anyone over 70, whom ski fee everyday. Oh and if you want to get your little kid started, that'll be $11. The nerve! More proof that the government can't run anything.
So with $20 lift tickets and fresh layer of powder falling; I figured I had to go boarding yesterday.
A little History on Belleayre:
In 1947 bills were introduced allowing New York State to create Belleayre Mountain. Construction began in 1949 and Belleayre began its premier winter season with five trails, an electrically powered rope tow, New York’s first chairlift, a summit lodge, a temporary base lodge with a cafeteria and dirt floors and parking to accommodate 300 people. It would become the center for winter sports in the region and an economic catalyst for surrounding communities.
Belleayre now stands as a model in the ski industry. Its continued improvements allow it to be the Catskills’ only "Cat-Access" skiing and snowboarding with a widened and improved halfpipe and Area 51 Terrain Park. Skier and snowboarders visits have grown from 70,000 in 1995 to more than 175,000 skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. With 47 trails, parks and glades, 8 lifts, including our new High Speed Quad, Belleayre Mountain has certainly evolved from humble, yet promising beginnings into an efficient and growing organization - perfection in progress.
So on may way out I pass by this stupid Teabagger's car marveling at the fact that this guy has no problem with the government being in something as nonessential as skiing (some of us hard core riders skiers will take issue with that "essential" comment, but I digress) but has a problem with a government involvement in THE HEALTH OF ITS CITIZENS! When I got to my car and clipped off my lift ticket, I grabbed a barely functioning pen from the glove compartment and decided to leave said teabagger a message under his wiper blade:
(I'm not one of those people who collects lift tickets on their zipper.. sure sign of an amateur:-)
PS:
If your birthday is before they open for the season, ski free:
May - Your birthdate in Dec.
June - Your birthdate in Jan.
July - Your birthdate in Jan.
Aug.* - Your birthdate in Feb.
Sept.* - Your birthdate in Feb.
Oct. - Your birthdate in March
PEACE