Skier Profile: Harry Ostrander

Mr. Harold "Harry" Ostrander is an old friend of the Oettinger family, currently living with his wife Kristin in Charlestown, MA. Harry attended Ohio Wesleyan University for Economics and Geography, and just completed a Master's in Urban Planning at NYU in Manhattan. In addition to meeting new people and seeing new places, Harry enjoys politics, sailing, hiking, biking, Boston Whaler-ing, and the Red Sox.

Skier Profile: Marc Oettinger

Mr. Marc Oettinger is the salesman for this year's Ski Holiday. Marc is a Scorpio who enjoys fine dining, dancing, art history, sunsets, water polo, equestrian polo, Ralph Lauren’s polo, arroz con pollo, and delightful conversation. Marc has drawn upon the good and the bad in planning this ski adventure. He hopes this will be the best ski trip ever, and that no one will get injured.

Skier Profile: Mariann Johnston

Ms. Mariann Johnston is part of the New Mexico crew attending this year's Ski Holiday. Prior to her current station in Community Programs at LANL, Mariann ran the Small Business Assistance program at Sandia Labs. When Mariann is not dealing with small businesses and state/local government and Tribes, the Colorado native enjoys gardening, keeping her dryer cat-free, dodging loose dogs, and competing in sweetly-named races like the Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon and Bataan Death March.

Boarder Profile: Chris Downey

Mr. Christopher "Chris" Downey is Katy's younger brother, joining the Ski Holiday crew from Cambridge, MA for his first time. Chris rarely makes time in his life for boarding anymore, so this trip will make up for the neglect. He is a structural engineer who specializes in the design of parking garages, but is currently designing the new $300M signature building for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Chris has had many notable accomplishments in life but cannot remember any of them. In his spare time, Chris visits the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge most Thursday nights to see the Chickenslacks live.

Skier Profile: Tom Anderson

Mr. Thomas "Tom" Anderson also carries roots from the School of Mines family. Born and raised in Cincinnati, OhiO (high in the middle, round on both ends), Tom attended Denison University as a Geophysical "rock-jock-swimmer" and a cappella singer. Tom works as Program Manager of Environmental Science & Engineering at QinetiQ North America in Los Alamos. Tom is really good at mountain biking, see for yourself here . Sheila and Tom met at Mines, and they married this past year after like 23 years of dating.

Skier Profile: Sheila Van Cuyk

Dr. Sheila Van Cuyk [Anderson] falls under the growing School of Mines segment at Ski Holiday. Raised in the Old Dominion State of Virginny, Sheila attended William and Mary for biology, and School of Mines for PhD in water/wastewater treatment. Sheila is employed at LANL, and when she's not running complex simulations for work, she's physically running many miles many times a week. Kinda like Forrest Gump, just without the college football scholarship. Mrs. Van Cuyk-Anderson lives in Santa Fe with wicked old husband Tom, and Kyah their Malamute mix.

Boarder Profile: John Purdy

Mr. John Purdy is one of the few boarders, and is also new this year. Coming to us from his new home in Swampscott MA, John is the caring husband of Marc's sister Ariane. The couple met while residents of beautiful Breckenridge in colorful Colorado. John grew up in Huntsville AL and attended Auburn University. When he is not working crazy shifts with the Medical-Surgical Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, John enjoys mountain biking, hi-tech gadgetry, pulled-pork BBQ, and the Nintendo Wii.

Skier Profile: Kim Lamb

Ms. Kimberly "Kim" Lamb is also a Ski Holiday newbie, joining the group from Boston where she works as a Research Contracts Manager for Merck. A native of MA, she did a stint in the Midwest for grad school that extended into 13 yrs of living the good life. Missing family and the pace of the East coast, she moved back in 2005. Despite her self proclaimed status as the rustiest skier of the group, she's excited to hit the slopes and hopes it's like "riding a bike". Worst case scenario: if Kim poops out on the slopes early, she'll be the designated table snagger for the après-ski!

Skier Profile: Rich Woodring

Mr. Richard "Rich" Woodring is our first recruit from Albuquerque, NM. Marc knows Rich from his days at Ktech Corporation, where Rich worked with pulsed power modeling on radiographic integrated test stand accelerators, and other neat things we won't understand. Rich was sponsored by Trek and raced Cat 1 road cycling, which means he is really good, and can ride for many hours. Same goes for his alpine turning abilities; he's been spotted schussing at Wolf Creek here and here .

Skier Profile: Robyn Avery

Ms. Robyn "Beena" Avery is new this year to the Ski Holiday circuit. Robyn lives in Boston, where she works as a Research Recruiter for a large pediatric hospital. When she's not recruiting scientists and post-docs, she spends her free time globe trotting. Some of her favorite places to visit have been Chile, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. On the weekends she enjoys spinning, running and practicing yoga. Robyn hopes for lots of powdah and looks forward to the milk run in the freshies. You will also spot her at the après-ski with a glass of vino in hand.

Local Flavor

Link to some local perspective from an acquaintance of Denise Abdoo's here including food, drink, and skiing routes.

Boarder Profile: Katy Downey

Ms. Kathryn "Katy" Downey is yet another one from the St. Mike’s network. Katy is Massachusetts state trooper with absolutely no authority or jurisdiction in Jackson Hole. Katy has just completed her Masters Degree in Criminal Justice at UMass Lowell. When Katy is not fighting crime or receiving a degree, she is completing Habitiat for Humanity projects in Hawaii and performing Christmas shows in Disney World. Katy is one of the few snowboarders on this trip.

Skier Profile: Liza Ashburn

Ms. Liza Ashburn is a Cancer from North Carolina, works for the airlines and herself as a real estate entrepreneur. She has traveled all over the world for pleasure, not business. Liza loves crossword puzzles and sudoku. She lives in Park City, Utah, and attended college in Chapel Hill. Liza currently suffers from a leg injury that she will recover from just in time for this year's trip.

Boarder Profile: Denise Abdoo

Ms. Denise Abdoo will be joining us from Denver, Colorado, where she works as a pediatric nurse practitioner in Emergency Medicine and Trauma, part of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine and The Children's Hospital. Denise owns a Vizsla mix, which by the way was used in development of other breeds including the Weimaraner and German Shorthair Pointer (thanks Wikipedia). Denise is a flexitarian which means she only eats flexi, a breakfast cereal foodstuff which I think is made by Kashi.

Skier Profile: Terry Jennings

CANCELLED JACKSON HOLE TOO EXTREME! This is the second Ski Holiday for Mr. Terry "T-Bone" Jennings and his first time making tele turns at Jackson Hole. Terry immigrated to Nuevo Mexico from his Colorado homeland to work as an environmental consultant with QinetiQ North America in Los Alamos. When not jonesing for fresh pow, he can be found riding his bikes, eating green chile, or saving the planet from environmental catastrophe. His hair has been known to get really big after a good day on the slopes. Terry currently suffers from a clavicle injury that he will recover from just in time for this year's trip.

In a Manor of Speaking ..

Woo-hoo! We have the entire Morley Manor (map) in Teton Village to ourselves. Amenities / Specs include:

• 6,600 sq. ft. of living space
• Outside deck (runs the length of the house)
• Three fireplaces
• Outdoor hot tub
• Foosball
• Sauna
• Gas BBQ grill
• Two car garage
• Five bathrooms
• Internet
• Mid-stay maid service

Only downside is we're not right at the base, but a short 0.5 mile shuttle ride to the closest lift. However, I've been unofficially told there is a way to ski back to the house if we can figure it out ... undoubtedly something for Sheila Van Cuyk to discover!

I'll be determining up with final costs and ask that folks start sending me checks right away, since they charged my card 50% of total at time of booking.

Skier/Boarder profiles coming soon.

Exercise #2: Lunges

Lunge forwards onto one leg, flexing the knee through 45 degrees. Make sure your knee stays in line with the middle two toes of your foot. Push back upright and lunge forwards onto the other leg.