Sunday, April 14, 2013

Freeing The Heel At HoliMont


Nordic Gods smiled on HoliMont’s Annual Free Heel Fling, an “International” Telemark event, which took place on March 8th.  More than 60 free heeling skiers from Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York enjoyed the sunny slopes, clinics, camaraderie and a fun tele race. The telemark committee wants to thank all who participated in the event, donated their time and contributed to the raffle and wonderful pot luck lunch. Here is a re-cap of the day.
Gear Up and the City Garage were on hand to supply rental and demo equipment to experienced skiers and new comers. Eight people freed their heels for the first time, including the youngest participate, an eleven year old girl from Ohio. HoliMont’s certified Nordic instructor led clinics throughout the day for all ability levels. Our guest instructor was Jay Nation from Seven Springs, PA. He is a level 3 instructor and a PSIA Nordic Development Team member.
Race coordinator Rick Barry, put a new twist on the classic tele race. The Tele Raid, took skiers to caches all over the mountain, then to a race course with gates, trees and an uphill finish.  Prizes were awarded for the fastest male (Jeff Maceachern) and female (Sean Miller). Metal Telemark skier trophies designed by Clark Duffin of HoliMont Snowsports were awarded to the winners of the race and also to the youngest and the most enthusiastic tele skiers.  Next year’s festival will be on Friday March 7th, 2014. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss it.  ”Free Heel Fling” is fast becoming the largest telemark event in Western New York.
Local businesses who donated gift certificates and prizes for the après raffle include Alexandra’s, A New Beginning Massage and Spa, Bike and Bean, The Birdwalk, Cadillac Jacks, Coffee Culture, Dekdebrun’s Ski Shop, The Depot, Earth Arts, E-Ville Spirits, Hampshire Mills of Salamanca, Just Riding Along Bike Shop in Bradford, PA, Katy’s, Kazoo II, Nature’s Remedy, Oasis Day Spa, The Red Door Ski Shop, Subway, Tangled Twigs, Tim and Bonnie’s Pizza, Tops, Watson’s Chocolate, Village Wine Rack, Wingate by Wyndham, Winery of Ellicottville, and Zippo. Other sponsors include Al Mahar, Mike Hughes, Gear Up, and HoliMont, Inc.

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