Bode Miller - Up Close with Ski Butlers at the Olympics

By Bryn Carey, President of Ski Butlers

 

On Friday night after Bode Miller won the Silver Medal in the Olympic Super G, he told me that he is going out and skiing like he did when he was younger and just pushing the limits and going for it. He also sounded inspired, confident and enjoying these games. These were very good words to come out of Bode Miller’s mouth; a sign of confidence that would later lead to a Gold Medal in the Men’s Super Combined.

Bode Miller and I go back to high school when we raced together in Maine. Bode was always older but none the less a role model. As Bode’s career progressed, my brother Forest Carey became his coach on the US Ski Team. He was then his personal coach for two years on Team America when Bode skied independent from the US Ski Team.

To see Bode win Gold, Silver and Bronze on the biggest ski racing stage in the world, in an Olympics where the media did not see him as a favorite (ask his coaches, they knew he could do this) was something that is special for everyone involved with Ski Butlers, the US Ski Team and of course Bode Miller.

After Bode won gold, he walked out of the finish area and came up to his dad (who I was standing next to and the picture to the left) and gave him a big hug and said “Dad, that was awesome, truly awesome!” He gave the rest of his family hugs and was basically speechless but he had a grin from ear to ear and a look on his face that showed a sense of relief.

In interviews later that day, Bode said, "The way I executed, the way I skied, is something I'll be proud of for the rest of my life. It feels amazing."

Congrats, Bode! From everyone at Ski Butlers!

Go to Facebook.com/SkiButlers to see more photos of Bode and the rest of the Olympic Games.

Go to Twitter.com/SkiButlers to see inside info and tweets from the Olympic events.


Airlines Increase Baggage Fees Again

Park City, Utah…Delta, Continental and United have increased their baggage fees again, now charging $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second. It costs $120 round trip for two bags.  What options does this leave the skier or snowboarder?

 

Rent Gear: Many travelers are leaving their gear at home and renting with services like Ski Butlers. Depending on the ski/board package that you choose this may be the cheapest and easiest way to avoid more baggage charges. In addition you can rent the same skis you may own or skis that are better suited for the conditions and it saves the hassle of schlepping them. 

 

Know your airline: Many airlines offer slight discounts if you check your bags online or travel on Southwest which does not charge for the first two bags.

 

Get Fee Waived: Baggage fees are generally waived for travelers who are either frequent fliers or have reached elite status.

 

Ship Luggage: No hassles at the airport. No delayed or lost luggage. Downside: Packing, organizing, shipping and you still need to pay.


Bryn, Park City, UT


Volkl AC 30s @ the Heave!
Rocked some AC 30s at Heavenly yesterday that I scored from Ski Butlers in South Lake Tahoe, and they were awesome!!! I kept doing the long laps from the top of Sky Express to the bottom of Stagecoach in record times! Ski Butlers rocks!!! Best ski rental delivery ever!

Bowling in the Forecast
Each year the great folks of Sierra-At-Tahoe invite local businesses to participate in their "Bowling Nite."  It is a great time of year and is always a pleasant welcome to the start of the ski season.  We are no "Lebowski's" over here, but we do enjoy pizza and bowling as much as the next guy, (not to mention some free spirits too).  It is always nice to mingle with all the ski folks from around town and get pumped on what a fantastic season we have ahead of us.  I personally went onto Sierra-At-Tahoe ski resort this week and was amazed with the conditions.  The morning pretty much consisted of fresh turns from top to bottom for the first hour of the day then followed by fast groomers for the rest, which was just about all you could ask for so early in the season.  I look forward to some serious coverage in the Lake Tahoe Basin so we can carve some nice turns down the Grand View lift line and get that out-of-breath feeling that can only come about from aggressive skiing.  Until then, my fat powder ski rentals will have to remain in the closet but not for long.  So for now, I'm looking forward to crushing the bowling lanes tonite, gorging on pizza, and reminiscing about deep powder lines from years past.  Keep thinking snow because it's working!      

Smelling the Roses

Does any one really know what this means and more importantly how often do we follow this golden saying?  We all tend to get so busy, even though we live in some of the most beautiful places on earth, we don't take the time often enough to really look around and enjoy.  For instance, I take Billie, my border collie, for a walk daily.  Walking through all kinds of beautiful forests, to lakes with amazing scenery.  Too often, the walk is part of my chores in a busy day, so I'm hurrying or talking on the phone or worse texting and don't really appreciate the beauty around me.
 
I decided to change this today.  There's an Olympic ticket sales booth right across the way from where I work in the Activity Centre.  I've watched people line up and always thought, I'll just be too busy during the Olympics with Ski Butlers to be able to watch any of the events.  Oh yeah, I gave my head a shake and bought 4 tickets this morning.  How many times in my life will I ever have the chance to watch an Olympic event live?!?
 
So I will be taking part, cheering for the amazing athletes and smelling the beautiful aroma of excitement in February 2010.
 

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