Login
The last week in February, forty intrepid members of the Gang sojourned north for our annual outing at the Grand Summit Hotel at Sunday River Ski Resort. Many folks were able to arrive just ahead of the nor’easter that blanketed much of New England, while some had to dig out from nearly 30 inches of snow before joining us. What a hardy and determined group!
At our opening gathering we welcomed several new gang members who were on their first TOHG adventure. Each day after our adventures, we gathered at happy hour for camaraderie and good cheer around a beautiful fireplace.
We were treated to some great weather including a couple of bluebird days. The seven peaks of Sunday River provided opportunities for skiers of all levels whether experts or more casual recreational skiers. It was great to see how the new folks blended in and easily found skiing partners. Other gang members took part in snowshoeing, x-country skiing, and hiking at local venues.
A great feature of our hotel is the convenient ski-in/ski-out access it offers. Most folks didn’t set foot in a car or shuttle bus for the length of their stay. In the past few years Sunday River has upgraded several of their lifts and skiers can now enjoy high speed bubble chair lifts (with heated seats) to help take the sting out of the colder, windier days. Combining that with the nearly complete absence of lift lines and good snow conditions made for some glorious days on the slopes.
The igloo at the Jordan lift also offered an interesting diversion. Among the trip highlights were two wonderful banquets on-site coordinated by our Assistant Trip Leader, Marge Cohen. It was a great week, with longtime friendships rekindled and new ones forged.
Tom J
Dan sizes up the conditions on the Curling court before he sends his "plastic" stone down the lane . . . Yes, Folks, there isIndoor Curling.
Alan & Camilla hosted a lively day of indoor games for 16 enthusiastic members. Competition, laughter and spirited conversation carried on during Sequence, Left-Right-Center, Cribbage, Five Crowns and who will ever forget Indoor Curling! Conversation prevailed over a myriad of refreshments during breaks and the day concluded with more than one reference to "doing this again." Bev C
The TOHG Flags were a-flappin’ as 16 hardy souls braved the cold and often windy weather. It was a winter week like we used to have many years ago, including some beautiful blue-bird skies.
The week started with the Super Bowl and continued with the Winter Olympics. We almost reached “sensory overload!” Some skiers went to the “top of the hill.” Others went to the top of the Super Quad, about eighty- percent of the way. Slope conditions included hard-packed, groomed, and powder. Skiers included those with healthy joints, artificial joints, painful joints, and rubber joints. Gang members skied down green, blue, and black slopes.
It was a wonderful week, and even with all those variables, we were still able to be, as Marge Cohen stated, “Dancing with the Mountain.”
Pete C
Shortly after noon on February 9th, TOHG descended on the Lawrencian Ski Club in Bartlett, New Hampshire for a fourth visit despite the predicted freezing temps! Most were returning friends with a few newcomers mixed in. By the time we sat down to a potluck dinner that evening, we were all one big group!
Luckily the arctic temps warmed up enough Tuesday to allow everyone a chance to enjoy Cross Country skiing at nearby Great Glen, Snow shoeing at Thorne Pond Conservation Area and Bear Notch Cross Country. While some even snowmobiled! All returned for Happy Hour and a typical LSC dinner.
Wednesday arrived too quickly with everyone heading out for a repeat of Tuesday activities, after goodbyes and “See you next year”!
Linda McH
It was a bright, sunny day at Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire for those few TOHG members that enjoyed a last minute downhill ski day on the mountain with trip leader Dick R.
The West mystery group had its annual planning meeting on January 31 at the Tavern in the Square in Littleton, Massachusetts. Twelve of us braved the cold winter day to gather for a delicious lunch, storytelling, and catching up with each other.
Carol B
Fifty seven members signed up for this trip which included everything from breakfast, dinner, and Après ski to gift certificates for use at several locations in and around Waterville Valley. On the first day, the area experienced the biggest snowstorm in years.
Many people arrived early (as in hours prior to check in) to beat the worst part of the storm, some showed up a day or two later, and a few didn’t make it at all, but those who were there had a wonderful time.
Excellent snow conditions, well-groomed slopes and trails, and cold temperatures made for great skiing.
The main activities that members engaged in were snowshoeing, hiking, and x-country and downhill skiing, and a couple tried snowmobiling, and most mornings, Kim T led a chair yoga class, with as many as 25 enthusiastic members in attendance!
Après ski was enjoyed by all before dinner each evening. In addition to the usual games of Balderdash after dinner, there were new card games as well as tile games. A rowdy but fun indoor golf putting contest was organized one evening by Paul McH and Marco A, with Ines A and Jodi R tying for first place. Another night, a large crowd participated in an indoor game of Cornhole.
New members showed up on this trip, and others joined us who were new to the Waterville trip. All reported having a great time with intentions to return next year.
Bob G and Helgard K
One thing is for sure, you can pretty much count on frigid weather at Prospect Mountain in mid-January! We didn’t mind as long as there was snow. We had all been checking forecasts hoping things would improve, and they did. Several inches fell just before we arrived. Conditions were amazing. Several of us opted for lessons which proved invaluable. We were able to do some climbing and experience some thrilling descents. Others opted to snowshoe and explore the wooded landscape.
Meals were the highlight of the trip! Great soups at the lodge, breakfast at the Blue Benn, and dinners at tap houses in downtown Bennington all received top marks. Unfortunately the accommodations at Best Western left much to be desired (don’t ask). I hear there are lovely B&Bs in the area if we choose to return next year.
Kimm S
Twenty-nine members of the Top of the Hill Gang gathered at The Black Bear Lodge for four days of skiing. Our time together started the first evening with a welcome dinner served in the living room which was also available every evening for après ski. A hot breakfast was served each morning at the Table 43.1 restaurant in our lodge.
We appreciated the convenient, dedicated shuttle service provided by the lodge which transported us to and from the lifts. The wide variety of terrainat Stratton Mountain, from beginner to expert, ensured enjoyable skiing for all. Some members chose x-country skiing or snowshoeing for their daily activity. No matter what we did during the day, there were plenty of lively conversations in the evening with new and longtime friends.
Robert R
Despite the hometown team losing a close one 1-0, eight members of the 128 North Mystery Group had fun rooting them on! Believe it or not, some TOHG members had never heard of women’s college hockey. The group met up at the iconic Red’s Sandwich Shop in Salem, MA before heading over to the O’Keefe Center at Salem State University for the face-off between the home team, Vikings and UMass Boston, Beacons. Our group wishes to thank Beverly C for her past service as our coordinator and to welcome Lisa S as she takes over the helm. Many more mysteries await.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 TOP OF THE HILL GANG All Rights Reserved
