Dalton group takes ski trip to Peek’n Peak
Over the three-day Presidents Day weekend, skiers and snowboarders from Dalton made their way up and down the snowy slopes at Peek’n Peak Resort in New York.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Lisa Gwin leading a ski trip to Peek’n Peak in Clymer, New York. Over the three-day Presidents Day weekend, 84 skiers and snowboarders from Dalton made their way up and down the snowy slopes. An additional 10-15 friends and family members came along just to relax in the rooms or enjoy snow tubing.
PNP is about a three-hour drive from Dalton and sits just over the Pennsylvania state line. Gwin books a block of rooms at a hotel in Pennsylvania with a small water park located about 20 minutes from the ski resort. This arrangement allows the Dalton group to meet up for breakfast at the hotel before heading out to the slopes.
At PNP Gwin reserves a club room for the Dalton group to take breaks and eat together. The room includes bathroom facilities and provides overnight storage for ski equipment. Plus, the ski lifts are just steps away.
“I love the club room option, which allows our group to be together for meals provided by trip participants. This trip is a fun getaway for families to experience a larger resort than what Ohio offers. They play games in the club room, eat plenty, grab snacks at the Sugar Shack and later enjoy the water park at the hotel,” Gwin said.
Gwin credits the success of the trip to the many people who help plan and organize the details each year. While traditions have been established over time, she and others are always open to suggestions on how to improve the experience.
“I particularly enjoy watching families embrace this winter adventure together and seeing them support one another. Several adults have taken on the challenge of learning to ski alongside their children, and it’s awesome to see their excitement in becoming a snow sports family,” she said.
Christie and Fred Martin, parents of Dalton students Zak, Zane and Grace, have participated in Ski Club for years. Last year they joined the PNP trip as spectators, but this time around, they decided to take ski lessons. Their friendly rivalry quickly became a topic of conversation in the club room, as family members and friends debated who would be the better skier by the end of the weekend. By lunch Christie was in the lead. But by late afternoon, the Martins trudged back into the club room in their ski gear, and Fred was declared the winner.
The Martin family left the trip with plenty of stories and lots of laughter about their skiing adventures. They are already planning ahead for next year’s PNP trip.
“PNP is a great next step for our beginner skiers while also offering more challenging slopes for experienced skiers and snowboarders. By the time we go on this trip, Ski Club members have typically had six or seven outings at Snow Trails, so they are ready for the additional challenge,” Gwin said.
Gwin said anyone in the community is welcome to participate in the Presidents Day weekend trip. “Ski Club doesn’t have to end with graduation,” she said.
Christie Martin echoed that sentiment: “This trip has become a tradition in our house. We count down the days to Peek’n Peak every year because of the fun, laughter and memories we share with all our ski friends. It’s the best.”