The social side of Whaleback

View from the Whaleback - While many join Whaleback for the fitness and fresh air, others sign up to buy a share in the social interaction that comes with the membership. Yesterday, I skipped into the chalet after a tour of the trails and when I walked by the counter and there was a plate of fresh, homemade tea biscuits, compete with raisins. Beside the plate was a sign saying, "Help yourself!" A gregarious member of Whaleback who was volunteering for chalet duty had very thoughtfully made a pan of biscuits to treat hungry skiers coming in off the trails.

The fresh offerings had a counter life of about ten minutes as one skier after another took advantage of the welcoming display of hospitality. The day before, the benevolence of the day was a plate of freshly baked partridgeberry muffins. Reaching out to fellow members with small acts of kindness is becoming a regular practice at Whaleback and the social interaction that accompanies the hospitality is the molasses that keeps the Whaleback batter together.

Since last year, the weekday chalet operations at Whaleback have been taken over by an enthusiastic group of 20 club members and the laughter and conversation that is infectiously promoted by these volunteers certainly adds a warm and cozy dimension to our club. We are also very fortunate to have three excellent employees who make a point of getting to know club members and they are always willing to provide assistance when necessary.

This year our membership has swelled to 330 members and while many members have known each other for years, there are others who have recently come into the club not knowing anyone, but by the end of their first season they have shared smiles and chats with almost almost all the members.

There is no doubt that enjoying the fresh air and motion of the trails is first and foremost in a skier's mind when they head out on the trails, but there is more to skiing than cruising the trails. I for one head out to the trails for the tea buns, the laughter, the conversation and the boilups. I can go for a ski by myself anytime, however the sincere enjoyment of being a member comes from the numerous small acts of kindness and comradeship that occur daily. Now who's turn is it to bring the bring the date squares next week? Maybe it's mine! Come join us! The more the merrier! Anyone who joins from now until the end of the season will also have a valid membership for the 2010 season. Whaleback encourages everyone to come out and be Winter Active and Socially Interactive at Whaleback!