'Tween Time

Dateline: 17 October 2000

Some of you skiers and snowboarders out there might already be aware, but for those folks who've never set foot on the slopes allow me to let you in on a little secret. The keepers of the mountain must do something over the summer to inbound some funds. What they do, therefore, is set up skate parks.

They also have golf courses, climbing walls, gondola rides and alpine slides for the fastest journey you'll ever take sitting flat on your bum. Yes, in an effort to remain lucrative, summer activities abound.

Stratton, Vermont, for example, has a sweet little park where during the summer you can hit the ramps, jumping in and out of endless lines, riding the interconnect from halfpipe to street course and back again.

Your guide was just lucky enough to visit this particular resort during the past weekend but ran up against a situation that was seemingly sad. The skate park was closed for the season. Gone as of October 9 it had become the victim of seasonal flux. Bummer.

Hmmm...I can already sense inquisitive vibes asking, "What in the hell is she talking about? Summer is long gone." And DING...

...You hit the nail on the head.

Though you can no longer skate the park this year because of shut down, all is not lost, for you see, they're not yet open for the next season and this, my friends, is where the fun comes in.

Summer is gone but winter has yet to arrive and as is completely obvious a winter wonderland with no winter attached yet and still remains a wonderland. No question. If you're quick you can still get some in.

This is what awaits:

• An entire resort whose design is meant for pure enjoyment now stripped of annoying people
• Concrete village strips devoid of crowds
• Parking lots devoid of cars
• Lots of hills that are magically made of asphalt
• Grassy mountains that are perfect for off road and dirtboards
• Longboarding on the downhills
• Street riding in the village shopping areas
• Slalom in the parking garages
• Remote areas with lots of steps and handrails
• A dilapidated skatepark that sits quietly aside and whispers its secrets while you investigate the finer points of its structure
• No one to get in your way but a few little razor scooter dudes who will worship the ground that you skate on Making do with what is immediately available, can easily make for the most enjoyable ride you've had to date.

Skate hard.