DallasSkater
06-21-2007, 03:42 PM
What an awesome experience! I thought others might like to hear about it! (I am also secretly hoping others will want to go next year!)
There were about 35 participants total. I was told this is a lighter turn out than previous years. Many of the participants had come for many years during the same month. There were four newbies...I was one of them. I guess due to this fact, orientation did not offer much orientation! But after a day or two I felt old hat in getting myself from rink to rink and navigating the Olympic Center.
There were 17 hours per day of available ice for Adults alone! The USA rink was totally dedicated to us with many classes offered also on Lussi and 1932. It was unfortunate that the 1980's rink was taken to concrete during this off season. They said prior to our arrival, they took all rinks down for 6 weeks. The local skaters were naturally delighted to see us! giggle.
The classes started at 11 each morning and went through 6 at night. The available ice started at 7 am and you could skate most nights until 10! Despite warnings from the returning participants of overdoing it early in the week, my excitement about all that was offered afforded me a sore 2nd day there! I learned quickly to pace myself better. Classes ranged from all kinds of jumps and spins, doubles, dances, foot work, endurance stroking, patch from beginners on, MIF and even my favorite class which was creative movement...aspects of choreography and specific classes on IJS. The coaches were eager to schedule private lessons daily as well. There were off ice classes of fitness, Trampoline, ballet, stretch and even daily ball room dance classes.
The coaches are mostly national or even Olympic level athletes from USA and Canada mostly...but even Swiss and Italian. I felt rather cocky scheduling private lessons with an Olympic athlete but now love the pictures! giggle. (Sent those to my mother). They were all gracious, not shy to demonstrate their 'stuff" which is always nice and most expressed their excitement about working with us in a sincere manner.
They had little gatherings on several of the evenings. On evenings not officially scheduled there were participants holding get togethers in their condos...it was a friendly party crowd.
The last day we did an adult exhibition on the 1932 rink. This was open to anyone who wanted to perform. Most everyone had prepared a funny and entertaining number and several (including me..gulp!..did our actual programs). They did a group number too but it was a dance so I was not able to participate in that. Everyone was so supportive and it was a fun evening. It was my first time to perform a program outside of my rink ....my butt cheeks were shaking in my opening pose..I wondered if they could tell..giggle...with even my first jump..that is just a waltz jump...the crowd went wild....as if I had just landed a quad! From there I breezed through the rest!
Skill levels were quite varied. There were several that are basic in skills and could mostly skate just forward. Most were about bronze level with some silver attending. There was nothing intimidating between levels. The group was welcoming and enjoyed each others company regardless of level. You could take as many classes a day or skate your day away in any fashion you wanted. Many took daily lessons, several classes and several practice sessions. There was lots of socializing on ice with no one taking the whole thing too seriously.
I met and spent the week with figureskates from this forum...I even attempted his patch pattern after watching him! I learned all kinds of things about weather from him! lol.
Lake Placid is beautiful...there was so much to do outside as well. The weather was perfect. The in season was two weeks away ...so it was perfect to get to enjoy the town without massive crowds...no waiting in restaurants.....plenty of room for shopping in the many uniques stores. Hotels were within walking distance...Mountains, lakes, waterfalls....ski jump was open with people flipping right into a pool of water...Amazing!
Ok...Next year...who's going?
There were about 35 participants total. I was told this is a lighter turn out than previous years. Many of the participants had come for many years during the same month. There were four newbies...I was one of them. I guess due to this fact, orientation did not offer much orientation! But after a day or two I felt old hat in getting myself from rink to rink and navigating the Olympic Center.
There were 17 hours per day of available ice for Adults alone! The USA rink was totally dedicated to us with many classes offered also on Lussi and 1932. It was unfortunate that the 1980's rink was taken to concrete during this off season. They said prior to our arrival, they took all rinks down for 6 weeks. The local skaters were naturally delighted to see us! giggle.
The classes started at 11 each morning and went through 6 at night. The available ice started at 7 am and you could skate most nights until 10! Despite warnings from the returning participants of overdoing it early in the week, my excitement about all that was offered afforded me a sore 2nd day there! I learned quickly to pace myself better. Classes ranged from all kinds of jumps and spins, doubles, dances, foot work, endurance stroking, patch from beginners on, MIF and even my favorite class which was creative movement...aspects of choreography and specific classes on IJS. The coaches were eager to schedule private lessons daily as well. There were off ice classes of fitness, Trampoline, ballet, stretch and even daily ball room dance classes.
The coaches are mostly national or even Olympic level athletes from USA and Canada mostly...but even Swiss and Italian. I felt rather cocky scheduling private lessons with an Olympic athlete but now love the pictures! giggle. (Sent those to my mother). They were all gracious, not shy to demonstrate their 'stuff" which is always nice and most expressed their excitement about working with us in a sincere manner.
They had little gatherings on several of the evenings. On evenings not officially scheduled there were participants holding get togethers in their condos...it was a friendly party crowd.
The last day we did an adult exhibition on the 1932 rink. This was open to anyone who wanted to perform. Most everyone had prepared a funny and entertaining number and several (including me..gulp!..did our actual programs). They did a group number too but it was a dance so I was not able to participate in that. Everyone was so supportive and it was a fun evening. It was my first time to perform a program outside of my rink ....my butt cheeks were shaking in my opening pose..I wondered if they could tell..giggle...with even my first jump..that is just a waltz jump...the crowd went wild....as if I had just landed a quad! From there I breezed through the rest!
Skill levels were quite varied. There were several that are basic in skills and could mostly skate just forward. Most were about bronze level with some silver attending. There was nothing intimidating between levels. The group was welcoming and enjoyed each others company regardless of level. You could take as many classes a day or skate your day away in any fashion you wanted. Many took daily lessons, several classes and several practice sessions. There was lots of socializing on ice with no one taking the whole thing too seriously.
I met and spent the week with figureskates from this forum...I even attempted his patch pattern after watching him! I learned all kinds of things about weather from him! lol.
Lake Placid is beautiful...there was so much to do outside as well. The weather was perfect. The in season was two weeks away ...so it was perfect to get to enjoy the town without massive crowds...no waiting in restaurants.....plenty of room for shopping in the many uniques stores. Hotels were within walking distance...Mountains, lakes, waterfalls....ski jump was open with people flipping right into a pool of water...Amazing!
Ok...Next year...who's going?