Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Athletes Warm up & Stretch



Whether it is a pro football player or a middle school track athlete - - the coach will have the athletes warm up and stretch before they engage in the sport. Riders and skiers should do the same. A little warm up and a little stretch before you attack the slopes is the smart thing to do. Along the same line if you have not been in the park much, consider progressing thru the features - - start small and work your way up. Don’t exceed your capabilities. We open at 4 tonite. Keep the pics coming Gregg (and everyone else) - - they're great!


Tuesday, January 30, 2007

What’s in the park?



What’s in your terrain park you ask? Well, we currently have a 40 foot flat rail; a 15 foot C–rail; two 10 foot flat rails; a 16 foot box; a 5 foot box; a 25 foot flat down rail and three rollers --- not to mention the partridge in a pear tree.

Yet to be put out is the 20 foot battleship rail…(come on Steve and Ken give us the battleship before this weekend!)… and we are in the process of designing/building a rainbow rail…….and will be blowing more snow for more rollers and a big table top.

If we get enough snow made I have a couple goofy ideas I might try when I am in the snow cat too…but I don’t know if they have a name or not.
Here's a couple more pics courtesy of Gregg W. (not Greg like I said yesterday) taken in our park.


Monday, January 29, 2007

School Days, School Days




We’ve got a lot of schools coming to ski or learn to ski at Seven Oaks this week and next week. This week on Tuesday is Adel DeSoto Minburn, then South Hamilton on Wednesday, followed by Carroll Kuemper on Thursday and finishing the week with Boone 8th grade on Friday. No ice, No slush, just All SNOW on our trails.

Speaking of groups, we had a bunch join us again the past weekend. FFA from Gliddon Ralston, Ames Girl Scouts, Ankeny Free Church, Mt. Calvary Lutheran, Scout Pack 9, Ottumwa Catholic Church, Holstein Youth Group, Boy Scouts, birthday groups and more all enjoyed tubing, skiing and riding.

Thanks Greg for the pics we posted today. Keep the Seven Oaks shots coming.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Negative temp = Positive experience



Little on the chilly side this morning but we know those that like winter sports will not be detered. Snow groomed out really nice today. And for the beginners, you get a longer ride if you will take the Keaston after coming off the chair and then ski/ride all the way down Abbys Alley to the start of the chair. Lots of school kids coming this coming week for school outings. Details to follow.




Saturday, January 27, 2007

Duh! I forgot

Got busy with setting up the Seven Oaks booth in Ames at the Kidz Dayz event and forgot to get today's update posted....so here it is. Groomed out last night finishing at about 1 AM. Trails really groomed up nice. Little chilly out today but it hasn't stopped everyone from coming out to enjoy a cold Iowa winter day! Ain't it great! And hey it sure beats the December temps we didn't enjoy.

Terrain park is looking better each week. Lots of features out and the battleship has yet to be placed. We will make more snow there next week so we can have more rollers and jumps for ya'll.

Lots of groups again today. It is NOT to late to book yours. Call Joel or Ken - - you know the number. See ya on the slopes. Sorry no pics today.

Friday, January 26, 2007

"Earn a Merit Badge at Seven Oaks"

Hey Scout Leaders: Did you know we have a "Merit Badge Counselor" for Snow Sports on staff at Seven Oaks? Call Seven Oaks for your troop to earn their winter snow sports badge and ask for Ken…..there is no “additional charge” for Ken.

And Ken is working on becoming a Scout Merit Badge Counselor for “Canoeing” as well. Scouts camp free at Seven Oaks.

Had a lot of folks here enjoying the snow last night.

It’s Friday which means Family Four Pack discounts and Friday After Five at Coal Creek Lounge. See you tonite!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

“Geez I forgot my” AND Thank you

Seven Oaks has a small retail department that carries the “Geez I forgot my” items – gloves, goggles, wax, stocking caps, hoodies, and the like. What could be cooler than to wear a Seven Oaks Hoodie or stocking cap?

We gotta say thanks to our loyal Season Pass Holders. You stand by us, give us great input, believe in us and introduce your friends to the sports of riding and skiing. Seven Oaks thanks YOU for your continued support.

Here are a couple more pics taken this morning of the terrain park. Rollers and jumps don’t show up very well but they are there.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Burn calories while having FUN

Did you know down hill skiing for a person weighing between 100 and 115 pounds burns 7.8 calories per Minute and for a person weighing between 180 to 200 pounds burns as much as 13.3 calories per Minute? THAT IS PER MINUTE! Actual calories burned vary with your individual body weight, the more you weigh, the more you burn. I imagine riding is about the same. Talk about fun exercise for “Lighten Up Iowa”!
Here is my source: http://www.coolnurse.com/calories.htm


We open tonite at 4 PM.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Seems we have an “Alberta Clipper” in the neighborhood so can look forward to more snow today and NOT 50 degree temps for a week or so. This week’s weather looks to be perfect for skiing, riding and tubing. SUNSHINE again on Saturday and Sunday. Bring it on!

If you haven’t been to Seven Oaks…. YET….. here are a couple pics of the exterior of The Lodge At Seven Oaks……….surrounded by snow. And by the way, why haven’t you been to Seven Oaks yet? Kids specials, student discounts, seniors discounts, family four pack packages, group rates, nightly reduced rates, birthday rates, food, fun, Coal Creek Lounge, lots of seating, great view of the slopes from the lodge……any of those peek your interest?

Coon Rapids Bayer students coming tomorrow morning for snow tubing. Have fun.

We open to the public tomorrow at 4 pm and close at 9. Snow tubing opens at 6 pm.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Old dog learns new trick – “blog”

A few short days ago, I didn’t know what a “blog” was and now I am contributing to one…..daily.
Seven Oaks offers FREE Ski or Snowboard lessons all day every day. These lessons are group style lessons. You may participate in the lessons as long and as often as you would like. Skiing and snowboarding is FUN and we want everyone to experience it.

Wow! What a weekend…. lots of snow, lots of beginners, lots of riders, lots of sun, lots of FUN! Groups from Scout Troop 40, ISU, the Sacred Heart Church, Buena Vista Univ., Y Camp, Boone County Family Med., three birthday groups and several other groups that I didn’t capture all joined in on the fun this past weekend.

Got a lot of good comments regarding the powder that was left undisturbed Sunday.

Closed today and tomorrow as always but open Wednesday night at 4.