Ski trip is talked about year around by those who take part in the event.

“I start preparing for next year after the last one starts,” says a four year veteran of the trip, Bobby Waggoner.

Not the best skier or snowboarder?  That doesn’t mean that you don’t have a chance to go on the trip.  There are different rates that cover different packages for this trip.  For example, you can get a deal where you have lessons and rentals for around $300 dollars.  If you don’t need lessons and just rentals there is a deal for that too.  Don’t need lessons or rentals?  Then you are paying the lowest price of around $200 dollars.  All of these prices are flat rates that are paid once you sign up.

This fee also includes a bus ride up and back which is equally as fun as the skiing and snowboarding itself.  They are coach buses where you can sit comfortably with all of your friends, eat as much as you want, and watch a good movie or two.  Things have been known to get out of control once in a while but it’s all out of good fun.

Here are a couple of tips if this is your first time on the ski trip.  First, bring your own food!  They have a cafeteria there that serves delicious food, if you are willing to pay a lot of money.  You are allowed to eat on the buses like I said before so if you want to just bring a couple dollars for a snack that is fine.  Just don’t rely on their cafeteria if you’re trying to save some pennies.

Also, dress as warm as possible!  In case you weren’t aware this is the middle of winter.  Not only that but it is night time when you are skiing or snowboarding down these slopes.  Goggles, a face-mask, gloves, jackets, and snow pants are a must if you want to avoid frost bite.

“Hand warmers and under armor are what help me stay warm every Friday night,” says Jenna Poist, a third year veteran of the trip.

Last but not least, make sure you are always with a friend.  Being out on a mountain like Berkshire East, it is very easy to get lost.  If you are with someone it will reduce the chance of getting lost.  Also if you get hurt, being with someone will make it easier to notify ski patrol and get you to safety faster.

If you keep all this in mind than you will have some of the best Friday nights of your life.  The memories will stick around for years to come and if you’re lucky you’ll make a new friend or two out there.  If you’re too late this year, but are still interested come November 2010 you can sign up at the building located in the center of Henry Park.

Have fun and happy skiing!

After the contestants had entered with their lovely escorts the show opened up with the nine contestants shimmying and schmoozing to win the audiences and judges’ affection.  The boys all moved in step with one another to a dance choreographed by three escorts.  Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Beyoncé’s “Diva” set the mood for their incredible pizzazz and flashy jazz hands.

The next portion of the evening’s entertainment was Swimwear.  While Jeff Stone ran Baywatch-style across the stage, Patrick Crane burned under the intense lighting, and Timothy Smith paraded around in a bikini top and itty bitty shorts.  Claude Ziehbrunner played up his status as the Swiss exchange student by coming out in a full snow suit, snowboard in hand.  It was definitely not a sight seen every day.

Though the previous segments had been crowd pleasers, nothing is ever as anticipated as much as the Talent bits.  Kevin Anton’s act was definitely one to be remembered; a fully choreographed dance and skit where boys wore Jabbawockeez-esque masks.  Nathan Ouellette impressed everyone by playing his violin and stomping out a beat with his fiddle.  Jesse Sullivan showed off his musical skills as he played “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer on his guitar, and Mike Tucker did a contemporary dance.  The act that brought down the house, however, was Kyle DeCarli’s.  The contestant teamed up with Preston Coombs for a duet dance to “Beauty and the Beast” from the Disney flick.  DeCarli donned a tutu and tiara as Coombs wore a giant furry mask; the pair pirouetted and leaped into the judges’ hearts for sure.

“The competition was tough this year and everyone did extremely well.” Kevin Anton, one of the stand out contestants commented on the Talent section, “My favorite talent to watch was Nate playing his violin.”

The Question portion consists of the contenders picking two questions out of two different hats; one silly and one serious.  Each boy answered his question to the best of his ability, as this section is often seen as the one that makes or breaks the judges’ final decision which comes directly after.

As we all waited anxiously for the crowning, Mike Stankiewicz and Mike Wieliczka (commonly known as “Mike and Mike” our phenomenal RHS MC team) kept us entertained as they had during every section break.  These two helped the audience laugh through every lull in the show; Stankiewicz even led the crowd in what has become a trademark of his, “The Rollercoaster.”  The boys were awesome additions to the show.

Finally, it was time for the results.  Contestants and escorts lined up on stage as Mike and Mike listed the prizes and started the awards.  Ouellette was named second runner up and Ziehbrunner was named first runner up, and the winner of the title of Mr. RHS 2010 was (drum roll please) Kyle Decarli!  The audience, as well as all those on stage, cheered for the boys and the night ended on a cheerful note.

Sullivan claimed he would do the show again “in a heartbeat” and continued to say, “It was a great time.”  Though DeCarli ended up with the crown, all the boys put on a fantastic show which really made them all winners.