For the 40th consecutive year, Hunter Mountain is hosting the FDNY Race, to raise money for charity including the NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. The race is open to any New York City firefighter. Teams dressed in helmets and full turn-out gear attempt to ski or snowboard through a race course while carrying a 50 foot fire hose. Teams are awarded 1st through 5th place, as well as “Slowest Time”, “Fastest All-Snowboard Team” and “Fastest All-Retired Team”. The FDNY Race is Tuesday, Januay 29th. Winning teams earn a chance to compete in the East Coast Firefighters Race the next day.
It’s great fun, for a good cause. In 40 years, the FDNY races have raised more than $750,000 for charity. Event organizer is retired FDNY fireman Joe Jove, who is one of a group of skiing firemen friends who thought up this race 40 years ago, and has participated nearly every year since, either racing or organizing, or both. Like many great ideas, this one has been copied. There now are many such races at other ski and snowboard resorts around the USA by other firefighter groups, also charity fund-raisers.
There’s a party in the base lodge after the FDNY race. Stop by and thank New York’s Bravest for their service to New York City, during Hurricane Sandy, at the World Trade Center on 9/11, and every day of the year, 24/7.
Hunter Mt. is two hours north of Times Square in the Catskills. I’ve been skiing there since college.
Ski or ride for just $17 at Hunter Mt. on Friday, March 15th, with the donation of three non-perishable food items. The food drive is for the Kaaterskill United Methodist Church in Tannersville, whose Food Pantry serves the needy in and around Tannersville. Make sure you register for this $17 lift ticket offer – click here to register. And stay for the weekend, since Hunter Mt. is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with special events including races and a Pot o’ Gold on-snow scavenger hunt.
