Winter in Malone, NY

The chill in the air has been a bit… chillier than normal. But, the weather is bound to break and there is no greater area to enjoy winter than in the foothills of the Adirondacks! Are you looking to get out and breathe in some fresh air? Try some of the following winter activities to get your share of the winter fun!

1. Downhill Ski. With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, get your own taste of the downhill
   
   thrill! With two ski centers in the area, you’re bound to find something to suit you whether you’re a seasoned professional or just hitting the slopes for the first time! TitusMountain in Malone, NY is perfect for families and beginners. They have wonderful instructors ready to teach you everything from the basics to more advanced techniques and they have 47 trails to keep you busy practicing what you’ve learned. They are also the only ski center in the area with night skiing—so you can shred all day and night! Whiteface Mountain, roughly an hour drive from the heart of Malone, was host to two Olympics, so you know you are going to get some world-class vertical and trails. 
2.  Cross Country Ski. Looking for a little bit more scenery and a little less speed? There are many places to cross country ski in the area, including the Malone Fish & Game Club. They have over 20 groomed trails to get you going from a leisurely stroll to a more intense climb. These trails also border Titus Mountain, who have a program for interested patrons to come to the lodge for food and drink and head back out to the trails. [Trail Map Here]
3. Snowshoe. Less skiing and more natural movement, snowshoeing is a great pastime for those accustomed to hiking or walking in the summer months. You can snowshoe just about anywhere in the North Country! Try heading out to some of the hiking trails in the area for a more scenic jaunt, or head to the Malone Rec Park to get some exercise in. Snowshoeing is also available at the Malone Fish and Game Club as well.
4. Snowmobile. Looking for more adventure? Franklin County has great snowmobile trails! Grab a sled and you can jump to many restaurants such as Belly's or the Trailside, or event venues such as Titus Mountain. The snowmobile trails also connect to some of the best trails in the States heading out to Tug Hill and the surrounding areas. [NY Trail System Maps]
5. Tube. If you want to get some fresh air without having to worry about winter experience, than tubing is for you. All you need are some warm clothes and Titus Mountain will hook you up with the tube and the lift! If you're worried about the cold, there is a warming hut to make sure that everyone can stay toasty warm between runs!
6. Catch some entertainment. Just because summer is over doesn't mean that the fun has to stop. Local artists continually play at venues such as Titus Mountain, Fat Jake's, Mo's Pub & Grill and surrounding restaurants. With an open mic night at Titus every week and a party every weekend, you are all set to make sure that the fun doesn't stop!

Summer at the Rec Park

Are you looking for something to do in Malone during these summer months? How about trying out the Malone Rec Park? With 87 acres for entertainment and recreation, you should be able to find something to keep you cool, keep you active, or keep you having fun. How about some ideas?

1. Walk the trail. Roughly 1 mile, the trail cuts around the baseball and soccer fields and also cuts into the woods. Paved (or graveled) the entire walkway it's an easy and relaxing hike.
2. Take a paddle boat out for a spin. Rentals available from 1 - 8 pm.
3. Play a game of pick-up soccer. With one standard soccer field and additional practice fields you should find a spot!
4. Try out some handball.
5. Take the kids to the playground and hear them giggle.
6. Play a game of pickup basketball.
7. Get some action on the tennis courts.
8. Swim. 
9. KanJam, Hackey Sack, Ladderball, Bag Toss to name just a few park games!
10. From mid-September to December, watch the geese. This is a major migration stop for thousands of Canadian geese!
11. Try some volleyball on the sand court.
12. Fish off the dam.
13. Have a picnic. With multiple pavilions you can set up under the shade or find a grassy knoll along the walking path.
14. Watch a game of hockey at the arena.
15. Walk your dog.
16. Lay in the sun and enjoy the weather!
17. Wiffleball, Ultimate Frisbee or Kickball anyone? 
18. Pick some berries.
19. Test your skills... along the walking trail you'll come across balance beams, monkey bars, and other interesting obstacles.
20. Have fun with the family.

Get to know our new GM

What does the General Manager of a hotel do? Well, you might see them walking around picking up little flecks of dust that you didn't even see in the hallway. You might see them in the parking lot walking in incessant circles around the hotel. They may be a little OCD about what direction the pillows are facing or which pen caps go on what pen. But at the end of the day, they do all that to help keep the hotel running at peak performance and we, as staff, appreciate all that they do and hope that you, as guests, do as well. But outside of their nuances, sometimes it's fun to get to know them on a more personal level. We at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites would like to introduce you to our new General Manager, Mr. Mike Doran.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: I grew up in a military family, born in Japan, and have lived all over the world.  In 1986, after my father retired from the Air Force, we moved to Shelburne, VT.  I met my wife (Michelle Dampier Doran) at Champlain College and she is a Malone native.  In 2001 we moved to Malone and live close to upper Titus/Chasm Falls.  My daughter graduated from Franklin Academy in 2012 and now attends The Culinary Institude of America in Hyde Park, NY and my son attends Davis Elementary. 

Q: Is there a quote that you live by?

A: "Share the wins  & own the losses."   Successful management is all about getting people to work together & taking responsibility in fixing issues versus blaming others or a situation. 

Q: What is your favorite spot in Malone?

A: Elephant Head. I hike there a few times a year.  Always a great view of Lake Titus!

Q: If we were to find you outside the hotel, where would it be?

A: Hiking, four-wheeling, landscaping & always having a camera strapped to me. So much to love and share in the North Country.

Q: Any other hobbies?

A: I've played guitar since the age of 12, and since I don't have a record contract it's a hobby!

Q: If you were to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Europe. It's one interesting area of the world I've haven't been to yet.

Q: Favorite travel item?

A: iPad, iPhone, Camera, & GPS.  All for exploration and sharing.

Q: Best item on the HIE breakfast bar?

A: Cinnamon Swirls!

Q: What do you see for the future of the hotel?

A: 1) Developing an already great staff to the next level of courtesy & service.  2) Huge opportunity to get word of mouth marketing to really work for us.  Sharing the hidden beauty in the area/attractions and great stays need to be broadcasted to all our guests friends and family to encourage deeper targeted online marketing through experiences and sharing postives.

Q: A fun fact about you that will make our guests smile:

A: I loved Miami Vice enough to buy a Don Johnson style wardrobe in the mid 80s.

Q: Any last words?

A: Anyone want to grab a drink at Mo's?

Sustainable Ski Tips

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

While ski season might be over on the East Coast, it’s never too late (or too early) to read up on some ski tips. And in honor of Earth Day, how about some sustainable skiing advice? Many ski resorts are making strides in becoming more environmentally friendly, so let’s do our part as well!

1)      Keep it Local

There is a plethora of literature out right now on why doing things local is the way of the future—there is even a new language surrounding this movement (see: locavore). But whether or not you subscribe to this movement, there are definitely things that you can take from it to make your ski boot print a bit greener.

Stay local. Physically, stay as close to your ski resort as possible. It saves gas, time, and money. Figuratively, stay at a hotel or motel that is local—owned by locals, employs locals, and uses local products.

Eat local. Again, shy away from fast food chains and to-go containers. Dine at facilities that use local food, if possible, and if not, patron restaurants with local flavor via entertainment, staff, events, and ideas. And while you’re at it—try eating there instead of taking it to go. You’ll save on garbage waste!

Spend local. It’s a fact—when you vacation you’re going to end up spending money. But why spend it at a giant chain that you could purchase the same goods while you are home? Take the time to visit local shops and retailers—they are bound to not only know the area and spark up some good conversation with you, but you’ll also be supporting the local economy and take something unique back home with you. Shop Local First.

2)      Don’t Litter

This is a fairly obvious one (we hope), but take your trash with you. This includes your paper, plastic, and aluminum products as well as your food items (info on litter here). An orange peel takes 2 years to decompose and though the wildlife might eat some of your leftovers, it’s not great for them! And keep your butts—cigarette butts can take 5 years to decompose. Mountains tend to have trash receptacles all over, and they’re not for looks. Use them!

3)      Respect Wildlife

We’re on their land, so respect all these creatures. If you see a forest critter, don’t feed it (purposely or by leaving your food behind, see above). Stay out of areas not meant for skiing as this could disturb their habitat even more. And whether it is a bird or a bear, smile at the beauty of nature but leave it be.

4)      Re-Use

If you’re a new skier, skip the brand new equipment and head to a used ski shop. You’ll save lots of money by picking up someone’s previously loved skis and boots as well as giving a home to something that otherwise might have ended up in a landfill! If you’re an intermediate skier, try keeping your equipment for more than one season. For an avid skier, designate certain equipment for certain days/features/mountains—it cuts the chance of wearing your equipment out. And when it is time to upgrade, send your stuff to a ski shop to be picked up by a novice. It’s the circle of life folks!

5)      Recycle

Another no-brainer, and probably the easiest tip of them all! Instead of throwing your plastic soda container into the trash, take one step farther and put it into the recycling bin. This goes for your empty beer bottles as well—but hey, save some more bottles and just get a pitcher and reuse your glass!

6)      Share a Ride

Of course, we mean this in the standard, hitch a ride with your friend to the mountain instead of driving alone way, but we also mean it in a make friends with the person going solo on the four-person chairlift kind of way as well. Both will save time and energy when getting from point A to point B.

7)      Respect Resort Signs

All of them. Whether it says trail closed or off-limits or out-of-bounds, respect ‘em. There are numerous reasons that a sign could be somewhere. If a trail is closed, maybe there isn’t enough snow cover on it—if you start skiing on it you could be ruining the snow already there, creating more need for snowmaking to fix what you’ve ruined. If part of the mountain is off-limits, it could possibly be a wildlife preservation zone (not a far cry in places like the Adirondacks!). And if something is out-of-bounds, Eco-Friendly or not, you should probably heed that advice regardless.

8)      Travel Eco-Friendly

If you’re traveling to your ski resort of choice, travel as eco-friendly as possible. There are tons of ways to do this, from packing your suitcase with re-wearable clothes, to taking public transport, to preparing your home for when you’re gone. Every little bit helps! For more sustainable travel tips, check out ResponsibleTravelReport.com.

Let’s face it, skiing is awesome. But let’s also face it, skiing isn’t the most environmentally friendly past time. Ski resorts are making strides to create a more environmentally friendly way to enjoy one of nature’s playgrounds, but it’s up to us as well to do our parts. So tackle the list a tip at a time or make your next ski trip revolve around Eco-Friendly skiing. But remember, we have to help at least a little, because we don’t want to lose this winter playground forever.

Happy Earth Day!

The Titus Must-Dos

How many times have you hit the slopes this season? We’re on 63 days of skiing and riding and we’ve got lots more coming! But to keep things a bit interesting… no matter how many days you’ve got under your belt this year, how many activities can you check off the list for the Titus “Must-Dos?” Do you have any to add?

1. Take "Bridge Run" - “Long Way Home” at least once. Take the time to think about life.
2. Check out a Rail Jam, Big Air, or Best Trick competition. Participate in one if you can.
3. Watch a Titus Mountain Race. Participate in one if you can.
4. Ski or board the Upper Mountain.
5. Attend Mountain Madness. Try pond-skimming and watch the fireworks.
6. Hit the bar in tune to “Last Kiss” performed by Bruce Dewey.
7. Watch a Torch Light parade... or be in one!
8. Come to a Titus Event such as SnoCross, Oktoberfest, or a Mud Run!
9. Ski and board under the lights!!
10. Hit a feature (or all of them!) at the Terrain Parks. If they are still a bit intimidating ask about our terrain park education courses!
11. Do the Glades… you’ll get a little piece of the back country!
12. Grab some friends and head to the Snow Tubing Park!
13. Pull a chair up to the Firepit!
14. Relax in the sun!
15. Test out a board at Homewood Demo Day.
16. Try Snow Blades.
17. Pay homage to Moon Valley. How about grabbing a plate of food and a drink at Mo’s Moon Valley Grill… or taking home some sweetness from Moon Valley Maple!
18. Have some Poutine!
19. Test out the other side… if you are a skier take a lesson snowboarding and vice-versa!
20. Share a chair up the mountain & make a friend!
21. Thank a groomer, snow farmer, ski patroller, ticket agent, instructor, lift attendant, or server (or get ‘em all)!

Winter Vacation Planning Tips

It's that time of year again when the kids are off of school and you're looking for a mini vacation. While we would all like to go to Florida or Hawaii during this weather, sometimes this isn't an option. When that is the case, make the best of it by taking advantage of the snow. Here are a few tips for making the most of the snow and taking a vacation that doesn't include tropical weather.

"Shoop. Shoop. Shoop." Rachel Green's famous words about skiing say it all.  Ski vacations are a great way to get outside and enjoy the season, exercise while having fun, and spending some quality family time together in the lodge.

1. Pick the right mountain. If you are opting for a family vacation, make sure you choose a family mountain. Sometimes black diamond mountains are nice... but sometimes you also don't want to have to worry about letting your kids explore the terrain on their own. Places like Titus Mountain Family Ski Center offers a much different experience than places like Whiteface. Think about what you want from your vacation.
2. Think about your lodging. If your resort doesn't offer night skiing, it's important to think about the place where you will be spending the other half of your time. What types of amenities would add to your experience? A nice soak in a hot tub after a day on the slopes or a dip in the pool for the kids is always an added bonus. Do you want breakfast included so it's one less thing to worry about? Internet? Large rooms? Proximity to the mountain or proximity to other après ski destinations?
3. Ask about ski packages. Bundling your skiing and accommodations can save you time, money, and frustration. Many times booking a ski package will reduce your room rate as well as lift ticket costs. Also, some ski packages offer more value such as ski lockers, meal vouchers, or rate reductions.
4. Remember, skiing can be weather dependent. So pack accordingly--make sure you have enough warm clothes if weather becomes bitter but also pack some playing cards if the weather isn't conducive to skiing.
5. If you or your loved ones aren't big skiers, there are still lots of other things to do!  And the tips above still work!
1. Tubing! Some ski resorts have tubing as well. All you need are some warm clothes and your set.
2. Outdoor excursions, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling are also available in package form at many hotels.
3. Go shopping... who doesn't love retail therapy?
4. Take advantage of indoor entertainment such as a casino or indoor golf facility.
5. Pamper yourself with a spa retreat.

New Year's Resolutions

Out with the old and in with the new; the mark of a new year inevitably brings new resolutions to better one’s life. The obvious resolutions, such as losing weight and staying healthy, spending less and saving more, and organizing your life are always bound to show up on resolution lists (top ten resolutions here). But how about some other interesting resolutions? Here is a list of our top ten things to get accomplished this year (with, of course, some of the most famous ones still on the list!).

1. Travel More. Getting out of the house can always be a refreshing experience. Travelling doesn’t always mean vacationing. Refresh yourself and cross this nugget off of your resolution list by taking overnight road trips or long weekends (some great destinations just outside of Malone include Syracuse, Lake Placid, Albany, Montreal and Ottawa). Sometimes a staycation can even settle your travel bug until you get some time to really get out. So don’t limit yourself by only thinking of travelling in week-long segments to far-away places.
2. Learn to Ski or Snowboard. Most resolution lists include some category of learning something new. Why not try out snow sports? Titus Mountain is a wonderful family resort for those who want to learn the sport. Titus has a snow sports school and rentals available at the mountain for you to try it out—and their lift tickets are an exceptional value, especially going on weekends when there is night skiing. But a disclaimer: you might just get addicted. And if you are already a skier or rider, but want to try something more advanced, check out our information on learning about Terrain Parks. Or if you are a lady giving it a go for the first time, check out our "Ladies Learn to Ski" program.
3. Eat Healthier. Whether you want to eat healthier to lose weight, maintain weight, or just feel better, there are many opportunities to do so. When ordering your coffee, get it with non-fat milk instead of whole (you could save up to 10 pounds a year!) Get water with dinner instead of soda (15 pounds a year). Order a salad for an appetizer instead of the mozzarella sticks (Mo’s has some delicious salads). And ask your waiter or waitress how to make your meal healthier—normally they can tell you the ingredients to cut out.
4. Help Others. There are many opportunities to help others inside or outside of your community. If you are having trouble finding a place to state, try checking out your local Chamber of Commerce (Malone’s Website). Or check out http://www.volunteermatch.org to find out what is available (you can also post here if you are an organization). If you don’t have spare time, monetary donations are always welcome to a plethora of organizations.
5. Get Organized. Whether you have papers overflowing on your desk or your calendar looks like a chimpanzee scribbled through it; don’t fret because you aren’t alone. There are many ways to get organized whether you are planning for an event or just trying to keep track of your life. The first step is to find out what you need help organizing; if the papers overflowing on your desk are only from trying to plan a family reunion or wedding, there is no need to uproot your bill paying system. Stay on track. And sometimes it helps to have people on your side. There are many paid services such as organizing and cleaning professionals and wedding planners, but there are also many services available at no additional cost—always ask if there is anything else that is offered by your hotel, event venue, or service company (such as automatic withdrawal or email reminders).
6. Exercise More. Again, another resolution that always makes the top ten list, though it is the most joked about because it is never followed through. Make sure that when you are making your resolution to exercise more, you are making it an attainable goal. If you travel often, fit that into your regimen (Healthy Travel Tips). If the thought of running makes you gag, try a different form of cardio such as Zumba. Just doing something active fits into this plan—think skiing, golfing, walking, biking, playing softball—activities that you enjoy are much more likely to become a lasting resolution than something that you dread.
7. Learn to Play Golf. The Malone Golf Club is a world-renowned course. What better way to learn to golf on the best course available in the area? They also offer a program, Get Golf Ready, which is available to help learn the game of golf itself as well as etiquette and rules. And you might even get the chance to get a short clinic from the Vice President of the PGA, Derek Sprague (20 Minutes with DerekSprague). How cool is that?
8. Enjoy the Small Things. Bigger isn’t always better. And farther isn’t always nicer. Take some time to enjoy small things that your community offers. Have you been to the AlmanzoWilder Homestead? Hiked Elephant’s Head? Had dinner overlooking the Malone Golf Club or the Titus Mountain slopes? Have you walked the Malone Rec Park to see the gathering of snow geese? Taken a few minutes to yourself to watch a Malone Sunset?
9. Get your Finances in Order. This is always a tricky one. The obvious is to spend less and save more, and since spending is different for everyone, why not take a look at how to save more? There are the obvious tactics, such as getting things on sale and clipping coupons. But what about the not-so-obvious savings? Use your reward cards. Whether you are a member at a grocery store, retail store, hotel chain (info on Priority Club here), or Milk Club… dollars and points add up. Why waste the money that you are already spending?
10. Spend More Time with Family. Read number 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8 and just remember: have fun.