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Skiers celebrate spring in style at Mt. Ashland By BILL KETTLER Gordon Wolfe celebrated his rebirth in style Sunday on the south side of Mount Ashland. The Ashland man cut quite a figure in black slacks and jacket, pork pie hat, leopard print tie - and flashy, electric-blue ski boots. "Since I'm going formal, I thought I'd better wear my best boots," said Wolfe, one of about two dozen cross-country skiers and long-distance runners who gathered on Mount Ashland's "back side" for their annual end-of-winter potluck picnic. Wolfe had perhaps the best reason to celebrate - he nearly died 11 years ago on March 31, when his heart stopped during a long distance run with a group of irreverent men and women who call themselves "hashers." The group is best known for its annual "red-dress run" through Ashland, when men and women alike slip into red dresses and gambol through town. The picnic in the snow has become a rite of spring for the skiers, who use light touring gear with free-heel bindings to ski into remote backcountry areas. Years ago, they decided to have a year-end "formal" ski to mark the end of the season and celebrate silliness. "It's not often you get all decked out to ski," said Dr. Paul Rostykus, resplendent in a black, long-tailed coat, pleated shirt, red bow tie with cummerbund to match - and a turquoise bandanna. Once the date is set, the formal happens, whatever the weather, Rostykus said. "Whoever comes, comes. "We've been out in blizzards. We've been out in the rain. We've been out in the sun. "In the blizzards, some people have just stayed in the parking lot and drank wine in their car." The celebration took on extra meaning after Wolfe's brush with death. For years, the group skied to the shelter at Grouse Gap (about 2 miles west of the Mount Ashland ski area) for the potluck picnic. This year they shortened the distance to accommodate families with young children and skied barely a quarter mile - to the Mount Ashland picnic area. They set up several portable tables in the snow, covered them with an array of tasty treats and swapped stories about the past winter while they caught up on old friends' latest news. "Champagne, anyone?" said Nancy Fisher, elegant in a deep burgundy velvet dress, emerald-green velvet coat and pearl necklace. "My mother made me this coat when I was in college," said Fisher, "so I could go to my friend's coming-out party. I had to shorten it 8 inches so I wouldn't drag it through the snow. After dining, the grownups slogged up the slushy hillside and carved graceful turns in the sloppy snow while the children played. "I've known all these people for a long time," said Jane "Rabbitt" Babbitt of Ashland, sparkling in a cream-colored dress decorated with hundreds of tiny rhinestones. "It's basically a bunch of professional adults who want to act like kids for a day." Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.