Stabutic – SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!
With the below-average early-season snowfall, our local Council of Initiated Stabutics called for a collective plea to the great Norse God, Ullr, via a Stabutic ceremony this morning. Alta Lodge guests who awoke by sunrise encountered a peculiar sight: dozens of warmly dressed employees sleepily shuffling outside onto the deck to partake in a longstanding tradition. Curious, the observers naturally followed suit and joined the procession. Those who did not rise early may have instead been stirred by the voices shouting, “SNOW, SNOW, SNOW,” with gusto. Unbeknownst to the guests, the majority of these employees were rudely awakened by percussion from the very pots and pans that gave birth to their favorite Tea Time snacks. Such measures are necessary when serious business is at hand, and Stabutic is indeed serious business.
Per lore, “Stabutic is a ceremony that, if done correctly, will change the weather within 24 to 48 hours.” The ritual has hazy origins among Alta Lodge staff dating back to the 1960s or earlier, but that may depend on who you ask. Nonetheless, it’s our employees’ best effort at increasing seasonal precipitation, ensuring that snowy Alta lives up to its billing.
A successful Stabutic hinges upon a few basic procedures. The ceremony must take place at dawn, outdoors. All participants must face towards a glowing Mount Baldy, with left hands placed on their heads, “so they don’t blow off.” In unison, all participants chant “SNOW” three times before imbibing the ceremonial drink, also called a Stabutic, a concoction of “firewater” floated on top of an orange juice base, in a special, yet rather odd-shaped glass.
For effect, the process is repeated multiple times: “The first Stabutic is the eye opener, the second is the heart starter, and the third is the day changer. After that, no one counts.” When the collective decides that their pleas have been heard, all new participants are initiated into the International Stabutic Club and receive their official membership certificate. Once the disorienting combination of drowsiness and Jim Beam wears off, employees and guests realize that they are part of something special. And if all goes to plan, snow arrives in short order.
The practice has yielded countless great winters over the decades. If, by chance, you encounter this during your stay, feel free to grab a coat and join us outside. The International Stabutic Club is always looking for new members.
