Alpine / downhill skiing
Updated 9/1/2010
It’s inching closer to Labor Day, school time and the colors of fall — and it’s time to think about season pass discounts!
Here are important deadlines to keep in mind while you decide what Vermont ski resorts you might ski this winter, and whether a season pass is a good deal for you. (Do the math!) The earliest discount deadlines are between August 30 and Labor Day!
Some resorts are offering season pass protection this year. That is, for a modest fee, you can get some...[Read more]
Friday, August 20, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic
Alpine / downhill skiing
Updated 9/1/2010
It’s inching closer to Labor Day, school time and the colors of fall — and it’s time to think about season pass discounts!
Here are important deadlines to keep in mind while you decide what Vermont ski resorts you might ski this winter, and whether a season pass is a good deal for you. (Do the math!) The earliest discount deadlines are between August 30 and Labor Day!
Some resorts are offering season pass protection this year. That is, for a modest fee, you can get some...[Read more]
Friday, August 20, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ascutney, Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke, Cochran's, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic
— UVM nordic ski team reorganizes; Change of leadership at Dartmouth — The University of Vermont Nordic ski program coaching staff has been reorganized. Patrick Weaver (pictured here) was recently named head coach of the men's and women's nordic ski program. Former head coach Paul Stone will continue on with the program as an assistant coach. Apparently he will begin work on a master’s degree while continuing to work with the team.Weaver, who has served as an assistant the past two seasons,...[Read more]
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing
I'm pleased to have helped Vermont's ski resorts tally 1.4 percent more skier visits this year over last year. (Every little bit helps, you know.)
Despite a rather strange winter, the Vermont Ski Areas Association reported that Vermont's downhill ski resorts had 4.1 million skier visits during the 2009-2010 season -- up a bit over the previous season.
Other northeastern states saw an overall decline of 2.8 percent, according to the National Ski Areas Association.
Here are links to a couple...[Read more]
Sunday, June 13, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing
Last week we were in the midst of a freak spring snowstorm, while the last few days have been warm — almost too warm as we hit around 80 degrees. Things are looking very green in northern Vermont. And purple and pink and yellow and white, depending on what tree or bush is in the vicinity. Even the mountains which looked frosty white last week are now taking on their springlike appearance.
Yet, a look at the official snow stake on the top of Mt. Mansfield illustrates that there is still a lot...[Read more]
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Jay Peak, Mt. Mansfield, Spring skiing
You know, I haven't put away my ski equipment yet. My ski pants and jacket still hang from hooks in my entryway. My boot bag has been waiting patiently in the corner of my office. I think I might have to take my gear out for another spin at the end of the week because IT IS SNOWING in northern Vermont again!
This was the word from the National Weather Service as of 7 a.m. today:
* 6 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY WET SNOW IS EXPECTED BEGINNING THIS MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY ACROSS THE HIGHER...[Read more]
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Mt. Mansfield, Spring skiing
Updated afternoon of 4/26/10
Well it's clear that Killington has stopped running its lifts: they switched over to their summer homepage today. Yesterday was the last day for spring skiing at the ski resort.
So who is left?
Jay Peak is the only Vermont ski area saying they will be open again this season. They plan to reopen from Thursday, April 29, to Sunday, May 2.
Here's a photo from the resort taken on Saturday during what was a gorgeous weekend here in northern Vermont. Many residents...[Read more]
Monday, April 26, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Spring skiing
We're taking bets. First, which Vermont ski resort will claim the title for staying open the latest this ski season: Jay Peak or Killington?
Second, will the number of Vermont skier visits hit the 4 million mark? Some say yes in this article in the Rutland Herald.
And third, some of Vermont's mountain peaks — and some towns — have seen a couple of inches of snow this weekend; will this be our final snow of the season?
Killington held a pond skimming contest yesterday while snow was falling...[Read more]
Sunday, April 18, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Spring skiing, Sugarbush
Updated 4/21/10
Vermont's ski season is winding down -- way down -- this week. Here's an idea of which Vermont ski resorts are open, which have closed, and when the others are expected to close. Be sure to double check before you head out for the slopes by visiting the ski conditions links on my Vermont ski resorts page.
These ski areas are still open:
Jay Peak -- will stay open through Sunday, April 25, then close midweek, then reopen for May 1 - 2.Killington -- will close on afternoon of...[Read more]
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Spring skiing, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
It was sunny but chilly on Saturday here in northern Vermont. The Skimeister and I went over to play around on the cross-country trails at Bolton Valley, then to watch some of the pond skimming action.
We skied around Picnic and the Valley Loop a bit. The snow was mostly frozen granular, and it was softer in the sunniest spots. They had done a good job grooming after the fluctuations of temperatures we've seen in the last couple of weeks! The snow coverage was still good in this part of the...[Read more]
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Cross-country skiing, Spring skiing
To skim, or not to skim. That is the question.
Well if you're game, you have a good selection of pond skimming contests at Vermont ski resorts to choose from. Here are a few to consider watching, or participating in, below.
The alpine ski areas are still enjoying spring skiing, while the nordic centers are winding down, and some up north are closed already.
Mount Snow: Saturday, March 27. Dress in costume and descend Canyon in an attempt to cross a 100' man-made pond.
Bolton Valley:...[Read more]
Thursday, March 25, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Burke, Killington, Mount Snow, Okemo, Spring skiing, Sugarbush
I have to admit, if I had a white ski helmet, I might have asked some of the US Ski Team members to sign it today. Hey, everyone was doing it. At the Cochran's slalom race Ted Ligety was signing t-shirts, Sarah Schleper was signing helmets — all sorts of posters and clothing were offered up to the stinky markers. And it seemed like these gracious team members didn't turn anyone away.
It was fun to watch the second run of the Thank God For Snowmaking Race, which benefits the tiny, nonprofit...[Read more]
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cochran's
How cool is this?
US Ski Team star Ted Ligety just wrote on Twitter that he helped shovel snow onto the T-Bar line at Cochran's Ski Area in Richmond, Vt., in preparation for tomorrow's slalom race! The race benefits the small ski area and its skiing program which has turned out its fair share of Olympic skiers.
Ligety is the Overall World Cup GS Champion, and his teammate Jimmy Cochran is the best US slalom racer right now (ranked 20th in the world). I see Olympian Sarah Schleper's name on...[Read more]
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cochran's, Spring skiing
Still have wooden skis or long, straight skis kicking around? If they pre-date 1975, consider registering by Friday for Saturday's 7th Annual Vermont Antique Ski Race. It's presented by the Vermont Ski Museum and Suicide Six ski area in Woodstock, Vt. Racing starts at 10:30 a.m. on a dual slalom course.
The fun race benefits the Vermont Ski Museum and it often includes former Vermont Olympians and US Ski Team members. An awards ceremony and sugar-on-snow follow the race.
Sounds like a fun day...[Read more]
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Ski gear, Suicide Six
I'm going to let the photos do the bulk of the talking on this post.
Basically:
- I skied Bolton Valley Wednesday afternoon.
- My friends and I skied mostly in the Timberline area.
- I had to slather on sunscreen.
- I was carving sweet turns in the corn snow.
- The snow coverage was still very, very good.
- The views were tremendous.
- I was sad when it was over.[Read more]
Thursday, March 11, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Spring skiing
Yes, that is one - zero - two. 102 inches at the stake on Mansfield. Check out the graph: www.uvm.edu/skivt-l/
That's all. Just wanted you to know.[Read more]
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Mt. Mansfield
Bumps were the order of the day at Mad River Glen today. Soft bumps and smushed snow in between them. It was a fun day to play in the moguls.
There was great coverage at Mad River today after the big storm this week. But it wasn't light Utah snow — more like Sierra cement. You really had to ski where others had skied. In order to ski the crud on the sides of the trail you had to do jumping turns. So I was not skiing in the woods today, that's for sure.
The sun was out when my friends and I...[Read more]
Friday, February 26, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Food, coffee & après ski, Mad River Glen
This storm has dropped about two feet of snow on many Vermont ski resorts thus far — some are reporting more. The weather is affecting lift operations here and there today, so check my Vermont ski resorts snow conditions page. It has direct links to the resorts' ski report pages.
This stuff is really helping to beef up our base. So happy!
I'm planning on skiing on Friday, so I'll let you know where I end up and you can be sure I'll post some photos and a recap.
Meanwhile, this weekend also...[Read more]
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Burke, Cross-country skiing
Well the winter storm warning has delivered. Several Vermont ski resorts from Okemo to Jay Peak are reporting a foot or more of new snow this morning. And it continues to snow today. Yippee!
Visit the snow report links on my Vermont Ski Resort page for the latest conditions.
And here's a link to National Weather Service snow reports from towns across the state. Note that these are often in-town measurements — not mountain-top...[Read more]
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Cross-country skiing
Nearly eight inches. That's my estimate of the depth of the fluffy powder we were skiing in at higher elevations this morning. And we found deeper pockets of powder in some places because it had snowed a couple of times in the last five days or so.
I sincerely thank my friends for making me wake up early this morning to ride some of the first chairs up at Smugglers' Notch!
Let's see...what trails did we have fun on... We hit FIS early because it can be windblown in the center and we wanted to...[Read more]
Sunday, February 21, 2010
1 Comment
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
Today we went to the beach.
We were spectating at this weekend's Kitestorm event at Sand Bar State Park on the Causeway in Milton. The temperatures were comfortable for standing on the snow-covered and frozen Lake Champlain, and watching as skiers and snowboarders worked to get their kites aloft in light wind. The folks who made it out farther on the frozen lake were rewarded with decent wind and they were moving right along.
This is one of North America’s biggest and longest running...[Read more]
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing
Hannah Kearney has quite a set of knees. Did you see her run? Holy cow.
There's a nice interview of her in the Post-Star. It mentions that she is very excited to bring the medal back to Vermont, her home state.
www.poststar.com/sports/article_27e5fe84-1c4f-11df-93f0-001cc4c03286.html
This native Vermonter brings her knitting projects along on the ski circuit as a "productive way to relax."
She also props her pigtails up on the back of her helmet to keep the wet hairs off her...[Read more]
Thursday, February 18, 2010
1 Comment
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing
I was glued to the TV last night to watch the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. It's really exciting to watch the Games, and even more so since we have such a strong American team.
Vermont is definitely a winter sport kind of state. And this bears true as we've sent a contingent of athletes to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Olympic athletes with Vermont ties include:
Cross-country skiers
Andy Newell (from Shaftsbury)Liz Stephen (from East Montpelier)Caitlin Compton (grew up in...[Read more]
Saturday, February 13, 2010
3 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing
On Friday, eager skiers will take a test run on the Toll Road of Stowe ski resort. It's a reconnaissance mission for those who will ski in the Stowe Derby later this month. Most will be wearing skinny skis as they board the chairlift.
The Stowe Derby will have its 65th running on February 28. This race is a true skimeister kind of race. You have a long downhill ski run and then cross-country terrain. So you must pick your equipment wisely and be a versatile skier.
It started in 1945 as a...[Read more]
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe
Magic Mountain ski area in southern Vermont made the front page of today's Boston Globe.
This small ski area is selling shares in an attempt to become a cooperatively owned ski area, much like Mad River Glen. Magic's owner believes this is the only way that skiers will see the lifts turning beyond this ski season.
Here's a link to the article.
[Read more]
Monday, February 8, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Magic
This morning I had the opportunity to enjoy a sunny ski morning at Jay Peak Resort.
When I got out of my car, the wind whipped through the parking lot and I decided it would be prudent to throw on an extra layer. This layer would come in handy on the Green Mountain Flyer, which always seems to be blasted with wind at the top.
But by the time I hit the entrance to the glades, I had been warmed up by playing in soft powder on the sides of the trails. Then, there were some very nice powder...[Read more]
Friday, February 5, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Jay Peak
Vermont ski resorts are reporting between one to 8 inches of fresh snow this morning — the farther north you go, the higher the total. Some resorts have been getting a little bit of snow every day this week.
This will be an exciting weekend around Stowe, Vermont. The University of Vermont Winter Carnival takes place Friday to Sunday with both alpine and nordic ski racing.
The alpine events are at Stowe Mountain Resort, while the cross-country races are at Trapp Family Lodge. We're planning...[Read more]
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Cross-country skiing, Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
Well surprise, surprise! Northern Vermont ski resorts are reporting up to 12 inches of snow has fallen on their slopes in the last 24 hours. Yippee!
We knew there was going to be light snow this week, but this is much more than expected.
Thank you, Mother Nature, for exceeding our expectations on this one!
Check out Vermont ski resort conditions here.
Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort.[Read more]
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
4 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Mt. Mansfield, Smugglers' Notch, Stowe, Sugarbush
I absolutely hate it when it rains in the middle of winter. It feels like we took two steps forward to only take one step back. Aargh!
It is indeed raining in Vermont today. The temperatures will drop through the week, however, and will be accompanied by some snow. In fact, the lows will be in the single digits in many places by Thursday evening. Go figure.
We'll see what Mother Nature has to offer over the next few days. Let's hope for a strong rebound in the snow department.[Read more]
Monday, January 25, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Backcountry skiing, Cross-country skiing
What a great weekend it was to be a skier in Vermont!
Knowing that this weekend was going to be sunny and warm with good driving conditions, I schemed up a plan to ski at two areas that were new to me: the Middlebury Snow Bowl and the Rikert Ski Touring Center.
Have you heard of the Middlebury Snow Bowl? I knew it was small and owned by the college, which has a strong skiing program, but other than that I was not sure what to expect.
Turns out it was a bunch of fun and wasn't even...[Read more]
Sunday, January 24, 2010
2 Comments
Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Middlebury Snow Bowl
I had a couple of hours to ski with a friend this morning at Smugglers' Notch. I knew it would be a rather warm day and was hoping (naively) for some sun.
Well, no sun but we skied on some nice, soft snow. I enjoyed the runs that had bumped up, including Harvey's, Full Nelson, Lower Doc Dempsey's and the edges of FIS and Treasure Run.
And I felt like a hero arcing some turns on the groomed corduroy. Father Bob's and Lower Exhibition were some of the best places to do that.
The trees on the...[Read more]
Friday, January 15, 2010
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Filed in: Alpine / downhill skiing, Smugglers' Notch
