Ski gear

Late October brings snow and controversy

Late-October snowstorm in northern Vermont

Is there snow in Vermont? Why, yes! The report from the tippy top of Mt. Mansfield is that there are 11 inches of snow at the stake—well above average for this time of year—due to the storm that came through this week.

Here's a Web cam shot from Underhill, Vermont, this morning. Underhill is on the western side of Mount Mansfield.

Here in the Champlain Valley we had about an inch or so, but much of that has melted to reveal the fallen leaves again. While there is still some more raking to do,...[Read more]

Thursday, October 30, 2008 No Comments Filed in: Fall & Early season, Mt. Mansfield, Ski gear

Northern and Central Vermont ski swaps and ski sales

I don't know about you, but I'm looking for some ski gear before the snow flies this year. For one, I want to pick up some plastic telemark boots so I can really have more turning capability on my descents in the woods.

I'm going to check out a couple of Vermont ski swaps to see if I can score some equipment that fits me. I was successful two years ago when I found some new, unwrapped Karhu Pavo skis...so who knows what I might uncover this year.

Here are just a few upcoming ski swaps in...[Read more]

Monday, September 29, 2008 4 Comments Filed in: Cochran's, Killington, Okemo, Ski gear, Smugglers' Notch

Firm and fast nordic ski conditions on Thursday

A view of Camel's Hump from Bolton Valley, Vt.

Late on Thursday afternoon, we headed for Bolton Valley Nordic Center to do a couple of laps of skate skiing. Conditions were firm and very fast.

It was a good workout as I climbed the hills on World Cup. Then I employed my much-practiced wedge, or snowplow, to keep things in check during the super-fast descents.

In Bolton Valley's Nordic Blog, they reported that they had tilled and groomed the snow on 20 km with an alpine grooming machine. My skis chattered on the small grooves as I wedged...[Read more]

Friday, February 22, 2008 No Comments Filed in: Bolton Valley, Cross-country skiing, Ski gear

Vermont sledding hills and high-performance sleds

Fresh Vermont snow; all you can eat!

With all this snow falling here in Vermont, kids of all ages grab their sleds and head for the hills. What could be more fun after some skiing, or better yet, on a snow day from school?

Seven Days newspaper has created a handy little map of sledding hills in northern Vermont. Is your favorite hill on this list?

In the Mad River Valley, some people have elevated sledding to a science. Mad River Rockets in Warren, Vt., makes high-speed sleds with names like Killer B and Stinger.

These things...[Read more]

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 No Comments Filed in: Burke, Ski gear

I love my mittens

A view from the Stowe View lookout

It's days like today that I praise the snowgods, and my parents for buying me my favorite pair of mittens. We had a lovely backcountry tour today, but it was darn cold.

Fortunately, I'm someone who layers up and I know when to take out the big guns (the sheepskin mittens) when I need to.

Despite temps in the single digits, it didn't take much uphill shlogging to start generating some heat and a couple of times I had to take the mittens off to cool off my hands.

Let me tell you that I've...[Read more]

Saturday, December 15, 2007 No Comments Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Bolton Valley, Ski gear

First freshies!

There's snow in Vermont. How scrumptious!

This just in: I earned my first turns of the season today!

There were about 12 inches of fluffy powder to sample on the CCC road on the western slopes of Mt. Mansfield. That dirt road is accessed via the Underhill State Park access road in Underhill, Vermont.

The trees were laden with snow — some of the lightest powder we every get here in the East, really — and the sky was mostly blue. What more could you ask for on the first ski run of the year?

My husband (the Skimeister)...[Read more]

Sunday, November 25, 2007 No Comments Filed in: Backcountry skiing, Mt. Mansfield, Ski gear


Stuff you can use on the trail...
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