Spring skiing on New Year's Day

Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 04:48 PM

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Spring-like conditions on the Stowe Mtn. Resort nordic trails.

The snow coverage on the major trails was quite good.

I love following the Ranch Brook.

Got a good skiing workout in warm temperatures.

I found some good spring skiing conditions today on the nordic trails at the Stowe Mountain Resort cross-country center.

I was impressed by the amount of snowcover on the Burt, Bruce and Timberlane nordic trails despite our lackluster snowfall thus far this season. Within the last few days we had been messing around a bit on the trails at Bolton nordic (quite thin) and the Catamount cross-country center (snow/grass skiing) just to get some much needed exercise. But the trails were in much better shape here at Stowe.

I had a fun tour on Timberline and down Cross Cut 2 to Burt Trail, which follows the Ranch Brook — one of my favorite stretches of trail as it follows the rocky, gurgling, icy river. Then I went up the Bruce Trail to where it intersects with Bear Run. It was funny not to pass any skiers and snowboarders descending the Bruce Trail from the top of the mountain.

I felt adventurous on my very light backcountry gear and skied down Peavey for a bit. I don't recommend it — lots of little water crossings and rocks. But I zipped down Cross Cut 4 to get off of that trail and to get onto the well-covered Timberlane. Then, wanting some more river time, I descended Cross Cut 3 back to Burt Trail and followed the river to Cross Cut 1 and then back to the lodge. It was a nice ski. And did I mention that it was about 40 degrees out?

Please join me in praying for snow, or wearing your good luck snow socks or snowflake earrings, or doing a snow dance, or whatever you can do to help bring more snow for the start of the year!

Happy New Year to all!

Filed in: Cross-country skiing, Stowe