You could argue that one or two more East Coast ski resorts should have made the cut, but there's no doubt that Jay Peak belongs on Outside Magazine's list of North America's 16 best ski resorts.

The Vermont resort was the only ski area east of the Mississippi to make the magazine's list, featured in this month's edition. In the category, "perfect for off-piste," local expert Chris Young, a principal at Craftsbury School, wrote:

It's not your typical warm, wet East Coast snow. The storms stick around for a few days. We might not get Utah's four-foot dumps, but the glade system maintains the snow longer—there are skiable pockets for days after the storm if you know where to go. People divide the mountain into two sides: Tramside and Stateside. The Tramside runs tend to have longer vertical and get more traffic. Two epic Tramside glade runs are Staircase and Everglade—they go on forever and have steep, tight lines. I ski Stateside; it's easier to get farther out of bounds. Local knowledge comes in handy. I'm going to get killed if I give you any more information.

The other resorts to make the list were Alta/Snowbird, Snowmass, Whistler-Blackcomb, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Jackson Hole, Alyeska Resort, Silverton Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City, Power Mountain, Bridger Bowl, Crested Butte, Steamboat, Taos, and Mammoth Mountain.

Boyne Resorts has really made its frequent skier card an attractive option heading into this season.

For the same price as last year’s card ($89), skiers and riders can save $25 on midweek, non-holiday, and $15 on weekend and holiday tickets at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon Mountain. This season, however, the card includes a lift ticket good at one of the resorts. Consider that a regular season lift ticket at Sugarloaf is $75 ($77 at Sunday River; Loon has yet to announce its rates this season), and that can add up to big savings at the window.

The cards can be purchased online, or you can simply upgrade your one-day lift ticket purchase at the ticket window.

Here we are nestled into mid-April. The New England ski areas have not seen any substantial snow events for weeks. However, the mountains are still offering plenty of spring snow surfaces to turn on.

As of today, Good Friday, there were still 16 resorts twisting the chairs in New England.

Most of them are still operating on over 75% of their terrain. These are the big players in the game who place a premium on making snow. That effort, coupled with the lack of a January thaw and great snows in the first two months of 2009 have blessed the skiers and snowboarders with beautiful spring conditions all through March and into April. All in spite of the fact that Old Man Winter left the party early and Mother Nature only gave us rain (she must have been crying over his premature departure).

The folks up at Sugarbush have put together some lodging deals that will leave you without any excuses. These ski and stay options are truly deep discounts and the Bush has plenty of snow up there for you to sink your edges into.

Have a look – there are midweek options that start as low as $50 per person for a lift ticket and bed.

Looking for a venue to hit some great Spring skiing and riding conditions? Ready to attend some very cool events or see some fantastic live music? Maybe you are looking to just throw a few back in the sunshine with friends in the mountains?

Whichever you’re fancying - Sunday River is the answer for the next few weekends.

Keep reading to find out what is happening up at Sunday River for this weekend and next.

Check out this LINK.

The CEO of Vail Resorts Co. gave up his 2009 salary = $840K.

White Gold has perks,
S.G.

Okemo season passes for the 2009/2010 ski season are available for purchase now. Up until April 30th Okemo Mountain Resort is locking their rates for season passes at the same levels they were offered up last year.

Purchasing a season pass from Okemo scores you all sorts of benefits. These include skiing at Okemo’s sister resorts, Mount Sunapee, NH and Crested Butte, CO. Plus Okemo’s pass alliance with Vermont’s Stratton Mountain will also still be in force next winter.

Still there is more: Here are some other benefits options Okemo is putting on the table.

• Purchase a 2009/2010 Ultra Pass or Peak Pass by April 30 will receive one Companion Day ticket, so the pass holder can bring a friend skiing for free, any one day during the entire 2009/2010 season.
• Okemo is offering a Pre-Buy Plus Spring Season Pass option. For a slightly higher rate, skiers and riders can purchase a season pass for next winter that also includes the remainder of this great season. This option is available now through closing day in mid-April.

Shawnee Peak is promoting their season pass rates for next season. The price points are all very reasonable.

If you purchase one now you will be allowed to use the lifts for the remained of this season as well! Plus the pass for next year will get you invited to the end of season pass holder events this Spring. Not bad – check out the price points with this LINK.

S.G. Note - The Family Pass could be a perfect solution if you have a place within a short drive of Shawnee next winter and more than a couple children in tow.

This weekend on Saturday (3/21) is the resorts Spring Fling!

Here is a You Tube clip from the Pond Skimming last spring.

Maybe we do get that last big powder day this season…and if it comes midweek you need to be sure not to miss out. That means prepping the boss now for a short notice vacation day, or just playing hooky.

The location is the easy part. Just over an hour up I93 North from Boston. The parking lot at Tenney Mountain is only 6 miles off of the highway (exit 23).

This weekend on Saturday March 21st Jiminy Peak is hosting a Spring Fling. This is a day up in Hancock, MA that has something for everyone! If you have been thinking about switching gears from the normal weekend trek north this is your ticket. The Berkshires have always been a nice option for a weekend getaway.

The Spring Fling – Cardboard Box Derby! Bikini Slaloms! Pond Skimming!

• Registration begins at 8:30 am EDT in the Upper Courtyard of Village Center.
• Entry for all events is free of charge!
• Must be pre-registered at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each event.

Check this LINK as seen on SkiNet.com.

Kind of disturbing....

Feedback Welcome

S.G.

Which do you want first? We got both today. It really does not matter because you are getting the low down either way. Mine as well start with the bad news.

Bad News: The weather system that went through our region yesterday did not drop any new snow on the ski areas of New England. Exception to the rule is that some places in Maine and the higher elevations in New Hampshire did report new accumulations. Even so, those spots only picked up and inch or two, not what we were looking for.

Good News: Cold air is going to grip the region. It will hang around until Saturday. Then things should become more seasonable (highs in the 30’s) and make for some very comfortable skiing and riding. The cold will stop the melting and help firm up the bases. The sun will be out in force. With the time change that means you can sleep in a little bit and experience great light all afternoon.

The southern VT resort has earned itself a reputation in the last decade as a place to be seen. That also came with a high price for visitors. Honestly, the location makes it appealing to folks driving up the Interstate 91 corridor from CT, NJ & NY more so than those of us who have to brave Route 2 from the Hub.

Regardless, the S.G. loves Stratton (plus Manchester, VT is about a 15 minute drive) and is happy to report that the resort has worked hard this year to make on about face on that expensive reputation. This spring the largest ski are in Southern VT is offering some seriously deep discounts. These deals mentioned below will make a trip worthwhile for you and some friends.

Next Weekend: Stratton is hosting the Burton US Snowboarding Championships!

Here is a You Tube clip the S.G. took of Shaun Whites winning half pipe run last at last year US Open.

There is still a lot of skiing left this season in New England. March may have many of you thinking about the golf clubs. Truth be told we are probably going to get hit with at least a couple of major snow events before April is upon us. March is always a busy month full of fun events.

Sugarbush, VT has a full slate planned in the next several weeks. The various mountain peaks that make up the resort have already seen an outstanding 21 feet of snow this season. As of the time of this post the Bush is still operating with 100% of their legendary terrain open.

Monday brought some of the areas in New England much desired new snow. After a weekend of weather more typical of late April the region needed some cold air to stop the melting. The flakes that fell from the skies were just an added bonus.

Areas in Central VT and NH picked up the most substantial accumulations, some recording over a half foot. Those places would be Killington, Okemo, and Pico in Vermont. While Sunapee, Ragged, Pats Peak in NH faired best of all the New England resorts landing totals in the 7-8 inch range.

Looks like Saturday is the pick.

Sunday will actually be warmer, but on Saturday the sun has a much better chance of shining on the slopes. Temperatures are going to rocket north of freezing pretty much at every ski area in our region. Sunday it will more than likely be raining.

Left Coast Tangent: Certain places like Heavenly in Lake Tahoe got crushed with over six feet of new snow this week! This is one of the many pictures I received. Check out there conditions on SnoCountry.

photos credit danthriftphotography.com

The Princeton, MA ski area was also on the short list of places with chairlifts that picked up over a foot of new snow from the storm earlier this week. When you add that into an equation that features a short drive and great deals it makes Wachusett a place you need to have on your radar.

Never been to Wachusett? See how the other readers felt about the resort by looking at the report card GRADES.

Season Passes for 2009-2010 are on sale Now!

Bonus Turns: If you take down a pass for next season you can ski and ride for the rest of this one for Free! For the price points hit this LINK.

Here is a breakdown of things to expect from Pats Peak in Henniker, NH this March.

If you have been following this blog all season you already know that the resort is one of the S.G.’s favorite day trips from downtown Boston, and a tremendous family area. Hopefully you find something in this entry that gets you up there for some skiing, riding, snowtubing, and fun!

Snow Update: Pats Peak was one of the areas that benefitted the most from the Sunday/Monday snowstorm. They picked up over a foot and are currently operating on 100% of their terrain with a 28-50 inch base.

The Sunday/Monday Snowstorm absolutely reeked havoc on the S.G.’s travel plans. It also gave the New England ski areas a much needed shot of powder. The areas further south in NH and East in MA caught the windfall getting double digit totals.

This link will show where the best snows fell (note: sort with the "last modified" tab at the top). NOAA Snow Maps

Fact: March is the BEST month to ski and ride in our region.

the S.G. hitting the Tower Three Chute at Jackson Hole on 2/28

March has always been the S.G.’s favorite month to hit the slopes in New England.

This year Jay Peak is making it an easier decision to head north for a few long weekends of deep powder. The resort has begun selling Spring Passes. These are valid until closing day with no restrictions (typically first week in April – could go longer this spring).

Update: So far this season Jay Peak has tallied 342 inches of snowfall! For current Jay Peak weather forecasts check out what Roger Hill has to say on the website.