The other day we brought you some video of a rather snarly porcupine at Alta. Well, as it turns out, there's some nature gone wild in Vermont as well. Here's a moose chasing after a skier at our own Sugarbush, not on a remote trail, but at the base of the lift. The moose is indeed, on the loose.

H/T @AlpineZone

Herb "The Skiing Weatherman" Stevens brings you the latest conditions and trail counts at ski resorts throughout New England.

Our friends over at RadioBDC just announced the schedule for their “Drafters” tour this winter, featuring a full slate of après ski parties at ski areas all across New England featuring music, games, and giveaways.

The fun starts Thursday night with a pair of kickoff parties in Boston (The Wild Rover, 8-10 p.m.) and Beverly (Fibber McGee's Bar & Grill 8-10 p.m.)

Jan. 5
Attitash

Jan. 10
Lift Off Party #1:Clerys (Boston) 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lift Off Party #2: Tin Whistle (Salem) 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Jan. 12
Wildcat Mountain

Jan. 31
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)

Feb. 2
Waterville Valley

Feb. 7
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)

Feb. 9
Black Mountain

Feb. 28
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)

March 2
Bretton Woods

March 21
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)
Lift Off Party (location/time TBD)

March 23
(Mountain TBD)

A few skiers ran into a porcupine recently at Alta, and of course, rather than avoiding the prickly fella, decided to play along before one of them felt the creature's wrath. Perhaps more amusing, however, is one of the comments that the YouTube video received:

"Chris, would you be willing to talk to the news about this porcupine? We are looking to do a story about this well known porcupine. Let me know. The number at KUTV 2 News..."

Breaking news: "When Porcupines Attack."

Politics and powder skiing don't mix. It's not cool to get on a chairlift and go off about your party affiliation or your frustration with our economy and who is to blame. So, with all the chatter about the EFC, economic fiscal cliff, I am going to Canada. No, their economy is not what I seek over ours. I just want to go ski, and enjoy the "joie de vivre" away from the fray.

Le Massif is 100% open having received 100 inches of snow in the past month, Mont Sainte Anne is in excellent snow shape as well. Perhaps I will find a snowy cliff to fly off. Physical cliff skiing anyone? Ok, maybe a baby cliff or just a small jump so I can say I did.

So I will let you know how the snow is in Quebec, eh! And I will investigate the après ski scene too - as due diligence, like a complete congressional report on my EFC- (Emmenthaler fondue cheese?). Wouldn't you rather ski than hear about debt ceilings, tax hikes and economic downturns? Riding on fresh snow beats any recession discussion any day. See you on the slopes.

Photo by Greg Burke

Dear Tom, Wes, Vince, Bill, the gang at Foxboro, please accept my genuine thanks for the bye week next weekend. As a skier first and Pats fan second, this time of year can be stressful. It's probably an anxious time for you too. For skiers, Sunday game time can cause ski-interruptus. It's a conundrum when you want to continue Sunday fun day skiing, but you want to be home by the big screen in time for your big kick off.

Yesterday's Patriots Dolphin romp was just what I dreamed for (okay, didn't plan on a shut out - that was a bonus). And thank you NFL for moving yesterday's game to après ski time, after the lifts closed. Now we can all enjoy a Playoff Bye Week. You guys can rest up (Gronk and Ninkovich especially), review plays, and get ready for the AFC Divisional Round game. Meanwhile, I can go skiing next weekend without worry of missing a minute of football with you.

Note to skiers: January 5-6 weekend on the slopes is notoriously slower, immediately following the busier Christmas New Year's holiday. And with the new snow, New England ski resorts will be wide open.

And our New England positioning gets better, you Pats earned yourselves home field advantage to play your AFC Divisional Round on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 4:30 against either the Texans, Colts, or Ravens.

That means we skiers can hit the slopes that weekend as well (when it will be perfectly acceptable and encouraged to ski in your Patriots jersey). As long as we leave the slopes Sunday by 1 or 2pm, we can be home in front of our TVs for game time - après ski a la Pats. Go Pats. And skiers, enjoy your bye time skiing and snowboarding.

See you on the slopes.

Loon Photo by Greg Burke

Thank You Santa, snow gods, Ullr, whomever brought this winter weather. Every Christmas I ask for snow and often my wish for White Christmas does not get delivered. Just prior to the holiday, my son called from Big Sky Montana, where he teaches skiing, and downplayed how great the skiing was. Still I could sense in his voice exhaustion and endorphins from skiing deep snow. A mother knows. And he knows me well, that's why he didn't want me to be envious of his ample snow situation so he used words like "really good coverage." Maybe he was scared I would jump on a plane and invade his college apartment for some serious Montana snow.

But then my wishes were answered. Since Christmas, it has been snowing in the New England mountains consistently. Ski resorts have seen storm after storm and their trail counts are climbing toward 100%. See the snow reports.

Sugarloaf shines with the most terrain open so far, 1067 acres of their 1,156. With four feet of fresh snow in the past two weeks, The Loaf has been able to open even their side country terrain of Brackett Basin and the Eastern Territory - which is entirely natural snow reliant glades. The forecast is for cold temps this week, ok- that's the good with the bad I suppose, so the snow will stay squeaky, dry and very ski-able.

This is just what ski resorts in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Mass deserve after last winter's disappointing snow fall. Skiers and riders have to be stoked to ski on soft, silky natural snow with that reliable manmade base underneath - which resorts made prior to the holiday as assurance (last year serving as a lesson to stockpile snow when you can).

So if you are a snow lover and skier like me, I know you share in the excitement for a "real winter." If not, and you are already tired of shoveling this winter, I apologize that my Christmas wish was delivered to your driveway. Next year I will try to be more specific with GPS coordinates to pinpoint where I would like my snowy wish delivered.

See you on the slopes.

Sugarloaf Brackett Basin photo by Greg Burke

Herb "The Skiing Weatherman" Stevens brings you the latest conditions and trail counts at ski resorts throughout New England.

Last year, on Dec 28, the subject of my ski blog was "one of the worst Decembers to remember for skiers." A serious lack of natural snow and unseasonably mild temps over Christmas week 2011 held most ski resorts at 20-40% o f their terrain open on entirely man-made snow. Fast forward to today, Sugarloaf has 1,059 acres open, 91% of their skiing, including Bracket Basin and the new Eastern Territory - which is all natural snow gladed terrain. Sunday River and Saddleback are skiing on the majority of their trails, having received up to a foot in the past week. And it's still snowing...

Vermont ski resorts received as much as a foot of fresh powder in the last 24 hours, especially Jay Peak, Smugglers, Stowe, Stratton, Bromley and Sugarbush and its still dumping. New Hampshire ski areas got half a foot in the last 24 hours, and as much as a foot in the past few days.

In Mass, Jiminy Peak has over 80% of their ski terrain open, Butternut, Nashoba Valley and Wachusett are about 50% open with fresh snow to soften the manmade.

Of course, along with winter storm Euclid came winds causing lift holds for some ski resorts. They are accustomed to a dose of reality with every dump, and I am happy to report that ski resorts are providing better updates on lift statuses and more accurate snow accumulations in this era of social media and smart phone users that have every app on the planet tracking and verifying downhill resort data.

Friday should be a great ski day on this fresh snow, as winds die down, and travel conditions improve. Cranmore dedicates their new $1 million East Side Triple, the Herbert Schneider Triple - in honor of the Austrian ski instructor who came here in 1939 and passed away this June. Schneider served as both owner and GM of Cranmore - the ski area is 75 this season.

The weekend looks white and wonderful for skiers and riders, so much better than last December and definitely cause to celebrate. Call it Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, La Nina, or whatever you wish - but get out there and ski.

See you on the slopes!

Photos by Greg Burke

Sitting in the lobby at the Jordan Grand by the blazing fire, I watch family after family check in for the holiday ski week at Sunday River. If its Boxing Day for most, its packing and moving to the mountains day for skiers. Some arrivals are obvious condo owners, or at least seasoned customers, organized down to their big coolers and crock pots, they know the drill and its a delightful tradition. Then there are the newbies who saved, and stressed about this ski vacation, then stuffed everything randomly into their SUVs. As they open their back hatch, perfectly wrapped packages fall into the snow, ski boot buckles are tangled with poles, and kids climb out of every other opening. Helpful valets rush to provide support to these eager families who are paying premiums for their prime week on the slopes. The lucky kids, oblivious to their parents’ plight, head straight to the cookies and hot cocoa tray by the Christmas tree.

Dads pray there will be good snow and fluffy first tracks, moms hope no one gets hurt and that they didn't forget anything in their hurry to hit the road. Kids are excited to see real snow, and anxious about going to ski school. Credit cards are swiped, luggage is sorted, and its finally time for snow fun, or swimming in the outdoor heated pool.

I know from almost two decades of personal experience with my husband and our two kids, its a lot of effort to take your family to a ski resort – practically a downhill obsession.

Choreographed or chaotic, I am reminded these ski families are all here for the same thing: time away with our family, a magical White Christmas and snowy New Year celebration, the joy of sharing our favorite sport with our kids, making memories in the mountains.

Boring families stay home, it is certainly easier than hauling your whole family to the ski slopes for the holiday. But the best things in life often require bold action and a step beyond the ordinary (read: packing, planning and putting up the $$). I hope all the families vacationing in ski country for this big holiday week are rewarded with big smiles from their kids and irreplaceable mountain memories! I know they are in for some big snow the next few days. Thanks Santa for delivering my wish.

See you on the slopes.

Photos of Sunday River by Greg Burke

The weekend prior to Christmas is my personal favorite for fresh snow and very few people on the slopes. Yesterday at Sunday River, those that went skiing instead of shopping were rewarded with freshly made snow, sunshine, and an appropriately wintry scene. First tracks on American Express and Right Stuff were talcum powder textured snow with a stunning sunrise over the mountains. The River did an amazing job resurfacing trails. Its never dull for ski areas, they just can't predict what Mother Nature has in store, 30 inches of snow last week followed by a warm wet spell Friday for example, but snowmakers are always ready to respond and guarantee a very White Christmas with or without natural snow. Families arriving at New England ski resorts for the holiday week are being greeted with a White Christmas and snowy slopes.

Guess who else was skiing at Sunday River this weekend? A certain retired Red Sox catcher decided to learn to downhill ski. Jason Varitek went vertical this weekend, and the All -Star catcher was caught learning to turn and riding the magic carpet at South Ridge. His wife Catherine Varitek even tweeted about his fall line follies. The 'Tek family also enjoyed après ski at the Foggy Goggle. Varitek is no big threat to the US Ski Team, as his time was mostly spent on the magic carpet, still it's great to see a career athlete try alpine and enjoy the winter wonderland with his family.

I wish you and your family have a very Merry snowy Christmas. See you on the slopes.

Herb "The Skiing Weatherman" Stevens brings you the latest conditions and trail counts at ski resorts throughout New England.

If the Mayans calculations are correct, and the world calendar comes to an end tomorrow, do you want to spend your final moments at your desk? Or would you rather be in deep snow in the mountains pursuing your favorite passion?

There is much scholarly debate about whether tomorrow's 12/21/12 is indeed doomsday, and it looks very doubtful - but it still makes a mighty fine excuse to hit the slopes just in case.

This Mayan milestone mania reminds me of the Y2K panic, we stocked up on water, batteries and canned goods, then eagerly logged onto our computers on New Year's Day to find that our electronic lives had indeed re-calibrated and accepted the 01/01/00 date. That turned out to be a great day to ski too, as New Years Day often is.

Some folks are having fun with Friday's debatable date, Ragged Mountain is selling a $21 Mayan midweek ticket now through tomorrow - which is valid any midweek non-holiday this season, representing a 66% savings.

Even though I am highly dubious about the Mayan calendar finale on 12/21/12, I am going skiing at Sunday River. There is fresh snow from this week at most northern New England ski resorts, particularly in Maine's mountains, and it's the first day of winter. Seems like reason enough, don't you think? Lifts open at 9am, and the world ends at ???

See you on the slopes.

Sunday River photo by Greg Burke

Ski resorts from Maine to Vermont received a bit of Christmas white gold this week, when more than 30 inches of snow fell in some spots in New England, just in time for the upcoming busy holiday vacation week.

The jackpot totals were in northern Maine, where Saddleback and Sugarloaf are both reporting 32 inches since Sunday night, when the recent cycle of storms began. The snow helped both resorts dramatically increase their trail counts, with Saddleback running on 53 trails and glades (19 groomed) and Sugarloaf on 102 trails and five lifts as of Thursday. On an average year, Sugarloaf aims to have around 50 trails open for Christmas week.

"It's as open as we've been in December for some time," said Ethan Austin, the resort's communications manager. "To have over 100 is insane, actually. We couldn't be happier with that much terrain."

Thanks to the heavy snow, the area surrounding Sugarloaf suffered a wide power outage on Wednesday, yet the resort managed to make do by running a pair of lifts by diesel. Further to the south in Maine, Sunday River has also seen 14 inches over the past five days, and is now skiing and riding on 59 trails.

In New Hampshire, Wildcat had reportedly seen two feet of snow at its Pinkham Notch summit as of noon on Wednesday, but will still resume snowmaking operations beginning Friday night. In Vermont, Sugarbush and Stowe have both seen about a foot of snow over the last 72 hours. Mad River Glen also reported about 11 inches mixed in with some freezing rain, a good base-builder for the yet-to-open ski area.

Northern Maine and New Hampshire should be in for even more snow beginning on Friday, when an event begins that could bring a mix of precipitation elsewhere. NECN’s Matt Noyes predicts that the same mountains that saw this week’s bounty should be for even more. Elsewhere…it could be wait and see, and hope the rain doesn’t wash out the snow predicted to fall through Friday throughout much of New England.

In rounding up some of New England’s most underrated ski areas, we realized just how many gems go under the radar. But really, what is underrated? One of the mountains I had originally planned to add to the list was Smuggler’s Notch, but ultimately cut it because the popular resort didn’t seem a key ingredient in being “underrated.”

However, the Jeffersonville, Vt. resort did get a nod from one reader, who simply stated, “It’s not just for kids.” That just about sums it up. Clearly, Smuggs is marketed as a family resort, but anyone who has ever skied or ridden there can attest to the area’s gnarly and challenging terrain. Yet we tend to think of it as a genteel spot because of the family angle. Smuggler’s Notch really is one of the best spots in New England for skiing families, but the place has teeth too.

Whether it be the image the resort wants to portray or whatnot, we assume certain characteristics on places that truly may or may not be a fair assessment. Family-owned mountains such as Black and Saddleback (got $12 million?) simply don’t have the revenue needed for an all-out marketing blitz in the Northeast, yet they deliver two of the most rewarding skiing and riding experiences in the Northeast. The list goes on: Gunstock, Pat’s Peak, Bromley, Ragged, Berkshire East…

Underrated ski areas are like a secret stash, for your eyes only. You know where the goods are and know how to get them. But even New England’s largest ski resorts can be underrated in their own way. It’s all about perception, of course. I try to visit one new place each year in order to soak up different skiing environments and cultures. While the number of spots I’ve yet to visit begins to dwindle with age, it is that variety and knowledge of varying degrees that makes us go outside the box and learn more about places we may overlook because of what’s in the back of our minds about them.

Got any overlooked spots that other skiers and riders should venture to? Share with the class. Or, if you feel the need to keep things on the down low…don’t. We understand.

With Christmas just six days away, panic may be setting in for skiers. You don't want to sacrifice next weekend shopping, you want to be skiing on the fresh snow that's hitting the slopes of northern New England ski areas. So, here's help, six last minute gift ideas for the skiers and riders on your list.

A Liftopia gift card. Liftopia sells discounted lift tickets at over 150 alpine resorts across North America, so giving the gift of versatile vertical is easy, and you are getting a downhill deal, like $44 tickets to Sugarbush. You decide the amount, $5 to $1,000 denominations, and your friend can use their gift card when and where they want to ski this season - at serious savings.

Disposable hand and toe warmers. These cheap pocket size hand warmer packets are my personal life saver (so I hope my kids take note). Heat Factory or Grabbers chemical heat packets provide about seven hours of toasty comfort, and extend your time on the slopes between lodge breaks for frozen fingers and toes. I admit it, I have a pack a day habit - so a case will put a smile on my face.

Give the gift of a good tune. I'm not talking about an iTunes gift card - though that's not the worst idea. I suggest you set your ski buddy up with a professional sharpening and wax job if they have not tuned their boards in a while. A good ski tuning, at your local ski shop or at the mountain, can revitalize a pair of skis or snowboard, improving edge grip, performance and bottom surface slide. Since buying your buddy new skis is probably out of the question, a tune will make their equipment feel "like new" for $20-50.

Ski socks. Ski instructors, pro skiers, and racers all agree - if your feet aren't happy, you aren't on top of your ski game. Ski socks make a huge difference in foot comfort, warmth, and wicking of funky foot sweat and odor. Ski socks are $10-20, and worth it for the superior technical fabric and fit. SmartWool and Vermont's Darn Tough socks come in fun colors, all shapes and sizes for skiers and snowboarders.

Video/Camera Goggles. If you want your ski companion to make a ski film or take photos of you on the slopes, then set them up with the Zeal HD Camera Goggle. Way more discreet than wearing a GoPro or Contour cam on your head, these goggles have a built in 8 mexapixel camera with HD video recording. They're steezy looking, have glove touch control on the outside frame, automatically adjust focus and light levels, and have an in-goggle viewfinder. And the resulting ski videos and photos will be priceless - or $399 for the goggles.

Retro Ski Stuff. I am a big fan of the New England Ski Museum, located at the base of Cannon Mountain. Their online store offers an outstanding collection of retro ski posters, decor, ski t-shirts and ties, games and toys, even snowflake jewelry for sale, from as little as $12 on up. Best of all, your purchase benefits this non-profit that is preserving ski history in New England.

Happy shopping and I will see you on the slopes.

Finally, Mother Nature decided to help ski areas out with a little natural whitener. Northern New England ski resorts are reporting meaningful fresh snow this morning. In Maine, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Shawnee Peak and Saddleback received 5 to 8 inches and it's still snowing.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire have seen 3-7 inches with the biggest yields of snow at Cannon and Wildcat reporting 7 inches so far.

In Vermont, most ski areas are reporting 3-5 inches in the past 24 hours. This is a great boost to the manmade snow efforts that resorts have been pumping for over a month a now. It may be a good time to do a snow dance and think cold thoughts - it would be nice if this wave of snow stayed as snow in the mountains - and didn't turn over to another four letter weather word.

With the holiday week approaching, and skiers wanting to hit the slopes for the first time with their families, a little white goes a long way to set the stage. New England skiers and riders are due for a White Christmas. That's what's on my wish list (my perennial request).

See you on the slopes.

Sunday River photo by Greg Burke

By Necee Regis

“Ski It Your Way” at the Buttonwood Inn, North Conway, N.H., with two packages that allow you to choose your favorite sport: alpine or cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, or snow tubing. The Couples Alpine Package offers two all-day lift tickets or vouchers for one day at Attitash, Cranmore, Wildcat, Bretton Woods, or Black Mountain (rates from $359). The Couples Cross-Country Package offers two trail passes or vouchers at Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Center or Bretton Woods (rates from $279). Both packages include two-night accommodations, full country breakfast, discount dining and shopping coupons, and evening tea and hot chocolate with baked treats. At the end of the day, relax in a hot tub under the stars.

Through March 13.  64 Mount Surprise Road, 800-258-2625, www.buttonwoodinn.com

Today is opening day for Pico Mountain, and the start to their 75th season. In the shadows of Killington Mountain, the self proclaimed Beast of the East, Pico doesn't get the big accolades or the big crowds either.

But Pico is steeped in its own rich history of ski racing and family roots. Brad and Janet Mead started Pico in 1937. Their daughter Andrea Mead (Lawrence) grew up skiing Pico's slopes, and first competed at 15 in the 1948 Winter Olympics, taking eighth in slalom. In 1952, as the U.S. women’s team captain, Andrea won Gold in Slalom and GS - the first US ski racer to win two Gold's. That same year in Oslo, Austrian Othmar Schneider and Norwegian Stein Eriksen won gold and silver each .

To honor Andre Mead Lawrence at Pico, a dedication ceremony will take place at noon today at the 6,000 square foot Peak Lodge being constructed in her name. The Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge will be the center for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and the Pico Ski Education Foundation, scheduled to open in 2013, next to Pico's Base Lodge and the current Pico Ski Club. Fundraising for the $1.3 million Lodge is ongoing.

To celebrate Pico's 75th, which opened Thanksgiving day 1937, lift tickets will be $19.37 now through December 21. Even better news, you don't have to grab on to the 1,200' rope tow powered by a Hudson motor car engine like skiers did 75 years ago, now you can enjoy the comforts of Pico's high speed quads and get 20 runs at a less than a buck a run.

Pico Mountain photo by Greg Burke

Herb "The Skiing Weatherman" Stevens brings you the latest conditions and trail counts at ski resorts throughout New England.