The skiing and riding industry in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom was altered drastically Thursday, when news came down that the owners of Jay Peak Resort have purchased nearby Burke Mountain Resort, creating a joint venture that makes for intriguing expansion options for Burke.

The deal was first reported by WCAX-TV, which also pointed out that Bill Stenger and Ariel Quiros completed the purchase of Burke earlier this week for an undisclosed price.

A formal announcement is expected later today.

Members of the Ski the East team spoke with Steve Wright, Jay Peak's VP of Marketing and Sales:

Wright was clear that the recent upgrades at Jay Peak were not an automatic indication of what is likely at Burke Mountain, though he did feel that having ownership rooted in the Northeast Kingdom would be a win for the region. Ginn Company was the seller.

"We have a lot of fact finding to do. Clearly we have similarities in audience and location which will work well for cross promotions and products, but operationally we plan to listen and learn. There's a lot of history at Burke and there's been many master plans that did not roll out. We're about delivering on our promises, which means we're not making many on day one."

Without getting into specifics, Wright noted that the purchase is free of debt assumption and that Burke Mountain is in possesion of build out permits. He estimated Burke's recent skier visitation at about 60,000 visits.

"That location right near I-91 and our already established nearby bed base up here at Jay does create some unique options for combining our offerings," said Wright.

Burke had recently announced a multi-year development place, something the owners of Jay are surely familiar with, recently transforming its base area into a multi-season destination with an indoor water park, new hotel, and base lodge as part of its redevelopment plan. Burke and Jay are located about an hour from each other. Combination promotions and season passes could soon be in the plans.

Okay, so winter 2011-12 will go down in New England ski history as anything but the perfect ski season, reminded me of 1978-79. Low natural snow and record warm temps made it tough for skiers. But sometimes you just have to keep the faith, right Red Sox and Pats fans?! If you quit, cop out, blame the snow gods and just stop going, you are definitely not going to get that epic ski day. Not every ski day is perfect, but you have to put yourself out there to get the goods. The snow is not going to seek you out, you have to chase it. My last day of the ski season April 19, #39, was the best.

Mind you, it was in Austria, a big trip I had been anticipating all season long. We had a few days of skiing in the clouds in conditions my husband Greg calls CSS (code for" Can't See Stuff) in the otherwise spectacular Alps of the Tirol and Arlberg, but when the sun came out and sparkled on a fresh coating of 20 centimeters of light fluffy snow - we got our reward. We skied St Anton, Lech/Zurs, Solden, Obergurgl /Hochgurgl , which are all sensational when the sun and snow align. The Austrians invented many of the best ski traditions we know, think Hannes Schneider’s ski school, Doppelmayr lifts, schnapps, and après ski dancing. Austrians were intrepid skiers, and still are, with some of the most modern lifts and amazing terrain in the world.

Skiing is weather roulette, but those who keep an eye to the forecast and seize the day, find the diamond dust on the slopes some mornings, the perfect untouched cord, and even the untracked new powder. One day last week in Solden, everyone slept in due to clouds in town, but we boarded the first gondola to get above the clouds and skied in brilliant blue sunshine and 10 centimeters of fresh snow.

I am reminded of my second best day in 6 inches of powder at Loon in January. First tracks at Sunday River and skiing Casablanca glades at Saddleback are a close third and fourth. I hope your ski season had its rewards. There is still skiing at Jay Peak and Killington this weekend, could be your best ski day yet, but only if you go.

Austria Photos by Greg Burke, Obergurgl (top) and Solden, taken this week.

Spring is back, after a brief return to winter last week for skiers still craving more carving. After Sugarloaf wraps today, Killington and Jay Peak will be the only two still spinning their lifts. This is good news for Vermont since Gov. Shumlin declared skiing and snowboarding as their official winter sport this March, like New Hampshire did in 1998.

Sugarloaf may reopen next weekend, conditions permitting, but the forecast is far from wintry. While Jay Peak has gotten more natural snow recently, it looks like the Beast of the East wants to regain their status as earliest to open and last to close in the East. Of course, Boyne Resorts, of Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Loon, also want to boast the longest ski season amongst their sister resorts.

You may remember that the Big K opened on Oct. 29, just minutes before Sunday River (a gracious gesture from The River after Killington’s struggles post Hurricane Irene). Stay tuned, Earth Day is next Sunday, April 22, and whether skiing continues beyond that in the East depends on how much earth (in the form of brown ground and grass) pops up on the slopes.

I am skiing in Austria, a trip I booked back in January, when New England snow was pathetic, and the Arlberg & Tyrol region got dumped on with over 30 feet of snow. It is melting here quickly too, but the skiing on the Solden glaciers is superb, where the US Ski Team trains. More on that later, as I am between wifi hot spots, ski runs, and après ski gluehwein.
St Anton Austria photo by Greg Burke

How funny that it snowed Halloween, rained on Christmas, and snowed again on Easter in the mountains of New England - albeit just a flurry. Ski resort operators probably do not see the humor in Mother Nature's mercurial games. Hey, there are snow flurries in the forecast this week too, so the "funny" weather continues. Ha, ha. Ski season is not over, lifts are still turning at a few ski areas and there will be skiing next weekend, and perhaps even beyond.

Wildcat is closed this week, with plans to reopen next weekend April 14-15. Meanwhile, New Hampshire's Loon wraps its ski season tomorrow.

Saddleback will reopen Friday for the weekend with their Flyin' Hawaiian Party planned for Saturday, April 14. This is a crazy event where snowmobilers simultaneously launch off terrain park jumps while skiers and riders are hitting adjacent features - creating quite an air show spectacle. Saddleback's last ski day is likely Sunday. Last winter, Saddleback received 276 inches of snow and stayed open through May 1, this season thus far they have received just 128.

Sunday River is open daily this week and next weekend. Sunday April 15 is their last day of the season which will be free, honoring their Ski Mainia tradition. Last year at this time, Sunday River had all their trails open and kept skiing until Easter which was April 24.

Sugarloaf is open daily with snow flurries forecasted for this week and the biggest party of the season set for next weekend, the 24th annual Reggaefest. Last season, Sugarloaf stretched their ski and ride season to May 9.

Sugarloaf, Jay Peak, and Killington all vow to keep skiing through April, as long as conditions permit. The last ski resort standing gets big bragging rights, which Sugarloaf - self proclaimed "King of Spring" usually bags, so stay tuned and keep skiing while you can.

Photos by Greg Burke, Sunday River and Sugarloaf

I confess, I have never pond skimmed. In my four decades of skiing, I have never had the desire for wet ski boots, ski pants soaked to three times their weight, or a cold swim in April ski area effluent. But both my kids and my husband have, they claim it is a skier's rite of passage. Of course, my daughter did not make it across the pond at Sunday River, she took the plunge and it took days for her ski boots to dry. It was truly her last run of the season; ending with a splash.

If indeed crossing a cold water pond on skis or a snowboard is on your ski bucket list, then this weekend is your last chance, last dance before you hang your ski stuff up to dry. Loon's Slush Pool pond skimming is Saturday at noon at the base of the Octagon Lodge. Sunday River will host Pond Skimming on Sunday at 10am at Barker, part of the weekend long Parrothead festivities. Pre-registration for these events is required, and there is no guarantee you will get a slot for your soak (I mean chance to dance across the pond) as sometimes the pond drains out before the enthusiastic skiers and riders get their shot.

It is so impressive when you have good momentum, your balance is just right, your boards are wide enough, and you fly across the pond and pre-jump the lip at the end to remain high and dry. Most do not, which is why I prefer my stance as a spectator. If you manage to glide across the pond effortlessly at Loon or the River, like waterskiing on early morning glass, then you should consider a trip to Vail next weekend for the World Championship Pond Skimming April 15, the wettest wildest spring ski party around.

A side note, crazy costumes are encouraged for pond skimmers and tend to entice the judges into higher scores. It also excites the spectators so they will cheer for you and your big finish, or more likely your big splash.

Sunday River pond skim photos by Greg Burke

A little ski math, I typically log 40, maybe 50 if I am lucky, ski days in a season. My husband Greg tracks our vertical with his handy Vertech Ski watch and with the Alpine Replay iPhone app - for comparison. Okay, so we are a bit obsessed, but we enjoy measuring our time on the mountain, typically bagging 10 runs before lunch. It's a game, it keeps us going. Our average ski day, we accumulate about 26,000 vertical feet, so that squeaks us in at just over 1,000,000 vertical feet in a ski season. I have always thought our alpine accumulation was worthy, till I saw Tom Hanson's stats.

Sugarloafer Tom Hansen has us beat, by four times - geez. If this ski season seems like a bummer for many of us in New England, it has been a hummer for Hanson. He has skied 105 days, logged 4,239,462 vertical feet (yes, 4 million) in 2,841 runs, which is the equivalent of 6,346 miles. I don't know how many Bag burgers he has burned in calories, but for a 60 year old guy with arthritic knees and a heart condition, I am impressed. It gets better; Hanson has raised over $2,500 in pledges for the Ski Museum of Maine while tackling the mountain. You can still contribute to Hanson's charitable charge at www.skimuseumofmaine.org and you can track his stats at Sugarloaf's Alpine Replay, but I doubt you can catch up with him.

Sugarloaf Photo by Greg Burke

My season's accumulation of grievances and grudges are not a big deal, but simple ski etiquette could cure these alpine annoyances and mountain mishaps, and probably improve everyone's day on the slopes. So here you go, my top ten skiing pet peeves.
Don't ski while talking on a cell phone, it's like driving while texting. Skiing and riding require your full attention. Cell phones should only be used as a communication device to hook up with people you are skiing with, not for blathering to your buddy at home while booking down the hill. How about pulling safely off to the side of the trail to make or take a call? And please refrain from long, loud extended conversations on the chairlift when in the company of others - surely that conversation can wait.

Don't crank your iTunes so loud and blare over your chairlift companions' conversation. Besides common courtesy, if you are so tuned out while skiing, you may not hear the approaching snowmobile or groomer.

Don't ski way above your ability level. It is okay to challenge yourself but it is not okay to endanger yourself or others by skiing out of control and being unable to stop, turn or avoid others. The trail designations, green circle, blue square and black diamond, are there for your benefit. Work up to each level and remember that trail designations are unique to each ski area, the level of difficulty typically refers to their trails - so a black diamond at Stowe is more difficult than at Bretton Woods.

Don't bomb straight down the trail just to reach the Terrain Park, make the most of your run, and your time in the park. Maybe it is just me, but I find it rude and reckless when park skiers just beeline to the park, cutting skiers off, then skid a big skid stop, producing a huge snow cloud to finally check their speed before the park entrance.

Conversely you should not just bomb through the Terrain Park, even though the best untouched cord lies on the sides. Whether or not you are using the elements; you must respect the other riders' turns and allow for safe intervals. Terrain Park etiquette requires that you be aware of who is hitting what element, who is next, when to call your drop, and quickly clear landing areas for the next jibber.

Racers, the ski area does not exist solely for your run. Cutting liftlines and carving huge trenched arcs on your way to the race course with no regard to other skiers (people who paid full price for their lift privilege) is not very cool, despite your expensive spandex suits and razor sharp skis. Assuming you are god's gift to skiing is ill advised. Very few of you, like .5%, will become the next Bode Miller or Lindsey Vonn, the rest will join the ranks of recreational skiers and hopefully find racer behavior annoying.

On the subject of lift lines, don't enter the lift corrals until you are ready to ride said lift. Standing with your board or skis blocking the entrance jams up the flow. Floundering with your gear, trying to find your group, digging for your ticket to show the liftie, and missing chairs makes you look like a joey (or a punter if you speak Canadian). Causing the lift to stop because you do not slide out in time for the chair will not win you new ski friends.

Don't attach your lift ticket to the main zipper of your jacket. It looks ridiculous, and worse, it whacks you in the face as you ski.

Don't be a gaper, avoid the big gap between your goggles and helmet, or your hat and helmet - it looks amateurish and will subject your forehead to the cold, wind, sun, and ridicule.

Don't assume you can just pick up the sport. Get a lesson, instead of teaching yourself or getting a few pointers from your buddy. The money spent on professional instruction will reduce your risk of injury, improve your long term enjoyment of the sport, and accelerate your proficiency in the sport of skiing or snowboarding. We can all spot a self taught skier by their technique (or lack of). Photos by Greg Burke

No April fool's joke, there are just seven ski resorts still open now that the calendar has turned to April. Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Saddleback in Maine, plus Loon and Wildcat in New Hampshire, Killington and Jay Peak in Vermont are remaining open this week for skiing and riding. Sugarbush will re-assess their snow situation later in the week to see if re-opening for next weekend is a possibility.

Surprisingly all of these ski resorts got a little love, in the form of snow in recent days. Wildcat got the most snow last night, 3-4 inches. Sunday River has by far the most ski able terrain, with 254 acres. So there is still skiing for the intrepid. In fact, Boyne just announced that if you buy next year's New England Pass now, you can ski the remainder of the season at sister resorts Loon, Sunday River and Sugarloaf for free.

Big events and big British ski groups are still cued up at these ski resorts. Next weekend is Sunday River's popular Parrothead Weekend. Easter Sunday services are always special at Sugarloaf starting with 5:30am Sunrise Service atop the Superquad, followed by a visit from the big bunny, and the Spring Costume Parade. Loon also has Sunrise Service on Easter, plus Slush Pool pond skimming planned for Saturday April 7.

Stay tuned, and keep those skis and boards handy. Ski season is not over yet.
Sugarloaf Easter Sunrise Service photo by Greg Burke

Every spring, my friends ask me about "skiing Tucks?" They think it sounds like such fun, a big spring ski party! Tuckerman Ravine is typically the last chance to ski, the last vestige of vertical after ski areas have closed, and a big party on snow on the biggest of the east - Mount Washington at 6,288 feet. But to me, Tuckerman Ravine is a serious hike, not to be entered into lightly, since you will be hauling your ski gear 3.1 miles up a trail, to a high alpine environ where conditions are ever-changing, and the skiing is for experts.

Sorry, hate to be the spring party police, but Tuckerman Ravine deserves respect and real preparation before you just pack your picnic, your skis and go. Bad weather can blow in fast, and the ski terrain is natural and steep with 35-60 degree sustained pitch. Read the incidents and accidents blog, including an emergency helicopter rescue earlier this month, if you have doubts about whether you are ready for Tuck's.

Still, this southeastern side of Mount Washington is a very unique and spectacular glacial cirque that collects serious snow and has lured serious downhill skiers since the 1930's, the first top to bottom race, The Inferno, was held in 1933 and continues to this day - now it is a Pentathlon scheduled for April 21.

Tuckerman Ravine will see over 2,000 hiking skiers and snowboarders on a sunny spring day. Last year, Tuckerman's busiest day saw 4,000+ visitors, according to Nate Shedd at AMC Pinkham Notch, about 65-75% of those actually ski or ride. The rest are spectators on the Lunch Rocks, watching the show of skiers and riders descending the steep bowls, the scary falls, the crazy outfits and the crowds. It is quite a spring party, but the risk of falling and sliding on this steep natural terrain is ever present. There are volunteer patrols, but I would imagine they do not appreciate dealing with the ill-prepared.

This season, Tuckerman Ravine is experiencing their spring conditions a full month ahead of normal, just like New England ski areas. With only 174 inches of snow this winter, versus Tuckerman's typical 315, the marginal snow pack is making for less reliable conditions which will not likely last into May. Already the Sherburne Trail is not skiable beyond a third of the way down, which is premature for late March according to Shedd. Snow is in the forecast, today's Tuckerman Avalanche Advisory indicates, "increasing avalanche danger from Low to Moderate if the upper end of wind and snow comes to fruition. Also be prepared for a thin blanket of snow to hide some of the traditional spring hazards."

Even in a good snow year, Tuckerman Ravine is high risk terrain with inherent crevasses, inconsistent snow, variable conditions and falling ice. This is not a ski resort with groomed surfaces, ski lifts, base lodges, food service, fancy hotels, shops - you get the picture. You pack in and you pack out - ski gear, supplies, food, water, first aid, layers of clothing for sunny spring skiing to howling wind, sleet, snow and rain - you can encounter all of these harsh elements within hours on Mount Washington.

So if you are going to do Tuck's, check the Mount Washington weather and the avalanche report, pack accordingly, be prepared for a long hike in and out, and serious steep skiing. And do not wear sneakers just because they are "lighter and more comfy" like I did my first time. This is a big mountain, big spring skiing fun - yes, but big consequences exist - Tucks will muck with you if you are not prepared.
Mount Washington photo by Greg Burke

Carnage.

That's one way to describe the current state of New England ski resorts, many of whom were forced to shut off the lifts over the last few days, thanks to last week's record heat. A few survived - Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Wildcat, Loon, Bretton Woods, Jay Peak, Stowe, Sugarbush, Waterville Valley, and Killington - but everybody else has moved on to golfing season.

Does that mean the skiing riding season is finished? Nope. It's not typical to see snowmaking in late March, but this isn't your typical March either. Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon, Jay Peak, Saddleback, and Wildcat have all announced they will be blowing snow this week in anticipation of extending the season as long as they can. That's good news if you're looking to eke out another day or two on the slopes. But if you're still holding out hope for mid-April skiing, that storm better move its way here quickly.

Be sure to check websites, or call, to ensure operating schedules. Wildcat is closed until midweek as it makes snow; Bretton Woods is closed until Saturday. Waterville Valley is offering free skiing and riding until its anticipated closing date on April 1.

Wow, our New England skiing melted down faster than the Red Sox in September. Over the weekend, many ski resorts closed for the season ahead of schedule. A week of 80 degrees and sunshine will do that. The last resorts standing, still skiing this week, are Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Loon, Waterville Valley, Jay Peak, Stowe, Sugarbush and Killington.

The common denominator among these New England ski areas: serious snowmaking and elevation. And it's not over, Boyne resorts Loon, Sunday River and Sugarloaf have vowed to make snow when cold temps permit – likely tonight and tomorrow. Saddleback is also poised to make more snow on key trails, they host Pond Skimming and the Park Shark Challenge next weekend. Bretton Woods and Wildcat may re-open next weekend.

It has been a difficult season across the country as well, with late snow starts in Colorado, Utah, and California too. But it was not a snowless winter. There are a few resorts that got the lion’s share and are still skiing on deep base depths. If you care (I understand if you want to forget the whole 2011-12 ski scene), here are a few big benefactors of snow.

In Oregon, Mt Bachelor, Mt Hood and Timberline received 40 inches of snow just last week, they are wide open skiing on a 14 foot base, with a season yield of 35 feet (420 inches) so far. Washington's Crystal and Stevens Pass have also been dumped on this winter.

Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole in Wyoming have received 31 and 29 feet of snow respectively this season (most of which arrived after I visited in January - funny - ha!), considerably more than Vail's 17 and Park City’s 18 feet.

Mammoth has 6-8 foot base depths and fresh snow, the California resort received 17 feet of snow this season, the majority of which has fallen in March. Lake Tahoe ski resorts received late season snow, after a slow start. Currently Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows - now on an interchangeable lift ticket, plus Heavenly and Kirkwood - both Vail Resorts now, are open with 70-144 inch base depths.

Whistler/Blackcomb, Lake Louise and Sunshine in the Canadian Rockies had record snow years too. But Europe takes the big snow cake, St Anton and Solden in Austria received 25 feet of snow in one winter snow storm, the winter was consistently cold, they still have base depths of 12-14 feet. That’s where my ski tips are pointing for spring skiing.

Mammoth Photo by Greg Burke

So, last week I checked in to the posh western-motif Summit Hotel, slopeside at Big Sky in Montana. Upon presenting my New England Pass, I am handed a free lift ticket for a week of skiing! How cool is that? It gets better as the cowboy clad bellman whisks my gear to the ninth floor of this sumptuous ski hotel. The skiing makes the trip even better; Big Sky is 100% open with a 5-7 foot base, they received 20-inches of fresh snow this week (ok, so it dumped after I left - it is pattern, or a curse, I cannot seem to reverse).

You may not be able to squeeze in a Montana ski trip this ski season, but here is something to consider. Buy your New England Gold Pass now for next season, for $969 (if you purchase before April 30) you get unlimited skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon next winter, and as a bonus pass benefit you get 10 days of free skiing at Big Sky in Montana, or Brighton in Utah, or Crystal in Washington. You need to purchase lodging through these Boyne sister resorts to get your free skiing, but the savings is impressive.

Sorry to switch gears on you and start hyping next winter already, must be the premature summer weather that has me waxing for a new, improved 2012-13 ski season. But now is a good time to start planning, saving vacation days and dollars, for a Big Sky ski trip.

Big Sky is amazing with 3,382 acres of terrain, the 11,166' summit of Lone Peak is reached by an experts only tram with serious Dictator Chutes, snowy bowls and steep skiing including the legendary Big Couloir - on every extreme skier’s must list. But Big Sky is also revered for its blue square terrain, beautiful scenery and a complete lack of crowds (it's Montana after all). I would go back to Big Sky tomorrow if I could, skiing off Lone Peak in fresh blown snow with fabulous views as far as the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone is among the best on the Continent.

While it bugs me that ski resorts start selling next year's pass before this ski season is over, the best pass deals are now. You can buy the New England Pass with just $50 down, no interest, and installments in June, July, August and September, and start dreaming of bigger better skiing next year.
Photos of Big Sky by Greg Burke

While much of the region celebrates unseasonably warm temperatures, the news is a lot grimmer for skiers and riders, who watch the turbulent snow season dwindle away each day. Summer-like temperatures throughout New England are forcing many resorts to cut their seasons short, with more very likely as we hurdle toward the weekend.

Among the resorts already shutting their doors for the season are Magic, Cranmore, Black, Bromley, Pico, Mad River Glen, Wachusett, Crotched, and Butternut, with Bolton Valley, Okemo, and Mount Snow announcing this week that this weekend will be the final hurrah as well. The sad fact of the matter is, you can expect more than a few more to announce the same in the coming days.

Some will survive into April, particularly with a healthy calendar of events planned, but even big boys like Sugarbush are feeling the heat, having pushed up its annual pond-skimming to this weekend instead of next. If you like spring skiing, conditions at many mountains are glorious. Just too glorious. 

Who will make it to April? Place bets on Stowe, Jay, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Killington, and Saddleback. Wildcat had planned on closing May 1, but the dwindling trail report from this week seems to make that a pipe dream.

Want hope? Ha.

Well, actually, things are supposed to be more seasonably normal after this weekend, which will certainly help preserve snowpack, and don't count out the possibility of a spring storm either. One only has to go back two years to remember the surprise mid-April storm that dumped a foot of snow over portions of New Hampshire and Maine.

But for most places, the damage has already been done. The season is going out on a rapid note. The best to say is that we can finally say good riddance to one of the more difficult snow years in the past six years.

Yes, the snow is melting fast, but the events calendars are heating up in ski country. Put your bike and golf clubs down and go ski this weekend. The big action is going down at Sunday River's Dumont Cup.

Some of the biggest names in big air and big ski tricks, Jossi Wells, Gus Kenworthy, PK Hunder, Torin Wallace, Alexis Godbout, Joss Christenson, and Alex Schlopy, are coming to Maine to compete in the 4th Annual Dumont Cup, a pro am slopestyle contest. Their host is X Games Gold medalist and Maine native Simon Dumont, who founded this event after breaking the world record for a quarter pipe jump in the spring of 2008 at Sunday River.

You can be front and center, in Rocking Chair Park at Sunday River, to watch amateurs work their way through elimination rounds on Friday, March 23. 40 skiers will be selected to compete Saturday against the seven top pro skiers for cash prizes of $25,000. You can ski to the venue, or walk up the snowy hill near the base of Barker Mountain. Unfortunately that is how host Simon Dumont will be attending his own signature event, he pulled out of Euro X Games earlier this month when he tore his ACL, then flew to Vail and underwent surgery last week, so he will not be competing on skis as he has done for the past three years. So it goes with big aerials, big consequences.

Ironically, last year's Dumont Cup was cold and windy which caused blustery tailwinds and several big crashes along with the big tricks. Nick Goepper won with a cork 900, switch dub rodeo 9 japan and a dub cork 10 mute (feel free to look that up in your freeskier dictionary or YouTube it). Goepper's ski career has launched since, this pro am event helps amateur freeskiers show their stuff, meet their montors and grab some attention on the East Coast. This year, the Dumont Cup action should be huge, the snow should be soft, and the spectator scene should be amped up on sunshine and Red Bull giveaways - one of the event’s big sponsors, along with Target, Oakley, Nike 6.0, HEAD, Toyota, Giro, Rockwell, Seshn, Empire Attire, and Kicker. The Dumont Cup is televised on NBC Sports, to broadcast April 10.

If you have not seen the Dumont Cup, it is like X Games slopestyle skiing comes to Maine instead of Aspen. And if you have not had your fill of skiing, The River has over 450 acres of skiing still.

3rd Annual Dumont Cup Photos by Greg Burke

Wow, spring skiing has preceded spring this year. Unseasonably warm temps brought soft bumps and mashed potato snow this past weekend to ski resorts across New England. As the season's worth of snowmaking softens in 70-degree sunshine, ski trail counts and base depths are dropping. This week's forecast is for more super warm weather, even in the mountains where the manmade and minimal natural snow is melting like Frosty the Snowman in the greenhouse as he tries to save little Karen.

Tim Kelley, NECN Meteorologist, reported record high temps up on Mount Washington today, 47-degrees at 6am which broke the 1945 record of 37-degrees. Kelley said, "Being a skier, watching the snow pack disappear this early is emotionally difficult to witness."

I agree, emotionally difficult indeed. I am an excessive optimist when it comes to skiing, always hopeful for the next big snowstorm, but the mercury this March is hard to ignore. If you love to ski, like me, you better ski ASAP. Tomorrow marks the first day of spring, a good day to hit the slopes. Remember that with such dramatic warm ups each day and cooler temperatures at night, the snow pack tends to firm up overnight and ski like hardened cement first thing in the morning. But with these unbelievably mild temperatures, the snow softens quickly, often by 10am you have ideal corn skiing, or loose frozen granular as the resorts like to report. Be sure to wear removable layers, sunscreen and slap some wax on your skis or board so when the snow turns sticky, you can glide through the glue.

Sunday River has over 100 trails open thanks to 100 days of snowmaking this winter, and they promise to make more snow when temps allow. Next weekend is loaded with events at The River, The 4th Annual Dumont Cup freeskier event hosted by Simon Dumont, the 27th Annual Maine Ski A Thon, and the 22nd Annual Eat the Heat Chili Contest and Firefighters Race.

It's not over, there's my skier optimism again. Like Hocus Pocus the Rabbit that saved Frosty by enlisting Santa Claus' help, I think skiing can make a comeback with a little March magic. Head for high elevation, northern locations for the best ski conditions right now; Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Jay Peak and Stowe - for example. There are plenty more spring ski events coming up, so think snow, channel your frostiest snowman thoughts, even though folks are wearing cutoffs and having cookouts.
Sunday River White Heat Photo by Greg Burke

So mom was right, again. Everything eventually comes back into style. Take a look at ski fashion, hats with huge pom poms and shiny metallic ski jackets are back. Another huge trend at the annual 2012 Ski Fashion Show in Denver was the return of rainbow colors from the 80s. Of course, ski wear manufacturers are smart enough to change and update ski styles, so you will look dated if you just drag your old bright red parka out of the basement (besides you will smell of moth balls). Here are the top trends in ski fashion from the runway, and at ski shops near you.Top 10 Trends in Ski Fashion

1. Color is back, replacing black as the default for skiers. At Snowsports Industry of America’s annual fashion show, bright colors in stripes, squares, and blocks were big and bold for skiers. Frankly some of the loud colors remind me of my second grade playground jacket, with wide bands of contrasting bright yellow, red, green and blue. But, these candy colors are a cheerier choice than black or white. “Brighter colors are appealing simply because they are happier and represent energy and action,” said Michelle Hollingsworth, Obermeyer's lead designer.

2. Cougars are popping up on the slopes, and we are not just talking about 40+ divorcees in the singles line. Rossignol has wild cougar, tiger and zebra inspired ski outfits from designer JC De Castelbajac, other ski clothiers are pushing animal print too.

3. Silver and gold sound like NASTAR ski medals, but these glamorous shiny fabrics are coming to fall line fashionistas, very 70s disco-tech. Metallic gold, silver and bronze quilted jackets are being offered by Obermeyer and Rossignol, perhaps geared more toward Aspen's clientele than New England skiers at Wachusett.

4. The pattern is for patterns. Next season's ski wear offers big plaids and prints matched with bright colored ski pants (picture lime green, orange, poppy red) or vice versa - crazy graphic pants with an eye-popping solid colored jacket.

5. Snowboarders buck the trend, of course. While skiers are moving to bright and bold colors, inspired by snowboarding, riders are moving to business attire styles for the slopes in black and brown plaids, even gray flannel and tweed. Burton and Bonfire are both producing more subdued city-street style snowboard clothing. I guess at 30-something, snowboard attire is growing up and looking for some respect.

6. Fur is back, but this time it is for everyone - women, men, kids, even snowboarding teen jackets have fur trim. Whether you go for the real deal or faux, fur is being used in ski jacket trim, hoods, glove cuffs, boot toppers, and hat pom-poms for next season. M Miller, a luxury ski wear company based right here in Boston, sports gorgeous furry hoods in their Alpine Heritage collection, all made in the USA.

7. Ski gear keeps getting smarter. Every year, snow sports fabrics improve with new technology - today's outwear and base layers are thinner, softer, stronger, more weather resistant and even odor preventing. So your old jacket from the 80s, while perhaps a re-trending color, is not composed of the latest greatest moisture wicking, wind and water resistant, lightweight material.

8. Phone friendly fingers in gloves are the latest rage. Ski glove companies like Gordini make Smart Gloves with a zip-out lined finger for touch screen operation. So you no longer have to freeze your finger to answer a phone call, text your ski buddy, cue up another song, or take a photo on top of the ski mountain. Cool…or toasty as the case may be.

9. Goggles are going Star Trek, as companies like Zeal and Smith Optics roll out the next generation of genius goggles. The Smith I/O Recon has an LCD screen inside the goggle lens with GPS, vertical tracking, weather stats, you can even video your skiing, record your air time, and check your email when connected to your smart phone. These sophisticated goggles are about $650 so I am not sure what a hot seller they will be. Besides, it sounds like visual overload – you are supposed to be skiing.

10. Stay tuned for more ski fashion trends. Aspen Fashion Week is going on right now, ski designers Obermeyer, Heli Hanson, Killy, Dale of Norway, and SKEA will be featured on Aspen’s Snowstage for those who want to be in the know. Of course, some fashion cycles flop, like the reintroduction of the one-piece ski suit (aka: ski onesie, jumpsuit, fart bag) a few years back.

Now, if we could just stage a few alpine ambush makeovers on the New England slopes, to help out the guy wearing his NASCAR jacket and jeans, and the gal in her flannel pajama pants and a Belichick Patriots hoodie – probably not the best choice for snow sports.

Photos by Greg Burke, and courtesy of Rossignol and M Miller

The oldest operating double chairlift in New England is being retired this weekend.

Cranmore Mountain will bid farewell to the East Double Chairlift, installed in 1955, on Sunday with a going away party featuring ski historian Tom Eastman. A new triple chair, purchased from Wachusett Mountain, will be installed in time for next season.

Here's a bit more from the press release:

The East Chair, known for its bright red chairs, is a favorite among Cranmore skiers and ski history aficionados alike. The public is invited to ride the East one last time on March 18th, starting at 8:30am (lift ticket or season pass required). Skiers are welcome to reminisce about their favorite days on the East, take a few runs, than meet at the Meister Hut at 9am. Ski historian Tom Eastman will present a short presentation on the history of the East Chair. GM Ben Wilcox will then talk about the new triple chair being installed in its place.

The going away party will also give East Chair fans a chance to sign up for a waiting list to purchase one of the 60 chairs from the lift later this summer.

The new fixed-grip triple chairlift was purchased from Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts. It will have an increased vertical in a new location on the south side of the mountain, adding 300 vertical feet compared to the East Double. The lift will be slightly longer than the East Double but has the same number of chairs. The new lift will have 11 towers where the existing has 9 towers.

The top of the lift will remain in approximately the same location. The lift base would be moved to the Tommy's Trail area which would add trails including Gibson, Gibson Chutes, Artist Falls, Koessler and Upper Beginner's Luck to the current East Chair trail access (East Bowl, Easy Street, Gibson Pitch and Schneider). The East Slope experience would go from 3 to 9 trails and the ski vertical from 526' to 826'. It will increase the uphill capacity for that lift by 50%.

Cranmore President and GM Ben Wilcox stated, "We are excited to be adding this new triple in to the mix here at Cranmore. Due to the age of the East Double, there are no longer parts available to purchase so upgrade options have also become difficult without major retrofitting. This new triple will provide a new experience for our guests who will now find it worthwhile to stay in the East Slope area of the mountain longer, especially during busy days."

St Patty’s Skiing is going to be Epic….

Ok, I am Irish and I love to ski, so St Patty’s has always been a bit of a dilemma for me. The best St Patty’s parties are probably in Boston. But the best skiing is right around March 17 weekend coincidentally. March skiing means sunshine, long days, soft snow, and fun festivals. So imagine my Irish luck when I found this Epic ski deal – $99 for a three day lift ticket valid at both Attitash and Wildcat March 16-19.

North Conway is a great party town for St Patty’s, and this three -day ski pass at just $33 a day gets you plenty of skiing at Attitash and Wildcat before you start your après ski. The caveat, you must buy the Epic Pass at Attitash or Wildcat on Friday March 16 (not before or after), and your three day St. Patty’s party on skis goes through Sunday.

I like Wildcat for its six-minute base to summit quad that covers 2,112’ vertical, the high elevation snow, and of course the sensational scenery of Mount Washington. There will be live music upstairs at the Wildcat Pub both Saturday and Sunday afternoons of St Patty’s weekend. The drawback to Wildcat: no slopeside lodging, as it in the White Mountain National Forest.

Attitash on the other hand has on mountain lodging at the base of Bear Peak - the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel, and two interconnected mountains of skiing. St Patty’s weekend at Attitash coincides with the Annual Red Parka Pub Challenge on Friday – this 39th race is the longest running pro-am dual slalom in the country, and quite a sight. Saturday, March 17 at Attitash is the Spread Eagle World Championship where prizes will be awarded for the biggest air (picture old school backscratchers, daffies and eagles) and the best throwback outfit, so that should be a hoot. There will be live après ski entertainment at both Attitash and Beak Peak base lodges on St Patty’s Day.

North Conway has plenty of lodging, and many outstanding après ski establishments to celebrate St Patrick’s too. The Red Parka Pub, sponsor of the previous mentioned ski race, is a skier’s institution, and of course the Shannon Door in Jackson will be sham-rocking on March 17.

So if you are perplexed about plans for St Patty’s, check out the Attitash Wildcat $99 three day pass, it could be an Epic weekend for skiing and St Patty’s celebrations in snow country.
Photos by Greg Burke

Last week's snowstorms caused a few local avalanches on Mount Mansfield and Mount Washington, but while the seriousness of either should not be taken lightly by outdoor enthusiasts, the power of a full scale avalanche is truly something to behold.

In case you missed it, the following footage was taken last weekend at the St Francois-Longchamp resort in France, where a snow slide quickly turned into a full-scale avalanche, taking out a chairlift as wide-eyed skiers looked on.

In all, 41 people were rescued from the chairlift by helicopter. Remarkably, none were injured.

As a skier, I am saddened by what I see happening in our New England mountains. As I drive to Sunday River or ski down the slopes at Saddleback or Sugarloaf, I see long expanses of giant white wind turbines on previously pristine mountaintops. Ironically, the huge rotors are often not moving, but they are always not pretty - in my opinion.

For years environmentalist fought ski areas over putting one lift up to a summit for thousands of skiers and riders to enjoy. Now some of these same environmentalists support desecrating entire ridge lines with heavy-duty roadways and giant wind turbines towering 400 to 450-feet with wing spans greater than a 747. I do not get it. How do these big white erections pass as "green"?

Have you been to Rangeley or Big Rock in Maine lately, or seen the ski area turbines at Bolton Valley, Burke or Jiminy Peak? Sunsets in ski country used to be just you and alpen glow, the rising moon and stars, maybe an occasional groomer headlights sweeping the snow on the slopes. Now these monstrous turbines light up at night across entire mountain ranges which were previously dark and undeveloped.

There has been no meaningful reduction in fossil fuel use per unit ever documented with wind energy, according to Wind-Watch.org. I have heard that wind energy output is as much as four times more expensive than traditional energy. Additionally, the longevity of these expensive, expansive wind turbines is dubious. The ultimate irony is that when the wind blows too much, the turbines must be locked down or they will blow apart. If the wind does not blow quite enough, they are still and useless (and always unsightly).

Some ski resorts claim to run on wind energy, but that does not mean they provide their own self-sufficient power plant with their turbine. Since wind energy cannot be stored, and is only effective in optimum wind speeds, ski areas sell their surplus of kilowatts when and if the wind blows, and they buy their power from the grid with those wind credits. As for the jobs created by wind-energy, those are largely our tax dollars spent on government subsidized grants and employment, many are overseas jobs. I will not even begin to dissect the health concerns for folks living within the shadows of these huge blades, the noise and the flicker effect, check out wind turbine health concerns on youtube.

I am no scientist, just a skier with serious concerns. Ski lifts do impact the mountains, no doubt, trees are cut and I suppose wildlife is disrupted - although I have witnessed many critters and animal tracks while riding chairlifts. Ski lifts serve thousands of people, delivering them to a natural environment they might not otherwise visit, and I believe the majority of skiers and riders have a deep respect for their alpine environs. Ski resort operators work hard to be good stewards of their land.

As a skier, I am all for "green" energy, and I see the need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel, but I am not a fan of wind turbines as a long term energy solution. The only long term certainty of wind energy, in my opinion, is the permanent scar to our mountains.

Fellow skiers should educate themselves on wind energy, take a look at the output and the outcome, then take a look at the view next time you are outdoors on top of your favorite ski mountain.

According to Liftopia, an online lift ticket discount site, this first week in March is "National Play Hooky and Ski Week." While I do not believe they have the authority to write your boss a note, I think they are on to something. This week’s forecast is dialed for downhillers. It is going to be a sunny week, following last week's snow accumulation in the northern mountains of a foot of fresh snow.

Recent weekends have not been entirely kind to skiers or ski operators, hit with high winds and mixed precipitation, but midweek skiers have had snow storms and sunshine to choose from. So you should select your work/school skipping days with an eye to the forecast, for the remainder of the season. Tuesday through Thursday of this week, for example, look like glorious spring skiing as temperatures warm up and snow conditions are sure to soften up.

This has been a tough season for New England ski resorts, but there is still great white hope in the mountains, in the form of good snow coverage. Take a look at ski conditions, paying particularly attention to percentage of terrain open and base depths around Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. It looks like March and April will be peppered with ski lift ticket promos too, especially midweek deals as ski resorts try to retain you. Sugarbush's Mt. Ellen is having a White Sale with $30 lift tickets now through the end of the season - for Mt Ellen skiing only - not Lincoln Peak. Friday prior to St Patty’s Day, March 16, you can ski Mt Ellen for just $17.

Wildcat and Attitash are both 100% open, and they are offering $40 Friday ski tickets for the rest of the season. Saddleback in Maine is 100% open, and you can bring a friend for $10 Wednesdays when you purchase a $49 day ticket.

So pick your day, pack the sunscreen, and sneak out for a ski day during supposed National Play Hooky and Ski Week. Works for me.

Sugarbush Photo by Greg Burke

Sugarloaf is a big mountain, with a big fan base. At 4,237', Sugarloaf Mountain is the tallest ski summit in Maine, rivaling Stowe at 4,395' and Killington at 4,241'. If you have never skied this massive mountain in Carrabasset Valley, well, you can't say you’re a Sugarloaf since___ then, can you?

The Loaf is the closest thing to a ski cult I have ever encountered. There are some rabid Mad River Glen lovers, and some absolute Alta enthusiasts, but their bonds seem more of an old school, anti-snowboard society. Loafers are extremely devoted, even defensive, about their downhill ski resort. They all sport the iconic blue and white Sugarloaf triangle sticker on their cars, their helmets, their boot bags. They travel with extra stickers and plaster them in prominent, even peculiar, places to prove their love. I have seen Sugarloaf stickers at ski areas around the globe. A few fiercely loyal Loafers have what looks like the black diamond Sunday River logo sticker, but upon closer inspection it reads "Someday Bigger."

What spawns this Sugarloaf love? What drives downhillers to drive hours to this remote resort, to endure extreme weather, to ski steep firm terrain off the exposed summit?

Here is my stab at the recipe for this Sugarloaf passion. It is certainly one part history. The Bigelow Boys and Amos Winter were determined to build a ski hill here, and much labor and love made Sugarloaf happen in 1951. The first trail, Winter's Way, remains a testament to their hard work, and events like the Sugarloaf Schuss from 1952, continue. Sugarloafers have a ball, literally, at every milestone, sometime they serve the authentic, intoxicating 1951 Grand Lake Stream punch (the Kool-Aid of Carrabassett?). Most importantly, these crazy ski families haul back (ski trail pun) to Sugarloaf every weekend and school break, a tradition kept for generations. The ski décor repeated in most condos consists of retro Loaf photos and wooden skis mounted to walls. A few flush Loafers paid fortunes for defunct gondolas and Spillway chairs at auction for haute interior design.

The love of the Loaf is also undeniably one part terrain. When the snow is right (like right now) and the snowfields are blanketed in white, Sugarloaf is awesome. When that is not the case, you sharpen your edges and carve (or skid) down Gondi line, a long unforgiving charge down the center of the Loaf’s face where the 1965 gondola passed.

Every racer worth his salt has competed on the headwall of Narrow Gauge (like Bode Miller), and you are no bump skier if you have not skied Bubblecuffer top to bottom – no stopping. Over the years, trails have been widened, Eastern glades in Brackett Basin have been opened, pipes, parks and boardercross courses have been added (with two time Gold medalist, native Seth Wescott’s support), but most of Sugarloaf's terrain and trail names remain - legendary.

The rest of the Loaf’s formula must be the people. Sugarloafers are a community (sorry if I said cult before). They queue up long before the quad starts churning, place their skis in the lift line to mark their spot, then walk around in ski boots socializing with fellow Loafers till opening bell. They ski in predictable patterns, a few warm up laps on the Superquad, then to Spillway (now the new Skyline Quad – but many still call it Spillway), to King Pine and Timberline when it opens. They ride t-bars when the wind puts chairlifts on hold. They wear crazy outfits for White World Week, Easter, and Reggaefest. They have spirit, they are infected with Sugarloaf-ism, which is clearly contagious - even in outdoor quarters. Every time I write about Sugarloaf, my inbox fills with comments, criticisms, and cult-like kudos.

Here is my tip (Sugarloafer since 1993), go now, ski the Loaf in March and April, when the winds calm, the sun comes out, the recent snow has piled up, and the events crank up. This is when Sugarloaf rocks. You may find yourself bragging about bagging The Gauge and Gondi by 9, craving Bag burgers by noon, and slapping Loaf logo triangles on your car. You can still become a Sugarloafer since 2012.

Photos by Greg Burke

A bang board sounds like a terrain park feature you bonk with your skis or board. But no, the original bang board was a solid oak plank located at the top of Gunstock Mountain's 1935 rope tow. The rope tow slipped through a drilled hole in a wooden board just prior to the bullwheel. If skiers had not let go of the fast moving rope in time, or their gloves or coats got caught, they would bang into the board. How's that for an aptly named, primitive but effective safety device?

Skiing was a hearty sport back in 1935 in New Hampshire, according to Carol Lee Anderson, author of "The History of Gunstock." But you did not have to pay for your lift ticket unless you survived the rope tow and made it to the top. "Tickets could only be purchased at the top of the tow, so if any injury occurred on the way up, liability was not an in issue." Already skiing had earned the reputation as a risky sport, put into the same insurance liability category as a roller coaster according to Anderson.

That original rope tow, known as "Gunstock's Ski Hoist," was the country's second following Suicide Six's rope tow in Woodstock, Vermont. Gunstock's rope tow was made of 6,200 feet of rope that traveled at 30mph, carrying only four skiers at a time, according to Anderson. Talk about earning your turns when and if you reached the top, and did not smack the bang board. Even a successful tow ride tended to shred the crude leather ski gloves or woolen mittens if your grip wasn’t super secure.

Skiing at Gunstock has come a long way since rope tows and the first chairlift in the East in 1938, a single chair built by Maine-based Hussey Manufacturing, which was the second chairlift in the country to Sun Valley, Idaho.

Today, skiers ride Gunstock's Panorama high-speed quad to the scenic summit, you can ski or snowboard down, or Zipline the entire descent in three speedy sections. The downside, nowadays you have to pay before you ride. "The History of Gunstock" is a great read, full of anecdotes of Gunstock's evolution, quoting legendary locals, Olympian Penny Pitou, and Torger Tokle - the Norwegian ski jumper.

Tokle is revered for his long-standing record of soaring over 250-feet off Gunstock's Nordic jump in 1941. This February marks the 75th anniversary of Gunstock's 70-meter, dedicated as the Torger Tokle Memorial Ski Jump. Gunstock Mountain's Historic Preservation Society is currently restoring all four Nordic ski jumps, the 10, 20, 40 and 70-meter.

We tend to believe today's young jibbers, jumpers and freeskiers are pushing the sport by going bigger and better than their predecessors, but it’s worth looking back at our alpine ancestors and their ski survival skills and ingenuity that brought us the sport we continue to loved today. Gunstock has been a trend setter in skiing from first lifts and ski jumps to today’s Big Air Bag and the longest Zipline tour in the Continental US. Thankfully, there is no wooden bang board at the base of Gunstock's Zipline, just lots of springy rubber stoppers.
Rope Tow Photos courtesy of Bob Arnold, his grandfather Fritzie Baer was GM at Gunstock 1950-59

Gunstock Photo by Greg Burke

Finally ski resorts got some meaningful snow last weekend, particularly those in northern New England. And it looks like there is more in store for this week, and next weekend. So I am going out on a ski limb to say March will be the ski month. March is often the snowiest in the mountains, with the most sunlight, the best events, and some of the best deals as ski resorts try to keep you in the ski mood (and keep you away from biking, golf and spring sports). Ski areas in northern Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire are finally registering mid-winter conditions of packed powder and decent base depths after some late February snow storms to counter the balmy bust of a January.

Sugarloaf just opened 60 acres of Brackett Basin glades for the first time this season, this all natural tree skiing has been added to their terrain over the last two seasons. Ditto for Sunday River, the newly expanded Blind Ambition glades on Jordan are now open for skiing and riding. Saddleback in Maine is 100% open, having received 18 inches in the past five days.

In New Hampshire, Attitash, Wildcat and Bretton Woods are all wide open, having picked up almost a foot of fresh last weekend. Northern Vermont ski resorts got the lion’s share, 2-4 feet in the past five days. Jay Peak, Stowe, Smugglers and Sugarbush are all 100% open including their glades.

Today is Leap Day, or what I like to call Bonus Day. Sunday River, Mount Snow and Ragged are offering $29 lift tickets so you want to skip work, go ski and save on the 366th day of the year.

There will be more ski deals in the coming weeks and into April, like $40 Fridays at Attitash and Wildcat all March and April.

NECN meteorologist Tim Kelley is calling for "plowable snow" for Leap Year Wednesday and a second round of snow Thursday. So March will indeed come in like a snowy Lion. We got dumped on last winter at this time, and while this year’s base depths are not quite where they were last season, it feels like the best is yet to come.

Photos of Sugarloaf and Stowe by Greg Burke

Yesterday at Wildcat, the wind howled and blew the 6-9 inches of fresh snow around in furious whirls as we skied down the un-crowded slopes. The strong winds must have kept most skiers at home on this otherwise sunny and super scenic day at Wildcat, because there were no lift lines on a February vacation week Sunday, even with a fresh coating of snow.

Despite no lines, Greg and I were glad to have a gentleman join us on the Wildcat Express quad, for his companionship of course, but also his help weighing down the chair in the brisk wind at the 4,062' summit. I immediately noticed the 80+ Ski Club patch on his jacket, and struck up a conversation during our lift ascent (it's what I do). Frank Davis, of Madison NH, admitted he gets about 40 days a season, lots of runs too. He was "bummed" that if Wildcat's speedy summit quad went on wind hold, he would not get his usual 26 runs.

I told Davis that was an impressive number of ski runs in a day at any age. He said he had just spent the previous week at Stowe Vermont, and skied 133 runs in five days, tracking a whopping 273,000' vertical. Davis said, "I was skiing with my grandkids (ages 25 and 27 by the way), and I told them there is no time for stopping, we do our talking on the chairlift."

Davis was going to ski Loon the following day, he had all the deals worked out on where to ski, and when. I asked him what was his secret to skiing so vigorously at 80? He replied, as our chair ride ended, "It’s all in the genes." Then he smiled and said, "Just don’t wear ‘em too tight."

What can I say; Davis was my inspiration for the rest of the ski day. The wind would not die down, but we did not either. We skied all of Wildcat’s scenic, well groomed runs (all with clever cat names like Bobcat, Feline, Cheetah, and Catnap), and a few soft snowy glades off Wild Kitten too. After all, it would have seemed wimpy if we had let the wind gusts keep us from getting our 20,000+ Wildcat vertical, if an eighty year old guy can do it.


Photos of Wildcat by Greg Burke Feb 26, 2012

This season certainly offers proof that the further north you go, the better the snow. Still it is strange driving by grassy golf courses with your ski gear strapped to the car. Even stranger is telling friends you are going to Saddleback, and they respond, "where's that?"

I am torn between keeping Saddleback a secret, and sharing this sweet stash of high elevation snow in a year when folks are jonesing for the real feel of winter. While most New England trail counts are 50-80% open, Saddleback is 99%, including the double black diamond steeps and glades of the Kennebago area.

Saddleback does not get the attention Maine’s other big ski areas with an S do. The Rangeley resort does not see the alpine droves either. New owners since 2003 have quietly improved snowmaking, grooming, cut expansive glades, and added two new quads – but nothing high-speed so as to preserve the un-crowded downhill experience.

Saddleback has the charm and character of an old school ski resort, fixed grip lifts deliver you to the 4,120' summit where skiers find natural gritty glades, and narrow winding groomed trails. You often have a trail all to yourself, and can still find untouched cord on trail sides at 3pm. Most of Saddleback's 66 trails offer gorgeous lake views, and the summit runs are lined with snow ghosts. Don’t know what a snow ghost is? There is another secret to be revealed at Saddleback.

Saddleback is more than just under-discovered skiing; there is an unassuming vibe amongst the friendly staff and families here. The classic post and beam lodge, added in 2004, serves hearty fare by a big stone fireplace. Upstairs, the Swig ‘n Smelt offers fun, not fancy, après ski. Don’t bother wearing your Bogner here, camo and hunters plaid are fine enough.

Saddleback’s Ski and Ride School holds to old-fashioned principles as well, with the lowest student to instructor ratio I have seen, 5:1, and children 3 to 6 receive 1:1 instruction until they can ski independently. I should mention that Saddleback has an ideal beginner South Branch area with its own quad lift, completely segregated from the intermediate and advanced upper mountain terrain.

Saddleback offers terrain parks, winch cat grooming off the steep summit, and free wifi in the base lodge. But what makes Saddleback special is not that new fangled stuff, it is skiing on the unique, inherent trails of untracked snow, the unhurried pace, and the people - or lack of. Saddleback is becoming discovered, so you should go soon, this season when their snow is deeper, softer and less-skied than others.

Saddleback has on slope condominium lodging or you can stay seven miles away on Rangeley Lake. I recently discovered The Loon Lodge. Watching the sun set over the snow-covered Lake with an après ski beverage at the fireside pub of this 1909 log cabin is the perfect end to a Saddleback ski day. Snowmobilers zip by on the frozen lake, then turn toward the Lodge. They ride in to dine at Loon Lodge’s cozy fireplace dining room too. Word around town is that The Loon Lodge's chef is Rangeley's best, another Saddleback secret shared.

Photos by Greg Burke

Dear ski resorts,

I understand you are snow-deprived this season. Believe me, I share your excitement at this frosty forecast, really I do.

However, I must ask you to refrain from hype and reporting snow you hope to receive as if it is already in the bag. I fear you may scare away the "you know what" (four letter word, starts with s and rhymes with blow). It has happened several times this winter, there is such high anticipation, the news releases go out pumping the 8-12 inches expected, and we are then disappointed with another dusting, maybe one to three inches of powder, which actually makes for great skiing but pales compared to our dreams of deep snorkel skiing.

We all have the ability to watch the weather and hear our favorite forecaster with his or her predictions. The jokes have been made about how weathermen are good at their jobs if they are right about 50% of the time. Why would you want to get into that business? You have enough challenges already, no?

We need less puff, more powder. Shhh, stop calling for that big dump. Call me superstitious, but I think the frosty flakes are shy about making an appearance this year. Let's underestimate and be overwhelmed and overjoyed. That would be something sweet to tweet about.

Thank you.

PS. How ironic that just as I was posting this blog, I received this report. Thank you Sunday River for today's admission from Team Snow; "We see something in the forecast that bodes very well for our weekend, but every time we talk about such weather events, we get in trouble, so hush now."

The above pow shot was a 6 inch powder morning January 20 at Loon, the forecast was for a dusting to an inch. Photo by Greg Burke

Do you need a ski buddy, someone to share a chair? Want to carpool to the slopes, and let someone else drive home so you can be part of the après ski party? Have you tried to rally your ski and ride friends for a weekend away to no avail?

There’s a club for that. The Boston Ski and Sports Club could be the answer to your alpine prayers. Oh, and they will get you deals on ski weekends, hook you up for ski dating, even plan your ski trip out west.

The Boston Ski and Sports Club started in 1967, but most of their 6,000 skiing and riding members are younger than the 45-year old club, skiers and riders range from 24-42 according to Kristen Elworthy, the Club’s pr director.

Boston Ski and Sports Club has 15 full-time staffers that crank out European and western ski weeks plus a dozen New England weekend ski trips, typically for about $300 including your bus ride from Boston, lodging, lift tickets, breakfasts, and après ski socials with your new buddies.

Some fun ski weekends coming up include St Patty’s weekend March 16-18 at Burke Mountain in Vermont, Sugarloaf Maine March 9-11, and Parrot Head Party weekend at Sunday River April 4-8.

The Club’s day trip deals are a great way to test the social ski club scene, your skiing and bus transportation is included for $82 on Saturday or Sundays (which is often less than the cost of a retail lift ticket), or go midweek for only $59 to resorts like Sunday River, Mount Snow, Stowe, Killington and Jay Peak. If you are looking for love, there is a special ski dating trip March 11 to Mount Snow that includes a singles’ après ski party. I can’t speak to the mood of the bus ride back to Boston; it depends on how the ski dating goes I suppose.

You don’t have to pay membership dues to play with the BSSC, trips are open to anyone, but if you take just two trips in a season, you will save your $65 dues with the member discounts applied.

You have already missed out on this season’s ski trips to the French Alps, Sundance Utah, and Mammoth California, the all-inclusive prices for the weeklong trips are so affordable they do fill up. There will be more European and Rocky Mountain ski destinations next season with reduced airfare, and all your lodging and lift tickets wrapped up in a neat, easy to plan package.

The Club also offers trips in the non-snow season to places like Paris, Ireland, Iceland and Barcelona, and scads of social events at Boston bars, Red Sox and Pats parties, even pub crawls that benefit various non-profits in Boston. No wonder they have over 45,000 annual participants in their party on snow, and off. Don’t say you weren’t invited; this is one club whose only exclusivity is the number of fun people they can pack on the next ski bus.

Check out Boston Ski and Sports Club

Photos by Greg Burke

You know what I am tired of hearing this winter? "Wow, I am surprised how good the ski conditions are!" Every day I have skied this season, day 20 and counting, I encounter some skeptic who proclaims the skiing to be surprisingly good. It is February, ski resorts have been making snow since November, and yes Einstein, conditions are good.

Last weekend I skied the glades of Casablanca and Muleskinner at Saddleback in Maine. These all-natural snow trails were nicely coated in soft snow. Saddleback has high elevation on its side (4,120-feet), so it has been spared the rain events that southern New England has endured, the 79-inches of snow received this season is well preserved. Tons of snowmaking on top of that, and you have 65 of Saddleback's 66 trails open.

At Sugarloaf, I had the best run ever on White Nitro from the summit, the snow was perfectly groomed and grip-able, the scene was very much winter minus the usual super cold-factor. In fact, the sun was shining and the February day was decidedly mild for mid-winter.

The upside to natural snow being down is less people are going to the ski slopes. Call it the backyard blues, but many skiers and riders are staying home, leaving the slopes to the intrepid few.

As Chris Farmer, GM at Saddleback said, "It’s like the girl getting all dressed up for Prom, with the dress, the shoes, the hair and makeup, all dolled up and the date doesn't show up." Ski resorts have made the snow, groomed their trails, paid their staff and laid out the white carpet, but skiers are not showing up for the big dance.

Sure we have not had a big snow storm since Halloween (and you haven't had to shovel either) but there is skiing in the mountains. March and April can be New England’s snowiest months. So don't give up the great white hope, put on your snow dance pants and go to Prom – or go skiing in this case. You might just be “surprised at how good the conditions are.”

Photos by Greg Burke taken Feb. 17 at Saddleback and Feb. 19, 2012 at Sugarloaf

My ski friends ask me how to pack for a ski vacation out west, or even just a two hour drive to the mountains. Apparently the task of ski packing causes serious stress for some skiers. What you pack, and what you leave home, has a big impact on your ski trip. Forget your goggles and you are shelling out serious dough for a replacement pair - no last minute deal for dummies.

Here are some of my ski packing tips and tricks:

Ski resorts are not fancy, so you can get by with one pair of pants and a few après ski shirts, or ski sweaters. Wear boots with good treads for walking around the (hopefully) snowy resort. If you are marginally fashion conscious, make sure everything you pack matches. I recommend a lot of black, its slimming, hide stains and looks slightly dressier than blue jeans. Always pack that swimsuit, there is a reason every ski hotel gift shops sells swimsuit for $80, because everyone forgets this small, easy to pack but easy to omit, hot tub essential.

If you are flying to your ski destination: I recommend carrying your ski boots on the plane (stuffing ski socks or gloves inside). I wear my ski jacket and have my goggles, gloves, the absolutely essentials handy, so that if (or when) the airline loses my luggage - I only have to rent skis. Make sure your ski and boot bag are well labeled with your name and cell number, plus the address and phone of your destination inside and outside your luggage. I have had my gear delivered at 4am to our ski condo because I provided this detail, and therefore did not miss any ski time despite delayed bags.

Check your big heavy ski boot (having moved your ski boots into your carry-on) with your ski stuff, and après ski clothes, but carry on your essential toiletries in the requisite ziplock for TSA inspection. On your trip home you can put your ski boots back in the checked boot bag, as their arrival home is not as imperative as it is for your ski trip.

Look into renting skis and compare the cost difference versus airline bag fees. If you are bringing your skis and poles, use rubber bands or Velcro straps to keep skis together tightly, then stuff extra ski clothes around them as padding – bag theses items in plastic so that the binding grease doesn’t ooze out onto your outfits.

If you are driving to the ski resort: Call ahead to see if your accommodation has a kitchen. Bringing a pre-made dinner, breakfasts, snacks and drinks, saves time and money during your stay. Hauling frozen lasagna only to find you have no oven however is a bummer.

Bring a small packet of clothing detergent, your necessary power cords for phones, etc.

See, that was not so hard. Think of the fun you will have once you are packed and hitting the snow.

Ski Bag Contents:
ski or snowboard boots, ski socks
hat or helmet
mittens/gloves
googles/sunglasses
neck warmer or balaclava
base layer –thermal long undies, and a fleece layer
wind and waterproof ski pants and jacket
season pass or lift ticket coupons
hand/toe warmers, lip balm, sunscreen, energy bar

Photo by Greg Burke

Last week, there were three deaths on the ski slopes in Vermont. In all three accidents, at Jay Peak, Mount Snow and Sugarbush, the two skiers and one snowboarder were skiing on groomed runs when they fell and slid off the trail into a tree.

While it tremendously sad when someone dies while skiing, it is important to view the overall safety record of skiing. You are far more likely to have an accident on the way to the slopes than on the ski trails.

The National Ski Area Association reports the rate of fatalities is .78 per million skier/snowboarder visits. In the 2010-11 season, there were 60.5 million skier visits, and 47 ski related deaths, less than 1 in per million. On our roads, 160 people die per million drivers, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (there are an average of 92 fatalities on U.S. roads daily). Compared to the sport of skydiving, skiing is ten times safer, there are approximately 30 deaths from skydiving per 3 million jumps annually (10 per million).

Just like driving, there are ways to improve your personal safety on the slopes. Skiing within your ability is a big one. When you are cruising down a ski trail, you need to think “if I were to catch an edge and fall right now, would my momentum carry me into the trees?” If the answer is yes, you need to bring it down a notch, or three. You should always be able to control your speed and stop to avoid an obstacle, another skier, or a tree - which never moves out of your way by the way.

At least two of the three fatalities last week were wearing helmets. Of course, it is hard to argue that helmets do not make you safer when skiing, but helmets have their limitations and are generally rated for impact of about 15 mph. The average skier skis at speeds of 20-35mph so the helmet may not save you in a collision with a solid object, like a tree or lift tower. Among the 47 ski deaths last season, 21 were wearing a helmet. As one ski patroller told me, “People should always ski as if they are not wearing a helmet.”

I hear often from fellow skiers that helmets are a lifesaver, but I worry that skiers perceive their helmet as the ultimate safety device, which it is not; it is merely a layer of protection. As Dr. Jasper Shealy indicates in his 30 years of ski safety research, “There has been no significant reduction in fatalities over the past nine seasons even as the use of helmets overall has increased to 57 percent among skiers and snowboarders. This trend emphasizes the importance of not increasing risk-taking behavior simply because you are wearing a helmet. Skiing and riding in control is essential in improving slope safety and reducing fatalities.”

With today’s perfectly groomed wide boulevard style trails, skiers and snowboarders can ski at very high speeds. You need to be mindful at all times that an unexpected change in surface conditions or a collision, or just losing control of your ski or board, can cause a high speed fall and impact.

So slow it down, ski within your ability level, always be able to stop, look up before entering a trail or pushing off, avoid the skier below you, and don’t ski too close to the side of the trail. Skiing continues to be a relatively safe sport, and you can control a large degree of your safety on the slopes.

Photo by Greg Burke

I hate Valentine’s Day, there I said it. I am already filled with dread and it is still days away. Last year all I got was speeding ticket (42 in a 25), so it’s just not my favorite festival. Call it annual disappointment day or too bad you are single day, I find it to be a recipe for failure unless you are a florist or Hallmark. I do not need long stem red roses that are overpriced in February and doomed to die in a few days. Heart shaped chocolate assortments are mostly icky flavors, and other romantic gestures just seem like are result of marketing pressure.

But then I discovered the ultimate Valentine’s gift that would make any skier swoon. No, not diamond bedazzled goggles, but an iconic turquoise blue box from Tiffany’s. Inside the trademark box is your Gold Ski Pass, which looks like an Olympic Silver Medal on a ribbon– except this one is engraved with Tiffany & Co. on the back. Wait, it gets better.

Your Tiffany’s Gold Pass is personalized and gets you free ski privileges at over 250 ski resorts around the country. Imagine showing up at the ticket window wearing your Tiffany medal, which is embossed with the US Ski, Snowboarding and Freeskiing Team logos, requesting your lift ticket. This Gold Pass is a real head turner, and $8,500 of your gift giver’s contribution (the pass costs $10,000) goes to benefit the US ski and snowboard team members.

So yes sweetheart, I would like a Tiffany’s Gold Ski Pass for Valentine’s Day, in lieu of another speeding ticket.

Newsflash – there is good skiing this season in New England

People, we have been over this before. Just because there is no snow in your backyard does not mean the skiing in the mountains is no good. You see, there is this not so modern invention called snowmaking.

Ski areas, particularly those in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, have mid-winter ski conditions, deep base depths and most of their terrain open for your skiing and riding. Yes, it has been a lean year for natural snowfall, and there have been more rain events than any of us would like, but the skiing at Stowe, Jay Peak, Sugarbush, Bretton Woods and Loon, Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf (to name a few) are very good having received fresh snow in the past weeks on top of months of snowmaking.

Ironically I have skied three resorts in three states in the past three weeks, and at each the locals have said, “we are like the only resort with snow this season.” I personally love this passion, and protectiveness of their ski mountain above all others, so I do not bother correcting them.

I will however advise that the early bird gets the cord, the freshly groomed snow is really the best. Machine made snow does get firm (ok, even icy) as the day goes on, skiers and riders skid some of the softer snow off the slopes. On the flipside, manmade snow breaks down more slowly than natural, so snowmaking powerhouse resorts with deep snow depths are well set for spring skiing. But don’t wait that long.

Football is game over, it’s February, it’s time to go skiing. Stop looking at the brown ground in your backyard and go to the mountains.

Photo of Stowe by Greg Burke

If you are not first, you are last. This is the mantra around my competitive family. It applies to suppertime, and certainly skiing. On a powder day, or a perfect corduroy morning, there is nothing that compares to being on that first chair, looking down at untouched snow, knowing you are about to beat everyone else to the goods. You will get to leave your signature in the snow before the bed heads and the stragglers hit the slopes.

I am hooked on first tracks at Sunday River; it is like having your private ski mountain. I have experienced first tracks in perfect cord, on squeaky talcum powder snow fresh from the Sunday River guns, and last Friday six inches of dry light fluffy snow. The conditions for first tracks are usually the best of the day, and the camaraderie is high quality too. You are in company with others who prioritize skiing, and you get to meet Sunday River management – perhaps even the GM. Dana Bullen is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, and a great skier to boot.

Sunday River charges $25 per person for First Tracks on weekend and holidays, you must have a lift ticket or season pass as well. Once you have signed up at least 24 hours in advance, you get to load the Chondola to North Peak at 7:15am for 45 minutes of privileged skiing, typically on Spruce Peak, prior to the lifts opening to the public at 8am. First Tracks skiers and riders also get a cool sticker for bragging rights, and a coupon for hot cocoa in the lodge. When you take a break at 10am, after ten laps, you see the sea of skiers arrive. You can just imagine they are wondering who tracked up the trails already, while you reflect on your early exclusive runs.

Saddleback has Ski with Management at 7:30am on Sundays, no charge, no sign up, just show up with a valid lift ticket or pass, enjoy freshly groomed or freshly fallen snow, followed by coffee and pastries with your new friends.

Sugarbush has first track cat skiing at Lincoln Peak for $75, up to 12 skiers and snowboarders board the Lincoln Limo snow cat at 7am for private skiing prior to the lifts opening.

First Tracks is like the backstage pass of skiing, you should be an expert or advanced skier or rider to keep up with the enthusiastic group. You will be on the mountain with patrol and usually some major players from ski area management. Of course, you have to drive to the ski resort at dawn, but when you board that first chair and the early sunlight is sparkling off the fresh snow awaiting your ski signature, it’s worth every second stolen from your pillow.

Photos by Greg Burke of Sunday River First Tracks

Over a million skiers and snowboarders were glued to their TVs this weekend, and 70,000 fans were on their feet witnessing the four days of live action at Aspen’s Buttermilk Jan 26-29. The Winter X Games are huge, certainly bigger than ski racing in the U.S. Launching huge tricks and flips in a halfpipe, and sliding down frozen staircases and rails, is apparently more entertaining than chasing sticks down a slippery ski slope.

If you missed the party on snow in Aspen, here are highlights. Shaun White made redheads (like me) and snowboarders everywhere proud when he five-peated his Gold medal performance in Snowboard Superpipe with a perfect score. He launched a double cork 1260 with an injured ankle, impressive or insane; this is why people watch these games.

Norwegian Torstein Horgmo who won Snowboard Big Air last year brought an even bigger triple cork 1440 to this year’s event to earn silver, but Canadian Mark McMorris’ backside triple cork mute 1440 earned Gold.

U.S. Tom Wallisch won the Men's Ski Slopestyle, and David Wise won Skiing Superpipe with a switch double flip, the first American to win this showcase event since Tanner Hall in 2008. Wallisch and Wise were referred to as the old men on the podium at age 24 and 21 respectively. Yes, the Winter X Games is a decidedly young fresh venue where skiers and riders launch crazy twisting inverted flips, with the occasional big crash. The snowmobile double backflip crash by Justin Hover (hover - ironic name) was particularly harrowing.

The most somber moment during this Winter X Games came during a Sarah Burke tribute, just a week after her tragic superpipe ski accident in Park City, Utah. Many of the 200 athletes at the X Games dedicated their performances to Sarah, who was favored to win Gold, with purple ribbons and “I ski for Sarah” stickers. Her Canadian teammate and friend, Roz Groenewoud won the Women’s Ski Superpipe event, and said after her emotional victory lap, “I definitely felt like I had Sarah with me.”

This was the 16th Winter X Games, and more gnarly events continue to be added, like street style inspired ski and snowboard events. Winter X Games first started in 1997 at Big Bear in California. The following two years were held at Crested Butte, Colorado. Then Winter X Games moved east to Mount Snow, Vermont for two seasons. Ever since 2002, the Winter X Games have been held at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colorado.

If you missed the mayhem, and death defying tricks in Aspen over the weekend, put the 4th Dumont Cup at Sunday River on your calendar March 23-24, 2012 to see top freeskiers compete.

Photo by Greg Burke

I had not skied Loon in years, 17 to be exact. I remember because I was skiing with my daughter in a backpack (that is no longer allowed). Loon keeps popping up in my ski report research, often with the most open ski acreage in New Hampshire, thanks to an investment of over $20 million in the past five years - much of it in snow production.

Loon was still blowing snow on several trails that already had serious base depths last Friday, demonstrating their power of 600 new tower guns (that is not a typo) making quiet, light dry snow. As a bonus, Mother Nature dropped 8-10 inches of fresh snow Friday morning on top of Loon's manmade groomed.

With the addition of South Peak, opened in 2008 after 25 years of planning and permitting, Loon now sprawls across three peaks, offering a variety of runs from the steeps of Flume on North Peak, to classic curvy trails from the centerpiece Gondola - Flying Fox, Picked Rock and Bear Claw, to South Peak's wide, well-pitched new trails.

I had not expected South Peak to be so inviting, six trails of varying steepness, Ripsaw being the gnarliest and Cruiser the most tame. A swift Lincoln Express Quad accesses these long runs at South Peak, and a cozy Pemigewasset Base Camp yurt at the base provides services and a yummy burrito bar. South Peak's terrain is well worth the short but scenic Tote Road transportation quad from Loon's main area, and spreads out skiers and riders on busy days at Loon.

Park rats must love Loon's amped up offerings in recent years, Loon now builds legit terrain parks loaded with features and even a Big Air Bag for soft landings. Loon has also added eight glades to their trail map of 61, the only terrain not yet open this season.

But not everything at Loon has changed. The signature silver gondola remains as a speedy ride to Loon Peak. Angel Street was as steep as I remembered, but it was perfectly coated with fresh snow from Friday's storm and I was among the first down this daunting trail. I was relieved to ski the same great run on Walking Boss with beautiful views of Mount Washington. Loon's lower mountain still offers a dozen ego-pleasing intermediate trails like Rum Runner, Rampasture and Blue Ox.

My recommendation, if you haven't skied Loon in awhile, you should. Sneak away midweek to Loon if you can, stay in one of the many condo properties in Lincoln, or on the slopes at The Mountain Club at Loon. On Sunday afternoons, Loon tickets are only $25 from noon to 4pm (except 2/19). Bring your camera; the surrounding White Mountains beg to be photographed.

Photos by Greg Burke

All is right with the world, and New Englanders in particular have much to smile about. The New England Patriots are going to their seventh Super Bowl. And winter finally arrived in the mountains with last week?s snowstorms, albeit a little late for California, Utah, Colorado and The East.

If the start to the ski season was painful - perhaps even ugly at times, so was the Patriot?s victory over the Ravens. But we New Englanders can be forgetful or at least forgiving, once we are winning. As for skiing, trail counts are up around Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. With the AFC Championship in hand, you can go skiing for the next two weeks without the stress or depression that typically accompanies a January playoff loss and lack of snow. We are stoked and snowy.

Which brings me to an important point; you should be skiing while your Superbowl team is prepping for the February show down in Indianapolis. Superbowl Sunday is notoriously under attended on the ski slopes. February 5 should be a giant ski day, since most people will forgo the slopes with their focus on that evening?s football game.

Go Pats. See you on the slopes.

Photo by Greg Burke

I know everyone has football on the brain for this weekend, but ski season is finally here. Thursday night’s snow in the White Mountains, Maine and northern Vermont dumped almost a foot of snow. Friday morning skiing at Loon was the best of the season, with about 10-inches of soft fluffy snow blanketing the groomed trails for those fortunate skiers.

So the skiing this weekend should be fantastic after groomers have had a chance to smooth out Mother Nature’s gift into perfect corduroy. I predict many people will skip skiing, instead glued to their TVs, or going to the package store to gear up for Sunday’s Pats game. But if you are a core skier, I suggest you can do both, ski and still be ready for Sunday’s kick off against the Ravens at 3pm.

Playoff football is the best possible après ski. With high speed quads, you can have your 10-15 runs, be done by noon and home in time for football. Ordering pizza and putting your Pats jersey on does not take that long. Find a seat on the couch with a beverage in hand and nachos nearby after your own thigh burning work out on the white slopes that morning. Gronkowski and Brady will be taking care of pre-game preparation at Foxboro, so go ski and enjoy the snow, now that fresh powder and the AFC Championships are finally here…

photo by Greg Burke

Turns out the Hollywood moguls love Wyoming just as much as skiers. Celebs like Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel like hiding out in Wyoming. Dick Cheney lives here too. The stars are drawn to the same attraction as we are, the postcard-perfect scenery of the Grand Tetons and big mountain skiing, but the cowboy culture of no tolerance for paparazzi has them staying.

We discovered our own heavenly hideaway while skiing Wyoming, it’s called Amangani, and it’s amazing. Arriving at Amangani is like reaching your private hideaway above the spectacular Teton Valley of Jackson. This new west hotel is tucked on a mountainside, perfectly blended into the landscape with low-profile architecture of natural stone and wood. The concierge and management team welcome us by name and whisk us into a grand three-level lobby of soaring redwood, flagstone and glass that frames the beautiful setting. As if on cue, a herd of elk graze outside.

Despite my excitement, I lower my voice in this spa-like atmosphere, as we tour the 40-suite resort. Our spacious suite has all the latest luxuries in an art-deco new meets west motif, plus a private balcony, extravagant bath with slate walk-in shower and soaking tub all framed by floor to ceiling windows to the valley and aforementioned elk.

We put on our fluffy robes and head to the spa for the awesome outdoor heated pool and hot tub with distant views of the ski slopes of Snow King and Jackson Hole.

After a spa soak, it is time for après ski drinks from the Zinc Bar in the expansive lobby with two grand fireplaces. There is also an inviting fireside library stocked with games, DVDs and guidebooks to all the other Aman Resorts. Amangani is one of 19 posh properties spread across 13 countries.

Dinner at Amangani Grill is truly haute cuisine above 6,000’. Native bison, elk, and steelhead trout prepared by a James Beard award-winning chef, served in the dining room with yet another fireplace, fantastic artwork, and more windows on Wyoming.

The next morning, we could take the complimentary shuttle to ski legendary Jackson Hole, just 20-minutes away, where Amangani has an exclusive Ski Lounge for your boots and gear. But after skiing Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee for several days, we decide to ski Snow King Mountain in town. Dating back to 1939, Snow King is Wyoming’s first ski area, and still the steepest ski resort in the country with a real retro feel. A double chair takes you 1,571’ vertical to the summit where you ski 40-degree trails of soft snow, providing sensational views down to the town of Jackson and the Grand Tetons beyond. There are no groomers, blue or green trails, off Snow King’s 7,808’ summit.

Whether you ski, shop the wild west town of Jackson, or roam with the wildlife in the nearby National Parks and Elk Refuge, you know you have Amangani (translation: peaceful home) to retreat to at day’s end.

Wyoming is addictive, it’s hard to leave. I see why so many New Englanders and the Hollywood set have moved here for big mountain skiing, serious snow (it’s snowing heavily as I write this), gorgeous Grand Teton scenery, cowboy culture, no crowds. There are so many reasons you should ski Wyoming.

Photos by Greg Burke

Grand Targhee doesn’t make most skiers’ must-visit list, that’s just one reason this Wyoming ski area is a must. Among others: 500+ inches of snow annually, stunning Grand Teton scenery, a low-key friendly vibe, and one of the best après ski bars I have seen in years.

Grand Targhee is a big small ski resort. Targhee has big mountain skiing on 2,602 acres of wide-open terrain from groomed bowls to powder runs, plus a plethora of steep chutes. But Grand Targhee’s base is a small, humble ski village where you can be one of the lucky few staying in only 100 lodging units. Otherwise the nearest towns of Alta, Wyoming, and Driggs, Idaho, are 12 miles down a curvy access road, where you find more lodging – but we loved the convenient casual atmosphere of staying on mountain.

Grand Targhee is the antithesis of Jackson Hole, just an hour away. Targhee’s three mountain peaks offer everything from long groomed cruisers to moderately pitched bowls, to avalanche chutes. Targhee doesn’t have any fancy hotels, but doesn’t get lines for first lift either, just friendly locals and incredibly soft snow on 2,270’ vertical.

We did laps on the Dreamcatcher high speed quad and the Blackfoot double chair on Fred’s Mountain, admiring the amazing Grand Teton at 13,770’ that dominates the skyline. Next we skied Peaked Mountain’s short but exciting chutes and broad Medicine Bowl served by the Sacajewa Quad. On a powder day at Targhee, a frequency, you can be getting freshies all day. If all that’s not enough, Targhee also has 600 exclusive acres of cat skiing.

Staying on the mountain in the compact village, we could enjoy après ski at Targhee to the fullest. For family activities, there is snow tubing, snow biking on fat tires, snowshoeing, Nordic trails, or just soaking in the outdoor heated salt water pool and hot tub. If your kids are 12 and under, they stay, ski and eat free when you buy an adult ski and stay package for three or more nights. Targhee even organizes game nights and movies for kids during the week, so parents can enjoy The Trap Bar. The Trap is everything you picture in a ski bar, nothing fancy, just fun people dancing in ski boots to live music, a retro setting with a view of the ski slopes.

Dining at Grand Targhee is limited to a few places, but The Branding Iron serves delicious Kobe beef, soups and salads, while the Snorkel makes a serious breakfast burrito. One night, we took Miller’s Sleigh Ride Dinner for an authentic horse drawn sleigh through the snowy forest to a wood fired yurt where cowboy Miller himself served us heaping plates of steak, Wydaho potatoes and homemade scones drizzled with honey butter. For entertainment, Miller tells stories of the rodeo and ranching. I recommend you dress warmly and BYOB, this is no Disney ride - this is the real deal.

After a few days, we felt like family. Grand Targhee is a special place with plentiful snow and super nice people. I should also tell you that you ski free with any North American ski pass when you book three or more nights lodging at Targhee this winter. There are so many reasons why you should ski Grand Targhee. Oh, and it’s snowing there right now…

Photos by Greg Burke

Elk graze along the roads, snow sparkles on The Grand Tetons, and cowboys driving pickups greet us as we arrive in Jackson Hole for our ski week. Why go to Wyoming for skiing, you ask?

First, there is the snow. Wyoming has simply gotten more this season, more than Colorado and Utah and obviously New England. Next, there is the classic cowboy town of Jackson. This Wild West Wyoming hamlet is home to the famous elk arches and some of the best après ski bars.

Our ideal in-town lodging spot for our first night is The White Buffalo Club, 15 minutes from the airport, two minutes to Snow King Ski Area, and twenty to legendary Jackson Hole. Our beautifully appointed suite offers Rocky Mountain décor, an expansive kitchen, and an elegant stone bathroom larger than my first apartment. We walk two blocks to town for our Wyoming fix of bison burgers and western boutiques, beefing up for big skiing the next day.

9am, we are on first tram at Jackson Hole – the unrivaled ski resort renowned for its 4,139’ vertical of steep and deep served by this legendary base to summit lift. Only in Europe do you find comparable aerial lift access and high alpine terrain (Snowbird and Big Sky do come close). Jackson’s Tram opened in 1966 as the ski area’s only lift, that original Tram was replaced in 2008 with a $31 million 100-passenger Tram – the most expensive lift in the U.S. In nine minutes, we are standing atop 10,450’ Rendezvous Mountain with incredible views of The Grand Tetons and steep, ungroomed, unbelievable terrain. Jackson Hole is noted as an expert skiers’ haven, no blue or green trails up here, just the longest continuous vertical runs in the U.S. The snow is crisp, the skies bright blue and clear, but my focus was on each turn down the expansive bowl.

After a head-rushing 4,000’ vertical run off the “Big Red” Tram, we explore more of Jackson Hole,and I am happy to report that there is intermediate groomed terrain on Jackson’s north side, Après Vous, the sunny pleasant Casper lift, and the modern Bridger gondola that whisks you from the base up 2,720’ vertical. Here you will discover a beautiful 9,095’ lodge where you can rest and refuel with a fantastic lunch at Couloir dining on duck, buffalo or bison, with unbeatable views of skiing below and above on Corbet’s Couloir – an insane chute on every extreme skiers’ bucket list.

Jackson Hole lives up to its reputation for big mountain skiing on 2,500 acres plus access to 3,000 backcountry, sizable snow with over 475’ annually, but no big crowds in the wide-open, least populated state of Wyoming.

More about why you should ski Wyoming tomorrow, including the finest ski hotel I have ever encountered, and how you can chase bison and elk, then enjoy them on your dinner plate that evening.

Visit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Website

Photos by Greg Burke

What a crazy winter we have had thus far. Wait, have we had winter? New Englanders have been golfing and mountain biking in January. I am going to remain optimistic and say there is tons of snow to come. Meanwhile, I know misery loves company - it has been a tough start for much of the country. Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, reputed for deep snow, has 4 of 170 trails open. Mammoth is at 30% operation. Summit Country Colorado and Park City Utah resorts are receiving some snow, but have had a rocky start, pun intended.

The good news, New England resorts have snowmaking super powers and this season has put their guns to the test proving to skiers and riders that you can ski without (real) snow. And there is snow in the forecast later this week. Hey, Switzerland and Alaska just got dumped on – sixteen feet of snow (note to Mother Nature: please distribute the winter wealth more evenly).

More good news, Wyoming has snow (and I am fortunate enough to be here), the natural kind from the heavens not from hoses as my first tracks guide Derek at Grand Targhee said. Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee both have over 100’ inches. Even better news, Grand Targhee is offering free skiing to any North American season passholder, when you book three nights lodging at the resort. Ken Rider, director of marketing & sales for Grand Targhee Resort said, “Weather is fickle and we realize that every resort is but one big dump away from the record conditions we all enjoyed last season. For now, we have gotten loads of snow and we want to reach out and use this early season to introduce skiers who love powder to the 2,602 acres available at the ‘Ghee. All three mountains, Fred’s, Peaked and Mary’s are open with 100 percent of our terrain.”

I will have more snow news and reviews from Wyoming to come. Meanwhile, keep doing those snow dances.

Photo by Greg Burke of Grand Targhee Resort

Skiing isn’t a very diverse sport, the participants are rather homogenous, even the snow is white. But Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is a great time to ski. Hey, it’s a three day holiday weekend to celebrate freedom in the mountains.

Sunday River has a big weekend in store, with ski and stay packages in their slopeside condos starting at $109 per person including lodging, lift tickets and adult ski or ride clinics. They are bringing in a U2 tribute Band, Joshua Tree, to perform at the Foggy Goggle on Saturday night, no cover charge. There will be night skiing, fireworks and a special dinner at The Peak with top chefs from Portland’s acclaimed Vignola and Cinque Terre restaurants. So take the chondola to North Peak Saturday evening, while night skiers carve the slopes below, then enjoy these guest chefs’ specialty Italian dinner. You do need to reserve for Dining at the Peaks, it’s a $65 dinner, but the experience is extraordinary, how often do you ride a gondola to dinner at 2,100’!

See Sunday River's complete schedule of events here.

Sunday River continues to have some of the most skiing in the East with 321 acres of skiing and riding. Other big snowmaking resorts with sizeable ski acreage open, during this challenging winter, include Okemo with 384 acres, Stowe with 340 acres, and Killington with 297 acres.

Skiing and snowboarding are very freeing activities; flying down a snow covered mountain is the ultimate freedom. So celebrate MLKJ in the mountains where they have made plenty of snow.

Photo by Greg Burke Sunday River Obsession

I wanted to stop on the trail and say something to Joey (not his real name, well it could be), but I resisted – so now I am writing about him. He was showing his buddy (wearing jeans, a Patriot’s hoodie and rental gear) how to move his skis from a snowplow to a parallel turn by picking his friend’s ski up and forcing the issue, literally. It looked awkward to say the least, then Joey’s new skier friend asks “when do I get to use these poles?” and Joey says, “we will get to that when I show you how to stop.” Yikes. Awkward had escalated to dangerously bad advice.

Some good advice, if you like your friend (not just facebook like, but genuine camaraderie, care and concern kind of like) then do not teach him or her how to ski. There is the obvious risk of injury (to them or to you if they get frustrated and poke you with that ski pole). But also you don’t have the proper training, tools or techniques to start them off with the right skills and shorten their learning curve. You may however shorten their temper and tolerance for you and the brand new sport. Better to get him (or her) a lesson and meet up for lunch or après ski.

Some good news, January is Learn to Ski or Ride Month with special deals and promos all over New England. Vermont ski resorts are offering $29 learn to ski or snowboard packages including a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and a professional lesson, offered at Bromley, Bolton Valley, Mad River Glen, Mount Snow, Stratton, Jay Peak, Burke, Killington, Pico, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch , Stowe, and Sugarbush. You must sign up in advance at www.SkiVermont.com.

New Hampshire will have “ski free week” Jan 7-14, first timers receive a free lesson, rentals and beginner’s lift ticket. You must go to www.SkiNH.com and get your Ski and Ride Free coupon then register at your chosen mountain: Gunstock, Loon, Waterville Valley, King Pine, Attitash, Bretton Woods, Cannon, Cranmore, Ragged, Wildcat, and Pats Peak . Some age and date restriction apply, registration opens Jan. 2.

In Maine, free learn to ski or ride week Jan 8-13 has already sold out for this year (look into that for next year in early December), but Sugarloaf and Sunday River offer “Bring a Friend, Ski for Free.” You must pre-register your newbie skier or rider friend for the $80 first timer lesson which includes rental, lift ticket and lesson, and you must ski the same day.

Jiminy Peak also offers a Bring a Friend program, you get a free lift ticket when you print an ecoupon at www.JiminyPeak.com and register your friend for their GET Skiing or Riding program offered non-holidays Sunday-Friday.

So there are plenty of reasons to let the pros teach your friend, and only one reason to try and teach them yourself – if you want to send your friendship downhill quickly.

Photos by Greg Burke

New Year's Eve on skis? It’s the alpine alternative to the perennial party with sparkling wine, sparkly outfits and confetti. Skiing into the New Year beats your neighbor’s boring get-together that drags on till the clock strikes 12. Put on your ski suit, enjoy night skiing under the lights, torchlight parades and fireworks, and of course - a party in the base lodge with a live band. And there’s fun for the kids beyond just skiing and riding past their bedtime, there will be tubing, magicians, face painting – you name it.

Ski resorts like Gunstock and Wachusett are offering a one-price party admission which includes your night skiing and riding plus entertainment and fireworks, plus fun extras like snowtubing and horsedrawn carriage rides at Gunstock. Sunday River offers romantic Dining at the Peak via the chondola for mom and dad, and a rail jam for your young jibbers followed by fireworks and firedancers. Check with your favorite ski resort for their special events and pricing this Saturday night.

Many ski resorts like Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Okemo, Stratton and Stowe launch their fireworks before 9pm, so you can celebrate early then get the kids to bed for tomorrow’s first tracks.

Change it up this NYE and ski, have your cheers on the slopes, and get a jump on that resolution of skiing and exercising more before the start of the year.

Sunday River Photo by Greg Burke

Are you tired of glancing at New England snow reports, comparing open acreage and waiting for significant snow and for trail counts to sky rocket? Well, I found the snow – it’s in Wyoming. Grand Targhee Resort is 100% open having received 130 inches of snow already, and it’s snowing with a winter storm warning in effect. Jackson Hole is getting snow too, ahead of snow totals in Colorado, Utah and California so far this season.

So now is the time to be booking that western ski trip, and go where the snow is. Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee both have ski and stay packages starting at $74-$87 a day respectively with three night minimums at each. There are some super deals, like $299 airfare and kids fly and stay free – of course there are caveats, details at www.jacksonhole.com

You can ski both resorts in one trip, Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee are just over an hour apart. That’s my plan. I figure if I go out west for a week of skiing, Murphy’s Law will prevail and it will dump snow back East in my absence, or more likely during my drive to and from Logan airport.

Photo by Greg Burke

You want to get the kids out of the house during school vacation, and a snowy downhill adventure is just the ticket. That winter postcard of the family skiing together could be you and yours – with a little advance planning. But you don’t want to be the bickering family in the base lodge or the screamers at ski school registration, so make a game plan before you go. Here are a few hints to make your snow sliding go smoothly.

Find out the ski resort hours (most resorts have extended lift hours this holiday week), where to park, get tickets, rental equipment and ski lessons.

If you are putting your kids in ski or snowboard lesson or all day camp, reserve in advance as slots often fill during holiday weeks. Children’s ski and ride programs are pricey but worth it (this is the opinion of a mother of two who also once taught skiing). Your youngster receives pro instruction in a fun environment with other kids, and you get to ski free (not “free” of charge, but free of encumbrance).

Make sure everyone has their ski or snowboard outfit ready before the big day. You don’t want to discover on your ski morning that mittens are missing or ski pants are too small. If it’s an early departure for the slopes, let the kids sleep in their long underwear, one less layer to have to put on in the morning.

Run through the checklist: hat/helmet, goggles, mittens, ski pass, skis, poles, boots, with everyone so nothing is left behind. In the car ride, review the 7 point skiers’ responsibility code. It’s pretty simple, and plants that last minute safety seed that could come into play that day.

Talk with your kids about the ski day, prepare them for ski camp if that’s the plan, or discuss how many runs you are going to take before lunch, where to meet if someone takes a wrong turn and you get separated. Expectations are a good thing (versus surprises), and the better your plan is, the more likely your ski day will go as scripted. I know it sounds far from spontaneous but skiing has many moving parts.

Finally, remember skiing is supposed to be fun. So if someone is freezing, take a hot cocoa break. If someone is scared to try a blue square, then ski another green circle to build confidence before moving on and up. Take pictures, take breaks, enjoy the day. Make the most of your money and your time on the mountain with your family.

Photos of Sunday River and Stowe by Greg Burke

This December may well spell disappointment for many skiers and riders hoping for that big holiday snow storm. The lack of natural snow has been obvious, but combine that with above normal temperatures prevailing throughout the month, let’s just say circumstances have been far from conducive for snowmaking to cover ground and increase trail counts. But there is skiing and riding, even terrain parks, on ski mountains around New England, all from the magic of compressed air and water. Resorts like Sunday River, Okemo, Killington and Loon have doubled their ski acreage over the past few weeks – a very impressive accomplishment.

Most ski resorts in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts have been able to open 20-50% of their skiing and riding terrain on manmade snow. Some smaller ski areas like Jiminy Peak, Pats Peak, and Ski Sundown in Connecticut have opened 70-80% of their terrain for this important holiday week when many families hit the slopes for the first time this season. And there are lodging vacancies for New Year’s weekend at many resorts, the upside for downhillers during a lean snow holiday. You can still book a ski trip this weekend, to Sugarloaf for example, and celebrate on the slopes with skiing, fireworks, hot tubs and hot toddies.

Having skied Sunday River, I can report that the conditions are surprisingly good, especially since I was walking the beach in balmy 50-degree weather the day prior. Each night, ski resorts resurface and re-groom their terrain, so my experience is that the best conditions are first thing in the morning, early birds get the cord ahead of the crowds, before the soft snow gets skied off. There is snow in the forecast today for Vermont and New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and if you are a skier and a believer like me, you know there will be more snow and plenty of skiing this winter. January is going to be super snowy!

Photos by Greg Burke

Saturday marks one big day for one big mountain in Maine. Sugarloaf will debut the new Skyline Quad at noon, when a ribbon-cutting will precede the first riders on the $3 million Dopplemayr lift installed this summer, replacing the two old Spillway double chairs that accessed the same mid-mountain terrain at Sugarloaf.

The first thing skiers and riders will notice about the new Skyline quad is the conveyor loading system, it's like a magic carpet that eases loading, therefore reducing human error and lift stops. The conveyor system, already used successfully at Mount Snow, Okemo, and Shawnee Peak, allows the quad chair to run at top fixed grip speeds of up to 500 feet per minute. The 1,457-foot vertical Skyline Quad features more towers, a total 16, which are shorter than their predecessor, and heavier chairs which should both provide better wind resistance. Several hundred feet of wind fence was also installed, so Sugarloafers should definitely see less downtime on this key lift that connects much of the best terrain of the mountain.

Not since the 90's has Sugarloaf seen a new chairlift, when the SuperQuad debuted, along with a new Whiffletree quad, and the Timberline Lift was added to the summit (which was actually the previous Whiffletree lift retrofit and relocated), to service the upper mountain previously accessed by the retired gondola.

These are exciting times for 'Loafers; a brand new quad before Christmas. It was last Christmas holiday week when the old Spillway East lift de-roped. This new Skyline lift obviously addresses wind issues while increasing capacity in the heart of Sugarloaf's ski trails. Boyne continues its Sugarloaf 2020 plan of increasing terrain, improving lift service, and amping up snowmaking at the 61 year old resort.

Don't expect to get first chair on the Skyline Quad this Saturday though; those first official spots were auctioned off to benefit local Sugarloaf charities. The vintage Spillway double chairs were also auctioned in the spring. However, the first 100 riders on the new chair will receive a commemorative Skyline t-shirt.

Photo by Greg Burke

Sugarloaf will open for skiing and riding today at noon. Skiers and riders will have three miles of skiing on Pinch, Upper Tote Road, and Lower Tote Road serviced by the SuperQuad chairlift for 1,750 vertical feet of manmade snow. Tickets will be $29 for the limited terrain which is recommended for advanced skiers and riders only due to the early season conditions. 

This is a feather in Sugarloaf's ski cap given warm weather patterns, and demonstrates the advancements in snowmaking in recent years with parent company Boyne's investment.

"Temperatures haven't been quite as low as we would have liked over the past two weeks, but our snowmakers are a hard working bunch and they've been able to take advantage of the cold overnight periods to get this place ready to go," said Rich Wilkinson, Sugarloaf's vice president of mountain operations. "It's always exciting to kick off the season, and we're looking forward to seeing Sugarloafers back on the mountain."

This marks Sugarloaf's 61st year; last season the Maine ski resort opened Nov. 21.