Well, you've come to the right place. Here you'll find information and views about Vermont skiing and riding, powder dumps, Vermont ski resort reviews, ski travel tidbits and all-around snow culture from a Vermont skiing enthusiast. I don't work in the ski industry, so what you read in this ski blog is from someone who just loves to get out on the snow! This Vermont skiing blog covers alpine, backcountry and cross-country skiing.
— UVM nordic ski team reorganizes; Change of leadership at Dartmouth — The University of Vermont Nordic ski program coaching staff has been reorganized. Patrick Weaver (pictured here) was recently named head coach of the men's and women's nordic ski program. Former head coach Paul Stone will continue on with the program as an assistant coach. Apparently he will begin work on a master’s degree while continuing to work with the team.Weaver, who has served as an assistant the past two seasons,...[Read more]
There have been plenty of downhill races on the storied slopes of Mt. Mansfield, but only one major competition in recent memory challenges racers to go up to the summit as fast as they can.
On Sunday, August 29, 2010, the Catamount Trail Association puts on the Third Annual FJG Race To The Top Of Vermont. It's actually two races: one for mountain bikers and the other for runners and walkers. Either way, it's a quad-burning exercise that is rewarded with summit views to Lake Champlain, the...[Read more]
Many Skimaven readers hail from the Northeast, so it's no surprise to you to hear that we are having a heatwave — even up here in northern Vermont. Temperatures have been in the 90s this week. We're hoping for 80s this weekend.
People are floating around in lakes and rivers to beat the heat. The temperature of Lake Champlain has risen to 71 degrees. It was *very* easy to walk into the water last night. Some folks are heading to movie theaters and museums like ECHO in Burlington to cool...[Read more]
The Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame will soon grow by four. The Museum announced new inductees -- Lawrence “Larry” Damon, Hilary Engisch, Robert “Bob” Gray, and Johannes von Trapp. Engisch is a champion mogul skier while the others excelled at or advanced the sport of nordic skiing.
The induction ceremony will be on October 24 in Stowe, Vermont, which is home to the ski museum.
Congratulations to all the new inductees! For background information on each skier, visit the Museum...[Read more]
When it's going to be a hot, humid day, my body feels a magnetic pull toward water. Gurgling, splashing, rocky-bottom river water to be precise.
Being able to dunk my feet and stretch out on a some smooth rocks is the coolest way to cool off in my book. When a river cascades over rocks, it drowns out most human-generated noises and lets me "veg out" in the nicest of settings.
And if the water doesn't numb my legs first, I like to take river walks, too. With my sandals on and careful...[Read more]
I'm pleased to have helped Vermont's ski resorts tally 1.4 percent more skier visits this year over last year. (Every little bit helps, you know.)
Despite a rather strange winter, the Vermont Ski Areas Association reported that Vermont's downhill ski resorts had 4.1 million skier visits during the 2009-2010 season -- up a bit over the previous season.
Other northeastern states saw an overall decline of 2.8 percent, according to the National Ski Areas Association.
It's that time of year again: farmers markets are opening in Vermont.
I know the downtown Burlington, Vt., farmers market has already opened. It was packed last Saturday! And I heard that Stowe's market has started and this Saturday the Waitsfield market begins.
I like getting some of my organic garden veggie starters at the farmers markets. Last weekend I picked up some super delicious spinach, and of course if they have some baked goods I must try that as well! Later in the season I'll have...[Read more]
Ah, the weather is super-fine right now, making one dream of hiking the gorgeous summits in Vermont. But hold on a bit longer, here's a reminder from our friends at the Green Mountain Club.
Reminder for Spring Hikers: Stay Off High-Elevation Trails
Vermont's trails are wet and muddy in the spring. When hikers step on saturated soil, they make deep gullies and pits that will be there all summer long. If hikrs step off the trail to avoid mud, they increase erosion by creating additional...[Read more]
I love the long daylight hours that we enjoy at this time of year. However, because of this light, I woke up way too early on this Sunday morning. I peer out the window and what do I see? Snowflakes are blowing around in the stiff breeze.
We surely are enjoying highs and lows when it comes to spring weather lately!
Luckily, I knew the forecast for this weekend wasn't looking good so on Friday afternoon I headed out to Stowe, Vt., for a bike ride. The sun was shining and I needed to be in...[Read more]
Last week we were in the midst of a freak spring snowstorm, while the last few days have been warm — almost too warm as we hit around 80 degrees. Things are looking very green in northern Vermont. And purple and pink and yellow and white, depending on what tree or bush is in the vicinity. Even the mountains which looked frosty white last week are now taking on their springlike appearance.
Yet, a look at the official snow stake on the top of Mt. Mansfield illustrates that there is still a lot...[Read more]
Here's a peek at what things looked like at higher elevations today in northern Vermont. I messed around on the Bryant and World Cup trails on Bolton Valley's nordic system this afternoon. Yesterday's freak spring storm and today's bright sunshine made this a must-do exercise.
I'd say there was at least 14 inches in these shaded trails, which are located at about 2,100 feet. The snow was heavy, so what I did it was more like a snowshoe walk than a ski. But it was so nice being outside where I...[Read more]
You know, I haven't put away my ski equipment yet. My ski pants and jacket still hang from hooks in my entryway. My boot bag has been waiting patiently in the corner of my office. I think I might have to take my gear out for another spin at the end of the week because IT IS SNOWING in northern Vermont again!
This was the word from the National Weather Service as of 7 a.m. today:
* 6 TO 12 INCHES OF HEAVY WET SNOW IS EXPECTED BEGINNING THIS MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY ACROSS THE HIGHER...[Read more]
Well it's clear that Killington has stopped running its lifts: they switched over to their summer homepage today. Yesterday was the last day for spring skiing at the ski resort.
So who is left?
Jay Peak is the only Vermont ski area saying they will be open again this season. They plan to reopen from Thursday, April 29, to Sunday, May 2.
Here's a photo from the resort taken on Saturday during what was a gorgeous weekend here in northern Vermont. Many residents...[Read more]
We're taking bets. First, which Vermont ski resort will claim the title for staying open the latest this ski season: Jay Peak or Killington?
Second, will the number of Vermont skier visits hit the 4 million mark? Some say yes in this article in the Rutland Herald.
And third, some of Vermont's mountain peaks — and some towns — have seen a couple of inches of snow this weekend; will this be our final snow of the season?
Killington held a pond skimming contest yesterday while snow was falling...[Read more]
Vermont's ski season is winding down -- way down -- this week. Here's an idea of which Vermont ski resorts are open, which have closed, and when the others are expected to close. Be sure to double check before you head out for the slopes by visiting the ski conditions links on my Vermont ski resorts page.
These ski areas are still open:
Jay Peak -- will stay open through Sunday, April 25, then close midweek, then reopen for May 1 - 2.Killington -- will close on afternoon of...[Read more]
I went summer skiing on a glacier in Austria once. It was June. It was raining. We couldn't take in the view because of the clouds. The snow was very soft. And the wind was cold and howling — so it was blowing the trash-bag type ponchos we were wearing to stay dry. I can still hear the wild flapping noise of the plastic!
Luckily yesterday's "summer skiing" was nothing like that. Vermont is having some lovely weather for summer skiing this week and weekend.
After some wet weather (and some snow at higher elevations) we are heading into a really warm and sunny stretch of weather in Vermont. In the coming days you'll want to ski in the morning because it will get very warm, and slushy, by afternoon. Oh, and wear your sunscreen. You'll need it.
These Vermont ski areas have succumbed to spring. They are now closed for the season:
Suicide SixAscutneyMiddlebury Snow BowlCochran's Ski Area
It was sunny but chilly on Saturday here in northern Vermont. The Skimeister and I went over to play around on the cross-country trails at Bolton Valley, then to watch some of the pond skimming action.
We skied around Picnic and the Valley Loop a bit. The snow was mostly frozen granular, and it was softer in the sunniest spots. They had done a good job grooming after the fluctuations of temperatures we've seen in the last couple of weeks! The snow coverage was still good in this part of the...[Read more]
When you are out and about Vermont this weekend, stop into a sugarhouse that's participating in Vermont Maple Open House Weekend.
Sugarmakers are found all over the state -- from the Massachusetts line to the Canadian border. They will show you how they make their sticky, sweet jugs and bottles of golden maple syrup. You may also get a free sample, too.
For details, check out this Web site: www.vermontmaple.org
Also keep on the lookout for signs that point...[Read more]
Well if you're game, you have a good selection of pond skimming contests at Vermont ski resorts to choose from. Here are a few to consider watching, or participating in, below.
The alpine ski areas are still enjoying spring skiing, while the nordic centers are winding down, and some up north are closed already.
Mount Snow: Saturday, March 27. Dress in costume and descend Canyon in an attempt to cross a 100' man-made pond.
I have to admit, if I had a white ski helmet, I might have asked some of the US Ski Team members to sign it today. Hey, everyone was doing it. At the Cochran's slalom race Ted Ligety was signing t-shirts, Sarah Schleper was signing helmets — all sorts of posters and clothing were offered up to the stinky markers. And it seemed like these gracious team members didn't turn anyone away.
It was fun to watch the second run of the Thank God For Snowmaking Race, which benefits the tiny, nonprofit...[Read more]
US Ski Team star Ted Ligety just wrote on Twitter that he helped shovel snow onto the T-Bar line at Cochran's Ski Area in Richmond, Vt., in preparation for tomorrow's slalom race! The race benefits the small ski area and its skiing program which has turned out its fair share of Olympic skiers.
Ligety is the Overall World Cup GS Champion, and his teammate Jimmy Cochran is the best US slalom racer right now (ranked 20th in the world). I see Olympian Sarah Schleper's name on...[Read more]
