What do you do when you have a business meeting planned in Stowe? You make time for a ski, of course!
We each brought two pairs of skis because we weren't sure exactly what the snow conditions would be like. Early this week we had warmer weather, which was quickly followed by winter temperatures. We were thinking things would be quite firm.
The snow was firm, but because of the Trapp Family Lodge's great grooming it was very skiable. The Skimeister had prepared our classic skis well with ironed-in binder and kick wax. We had enough “kick” to enjoy a nice loop.
We left just as a Vermont Senior Games ski race was starting. The groups of racers kicked, glided and double-poled their way out of Trapps meadow and into the woods. We watched the start and then headed to the woods ourselves. We skied out on the Russel Knoll Trail and up Russel Knoll, and then up the maple-tree-lined Old County Road Trail.
We then had a wild ride down the lower Parizo Trail which had not softened up at all. It was fast and bumpy. After holding a sustained, gigantic snowplow, I was glad to make it down to Picnic Knoll while still on my feet! We stopped here and soaked up some sunshine.
We jumped on a stretch of Sugar Road, which — true to its name — had buckets hanging from the maple trees to collect sap. We started another climb up the Telemark Trail. Another downhill run awaited us and it zipped us behind homes and condos to meet the Luce Trail, just behind the Lodge. Here and in the Practice Meadow you have a nice view of the Worcester Range.
This wasn't our normal longer loop at Trapp Family Lodge, but it was a good choice for our classic skis and the fast conditions. I would not have wanted to descend the entire Parizo Trail today unless 50 people had gone before me to smooth things out.
It was a quiet afternoon on the Nordic trail network and it was a wonderful way to enjoy a sunny, midweek afternoon.
