This afternoon I took a ski tour on the outer-most trails on the wooded side (north side) of Catamount Outdoor Center's nordic trails in Williston, Vermont. It was my first time in the woods here this season, and it was very pretty.
Soft powdery snow blanketed the side of the trails and it clung to tree branches. The ski trails had pretty good coverage. There were some icy-wet spots to contend with here and there, and a few rocks to avoid as well.
I had heard that Catamount had experienced a lot of wind damage in the woods, and they weren't kidding. Giant trees had toppled to the ground thanks to a very strong recent windstorm. We skied past big tree trunks and tree roots pulled right out of the ground.
The staff must have been extremely busy clearing their trees that fell across the ski trails. I saw the fruits of their work stacked neatly by the side of the trail.
The only part they didn't clear was a far corner of Sandman's. We skied past the folks who manage Catamount and they said that clearing the many trees that fell on that part of the trail would have to be a summer project.
Maybe all that wood will heat the inn next year!
Snow, snow, snow!
Looks like Vermont will benefit from the Nor'easter that's hitting the east coast. Yee-haw! Forecasts right now say southern Vermont will get the most snow — with decreasing amounts as you head north.
