Pow! We got some fine backcountry turns today in the woods of Stowe, Vermont!
A weather system or two put it all together to deliver 11 inches or more of snow at higher elevations in northern Vermont over the last two days. We decided to go into Stowe's Sterling Forest to play in the new snow.
We skinned from about 1600 feet in elevation up to about 2800 feet, and we noticed the snow grow deeper as we went. The sun came out a couple of times, but then snow flurries moved through as well.
We descended through the trees, enjoying the rather deep, light powder. I was on my more turny telemark skis so I had a very fun time making parallel powder turns and throwing in occasional tele turns. The Skimeister hooted and hollered as he descended, prompting me to ask sarcastically, "Honey, are you sure you're having a good time?"
Kudos to the Town of Stowe, Stowe Land Trust, Sterling Falls Gorge Natural Area Trust and others for protecting this land which features a network of ski trails on the side of the Sterling Range. The Catamount Trail also runs through this forest.
Looking at resort snow reports, it seems the northern Vermont mountains got the most snow over the last 48 hours, while central and southern Vermont ski resorts only reported a few inches over the last two days.
After our ski, we relaxed over coffee and a tasty, fresh danish at a rather new café on Stowe's Mountain Road. PK Coffee is located across the street from Piecasso. <link http: www.sevendaysvt.com vermont stowes-pk-coffee-finds-permanent-home _blank external-link-new-window internal link in current>Follow this link for a write-up in Seven Days.
