Skiing New England
Celebrating the beauty, exhilaration and camaraderie
New
In the southern section of the Green Mountains lies long abandoned Hogback Si Area. It’s told that the mountain comes alive with eerie happenings on each Winter Solstice. Legend has it that the spirits of skiers from days long past awaken from their slumber, their passion for the slopes undying even in the afterlife. As the moonlight casts an ethereal glow upon the slopes, these spectral skiers emerge, gracefully gliding down the forgotten trails with a haunting grace. Their glowing ski tracks illuminate the darkness, leaving a mesmerizing spectacle that sends shivers down your spine. Whispers of laughter and echoing whooshes fill the crisp late autumn air as the ghostly skiers relive their golden days; they wedeln and Christie down the hill. It is said that those brave enough to witness this spectral ski fest will forever be blessed with an unyielding love for the sport and an understanding of the true magic that lies within the snow-covered slopes. So, this Winter Solstice, if you dare to venture into the abandoned ski area, be prepared to witness a spine-chilling ski show like no other and embrace the ghostly legends that etch themselves into the very fabric of New England skiing folklore.
The high art of
ski memes
Long-time Mount Snow skier
shares tips on skiing this
iconic 3.1 mile novice trail.
The Legend of Hogback Mountain
Stories...Humor...Tips...Legends...Poems
The Legend of Ullr
In the realms of the North, where the snowflakes fall, A Norse god of winter, Ullr, heeded the call. With bow in hand and skis on his feet, He ruled over snow and ice, a frosty retreat. Ullr, God of Snow, in the cold and the chill, With your arrow so true, and your skis on the hill. We sing of your might, in the winter's embrace, Ullr, God of Snow, bring us your grace. From his home in the mountains, he'd come to the land, With a cloak made of snowflakes, he'd take a firm stand. His breath painted frost on the trees and the lake, In the heart of the winter, no warmth did he forsake. On the frozen lakes and the mountains so high, Ullr's presence was felt as the snowflakes did fly. He'd carve through the snow with a skillful hand, Guiding the way for those who dared to understand. In the heart of the winter, we honor his name, For Ullr, the Snow God, we'll never be the same. With each falling flake, in the cold winter's air, We'll remember his legend, his power, his care. So when winter descends with its icy delight, We'll think of Ullr, the god of the snowy white. With respect and with awe, to the Norse god we bow, Ullr, God of Snow, we honor you now.
Preparation
Awaiting the Season
As autumn's golden hues begin to wane, A skier's heart stirs with an eager strain, For on the horizon, a promise waits, The start of ski season, we anticipate. We watch the leaves fall, the landscape turn, With every passing day, our hearts yearn, For the mountains' embrace, the slopes so wide, Where we'll carve through snow, our spirits to guide. The gear sits ready, waxed and primed, In our hopes, the ski season is perfectly timed, We dream of powder, and groomed trails so sweet, As winter approaches, our excitement can't be beat. The first snowflake's descent, a whispered song, Tells us that winter won't be long, We imagine the thrill, the wind in our face, As we wait for ski season's sweet embrace. The anticipation builds, it's hard to contain, The longing for mountains covered in white terrain, The camaraderie with friends on the chairlift ride, The freedom of skiing, our hearts open wide. We count the days, the hours, the minutes so dear, As ski season draws near, it's perfectly clear, That in the mountains' embrace, we'll find our release, Our souls take flight, our hearts find their peace. So, skier, be patient, the wait will soon end, Ski season's arrival, a gift to defend, In the midst of the winter, on slopes we'll convene, To carve through the snow, in a skier's dream.
Test Your Knowledge of
New England Ski Resorts
A Wad of Tobacco, A Huge Chairlift Part And a Ford Maverick
In the late 70s I was working at a New England ski resort and poor as could be. When the Head Maintenance Engineer asked around for someone to pick up a part for one of the chairlifts I quickly volunteered. He probably figured I knew what I was volunteering for and wouldn't have done so without a pickup truck or some other appropriate vehicle. It was after hours and we needed the part in order to run the lift in the morning. The supplier agreed to stay open until I arrived. Being a twenty-one year old male there may have been some other decisions I made without much forethought. In my mind the part was a few bolts or something like that. Though I was to drive 90 minutes in the dark on country roads I had confidence in my mature Ford Maverick (Yes, the photo is of the car I used). It was starting to snow but I knew my new retread snow tires were up to the task. Using the finest workmanship I could muster I had recently jury-rigged an eight track tape player under the dashboard so I knew the trip wouldn't be totally devoid of entertainment. When I arrived later than promised the supplier was grumpy as hell. He spat a wad of tobacco into the snow, pointed to enormous gear laying against a fence post and grumbled, "How the hell are you gonna get that in there?" Sliding the front passenger seat all the way back it looked like the gear might just fit. With the grizzly old guy providing special lubricant in the form of sub-vocalized mutterings, we managed to get it in. The car listed unnervingly to starboard. With no more words spoken the receipt was tossed in the car and the parking lot lights off before I was out the driveway. On the return trip the crown of the road, slippery conditions and tilt of the car overcame my ability to keep the old Maverick on the road. To my great relief a pickup truck pulled over just minutes after the mishap. With the sweet smell of liquor wafting from their breaths, two good Samaritans offered to pull me out. One attached a chain to their hitch and the other hooked up somewhere under my car. I took a moment to look under the car, saw the hook on the steering rod and moved it to the frame. I profusely thanked my new best friends, made it back to the mountain, the chairlift was operational by morning and I had a windfall of $22.00.
Did Emily's Hair
Really Turn White?
You know it's time to get ready for skiing when leaves are falling and there have been snow flurries in the mountains. You've started having ski dreams and everyday you check Skiing New England (and your other favorite ski sites) for new postings. Here's what you need to do: Get in shape. Go to the gym, do a plank. Spritz yourself with water so it looks like you've worked up a sweat. Do a lunge. Check your phone for messages. Call it a day. Schedule all appointments for before or after ski season. Get your teeth cleaned now. Find your ski clothing. Wash the long underwear that was lovingly stored under the bed. Clear out the pockets of your parka. Put the half eaten protein bar in a baggy. Pull the fuss off the loose ibuprofen pills. Find your new ski pass among the pile of plastic cards in the junk drawer. Throw out all the video store membership cards you find. Yes, even the old Blockbuster card. Go toward the pile of ski poles tossed in the back corner of your garage. First move all the string trimmers that you can't start, the fishing poles with broken tips and the other things you're going to fix. Pick out two ski poles that are the same length. No, they don't need to actually match in any other way. Get your ski boots out of the barn, shed or whatever outbuilding you promised yourself you'd never again store them in after what happened last year. DO NOT put your hands into the boot. First, turn them over and shake out the acorns. Shake them again, harder this time. Still do not put your hands in them. OK, they're probably ready for the season. Hunt for your skis. Do a visual binding check. If they are caked with highway salt and rust spray them with WD40. If they have Cubco or GEZE bindings buy new ones. Put them with the ski boots and the mismatched poles. Watch YouTube instructional ski videos. Visualize yourself making carved turns. Get yourself centered by watching videos posted by your favorite life-coach. You're working hard so indulge yourself with some cute cat videos. Download the latest ski apps to your smart phone. Bore your non-skiing friends, spouse, relatives and anyone you meet with all the new stuff you've learned online. Call all your ski buddies. Subtly ask questions in order to determine their "ski status". Do they have new grandchildren, new hips or knees, or a new sweetheart who doesn't ski? I know you didn't throw out all the video store membership cards. You knew vinyl records made a modest comeback and so might Blockbuster. So get one of the cards and use it to scrape sleet off goggles. Put it in the interior pocket of your parka along with the fuss-less ibuprofen pills and the half eaten protein bar. You are now fully ready for the new ski season.
Test your knowledge of Northeast Ski Results: 1.White Cap is a part of __________? a.Attitash b.Sunday River c.Whiteface d.Loon 2.Mittersill is a part of __________? a.Ski Butternut b.Stratton c.Sugarloaf d.Cannon 3.Spruce Peak is a part of __________? a.Berkshire East b.Mad River Glen c.Stowe d.Burke 4.Wilderness Peak is part of _________? a.Bolton Valley b.Mohawk c.Cranmore d.Wachusett 5.Mt. Ellen is a part of __________? a.Suicide Six b.Crotched c.Saddleback d.Sugarbush 6.Mt. Stickney is a part of __________? a.Loon b.Pat’s Peak c.Catamount d.Bretton Woods 7.Burnt Ridge Mountain is a part of __________? a.Wildcat b.Gore c.Ski Sundown d.Gunstock 8.Sterling Mountain is a part of __________? a.Smugglers’ Notch b.Shawnee Peak c.Sunapee d.Waterville Valley 9.Jackson Gore is a part of __________? a.Windham b.Okemo c.Bromley d.Hunter 10. Carinthia is a part of __________? a.Mount Snow b.Jiminy Peak c.Ragged d.King Pine Answers: 1. Sunday River, 2. Cannon, 3. Stowe, 4. Bolton Valley 5. Sugarbush, 6. Bretton Woods, 7. Gore, 8. Smugglers’ Notch, 9. Okemo, 10. Mount Snow
Once upon a time, nestled deep within the heart of New England, there was a small, picturesque ski resort known as Frostbite Peaks. The resort had been a winter haven for skiers for generations, but it was also the birthplace of a peculiar superstition that had haunted the slopes for decades. Legend had it that on one fateful winter's eve many years ago, a group of daring skiers decided to challenge the resort's most treacherous slope, known as the Black Diamond. The slope was notorious for its steepness, icy patches, and unpredictable winds. But the group, led by a skilled skier named Emily, believed they could conquer it. They descended down the Black Diamond, with Emily skiing sweep. A sudden gust of wind whipped through the mountain pass, unleashing an avalanche that buried Emily but spared the others. Her friends worked tirelessly and Emily was found alive; saved by the sighting of her glistening ski pole tip. Though rescued her body was forever marked by the freezing ordeal, her hair turned as white as the snow that had nearly claimed her life. Local skiers and resort staff began to whisper about the curse of the Black Diamond. They believed that anyone who dared to ski it would be met with misfortune. Rumor begot rumor and tales of skiers perishing on the trail took hold. Now, decades later, Frostbite Peaks has long been shuttered and the rumors have mostly been forgotten. In whispered tones amongst themselves, old timers remember the stories. It was said that on moonlit nights, the spirits of ill-fated skiers could be heard howling in the wind, warning adventurers away. Others claimed to have seen ghostly figures on the slopes, shadows of the past forever bound to the mountain. Despite the superstitions, there are still thrill-seekers who hike up what was Frostbite Peak and ski the Black Diamond. They scoff at the idea of a curse, believing it’s nothing more than a cautionary tale spread by locals wanting to protect their secret stashes.
Cranmore
Believe It Or Not
The Enchanting Beauty
of Skiing in NE
Fitting Trail Names
In the southern section of the Green Mountains lies long abandoned Hogback Si Area. It’s told that the mountain comes alive with eerie happenings on each Winter Solstice. Legend has it that the spirits of skiers from days long past awaken from their slumber, their passion for the slopes undying even in the afterlife. As the moonlight casts an ethereal glow upon the slopes, these spectral skiers emerge, gracefully gliding down the forgotten trails with a haunting grace. Their glowing ski tracks illuminate the darkness, leaving a mesmerizing spectacle that sends shivers down your spine. Whispers of laughter and echoing whooshes fill the crisp late autumn air as the ghostly skiers relive their golden days; they wedeln and Christie down the hill. It is said that those brave enough to witness this spectral ski fest will forever be blessed with an unyielding love for the sport and an understanding of the true magic that lies within the snow-covered slopes. So, this Winter Solstice, if you dare to venture into the abandoned ski area, be prepared to witness a spine-chilling ski show like no other and embrace the ghostly legends that etch themselves into the very fabric of New England skiing folklore.
In New England's heart, where winter holds its sway, A unique skiing experience, in its own special way, The mountains rise, their slopes draped in white, A haven for skiers, a pure, New England delight. The joy of skiing here, unlike any other place, In this region's embrace, we find our grace, With slopes that challenge, from dawn till dusk, New England skiing, a passion, a must. The beauty unfolds as snow blankets the pines, A picturesque scene, where serenity shines, From Vermont's Green Mountains to New Hampshire's peaks, In New England's embrace, adventure we seek. Challenges abound, as the weather may change, Yet skiers endure, through the cold and the range, From icy glades to powder-filled dreams, New England's terrain, a tapestry it seems. Comrades gather, in this tight-knit crew, Where camaraderie thrives, and friendships renew, In cozy lodges, by fireside's warm light, We share tales of skiing, through day and night. So, here in New England, where skiing's a treasure, A unique blend of joy, in this winter-time leisure, From the White Mountains to the Berkshires' embrace, New England skiing, a singular grace.
In this age of fake news and loose facts it's a comfort that we can trust trail names. If a trail is named Predator you can rely on it to be challenging. Likewise, if it's called Koala Path it'll be easy. As you'd expect, names associated with pain or anxiety are going to be challenging. Consider Agony at Sunday River, Panic Button and Vertigo at Killington, Short Fuse at Cannon and Pabst Panic at Bromley. Trail names about death, hell or the devil will also be diamond or double black diamond. Consider trails named Cemetery Gates at Ragged Mountain, Hell's Gate at Sugarloaf, Satan's Stairway at Ski Sundown and Widowmaker at Sugarloaf. Names associated with things that explode will also not be for the faint of heart; consider Bolton Valley's TNT. Trails named for aggressive animals usually demand equal respect. Hammerhead at Sugarbush, Cougar at Bolton Valley, Grizzly at Stratton, Jaws at Mt Snow, and Viper at Powder Ridge. Others include Panther at Mad River Glen and Dragon's Drop at Cannon. However there are exceptions. Bull Run at Bolton Valley, is an “Easiest" trail. Trails named for sharp objects such as Ripsaw at Loon and Sugarloaf or fast moving things such as Rapids at Mohawk fit their black diamond classification. As you'd expect, trail names associated with racing are usually challenging. Consider Upper Competition at Berkshire East, FIS at both Sugarbush and Smuggler's Notch. There are several challenging trails with names associated with falling. These include Free Fall at both Smuggler's Notch and Mt Snow, Quantum Leap at Okemo, Ripcord at Sugarbush and Mt Snow and Nose Dive at Stowe. Obviously any trail name suggesting a steep pitch will have a most difficult designation; think of Superstar Headwall at Killington. Green circle or easier trails also have names that are, most of the time, fitting. Consider, Easy Rider at Sugarbush and Wachusett, Beginner Basin at Cranmore and Easy Street at Okemo. Others have names like Wanderer at, Smuggler's Notch and Stratton, Meadow at Stratton and Learning Zone and School Slope at Bromley. Trails named after friendly animals are also likely be easy; think Deer Run at Mount Snow and Bunny Slope at Otis Ridge. Trails with the word "road" or "walk" are likely to be easy trails. Examples include Sugar Bear Road at Sugarbush, Toll Road at Stowe. But there are exceptions; Hi & Low Road at Sugarbush is a black diamond trail.
Videos
Fun...Fast...Exciting Footage.
In memory of Jon Weisberg, co-founder and editor of SeniorsSkiing.com. I'm grateful to Jon for the encouragement and support he gave me.
Sun and 4" powder...Old-School Vibe
Mount Snow at it's BEST
We're not known for sunny ski days so when we get one it's a lot to be grateful for. As always, real people having fun skiing...no pros, extreme skiing or staged shots.
The 3 mountains
we ski at the most.
As much fun as skiing alone can be it's better with friends. Contemporary editing...fun...lively.
Ski memories...clearly a summertime project.
So grateful for this gorgeous day to start off my season at Okemo. Way to go Mountain Ops.
Quintessential scenes of everyday skiers having fast-paced fun in New England.
TYPICAL NEW ENGLAND SKIING at 32 seconds...six inches of light powder on top of solid ice...I'm thankful for any skiing I get in December and these were some darn good days.
Presenting the power, beauty, fun and sometimes challenge of skiing in the East.
A tribute to the places we love to ski in
New England
Bundled up skiers, fierce wind and fridged temps. Guaranteed to make you feel the COLD.
Dramatic scenes of authentic New England Skiing.
Definitely weird...psychedelic backgrounds are from our own macro-videography studio.
Epic (Northern) New England Skiing. No staged shots of professional skiers...just skiing as it really is.
The best people to ski with are the enthusiastic ones. WATCH to the end.
Some kick-ass fun skiing in New England
The title of the soundtrack song, Calling Me by ooyy is the motivation for this video. It speaks to the pull that skiing has on us. Finding New England ski imagery that was alluring was easy.