Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: Out Like A Lion

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March Won’t Be Ending Spring-like.

Although I had good intentions, I must confess that I did not get on the snow in the past week.  65 degree temperatures here in Rhode Island early this week didn’t help to inspire, for sure.  Much of the East has had a frustrating season, due to a lack of cold and snow, but the evolving pattern over the next several weeks is not going to please those ready to turn their backs on winter.  The pattern is going to change to one that delivers cold and snow into the country, first into the West but also to the East, where the colder pattern will persist for a longer spell than we have seen since early winter.  That is great news if you have plans to ski or ride Easter weekend!

In the short term, a massive high pressure center is going to deliver a seasonably cold weekend to the resorts in the Great Lakes and East.  In the West, the best news is that the Tahoe area is going to receive heavy snow during the second half of this weekend into early next week.  After a largely snow-free February, some lighter snow has fallen the past two weekends in the central Sierra but this event will deliver the load that the resorts really need.  Amounts will range from 1 to 2.5 feet with this storm.  Snow is headed for the northern Rockies this weekend, too, as this surface map from Sunday morning illustrates. 

 

Next week will turn milder again in the East, but not to the extent that we saw earlier this week.  The coastal system that impacts the Sierra this weekend will continue to rotate southeastward during the first half of next week, bringing snows to the southern Rockies.  While the upper level trough that produces that snow favors the West, an upper ridge over the East will keep it mild and deflect a storm up through the Great Lakes late in the week, and that track will be unfavorable for snow in the East.

Help is on the way to the East, though, in a classic case of “better late than never”.  Changes are underway in the Pacific in terms of the location of ridges and troughs, and we will soon see a configuration that has been rare this winter.  An upper ridge will set up shop over Alaska, with a trough south of that spot.   Here is forecast for the 22nd that illustrates the position of that ridge.

In addition to the strong ridge sitting over Alaska, notice the trough extending down from the southern flank of the polar vortex all the way to southern California…that will continue to benefit parts of the West.  With a clockwise flow around the ridge and a counterclockwise flow around the trough, you can see how the air will be directed from the Yukon into the northern Plains and then eastward through the Great Lakes.  As the trough presses eastward, it will spread the cold air into the East for the final week of the month and likely beyond.  The season will roll along in the West, while in the East, don’t despair, a solid shot of cold and snow will set things up for some nice Easter sliding.

Here Are The Regional Details    

Northwest U.S./western Canada:  Light to moderate snow this weekend followed by several dry days next week.  Light snows return Thursday, followed by a more substantial weekend storm.       

Sierra:  Good sized storm this weekend, the biggest since January.  Next weekend looks promising, too.  Longer term, eastern Pacific trough development will bring additional snows into April.             

Northern Rockies:  Moderate to heavy snow this weekend, light snows continue early in the week.  Next shot at snow later next weekend.  

Central and southern Rockies: Light to moderate snow this weekend, another shot at significant snow Tuesday as southern branch systems moves toward Four Corners.      

Midwest:  Nice weekend on the slopes.  Light precip early next week, snow across north, rain south.  Developing colder pattern will help sustain the season late month/early April.               

Northeast/Quebec:  Seasonably cold, dry weekend.  Milder next week, not so much for northern New York and New England.  Pattern change will make Easter viable for skiing, riding.     

Topnotch
Tamsin Venn

Topnotch At Stowe: Ski, Relax, Recharge

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A Great Spot Close To The Big Mountain.

View the stars from the outdoor heated pool at Topnotch.

As one person said, Stowe, VT, takes its wellness seriously and nowhere is that more apparent than at Topnotch Resort. The 120-acre wooded getaway is a place to recharge and refuel in a calm and soothing environment.

The attractive, minimalist hotel has just 68 rooms, plus two restaurants. From the minute you swing open the large wood front doors, you are swarmed by friendly staff ready to help.

Floor to ceiling windows overlook Mt. Mansfield, which beckons, ski me, ski me, which is easily done. Take the resort’s free shuttle up to the Spruce Peak parking area without the hassle of parking.

Alternative snow activities abound, including sleigh rides. Think grandkids.

Topnotch caters to both rabid outdoor types and those who are on a different pace. If you need a chillax day or have someone in your group who does not ski, Topnotch offers a schedule of daily fitness activities—some are free, some have fees. They range from Pilates to Vinyasa Yoga, from Qui Gong to Chakra Balancing; plus a morning stretch at 8:25 a.m.

You can do as much or as little as you like. No one is judging you.

The five-mile Stowe Recreation Path runs along the river across the road. You can fat bike, Nordic ski, hike, snowshoe, walk your dog (Topnotch has several pet friendly rooms). Rent gear from MountainOps, a high-end retail and rental shop that works with Topnotch and where you can pick up local intel.

SeniorsSkiing readers are also tennis players. Check the courts at Topnotch.

Tennis anyone? You can take daily adult clinics at Topnotch Tennis, with four indoor courts, recently resurfaced and relit, consistently is ranked as one of the top tennis resorts in the U.S.

The piece de resistance, however, is the 35,000-foot spa. You have absolutely no excuse to not be on the slopes the next day due to sore muscles.  A cascading waterfall indoor hot tub hydro-massages aching shoulders, while an indoor pool with a dedicated lap lane lets you stretch out the whole body. A steam room, sauna, and shower will also help melt away any tight spots.    

An outdoor heated pool and hot tub let you swim or soak under the stars.

You may not be interested in the fitness center, after beating yourself to a pulp on Stowe’s Front Four, but if you do, it has a wide selection of cardio and weight equipment and attractive studio. The spa also has 30 treatment rooms. I highly recommend the signature hops massage with Scott, which left me feeling as bendy as the Mom in The Incredibles.  

After the day outdoors, the ravenous will appreciate The Flannel which uses local, seasonal, fresh ingredients from local farmers, Vermont cheesemakers, and culinary artisans, supervised by chef Ryan Lajoie. The Roost, an informal lobby bar, is a popular locals’ après-ski spot with live music weekends and offers more casual fare and a kids’ menu. Topnotch is a place all generations can enjoy.

In spring, rates go down at this four-diamond luxury resort, just in time for Vermont maple sugaring season. Both are sweet deals. Plus Stowe just got three feet of snow.

Mike Roth

A New Yorker Discovers New Mexico Resorts

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A Veteran Skier Can’t Find Ice On His Visit To Taos, Angel Fire, Ski Santa Fe.

Taos Kachina Peak is at 12,481 where the snow stays cold. Credit: Taos

The past three times I skied here in the East the skiing was good.  That means the trails were all skiable but every run you would encounter different conditions.  Most mornings after a cold night, you will find nice groomed corduroy which had set up overnight due to the cold temperatures.  We have not received much snow but thank God for snow making.  After a run or two the firm corduroy changes to loose large granular pieces. Then after a couple more runs that will change to a fine granulated sugar, again very skiable.  As the day progresses that sugar finds its way to the sides of the trails and the rest of the trail, especially the slightly steeper spots get scrappy and eventually Boiler plate.  Time to go home!

Now once in awhile you will hit a day when it was snowing or had just snowed.  Here in the Northeast this seems to be happening less and less and I am convinced that it is a product of global warming.

As Eastern Skiers we can usually ski any condition as it changes throughout the day and lately that has been the norm.  I still love it but it can get frustrating.

Compare that to skiing out West. West, as in New Mexico. Mountains? You bet.

Here’s what I discovered on a recent trip. The New Mexico ski areas are much higher than the Northeast and as you climb up you get colder and receive more major snowstorms.  Skiing at Taos, Red River and Santa Fe you will be skiing approximately from 9,000 ft. to 12,000 feet, that’s 6,000 feet higher than the tallest mountain in the Northeastern United States which is mount Washington in New Hampshire (6288″). 

The average snowfall in Taos is around 300″ per year of very dry fluffy powder due to the high elevation.    It’s 220″ at Ski Santa Fe, 214″ at Red River. With the higher elevations the temps are lower and the snow sits longer. Compared that to the Eastern ski areas where the elevations are below 4,000 feet.  Whiteface is the highest ski area at 4,650′ with average snowfall of just over 100″. Altitude, acreage, the snow and  weather is all the difference.

In the East we fight icy weather conditions up to 4,000 ft., whereas the higher and drier climate of the Rockies are well above 10,000 feet above sea level.

In the East there are wind chills that are very, very cold, where out West it is sunny during the day with Blue Bird sunny skiers. (Most of the time, it seems.)

Moguls are hard and icy here in the East but in the West they are constantly soft snow. No matter how big the moguls may be they are usually always soft so you actually can be a hero out West while in the East you battle the ice on the downside of almost every one. 

Length of trails at all the New Mexico areas were substantial, open Bowls compared to dense trees of the Eastern trails.  Bigger vertical gets plenty of skiing in the West compared to skiing shorter lifts in the East and more runs. 

Taos has the most expert terrain especially now that you don’t have to hike Kachina peak with 1294 acres 51% expert 25% intermediate and 21% beginner. There was only one main lift that gets you to the numerous other fixed grip lifts on the mountain.

Angel Fire has some two mile runs, and best of all 70-75 seniors pay $29, 75+ pay zero. Credit: Angel Fire

Angel Fire has 560 acres of skiing  with 23% expert 56% intermediate and 21% beginner with  their main Chile Express lift over 2 miles long so all the runs down are very long. Their two main lifts are hi speed and you get plenty of skiing in a day. And Angel Fire loves seniors: 70-74 pay $29 a day, over 75 free. 

SkiSantaFe has super senior (72+) tickets for $0. Thanks guys.

Ski Santa Fe was the smallest in skiable acres with 660 acres 40% expert 40% intermediate and 20% beginner but still had plusses. One of which is that you can stay in Santa Fe and drive to the ski area and enjoy the culture. And seniors 72 plus ski free at this resort. Thanks, Ski Santa Fe.

Bottom Line: New Mexico Ski Resorts enjoy low humidity, consistently low temperatures due to elevation and enough snowfall that ice doesn’t form.  It is consistently packed powder from top to bottom

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: Bumpin’ Gonds

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What Ski Area Is This?

And what’s the story behind these yellow and blue gondolas?

Special thanks to Dana Mathios, curator of the Colorado Snowsports Museum, for providing this week’s photo.

Last Week

This is a photo of Cannon Mountain, Franconia, NH, home of America’s first aerial tramway which began operation in 1938 and was renovated in the 80s. Taken from the air by a passing friendly aviator, the resort has a reputation as one comment pointed out for being “too cold and too fast”.  Regardless, one feature of Cannon that endears the state-owned resort to SeniorsSkiing.com is that seniors 65-plus ski for free. That is, if you are a New Hampshire resident.  Still, that’s a gift.

That wide swath you see on the right side of the mountain is the training hill for myriad ski teams. At the very base is the Mittersill Alpine Resort.  A reader reports the training hill was closed for 40 years, but it’s clearly back in operation, accessible from the base by a t-bar.  Quaint, no?

Here’s a short video showing the ride up the tram.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar.6)

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We Get Letters, Alpine Backcountry Primer, Frost’s Funny Poem, History Dartmouth Skiway, Big Green Machine, Collision Video, Guess Aerial Photo Of Resort, Weather Ahead.

Dear Readers:

Our 2020 SeniorsSkiing.com February Fundraiser is officially over, however, the donation page will remain open. We are overwhelmed by the response from so many of you.  Your contributions will go a long way in helping defray the expenses incurred in putting out an online magazine, an expense that grows as our subscriber base grows.

Throughout the month, we’ve been getting emails and snail mails with notes from you that are incredibly sustaining to us. We are proud to have provided a forum for seniors’ interests in the snow sports world and even in the active senior world. Frankly, your validation about what we are doing feels darn good. Here’s a sample of comments:

From Lynn and Alice:

Hope you got my donation last week.  I just cannot believe that you have 20,000 subscribers!! [Editor Note: Not there quite yet. We anticipate that number by the end of the season.] And, here, I thought that I was one of very few 74 year old women who get so overly excited when they see an untouched glade on the mountain!  😍

Soon, you will outdo the printed ski mags—once so popular and so celebrated—but who now are sadly R.I.P. I did say to my sister about 20 years ago, “Somehow I can’t imagine us not wanting to still be riding these chair lifts in a quarter of a century! And I just know that the ‘Free Lift Pass for over-65’ will have climbed to ‘over-90’.  Such is life!  At this rate, she and I will NEVER make it to a ‘Free Lift Pass’  It’s the ‘Jedenoff Gang’, who will be the Spoilers for us!!  Long may they reign and ski!

Your newsletter—seriously—is far more informative (and funny) than those “resting giants”—the old ski mags—had come to be by the time they met their demise.

You all do a wonderful job and, believe me, we all appreciate it!

From Bruce:

Your reports motivate me to keep working and skiing.

From Kate:

Love what you are doing, love the tote.

From Gail and Tom:

Really enjoy SeniorsSkiing. We ski for free at Alta now.

From Marilyn:

Keep up the good writing and work!

From Richard:

If you ever venture up to Maine to ski, give me a call.

From Bruce and Mary Lou:

We read almost everything published in SeniorsSkiing and I think we get more value from your publication than we do from our Ski Magazine subscription.  Keep up the good writing!  We’ll see you out on the slopes some day.

Thank you, dear readers.  We are touched. Premiums are being sent out over the next couple of weeks.

This Week

Backcountry skiing is different, requires planning and gear. Credit: Bolton Valley

Correspondent Tamsin Venn introduces us to a relatively new snow sport: Alpine Backcountry skiing. It requires new equipment, preparation, and planning.  Her article tells you what to do and not do when you go off piste.  Her report comes from Bolton Valley’s Alpine Backcountry area.

Our Snow In Literature series features a Robert Frost poem that highlights the mischievous nature of the month of March. You’ll get a laugh at the last line. Kind of unusual for Robert.

Correspondent Roger Lohr shows us what its like to ski the famous, venerable Dartmouth Skiway. This area is one of the early venues for skiing and the long-time training site for many ski teams. Check out the green-colored lodge.  It is Dartmouth, after all.

Speaking of green, snow machines are also going green.  Here’s a report from Harriet Wallis about the new PistenBully hybrid snow groomer at Alta. Many ski resorts are making investments in green, sustainable energy sources. Expect to hear about more machines like this at ski resorts in the future.

Skier hits boarder from behind. We have a new Incidents & Accidents report from reader Randall White who shows us a video of his collision with a snowboarder.  Now, that’s a complete reversal of the kind of incidents we’ve been reporting.  Find out why the collision happened. Randall did a great job analyzing the conditions that led to the impact.

Yes, indeed, it was Lucille Ball at the Mittersill Alpine Resort in last week’s Mystery Glimpse. This week we have an aerial photograph of a notable ski area. Can you guess which one? Not easy.

Finally, Herb Stevens, our Skiing Weatherman, tells us what to expect in next week’s weather. Spring is coming, but there’s still lots of activity in the atmosphere.

Once again, thank you so much for your support. And, tell your friends about SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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I was in a place I shouldn’t have been. When I entered the gate, I thought I had been on this part of the mountain years earlier. But as I descended, nothing about it seemed familiar.

 

It was steep beyond my comfort. There were bumps and trees, and the surface was getting icy. Signs on the trees warned this was a cliff area.

At my age, this was no place to be skiing alone.

I heard scraping skis below me and saw someone near a rope line skiing to the left. 

Then I was alone. My skis were long past their useful life. My goggles kept fogging. I had a phone, but not a whistle. It was at home in a pack. No use to me now.

Before passing through the gate, someone had warned me not to go. I said not to worry, I knew what I was getting in to.

That was a mistake. Steep, Icy surface. Tight trees. 

I wasn’t scared, but I had lost confidence. Side-slipping and kick turns were all I could muster. Even when I found a stretch of softer snow, I couldn’t bring myself to make a few turns. 

It was beautiful in there. Cliffs above and below; twisted trunks rising to blue sky. Quiet.

How would someone find me? Maybe they’ll start looking when my car is the only one left in the lot?

Eventually, I saw a trail.

I must have been in there 30 or 40 minutes. It’s unlikely I’ll try it again, but if I do, it will be on better skis, I’ll have a whistle, and I won’t be in there alone.

Vail Announces Northeast Passes and Rewards Program

Vail just announced two regional passes for the Northeast (US). The Northeast Value Pass (adults, $599; college students, $419) provides unlimited, restricted access to Okemo, Mount Snow and Hunter, 10 restricted days at Stowe, plus unlimited, unrestricted access to Wildcat, Attitash, Mount Sunapee, Crotched, Liberty, Whitetail, Roundtop and more. The Northeast Midweek Pass ($449) has similar access, but restricted to Monday through Friday, and five restricted midweek days at Stowe. 

Vail also announced ‘Epic Mountain Rewards,’ which gives pass holders a discount of 20 percent off food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more at the Company’s North American owned and operated resorts.

For details, click here. 

2020-21 IKON Pass Discount

Renew your Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass before Wednesday, April 22, and (depending on the pass) get up to $100 on next season’s IKON Pass.

When Skiing Utah, Visit The Lift House

My first visit to a ski shop was when I was 10. It was a narrow and deep store in Albany, NY, and what I remember most is the rich smell of leather boots. Over the years I’ve been in many ski shops: some okay, some quite good, and some terrific. Spending much of the winter in Utah, I’ve been reminded that The Lift House, the venerable store near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is an absolutely terrific place. Its location is ideal for people skiing Alta, Snowbird, Solitude or Brighton. It is consistently well-stocked with the top equipment and clothing brands. And the personnel are knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. Years ago, when we visited with kids in tow, The Lift House is where we rented. Over the years, it’s one of the places I’ve relied on for quality tunes. It’s the kind of place with a deep inventory of useful accessories And when they have a sale, they really mean it. Many people stop on the way to the mountain to purchase discount lift tickets. For example, a weekday at Snowbird costs $130. At The Lift House, it’s $97. An Alta day pass is $125. At The Lift House it’s $105, a better deal than the $119 if purchased directly from Alta online. There are other excellent shops in the area, most with similar brands, some specializing in only the most expensive ski and casual clothing. When headed in the direction of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, The Lift House is highly recommended.

International Skiing History Association

The International Skiing History Association (ISHA) is the non-profit with the mission of preserving and advancing knowledge of ski history and increasing awareness of skiing’s heritage. ISHA publishes Skiing History magazine the bimonthly filled with interesting articles and great illustrations. A six-month digital subscription is free. Click here or on the adjacent ad to subscribe.

Two more things from ISHA:

  • As a member ($49 annually; $59 international members) you’ll receive hard copies of Skiing History and have access to the organization’s digital archives. Among other things, you’ll find a guide to more than 160 ski museums and collections in 22 countries.
  • If you’re attending Skiing History Week in Sun Valley, March 25-28, sign up for ISHA’s annual Awards Banquet. Click here for details.

How Snowbird Trails Got Their Names

It’s not that often that we get to know the stories behind the trail names. The Snowbird website has a wonderful short article about how many of its trails were named. Written by frequent SeniorsSkiing.com contributor, Harriet Wallis, it’s informative and amusing. Who wouldda thunk that the West Second South trail refers to Salt Lake City’s long gone red light district? It’s an easy trail named for a the street of easy women.

This Self-Massage Device is Essential for Older Skiers

Last year, a skier friend recommended the Tiger Tail, a highly effective self-massage tool that doesn’t require getting on the floor, like you do with a foam roller. OMG!!! What a fantastic device! I get off the mountain and roll out my quads. At home, when my calves start to cramp, Tiger Tail comes to my immediate rescue. The company’s website is rich with useful text, picture and video instructions. Last month at the big industry trade show in Denver, I met Spring Faussette, who invented Tiger Tail and owns the company. She’s offering SeniorsSkiing.com readers a discount code for 30% off Tiger Tail and the company’s other products. Visit the Tiger Tail website and enter snowski50 during checkout to receive the discount.

Mont-Tremblant, Extends Season

The Quebec area will be open through April 19, and kids under accompanied by an adult will ski free.

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: Cold Air Scarce In The East

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What’s The Matter With The Polar Vortex?

The past week brought light to moderate snows to much of the West, including some much needed snow in the Sierra, a region that has missed out on storms for much of this winter. A three-day storm last weekend was very productive from the snow belt areas downwind of the Great Lakes through the higher peaks of northern New York and northern New England. Stowe, Smuggler’s Notch, and Jay Peak in Vermont were the lottery winners, with over three feet of snow piling up. A good friend and Stowe skier told me that every turn in the woods last Saturday produced a “face shot” of powder! My favorite resort in the world, Mont Sutton in Quebec, just over the border from Jay, had a three foot dump, as well, and their phenomenal “su bois” (glade) skiing was the best of the season.

While most of the West has enjoyed frequent snows through the heart of the winter, the eastern half of the country has had trouble lining up storms on favorable tracks, and snowmaking temps have been spotty, especially south of I-90. There have been several major snows across the far north, and at elevation, but even in those areas, mixed precip events have also passed through. The main problem has been pretty simple: a lack of deep cold air masses AND a lack of staying power of the cold air that managed to push south. In this piece, I thought I would touch on the reasons why cold air has been hard to come by this winter.

For most of the season, a low pressure center at the upper levels of the atmosphere has been sitting over the western portions of the Arctic. The Polar Vortex typically meanders around the high latitudes, and occasionally weakens and breaks down, and that is when chunks of very cold air migrate southward into the mid-latitudes, often supporting snowstorms in the process. Occasionally, the vortex moves bodily southward, and that is when we see the coldest air reach the U.S. This winter, the PV has been remarkably persistent in its size and position, and that has greatly limited the amount of available cold air. Here is a map of the jet stream showing the current PV.

So, cold air has been scarce and when it has managed to find the eastern half of the country, it has seldom lasted more than a couple of days before milder air returned. The lack of staying power is related to the lack of a blocking pattern over the North Atlantic. A high pressure ridge over Greenland does a nice job of buckling the jet stream over the U.S. in winter, allowing cold air masses to hang around and help produce multiple snow events. That ridge has been missing much of the winter, resulting in a flat jet stream flow across the country, which has tapped milder Pacific air and pumped it into the pattern. Here is a diagram to illustrate.

Notice there’s a low pressure center near Greenland, not the usual high pressure ridge. The counter-clockwise circulation around that feature helps sweep any cold off the east coast and out to sea. There are signs that the flow may be buckling more from mid-month on, which would help generate late snows and sustain the eastern season into April. We shall see.

Here Are The Regional Details.

Northwest U.S./western Canada: Trough offshore brings moderate to heavy snow into next week. After a couple of dry days, a stronger trough comes ashore with heavy snow later next week. The epic season continues.

Sierra: Trough digs down the coast from the NW over the weekend, producing light to moderate snows. Dry early next week, with southern branch trough moving inland late next week, bringing significant snow to the southern Sierra.

Northern Rockies: Weakening troughs produces light snow over the weekend into early next week. Next shot at major snow late next week from northern branch system.

Central and southern Rockies: Ridge aloft early with mild temps. Light snow later this weekend. Next significant storm late next week.

Midwest: Mild weekend with surfaces softening.   Lower Lakes looking at potential snow event later next week. No lake effect events in next week.

Northeast/Quebec: Nice weekend on the slopes. Next potential storm mid to late next week, likely another elevation event.

Frost Image
seniorsskiing

Snow In Literature: “A Boundless Moment”

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By Robert Frost (1923)

He halted in the wind, and — what was that
Far in the maples, pale, but not a ghost?
He stood there bringing March against his thought,
And yet too ready to believe the most.

“Oh, that’s the Paradise-in-bloom,” I said;
And truly it was fair enough for flowers
had we but in us to assume in March
Such white luxuriance of May for ours.

We stood a moment so in a strange world,
Myself as one his own pretense deceives;
And then I said the truth (and we moved on).
A young beech clinging to its last year’s leaves.

[Thanks to the Robert Frost Facebook page for this poem.]

Tamsin Venn

Alpine Backcountry Touring Primer In Bolton Valley

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Three Things to Do And Not To Do While Alpine Backcountry Touring.

Backcountry skiing is different, requires planning and gear. Credit: Bolton Valley

For those who have never tried Alpine Touring, Bolton Valley near Burlington, Vt., offers an intro to backcountry skiing every Saturday morning out of the spacious Sports Center near the main lifts.

That is due to a recent change in Bolton Valley ownership. Three years ago former owner Ralph DesLauriers, his son Evan, and local partners bought back the well-loved ski resort.

Alex describes the required gear. Credit: Tamsin Venn

An avid backcountry enthusiast, Ralph’s other son Adam developed a unique backcountry and split boarding program to fully enjoy the 1,200 acres of terrain here. Ralph’s daughter Lindsay who is president of the organization is another fan.

In Alpine Touring, you skin up the mountain with your heels free on lightweight, Alpine-like equipment then lock in and ski down. It’s called “earning your turns.”

We were lucky to have as our guide Medevac helicopter pilot Alek Jadkowski who was patient and clear with us newbies. Indoors we learned how to secure the toe, adjust the heel lifts for uphill climbing, then lock into downhill mode, and put on skins. We followed Alek uphill to nearby Holden’s Hollow Glades and soon were all whooping it up between the trees in thigh-deep snow having caught our fearless leader’s joyous enthusiasm.

Here are three things Alek recommends when starting out in this fast growing sport.

What Not To Do:

1) Don’t ski alone. It’s possible to injure yourself so you can’t even call for help; you need someone else to do that.

2) Don’t get lost. It doesn’t necessarily require a map or compass. You can use GPS or a map on your phone; how you keep track of your location is up to you. Carry a phone battery booster; take into account you may be out of cell service range.

3) Don’t drop your skins in the snow. They will lose their grip and with it your uphill power. Fold them carefully when removing them. Stash them in your pack.

What To Do:

1) Wear a helmet. Travel uphill with a lightweight beanie but downhill protect your head from possible tree contact. Wear goggles to protect your eyes from tree branches.

2) Know what weather to expect and dress for it. You get hot and sweaty climbing uphill and chilled when you stop to switch gear and ski down. Layer your clothing, carry a backpack so you can shed layers and put them back on. Slow your climb if overheating. Drink plenty of water.

3) Do have fun. Go and ski something you are going to enjoy; find the level that suits you; do something that makes you happy.

Where: Bolton Valley Resort and Mt. Mansfied State Forest. 100 km trail and glade network

Learn: Intro clinic every Saturday, (9:30 to noon). Cost $60 includes two hours of guided skiing but not rental gear. Private guiding and lessons also offered.

Fees: NBU (Nordic/Backcountry/Uphill) day pass $13 for seniors (65 plus). Senior Season pass $149; age 75 plus $79.

Gear: State-of-the-art rentals of Dynafit Alpine Touring ski equipment, $60 a day.

Gimme Shelter: BV has added a warming tent in its backcountry glades.

Getting ready to go Alpine Backcountry with friends. Credit: Tamsin Venn

 

Roger Lohr

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Historic Dartmouth SkiWay

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Big Mountain Fun And Small Mountain Friendly With History All Around.

Corduroy in the morning. Dartmouth Skiway has a mix of twisty narrow and open groomers. Credit: TheSnowWay.com

Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme Center, NH was founded in 1956. After six decades the ski area has recently hired only the fourth director in its history. Mark Adamczyk who was the director of outdoor adventure at the Winter Park Resort in Colorado will replace Doug Holler, who is retiring at the end of this season after 19 years on the job.

The Skiway rock guards the entrance to the big, green lodge. That’s Dartmouth green, BTW. Credit: Roger Lohe

The Skiway as it is known locally is family-friendly and reasonably priced with 20-30 runs of terrain that will serve first timers or challenge skiers and riders of all ages and abilities. One-on-one teaching for beginners through advanced skiing is a tradition at the ski area that includes two mountains, a clean, comfortable lodge, a rental shop, and a food court. Visit the area and you’ll see not only kids learning to ski in a beginner area and older skiers doing snowplow turns on the trails, but also ski racers from Dartmouth College training and clacking through the gates.

The Holt’s Ledge side of the resort has a double chair while there is a quad chair and a conveyer lift on the Winslow side. The McLane Family Lodge is open and airy with plenty of space. The large wooden tables and benches and stone fireplace give the lodge a rustic appeal of skiing in the old days. You’ll see after-school groups at the Skiway during the week, but even on weekends the slopes are uncrowded and the lift lines minimal. Dartmouth Skiway has more than 100 skiable acres including tight off-piste trails and glades for advanced patrons, 968 foot vertical drop, and 16,000 square foot lodge.

Watching the races at the Holt’s Ledge, circa 1960. Credit: Dartmouth.edu

This area is quite historical in the world of skiing and ski racing. More than 100 national and Olympic champions have trained at Dartmouth Skiway. The Dartmouth Skiing Wall of Fame on the first floor of the lodge reveals a Who’s Who of ski legends.

Calling the lift ticket prices at Dartmouth Skiway reasonable is an understatement. Adult midweek lift passes are $33 (weekend $58) and half day prices available for morning or afternoon are available for only $28. Prices are lower for teens and children while senior skiers pay only $27 a day or $22 for a half day, and super seniors age 80 and over ski or ride for free! There are low priced season leases for equipment and packages to learn skiing or riding (with private lessons). The beginner area is $14 all day, and there is a Skiway Special on Monday and Tuesday for $23 during non-holiday periods.

From a personal view, the Skiway was about 15 minutes from my home in Hanover, and much of my family ski lore occurred there. Each day of the week there was a different town after-school ski program. I ran the Ford Sayre snowboard program for a number of years there, hiring Hanover High School kids (including my son and daughter) to teach and chaperone hundreds of younger kids in small groups. On a recent visit to the Skiway following a full day snowstorm, I was greeted by the woman at the ticket window stating, “Some things never change, it’s no surprise seeing you here on a powder day.” Riding on and off trail with my kids at Dartmouth Skiway is a deep-rooted part of my family history and on-snow soul.

Dartmouth Skiway is 15 minutes from I-91 Exit 14. For more information  click here. 603-795-2143.

For a Dartmouth Skiway trail map, click here.

For Dartmouth Skiway web cam, click here.

Skiway has a museum in the lodge reflecting 60+ years of history. Credit: Roger Lohr.

Harriet Wallis

There’s A Big Green Machine At A Few U.S. Resorts

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It’s More Than A Pretty Paint Job. It’s The World’s First Hybrid Snow Groomer.

Up the hill goes the PistenBully. Quietly. Credit: PistenBully

On the outside, it looks pretty much like all the others in a resort’s fleet. It has a fierce-looking blade up front, a cab in the middle, and a corduroy-making tiller behind. What’s “under the hood” makes the green groomer special.

The PistenBully 600 E+ is on the forefront of environmental kindness. It uses 20 percent less fuel, and its carbon emissions are reduced by 20 percent. In addition, there’s a major reduction in particles released. And it’s also quieter.

Those are major factors because grooming operations go on all night, every night, all season long, manicuring the snow into fresh corduroy for skiers every morning.

The green groomer is called the E+ because it makes its own electricity. That electricity powers its work-horse equipment including its tank-like tracks and its huge corduroy-making tiller. It’s a hybrid!  It’s the world’s first diesel-electric snow groomer.

Alta got one of the very first PistenBully 600 E+ in the country. “The 600 E+ is a step towards the future just as we are seeing with electric cars,” said Buck Boley, Alta’s Director of Equipment Operations. “It’s a great snowcat, and we are happy to have one.”

Other resorts that have a 600 E+ include: Bromley, Cranmore, Jiminy Peak, Park City, Heavenly, Alpine Valley, WI, and Crystal Mountain, WA.

The groomer has joystick and lots of knobs and dials. A steep learning curve. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Taking a snow groomer for a test drive and getting it delivered is more complicated than buying a new car. Alta’s came from Peterson Equipment, the regional, Utah-based PistonBully dealer that’s been in the groomer business for nearly 60 years and was named the top snow groomer dealer in North America. Alta, now in its 82nd year, has earned many awards for its environmental commitment and leadership, so its 600E+ fits right in as a strategy to reduce environmental impact.

Looking to the future, total electric groomers are being tested, but they’re not yet ready for production, said Eric Kircher, a PistenBully Trainer and Technical Advisor. Kircher is an expert who travels to resorts to teach the fine points of groomer operation.

Nitty Gritty Specs About The PistenBully 600 E+

Where Manufactured: Germany

Engine: 6-cylinder, in-line Mercedes Benz

Fuel and Tank: 73 gallons, diesel

Speed: 12 mph, continuously variable depending on the work it’s doing

Torque: Its electric motors have full torque as soon as  they start to turn at very low engine rpm.

Turning Radius: On the spot

Weight: About 10 tons

Cost: About the same as a large house.

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: From The Air

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What Are We Looking At?

Thanks to a friendly aviator, we have this magnificent, recent (last week) view of a most formidable mountain resort.  How’s your pattern recognition?  Can tell us where it is? Major hint: That wide trail to the right is used for racing team practice.

Last Week

Yes, Lucille Ball visiting the Mittersill Alpine Resort in Franconia, NH, probably in the early-mid 60s. The man on the left is Gary Morton, her second husband, not her “I Love Lucy” husband-partner Desi Arnaz.

She and Desi can be credited with creating the sitcom format. Among her many other achievements was becoming the first female head of a major television-film production company, Desilu Productions. Her biography doesn’t reveal her attraction to snow country, however.

We can only guess she was a guest of Baron Hubert von Pantz, Mittersill’s founder and aristocratic host.

Desi, Jr., down in front looks like he could use a hot chocolate.

This photo is currently on display in the lobby of the Mittersill Alpine Resort along with other momentos of the hotel’s history.  Among those is a page from the hotel registry featuring the signature of Princess Elizabeth, soon to be Queen, on a stop over trip during her tour of Canada.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

Incidents & Accidents: 9

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Funneled With No Place To Go.

Who: Randall White

Where: Mt St Louis, Ontario, Canada, near Toronto

What Happened: Skier-snowboarder collision at convergence and crossover of blue ski runs. These were moderate to high speed runs without any warning signs, and it was a crowded day.  See recorded GoPro video for a detailed visual account of the accident, and thoughts on improvements.

Role of Ski Patrol: Neither person was seriously injured or required transport, so Patrol not called. The protocol at this ski area is for Patrol to take a “not injured statement and signature” from people.  That is for relief of liability. 

Lessons Learned:  Read maps carefully, ski off to the side of the run in busy intersections, go slow, and watch out for fast skiers behind you. Runs with funnel points should be avoided or approached with caution.

Advice: Wear a flashing red bicycle light on your helmet aimed behind you. Choose one of very high lumens for daylight visibility.  That may help reduce the probability of rear end collisions. 

Action: Make a report to the manager of Ski Patrol, or the GM of the ski area for such hazardous conditions.  Suggest that they install metering chicanes in such locations to slow skiers down and allow for safer crossovers and merges. See video.

For Prevention:  Stay away from overcrowded ski slopes that are too close to large metropolitan areas. There are inherent hazards/accidents that while preventable, are unlikely to be corrected by the ski area operators.  

CLICK BELOW TO SEE RANDALL’S STORY AND ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSE.