If you have been shopping for cold weather gear lately, PrimaLoft is hard to miss. This ubiquitous synthetic insulation marked by a triangular red shield is now featured in more than 1,000 cold weather brands that cater to the winter wear market. Very likely it is an important part of your winter wardrobe now.

What is PrimaLoft? And where did it come from?

As the popularity of skiing grew in the 1960s and 70s, so did the need for clothing to stay warm on the slopes. Goose down insulation was the answer.  A down parka was the epitome of popular fashion and practical comfort. But it turned out there was a problem. Once that down insulation got wet, its ability to hold heat went away. So long outdoor comfort!

In 1983, the US Army research lab in Natick Ma. asked  the Albany International Corp., a pioneer in advanced textile and material processing, to develop a water resistant alternative to goose down for military issue clothing. The goal was 97 percent of the warmth, weight and compressibility of down, whether wet, or dry.

The result:  PrimaLoft, a synthetic down, that was patented in 1984 and established for commercialization as a subsidiary of Albany International in 1989. . A year later, the first commercially available PrimaLoft insulated garment was manufactured and marketed by L.L.Bean. PrimaLoft Inc became a privately owned independent company in 2012 with headquarters in Latham NY, outside Albany. Today, one form or another of the insulation is used in jackets,, pants, gloves, shoes, sleeping bags and just about anything insulated offered by companies that sell outdoor products.

PrimaLoft products are mainly a polyester microfiber, often made from reclaimed plastics like water bottles that have been through a clean, shred, and melt process and designed to be biodegradable. There are also versions that are blended with merino wool.

Currently,  in addition to the headquarters in upstate New York where product research and development activities are based, the company has representatives in Europe and an office in Asia. The emphasis is creating insulation featuring recycled content using advanced manufacturing technology and renewable energy that significantly reduces carbon emissions in production. The trademark you see for this is PrimaLoft P.U.R.E. A serial innovator, this fall (fall of 2025) the company introduced six new products that enhance and  fine tune commercial applications of the insulation fibers.

Originally conceived for all-weather use by the military, PrimaLoft has emerged over the past 40 years as a mainstay in the recreational clothing industry and regular feature in the wardrobe of skiers everywhere.

While still relatively unknown for its’ amazing skiing, Idaho has a long and storied ski past with 2026 being their 102nd anniversary of ski operations. 102 years ago, Idaho’s first ski area took shape as Blackwell’s Jump. According to “Ski the Great Potato: Idaho”* it was created for the inaugural McCall Winter Carnival, Jan. 24, 1924, and was maintained and operated through 1937. This marked the start of a skiing revolution that transformed small-town hills into world-class destinations. You may ask, “Why Idaho?”. Here’s why:

Idaho is uncrowded – Even on holidays and weekends lift lines with more than a 10 min wait are rare. Idaho offers a range of reasons to ski there. There are 19 Ski Areas with epic terrain. You’ll find a total of 29,000 vertical feet on over 22,000 skiable acres. From smaller, very affordable “breeder and feeder” ski areas to larger areas offering on mountain lodging; you’ll find a range of additional activities including cross country skiing, night skiing, award-winning restaurants, sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, indoor water parks, spas, skating, guided snowshoeing tours and more.

Resorts offering on mountain lodging include Schweitzer, Silver, Tamarack, Sun Valley and Grand Targhee. Many others have lodging (and relationships) with lodging partners in nearby towns including Lookout, Brundage, Bogus, Soldier, Pebble Creek and Kelly Canyon.

Beginners will find amazing programs and lesson packages at Rotarun, Bald Mountain, Pomerelle, Cottonwood Butte, Snowhaven and Little Ski Hill. Over half offering an extremely affordable daily lift ticket under $70. Please check out the comparison page at https://skiidaho.us/compare

There’s natural beauty with epic views all around. Schweitzer offers views of three states plus Canada. Grand Targhee offers spectacular views of the Grand Tetons (I know because I’ve been there). Silver has the longest gondola in North America with epic views of the Silver Valley. Sun Valley, perhaps Idaho’s best known resort, has 250 sunny days a year. Brundage boasts stunning views of nearby mountain ranges and Payette Lake. Tamarack offers similar views of Cascade Lake.

Bringing the kids along? Fifth graders can ride 18 mountains, three times each for only $29, sixth graders can ride two times each with the purchase of a 5th /6th grade Peak Season Passport.

Idaho enjoys high snowfall averages at all of its major resorts. And you can visit many of them in one trip. Idaho has six regions with two or more ski areas within easy distance of one another.

Idaho is served by two major airports: Spokane WA (GEG) and Boise (BOI). Additionally, we have four regional airports in Idaho Falls (IDA); Sun Valley (SUN), Pocatello (PIH) and Magic Valley (TWF). Please check out the Ski Idaho travel page at https://skiidaho.us/traveling-to-idaho for more detail or click on the Idaho banner ad and be sure to Visit Idaho.

*“Ski Areas Past and Present” by Margaret Fuller, Doug Fuller, and Jerry Painter.

There is a ski industry statistic that cross country (XC) skiers have owned their skis for an average of 17 years. I don’t remember the source of the information and it is probably outdated, but I’ve quoted it for more than three decades and after attending an excessive number of ski swaps, reused ski equipment sales, and local yard sales, I can attest that indeed there are a lot of really old XC skis out there. Every now and then I buy an old pair of wooden XC skis that are in pristine shape so I can use my pine tar stuff to recondition the ski bases and use them once a year.

This talk about old XC ski gear got me to thinking about the “comeback skier.” You know, the people who tried XC skiing in the past, and then put the gear in their garage and took a rest- of-their-life hiatus. In general, many of these folks tried XC skiing and felt it was too much work particularly when comparing it to alpine skiing where they could ride a ski lift up a mountain followed by skiing back downhill. A ski industry term for these people is “lapsed skiers” but recently the skier participation statistics are showing a resurgence in XC skiing which may be a resurrection or revival and is likely connected to the aging baby boomers and a new group of younger people interested in winter recreation, wellness, and getting outdoors.

This potential returning lapsed XC skier may have originally thought that the sport was not their cup of tea, but Father Time and Mother Nature may have conspired to change the outlook on XC skiing for older and younger people, respectively.

There are reasons that one might consider coming back to XC skiing. The sport is soft on the body and you can do it at your own pace. You can ski on the flat terrain which is relatively easy rather than climbing uphill on trails that will require returning on high speed adventures that could cause concern. You could XC ski for a short time such as a half hour, which would cover a short distance. I go XC skiing for about 4-5 kilometers (2-3 miles) on flat terrain and it takes about 45 minutes, but that distance may require a bit more time for the comeback XC skier.

TIPS FOR THE COMEBACK

For the first few days of the comeback, keep it on a manageable level of time and effort while you become accustomed to it. Like anything, if you do it regularly you will improve in every aspect XC skiing. You probably have light layers of clothes (base layer, outer layer, good noncotton socks, light gloves and a hat) that can be used for XC skiing.

Perhaps you would consider going out with a ski instructor to get tips that will make the sport easier and give you some goals to achieve. In fact, it is highly recommended that returning XC skiers rent XC ski equipment and take a ski lesson to see if it is something that might be pursued further. The newer XC ski gear (skis, boots, poles) may surprise the comeback skier because the gear makes the sport much easier than decades ago. Waxless skis give better grip and glide than ever before, XC ski boots are both supportive and comfortable, bindings can be adjusted out on the trail, and even the new pole straps are helpful.

Ellen Chandler, executive director at Jackson XC and board member at Ski NH commented “Sometimes these former skiers bring their old gear which has not benefited from sitting around for the past 20 years.  We do get some rescue calls when old boots “blow out” on the trail.  Boots are the weak link. Also, some things have improved with the passage of time, so a person who can reenter the sport with new, responsive boots (plastics have improved over the years) attached to skis with bindings that have benefited from improved engineering, and a ski with a more subtle but effective pattern base, or a “skin base,” is setting themselves up for success.”

XC skiing still does not cost an arm and a leg to either acquire equipment or visit a commercial XC ski area like Jackson XC, where a trail fee is paid to access groomed trails and maybe they’ll even use snowmaking. At the ski area you can get rental gear, a trail pass, and take a lesson for a package price. Jackson XC 2025 Day rate – $25 for adults; Rental day rate – $25; Group lesson Super Saver package – $89 and it is lower for kids and seniors.

In the Rocky Mountains, the folks at Breckenridge Nordic Center will give a 20% discount if you register on the Internet for a group lesson. They specialize in working with people who have never been on snow and share the joy of the XC skiing by helping skiers learn efficiency and control. Josh Dayton, who runs the operation has produced a 9-minute video that can be accessed with a QR code by skiers to watch in advance of their experience on the snow which covers the touch points about controlling the skis and maintaining balance. It’s great for first timers or folks who want a refresher in the basics! All staff at the resort are ambassadors who offer ski tips to anyone. As soon as the skier steps out the door there is a staff person there who helps skiers put the equipment on, review the trail map, talk about body balance, and so on. When people come to Breckenridge Nordic with old equipment, they get offered a free upgrade to see the difference that new gear can make in the skiing enjoyment. Here’s the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i6978nfvEw

After XC skiing, expect a little soreness if you have not used the specific muscles associated with XC skiing recently, but typical over-the-counter medicines, rub-on creme, or pads should take care of any of those problems. If you go XC skiing at a groomed ski area a few times, you will quickly get the feel of gliding along the snow in the tracks or on packed trails; you’ll be traveling at a slow speed that provides immersion in the outdoors and nature; you’ll be enjoying one of the best forms of exercise and with a regular schedule of XC skiing, wellness (physical and mental) will be yours to experience in very little time.

My friend Pete always laughed and said that ” Pat rides a bike to prepare for ski season.” And in many ways that was true. I wanted to ride to be able to have strong legs for skiing. And although the ski season is fairly short for us in the mid- Atlantic, even with our trips, it still requires physical preparation to execute what you need in skiing. It is even more important for people my age, because we can’t just ski ourselves into shape anymore. Nothing worse than going on a ski trip and your legs fail you. All the time and effort is lost if you are not in shape. Buying the passes, making the air and lodging arrangements, schlepping the bags through the airports, driving to the area in the dark and snowy conditions. All is lost if you are not prepared physically. Same with skiing locally. The excitement of that first run and the rest of the day can be tempered if you have not prepared.

So fall is here, and for us, the best riding and hiking of the season is upon us. Yes- my crew rides all year with lights and in all kinds of weather. But it is important to keep the legs strong. I always wonder how the first turns of the season will go and if I can still execute after 8 months off. But usually I am confident that with a yearly riding schedule, and hiking mixed in, at least my legs will be strong enough. That gives me confidence when I push off for the first time.

This time of year, I start to get excited because I know the leaves have fallen and the first frosts of the season are upon us. As much as I like the fall season with the colors, the anticipation starts to get to me and I start monitoring the weather more closely. There seems to be a more urgent need to do my stretches in the morning, do my pushups, and keep riding so as to be totally prepared when the opening day announcement is made. As I have always said, it is good to ski locally to get your ski legs ready for trips out west or to New England. People who say they only ski out west really are missing a good time locally. And they only ski 5 days out of a year or maybe a little more. They are what I call people who ski, not necessarily ……….skiers.

Preparation is key so when you do travel, you click in and you are ready. You are not trying to find your legs the first few days of a trip. You would be amazed at the fun and progress you can have at a mid-Atlantic area. And talk about enthusiasm, just look to the mid-west to Michigan and you will see some of the most rabid skiers in the country on hills with vertical drops smaller than we have. They are second to only New York State in total operating ski areas. Skiing is fun no matter where you go. You can always make a fun day as long as you are turning and breathing in that cold winter air.

So we are all waiting patiently, or not, and hoping for the best this winter. Pete is probably right. I ride to ski and perhaps if you have not prepared the way you would have wanted, it is not too late. Enjoy the upcoming season. But remember what Ben says. Thanks for reading.

Please follow the blog on http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com It helps me.

Publishers Note:

It is with great sadness that we learned of the recent passing of one of our most popular contributors, Harriet Wallis. This is one of her many wonderful articles we are republishing this season.

“Quick. Look over there. Do you see what I see?”

The fog was as heavy as a wet blanket. I’d already been driving for 3 hours and most of it was in the pea soup as I headed north up the Connecticut River Valley. High beams were too much. Low beams weren’t enough. Just stay on the road.

Destination: Killington, Vermont.

We left home in Connecticut in the middle of the night with the intention of being first on Killington’s slopes. It was the late 1970s, and Killington was the only New England ski area that was open – on just a few trails on the top of the mountain. We’d have to ride several chairlifts to get to those trails. We built in extra time for that, but we hadn’t expected heavy fog and slow travel.

It was the first Thanksgiving that I was a divorced mom. The three of us – Craig, 12; Alison, 10; and I – agreed that it wouldn’t be any fun sitting around a turkey by ourselves, so we decided to start a new Thanksgiving tradition. Let’s go skiing!

That’s where we were heading. It was vaguely becoming daylight as I left the fog-bound interstate and headed north on 2-lane roads toward Killington. Fog was thinning a bit, but I still had a white-knuckle clench on the wheel. I was beginning to wonder if we’d get to Killington in time to make the long drive worth it.

Waves of fog continued. Horses looked over pasture fences and exhaled plumes of frosty breath. Little farm houses appeared ghostly and then quickly dissolved away. The images were magical, but we wanted to get to the slopes.

Just beyond Ludlow, the wispy curtains of fog opened for a moment and we saw snow guns blasting snow at Okemo.

“Quick. Look over there. They’re making snow!”

It was still another hour to Killington, but I needed a break. I drove to Okemo and we took a look. Snow guns were pounding the beginner slope – and skiing was free for anyone who dared to ski it.

Skip Killington. We’re here. Let’s ski Okemo’s beginner slope. The price was right and the drive was over. The snow guns turned us into frosted doughnuts on every run. We crinkled from our wool hats to our ski boots, and we had to chip the ice off each other after every run. But we’d started our new ski on Thanksgiving tradition.

The long-struggling Hickory Ski Center, which dates to the post-war period, will not be opening this season.

The historic area announced on its website Nov. 7 that they won’t be open for either lift-served or human-powered uphill skiing in the 2025-26 ski season.

“Currently, there are no plans to operate this season,” reads a statement on the News section of the area’s website. “Our hope is that as a new management model unfolds, Hickory will again be a place for families to gather, friends to connect and kids will learn to ski.” 

“Please be advised that public access is no longer available for hiking, skinning, snowshoeing, disc golf or camping. There will be opportunities for reserved group use. There will be construction work on the lodge and a new web page being designed. New beginnings for The Legend that will emerge in the coming months.”

Despite its respectable 1,200-foot vertical rise and some genuinely twisty, challenging trails, Hickory has long been hindered by its lack of a snowmaking system and an ancient lift system featuring two poma lifts and a t-bar.

The area opened last February when enough natural snow piled up but was quickly held back when the two poma lifts broke down.

The area’s travails briefly went viral in November 2023 when they said on Facebook that they still needed $38,000 to pay the insurance premium needed to run the lifts. They urged fans of the area to purchase season passes or to donate to an affiliated foundation to raise the funds.

News media and a number of websites picked up the plea.

That led to a partnership with Entabeni Systems, a company that provides digital technology to ski area, the Indy Pass program and the Unofficial Networks website. They put in enough money for Hickory to pay their insurance premium.

The effort also inspired a documentary ski film, “Reviving the Legend,” by Hudson Valley cinematographer Ian McGrew. See our story here.

Hickory had been on-again, off-again for several years, depending largely on how much snow fell during each winter.

For the 2021-22 season, Hickory operated solely as a skin-up ski-down area, charging $10 per visit on the honor system. Before that it had been closed since 2015.

The area was built after World War II by a group of veteran ski troopers and local ski enthusiasts.

In keeping with that history, Hickory is redolent of a nearly by-gone era in skiing, with low prices (day passes last year were $45 for those 70 and older and free for those 17 and under), basic accommodations and a proud lack of style consciousness. It was the kind of place where skiers could wear their 80s-era C.B. jackets or kit-made down parkas without feeling out of place.

Hickory is located in Warren County, not far from Gore.

Franconia/North Conway, NH- The New England Ski Museum’s 2025 Spirit of Skiing Award will be presented to the combined McLane and Macomber families on Nov. 22, 2025, at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. The award was inspired by the late Otto Schniebs who famously said, “Skiing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life”.

The late Malcolm McLane and George Macomber were ski racing friends and patriarchs of prominent skiing families. They teamed up together with fellow ski racers Mack Beal and Brooks Dodge to create Wildcat Ski Area in Pinkham Notch which opened in 1957. The area would offer the first gondola type ski lift in North America. Still today, Wildcat offers one of the highest elevations, greatest vertical drop and deepest snowpack in all of New England.

Beyond Wildcat, they went on to support ski racing across the region in many ways over the years including leadership with the US Eastern Amateur Ski Association and the US Ski Team Foundation. Their children and grandchildren have gone on to continue the rich tradition and have supported skiing and ski racing in numerous ways, and they too will be honored in November.

Awarded since 2006, past “Spirit of Skiing” honorees have included Waterville Valley founder Tom Corcoran, Norwegian Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen, and Olympic silver medalist Penny Pitou of Gilford. Each of these honorees has embodied the true spirit of skiing, of “flight without wings.”

This year’s festive event includes a reception with delicious hors d’oeuvres, followed by a buffet dinner in the Hotel’s famous grand ballroom.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person and can be purchased online at skimuseum.org/sosa. Or make a reservation by mailing a check to New England Ski Museum, 135 Tramway Drive, Franconia, NH 03580-4403, or pay with a credit card over the phone at (603) 823-7177. Those interested in attending should RSVP before Nov. 7.

All proceeds support the nonprofit New England Ski Museum whose mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit elements of ski history for research, education and inspiration. For more information about the event or the New England Ski Museum, visit SkiMuseum.org.

The New England Ski Museum is a member-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the history of skiing and the 10th Mountain Division. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit equipment, art, and artifacts of ski history for research, education, and inspiration.

Its two museum branches in Franconia and North Conway, NH host over 25,000 visitors annually; admission is always free. Its collection includes one of the largest and most comprehensive ski- and snowsport-related archives outside of Europe. For more information about the New England Ski Museum or to become a member, visit SkiMuseum.org.

 

 

 

 

 

SeniorsSkiing is now a proud partner of Ski Vermont, the association representing the state’s downhill and XC areas, which have been busy all summer adding and upgrading new trails, lifts, snowmaking and guest amenities.  That’s a great quartet, and it describes what skiers, snowboarders and X-C will find in Vermont this new season  

Here are the details, in alphabetical order, the only fair way.

Bromley

Bromley has replaced signage across the mountain, added new high-efficiency snow guns on Corkscrew and Lower Boulevard and the base lodge a fresh new coat of paint. Arena Snowparks is slated to return from Canada this season to craft an incredible terrain park.  There’s also a revamped First Timer Lesson Package to encourage newbies, and rental shop has been revamped to eliminate the staircase.

Burke

Burke made headlines in 2025 after being unleashed from receivership with new owners, Bear Den Partners. The small group, led by skiers, snowboarders, bikers and mountain sports enthusiasts, comes to the role with more than 100 years of collective experience recreating on Burke Mountain.  SeniorsSkiing wishes them great success operating this family-friendly gem.

The resort’s snowmaking system has been reconfigured for increased energy efficiency, including the addition of 150 new HKD and SMI snow guns. That more than doubles snowmaking capacity and should allow Burke to open earlier than in the past several years.

This season the Jbar will be operational with totally rebuilt line equipment and a new gearbox. Located in Burke’s dedicated learning hill, the Jbar provides the learning area a dedicated lift for those starting their skiing or riding journey. Burke’s two high speed quads and the Jbar were overhauled to operate more efficiently. 

This season will also mark the first official season as a member of the Indy Pass. For passholders, that means two free days at Burke, and a great way to celebrate skiing/riding at other independent resorts in North America.

Jay Peak

The centerpiece of improvements is a $500,000 snowmaking investment, which include 49 new energy-efficient HKD Low E air-water snowmaking guns (32 on Queen’s Highway and 17 on Perry Merrill), the first step in a 10-year upgrade plan. The upgrade will improve the connection between the Tramside and Stateside areas, making it easier to navigate the mountain.

Jay now operates the largest fully automated air-water snowmaking system in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and is partnering with Efficiency Vermont to retrofit older snowmaking guns with updated nozzles that cut energy demand while improving snow consistency.  There’s more energy news at the Ice Haus Arena, which now be resurfaced with a new electric Zamboni, reducing emissions while maintaining the ice for skaters and hockey players.

Killington

Killington Resort continues its multi-year transformation, investing $38 million (an increase from the initial $30 million) in upgrades across the resort. That includes an additional $22 million in for its second year of independent ownership, bringing the two-year total for capital investment to $60 million to upgrade aging lifts, among other improvements.

The cranky old Superstar Express Quad, which has been in operation since the 1987 season, is being replaced with a high-speed, six-person Doppelmayr detachable lift. It features a diesel generator which can operate at full capacity in the event of power supply issues. The new lift also is expected to be more wind resistant thanks to its heavier chairs.

The second-generation Skyeship Gondola cabins have been replaced with 116 brand-new cabins. They will be housed in the newly upgraded Northbrook Gondola barn, which will be heated,  ensuring they are free of ice and in good condition each morning.

The Learn-to-Carpet surface lift on Snowshed is being replaced with an extended version of the Progression Carpet II, which is being relocated from Ramshead, offering beginners an enclosed ride, shielded from the elements, making access to signature learning terrain more comfortable. The Ledgewood Yurt, one of the resort’s most unique slopeside dining experiences, has been rebuilt with a new roof, wood siding and an expanded kitchen area.

Mad River Glen

The legendary skiing-only destination has painted its lifts and will continue offering the area’s unique winter Naturalist hikes. Known for its reverence for natural snow, it maintains a fleet of groomers and other vehicles—all of which will be maintained using the new hydraulic lift installed this summer.

Magic Mountain

The new, larger Abracadabra beginner area will work in tandem with the current Nelson Family Learning Area’s 100’ conveyor lift to bring a more graduated learning experience before novice skiers advance to the mid-mountain chairlift. The new advanced beginner area will also allow night skiing to be open for more levels, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Holidays, with instructor-led ski and ride lessons available.  Previously, this was the location of the Terrain Park, which moves to the lower skiers left side of Hocus Pocus (underneath Black Quad).

There’s also improved snowmaking from Black Line down to Show Off. This will allow for a more consistent snowpack on the lower mountain, on groomed terrain, and on high-traffic beginner and intermediate trails.

Middlebury Snowbowl

The Bailey Falls lift returns after a two-year hiatus. While the lift serves runs reliant on natural snow, the aspens that border it serve as a natural windbreak, making the lift more resistant to wind holds.  There’s also improved snowmaking, including Allen West up to the summit.

This season, the area upgrades to a new RFID and a modern point-of-sale system. That means you can purchase tickets online, reload passes, reserve rentals, and book lessons in advance. The long-awaited upgrade includes the ability to offer combo passes that work at both the Snowbowl and Rikert Outdoor Center. Fans of alpine and XC will be able to purchase one pass for both areas at a 10% savings. 

Mount Snow

This popular resort has been giving generations of skiers and riders their first taste of sliding on snow for more than 70 years. More than 900 high-output, low energy snow guns are capable of 83% snowmaking coverage via the world’s most powerful snowmaking system. Using state-of-the-art technology, providing reliable and premium coverage even when natural snowfall is light.

Okemo

This is the 70^th season for Okemo, with multiple celebrations scheduled throughout the season, including a special birthday bash on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Pico

Flexing its independent-ownership muscles alongside sister mountain Killington Resort, Pico enters the season with updated snowmaking as part of the over 1000 new low-energy snow guns installed across the two ski areas over the last year. That improves snowmaking efficiency, which saw upgrades that tripled its snowmaking capacity coming into the 2023-24 season.

There also are plans to replace the Bonanza Double, which has been in operation since 1965, with a new magic carpet surface lift.

Saskadena Six

This past summer the nearly 50-year-old Chair Two double lift was disassembled and removed after a top engineering team determined that it could not be restored. While a new lift may be built in the future, for this season, access to the Chair Two side, including the Milky Way terrain park, continues via Duane’s Drop and The Gully trails.  There are plans to auction the old chairs for a community fund-raising event.

This is the area’s 90th season (1936-2026), with plans for special events all winter.  As the longest running snow sports school in the country, Saskadena Six remains committed to consistently providing enjoyable recreation, a safe environment, and memorable experiences for all.

Smugglers Notch

This season includes snowmaking upgrades and a new snowcat for more efficient operations and enhanced snow quality across all three mountains, Madonna, Sterling and Morse, and a new digital baseline of the mountain’s natural terrain snowmakers can see real-time measurements of snow depths on the mountain. The improved precision allows them to know exactly how much snow is needed in a given space, improving water and energy efficiency while helping cover terrain faster than before.

Guests can continue to enjoy the Nordic Center and Activities introduced last season, including the popular Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Dinner, Moonlit Mile, and biathlon experiences.

Stowe

This season marks the 90^th anniversary of Stowe’s iconic Ski and Ride school, and the 30^th year of Stowe Parks, with special events throughout the season. Also, Midway Lodge has been upgraded, including a new Tower 5 bar.

Stratton

This summer American Express was upgraded with modernized components, allow for a more reliable lift experience with smoother overall operations. There’s also an additional 200ft of 30-foot wind fence adjacent to the summit gondola to help decrease wind-related holds and delays. Snowmaking has been improved on Way Home and in the Main Base Area, including on Sun Bowl Super Trail

To better accommodate housing needs of its employees, Stratton purchased four properties in Manchester, VT, about 20 minutes away from the resort, and upgraded them with new roofs, electrical systems, heating, interior and exterior paint, appliances and furnishings.

Trapp Family Lodge & Resort

Summer projects included widening trails like Parizo and Slaton Pasture Trail, as well as improving drainage in several places. The Outdoor Center team continues to add fun events like Sunday Fundays that are full of guest speakers, a Poker Ski, treats on trails, and other fun non-competitive events for skiers of all ages.

Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center

This season it becomes one of just seven Nordic ski areas in the state with ability to make snow. The purchase of an HDK fan gun will produce snow to keep skiers, snowshoers, and fat-tire bikers on the trails this winter. The addition follows last season’s temporary rental of a snow gun when periods of the season lacked natural snow. The new equipment snow to keep 5m of core trails in the over 45km network covered, regardless of natural snowfall, and extend the season.

For more information about one or more of these Vermont destinations, check the Ski Vermont website https://skivermont.com/whats-new

Can’t decide between an Ikon Pass or an Epic Pass? Then you should look into the Mountain Collective pass, which gives skiers and riders two days each at 27 top resorts around the world and half-off additional days and no blackout dates, for half the price of the Big Two.  At just $669 it’s a deal, even a steal.

This year’s new addition is Whiteface, in New York’s Adirondaks, and benefits extend to sister areas Gore Mountain and Belleayre.

In the last two seasons, Mountain Collective has added Sunday River, Maine; Bromont, Quebec; and Megève, France, while Arapahoe Basin, Colo. to join the Ikon Pass.  Other participating resorts include Sugarloaf, Maine; Alta, Utah; Sun Valley, Idaho; Revelstoke, British Columbia; and Niseko United, Japan.  Here’s what’s new at the Mountan Collective collection of mountains, in alphabetical order, the only fair way –

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

Snowmass has upgraded the Elk Camp chair from a 4-seater to a high-speed 6-seater, along with replacing the Cirque platter lift with a T-Bar, to allow for easier access to some of the best high alpine terrain in North America.

Big Sky Resort, Montana

The new Explorer Gondola finally opens from base to summit; the lower stage opened a few seasons back, linking this season with the upper section. This unlocks the 11,166 ft summit of Lone Mountain for the first time in history.  Explorer now also connects with the Big Sky Tram.

• The 70+ Ski Club is returning to Big Sky Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 2026. Get more information here. https://70plusskiclub.org/

Bromont Resort, QC, Canada

The opening of the Residence Inn by Marriott, allowing groups a ski-in/ski-out experience. Outdoor heated pool and spa, cozy fireplaces, and a vibrant resto-bar, the hotel offers the full experience.

Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming

This destination on the other side of the Teton Pass from Jackson Hole will be the host for the FIS Western Regional Ski Finals, one of the largest ski races in the region, and the first for the resort.

Le Massif De Charlievoix, QC, Canada   

The new Bertha is a luxury chalet for group stays. It offers direct access to the slopes and breathtaking views of the Saint Lawrence River, less than 90 minutes north of Quebec.

Niseko United Resort, Japan

The King #3 Lift has been upgraded from a 4-seater to a 6-seater. Allowing for shorter wait times and more of a party with friends and family on your way up the mountain.

Panorama Mountain Resort, BC, Canada

Coming in February 2026, Corona Beach, this venue will be the hub of mountain festivals, featuring outdoor BBQs, culinary delights, refreshing beverages, and live entertainment every weekend.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, BC, Canada

The new Karl Hotel is a luxury hotel that will include 154 rooms over 7,300 sq ft for the Chop Steakhouse, impeccable fitness and spa facilities, and it will be the home of the Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing.

Snowbasin Resort,  Utah

The resort is introducing two things this season, both sure to be popular.  One is free parking, because nothing is better than getting to the lots with no reservation and no need to pay for parking.  The other is RFID lift access, so no more taking your pass out or a pocket for hand-held scanning.

Snowbird Resort, Utah

The Nest is a brand new mid-mountain restaurant opening in December, with floor-to-ceiling Swiss glass windows that offer panoramic views throughout.

Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine

After the expansion of terrain last year, there is the development of Snowcross, a brand new slopeside neighborhood.

Sunday River Resort,  Maine

A brand new booster pumphouse that will double the snowmaking capacity on Barker and Locke peaks.

Sugar Bowl Resort, California

There a new two-tiered outdoor deck, with firepits and expanded seating in the village, including The Terrace, a self-service restaurant using QR code ordering

Sun Peaks Resort, BC, Canada

More than $5.5 million snowmaking enhancements include new snow guns in new locations and automation of the system, all designed to  improve the mountain experience.  

Sun Valley Resort, Idaho

This venerable and historic resort celebrates its 90^th winter season with 90 acres of newly gladded terrain. This is a part of an expansion of the Bald Mountain Forest Stewardship project.

Whiteface Mountain, New York

This is the newest mountain to join the Mountain Collective pass, starting with the 2025/26 season, expanding the pass’s Northeast footprint. Whiteface, operated by the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), is the first New York resort in the coalition. It boasts the greatest vertical drop in the East.

The partnership extends Mountain Collective benefits to ORDA’s SKI3 full season pass holders, who will receive 50 percent off lift tickets at all Mountain Collective resorts. The full season SKI3 pass provides unlimited access to Whiteface, Gore and Belleayre Mountains.

Over 17 million Europeans are walking with special Nordic Ski Walking Poles (ALL ages and ALL fitness levels) as a fitness activity that turbocharges the typical walking campaign. For those who are unfamiliar, Nordic walking is a fitness recreation that combines walking with specially designed poles to engage the upper body muscles. It can be practiced for exercise and wellness on neighborhood and city sidewalks, mountain trails, city parks, sandy beaches and on hiking trails.

Nordic Walking burns up to 40% more calories than regular walking. Using the Perfect Length Poles automatically improves walking posture. Walking with the Perfect Length Poles tricks us into standing taller and helps to radically reduce the stress to the shins, knees, hips, and back. Nordic Walking is ideal for athletes, kids, adults of all ages, and even those with balance issues.

Pete Edwards of SKIWALKING.COM LLC has been coaching runners and skiers of all ages and fitness levels for over 40 years. Edwards is a former ski school director, ski coach, running coach and the owner/founder/coach of his company headquartered in Empire, Michigan. He has also introduced Nordic Walking to thousands of Americans through Nordic Walking clinics, radio interviews, newspaper interviews, and TV interviews. Hosting Nordic Walking clinics is extremely enjoyable for Edwards, and he especially likes hosting Nordic Walking clinics for MS, Parkinson’s, and Diabetes support groups, plus Wounded Warrior Programs.

Nordic walking can help individuals with bad/new knees, bad/new hips, back problems, balance, and other issues. A SkiWalking.com customer asked if it would help improve her balance problems stemming from an inner ear issue. By using the correct length poles, she was able to navigate even the roughest terrain with balance and security provided by the poles.

Nordic Walking has a winning combination of improved posture, unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action, and shock absorbing benefits. Nordic Walking Poles can help individuals with balance issues, knee issues, hip issues, back issues (including those with rods in their back), weight issues, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis, bursitis, scoliosis, lumbar stenosis, fibromyalgia, post-polio, osteoporosis, stroke recovery, cancer recovery, and other limitations to walking. Nordic Walking is getting thousands of Americans off the couch, outside, walking safely, and helping to effectively launch much-needed walking campaigns.

The perfect length poles can actually trick us into walking with a super straight back and better walking posture which is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture, when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles, radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips, and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

Edwards reviews details about Nordic walking from advantages of metal pole tips in the snow and rubber pole tips for walking on pavement to appropriate sizes of pole straps which enable walkers to keeping relaxed fingers so as to avoid gripping the pole too tightly. He suggests walking with a normal stride and gait while planting the poles at an angle.

According to Edwards, one-piece poles are safer, lighter, and much more durable than adjustable/telescoping/collapsible poles and he states, “We recommend quality one-piece poles that won’t collapse unexpectedly.” Using the correct length poles can radically improve balance, stability and gait and there are 32 different lengths of one-piece poles ensure a perfect fit.

Trekking (hiking with poles) and Nordic walking are two different activities that use very different poles and techniques. It may sound silly, but perhaps “walking is not just walking.” The pole angle, weight, grip, and straps are different between the aforementioned modes of walking. The Nordic walking pole is designed to allow your hands to relax in order to target the larger wrapping muscles of the back. But using poles of any kind automatically stimulates your spine and all of the muscles around it, even with inefficient technique. When walking, the key postural muscles of the core and upper body are engaged.

I’ve (Roger of XCSkiResorts.com) been a Nordic Walker for many years and found the claimed attributes regarding posture and exercise to be true. I’ve always been in search of a way to decrease the amount of time spent exercising, so I was sold when I heard that using the poles increases caloric burning by as much as 40 percent. Being a cross country skier, it is easy to quickly master Nordic walking. After a summer of Nordic walking, I noticed a marked improvement in my cross country ski poling in terms of strength and timing. It also seemed that I increased the amount of forward momentum that was attributable to poling and I was able to pole stronger and longer when skiing.

For more information such as how to get started Nordic Walking and how to buy poles – contact Pete Edwards, the owner/founder at the website: WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

If uncertain about Nordic Walking for your health level, check with your doctor. For additional specific information and exercise plans for Nordic walkers, see the Human Kinetics book entitled “Nordic Walking for Total Fitness” by Suzanne Nottingham and Alexandra Jurasin which has got it all covered. “Nordic Walking for Total Fitness” is available in hard cover, ebook or PDF versions from Human Kinetics at www.humankinetics.com or a paperback version at $7.98 from Amazon.

Photos from Pete Edwards, SKIWALKING.COM