The Indy Pass gets better every year.  It just added 30 new resorts in the USA and around the world for the 2024/25 season, on top of the 52 it added last season.

As its name implies, the Indy Pass focuses on independent areas without another affiliation such as biggies Ikon, Epic or even Mountain Collective.  It gives you two days of skiing at each member mountain, plus discounts for additional days. 

With 230 members now, the good news is that means 430 potential downhill days for a buy-in price of $419, with add-on options that include black-out dates. 

The bad news is that Indy strictly limits pass sales, so smaller members don’t get overwhelmed.

Limited Sale Dates

With the new areas, Indy is resuming pass sales for those already on the waitlist, only from Oct. 24-27.  The general public has just one day only  – Oct. 28 – to buy in.

New Resorts for 2024/25 Season

In alphabetical order, since that’s the only fair way –

• Baqueria Beret, Spain
• Bear Creek, Pennsylvania
• Bear Valley, California
• Bousquet, Massachusettes
• Bruce Mound, Wisconsin
• Camp Fortune, Quebec
• Cascade Welcome Center XC, New York
• Cazenovia Ski Club, New York
• Cupid Valley Ski Resort, Japan
• Dynaland Ski Resort, Japan
• Hirugano Kogen Ski Resort, Japan
• Hoedown Hill, Colorado
• Hunt Hollow Ski Club, New York
• Innsbruck Resorts, Austria (12 resorts)
• Lost Valley, Maine
• Loveland Ski Area, Colorado
• Massif du Sud Quebec
• Mont Rigaud, Quebec
• Christie Mountain, Wisconsin
• Mt. Holiday, Michigan
• Ninox Snow Park, Japan
• Norway Mountain, Michigan
• Takasu Snow Park, Japan
• The Snow Center, England
• Trafford City Snow Centre, England
• Washigatake Ski Resort, Japan
• Whitehorse Nordic Ski Society, Yukon
• WhitePIA Takasu Ski Resort, Japan
• Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort, Japan
• Mala Upa, Czech Republ

 
Indy Pass Pricing – Final Sale for 2024/25 (No Senior Pricing)

• Indy Base Pass $419 Adult / $239 Kids (12-and-under)
• Indy+ Pass $539 Adult / $299 Kids (no blackouts)
• Indy AddOn Base $319 Adult / $179 Kids
• Indy AddOn+ Pass $409 Adult / $229 Kids (no blackouts)
• XC Pass $99 Adult / $49 Kids
• Personalized Photo Pass $10

 

While you were tanning on the beach in the Caribbean or throwing coins in the fountain in Rome this past summer, Vermont resorts were busy upgrading chairlifts, trails, snowmaking, dining and lodging.

Here’s what’s new in the state with some of the most popular ski/snowboard/Nordic destinations in the Northeast. 

In alphabetical order, since that’s the only fair way.  

Bromley Mountain

Bromley has invested in new and improved snowmaking on its lower mountain, to ensure more consistent conditions on such popular areas as Lower Thruway and Lower Boulevard.  Also, there will be live music on holidays and almost every weekend, adding a festive vibe to your ski day, weekend or week.

Killington Resort & Pico Mountain:

Under new local ownership, Killington and sister Pico are embarking on a $30 million investment spree over the next two seasons.  That includes 500 new low-energy snow guns will blanket both resorts, with four fully automated fan guns specifically targeting Superstar.

After this ski season, during summer 2025, Killington will replace the Superstar Express Quad with a high-speed six-pack, and replace more than 110 cabins on the iconic Skyeship Gondola with new ones.

Mad River Glen:

A new mid-station on the Single Chair will provide easier access to beginner and intermediate terrain in Birdland.  Also, the legendary skiers-only destination is speeding up the drive system for the Sunnyside Double to boost loading capacity.

Magic Mountain:

The resort has added 50 new snow guns, including mobile units for expert terrain, to provide more consistent conditions throughout the season.  Also, the  new Throwback Card offers 25% off online ticket prices and a free ski day on your second visit.

Mount Snow:

Celebrating 70 Years this season, Mount Snow marks the milestone with new on-mountain improvements to the most powerful snowmaking system in the East, and participation in the MyEpic premium ski/snowboard rental equipment program. 

Jay Peak:

Nothing new for this season, just a continuation of the reliable infrastructure and programs which have made Jay Peak a popular, family-friendly destination for decades.

Okemo Mountain Resort:

This family-favorite destination has 98% snowmaking coverage, and is also participating in the Epic Pass MyEpic gear rental program.

Saskadena Six:

There’s a new, revised unload zone on Chair One increases safety and flow and trail widening on Easy Mile and Porcupine to improve traffic flow. The area also has added low-energy eco-friendly snow guns.

Stowe Mountain Resort:

No new on-mountain enhancements this season, but new is that Stowe has joined the MyEpic gear program, offering a convenient and affordable way to access premium ski and snowboard equipment for EpicPass holders.

Stratton Mountain:

There are new snow guns on Mikey’s Way and 160 new high-efficiency hydrants throughout the mountain.

Sugarbush Resort:

The highly anticipated Heaven’s Gate Quad at Lincoln Peak opens, providing a faster and more reliable summit experience. Plus, there is improved snowmaking at Mount Ellen for a more consistent experience throughout the season.

If you somebody who loves challenges, koin the Sugarbush community in skiing a billion vertical feet to raise $50,000 for a local mental health non-profit.

What’s your favorite Vermont resort – and why?  www.skivermont.com

We want to hear from you.

See you on the slopes.

A common answer to that question is Lahout’s in Littleton NH which was founded by Herbert Lahout who came to the US from Lebanon as a teenager and in 1920 started by selling dry goods from a horse drawn wagon throughout the White Mountains.   After World War II. the store, then run by his son Joe, began selling ski gear and today there is the original store and  seven more Lahout’s  shops in the area where the business began.

However, it turns out now there is another shop with a claim to be the first.

As part of the recent research on the 90th anniversary of the first snow train to North Creek NY, local historians came up with records of The J.E. Cunningham General Store that opened in that Adirondack hamlet in 1918, two years before Lahout’s.

Today, more than 100 years later, both businesses  run by their founding families, still operate in their hometowns

PJ Cunningham, who was born  in Chestertown NY in 1871, was a New York Forest Ranger when he resettled his family in North Creek in 1908. He spent much of his time in the outdoors and became well know for his work building fire towers in the area.  In 1918, he bought the general store in town and named it after his oldest son.

When business slowed in the 1920’s, his younger son Butler dropped out of his engineering studies at Union College to come home to help run the store. While there was no formal ski area at the time in North Creek, there was winter sliding on the logging roads from the nearby Barton Garnet Mines on Gore Mountain. Between mining and logging, the slopes outside the village had been largely stripped and and winter sliding on the open land was a popular pass time.

If you needed skis,  Cunningham’s offered barrel staves rigged with boot toe straps mounted by a local harness shop.

Although primarily a mining and logging town, locals who visited the 1932 Olympic Games in Lake Placid saw the potential for winter recreation in their town 60 miles to the south. The North Creek Ski Bowl just outside the village was established in 1934.  At first there was a rope tow that, in 1947, was replaced by the first T-bar in New York State. Butler Cunningham in 1949 became President of the Gore Mountain Lift Corporation and, while still running the store in town, opened a ski hut on the hill between the lodge and the lift.

Over the next decade, his son Pat was building his reputation as a ski racer. He competed for Norwich University and, after college, while in the US Army in Europe. he  competed in the the iconic Hahnenkamm downhill race in Kitzbuhl Austria. He was training for a spot on the US ski team in the 1964 Winter Olympics when an elbow injury forced him out of competition. Pat came back to North Creek and subsequently joined the family business which was growing as New York opened its third state run ski center at Gore Mountain in town.

There were setbacks.  The original store in town burned down in 1968. At the time, the Cunninghams were also running the retail shop at Gore Mountain. They would eventually lose the concession bid at the ski area, but by then a new store had been built in town on the site of an old horse barn less than a mile from the original general store location. Over the years, the business expanded to other locations including Cunningham’s across the street from the Olympic Center in Lake Placid.

Butler Cunningham died in 1985 and Pat ran the the business until his death two years ago. By then, Tyler Cunningham, a former Burke Academy and St Lawrence University ski racer, had given up a career as a derivatives trader on Wall Street to return home to the family business.

Tyler is the forth generation of the Cunningham family to run the business. It is the same story in New Hampshire where Ron Lahout, grandson of business founder Herbert, has been joined by nephew Anthony and more recently daughter Phebe.

So who can claim to be Number One?

Is it Cunningham’s, founded in 1918?

Is it Lahout’s, doing business in the same location since 1920?

Both families have now been in business in their hometowns, in ski country, for more than a century. It seems that should be more than enough to share bragging rights.

 

Thanks to late season storms, some downhill destinations will be skiing and riding into August, while others have closed and already starting construction on new lifts. Here’s what we know now about the 2024/25 season, including pass price changes, so you can put these resorts on your bucket list – or not.

 Prices Going Up for Going Downhill

Don’t wait.  The price of sext season’s Epic Pass goes up on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.  In addition to paying more, you’ll lose two Buddy Passes for friends and family along with skip-the-lift-ticket-line for any passes you buy or redeem for day-of skiing. The same price increase deadline applies for regional Epic passes, including the Northeast Value Pass and the Epic Military Veteran Pass.

You have until September or October to buy an Ikon Pass before prices go up again.  But do it now, before you forget, because the closer you get to the price increase deadline, the more the website is overwhelmed with procrastinators. 

Jackson Hole

The iconic Wyoming resort is replacing the Sublette lift over the summer with a faster and more powerful detachable quad chairlift, which will be up and running in time for the 2024–25 winter season.  The new lift cuts uphill time from eight minutes to four, while climbing approximately 1,600 vertical feet at 1,000 feet per minute. That means you can get to Laramie Bowl – my personal favorite run at Jackson Hole – in half the time, and wear out your legs and lungs twice as fast. The original Sublette lift was built in 1987.

This past season, JHMR was open 143 open days and clocked 447 inches of total snowfall, helped by a series of heavy late winter and early spring storms that blanketed the West.

 Big Sky 

The Montana resort celebrated its 50^th Anniversary last season with the introduction of a new, larger Lone Peak Tram, and making more changes for season 51.

The new Madison 8 lift will replace the Six Shooter 6 on the Moonlight Basin side of the resort.  It will nearly double uphill capacity out of the Madison Base, reducing ride time by an estimated 30%. The Madison 8 is another eight-seater, which Big Sky introduced to the world with its Ramcharger lift on the main mountain. The new lift is named for the nearby Madison River, and expected to be operational by December 2024.

Big Sky also says it is changing ticket pricing to the new Lone Peak Tram, although the changes affect only a small number of guests.

Starting next winter, those who buy lift tickets directly from the resort no longer will have to pay extra to access the new 75-passenger Tram. But that deal applies only to elite Gold and Double Black pass holders.  Everybody else still will have to pay $10-$50 per ride, depending on conditions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4gwSW5MomH/?img_index=1 

That means all Ikon, Mountain Collective, and non-Gold and Double Black pass holders will continue to be charged per ride on the Lone Peak Tram, with pricing unlikely to change much from this past season.

Mammoth Upgrade at Mammoth

Mammoth is replacing its very first chairlift – known both as Chair 1 and Broadway Express – from a quad into a high-speed detachable six-pack. It’s part of a larger upgrade to the base area that includes a new lodge and amenities.

 This was a t-bar when the resort opened in 1953, upgraded to a two-seater two years later, and then to a four-seater in 1995.  The new six-pack will be able to whisk 3,200 people up the mountain each hour, reducing wait times at the base at peak times (pardon the pun) to under four minutes.

If you want to buy one of the chairs being retired, contact Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation.  Prices start at $299.

We’ll have more news about next season as soon as it is available.

See you on the slopes!

Powder Mountain is about to embark on a private/public ski area development venture. In a bid to sell more real estate, a large segment of the mountain will become the exclusive domain of the on-mountain home owners. Like Homewood in California and Windham Mountain in New York, Utah’s Powder will be a hybrid model with major changes for longtime devotees. Those changes start next season.

“In order to pay our bills, we need to sell more real estate, and to do that we are introducing private homeowner-only skiing,” said Reed Hasting, in a letter to the community in Dec of 2023. The new CEO of Powder Mountain added, “We will be designating the Village and Mary’s lifts, which serve beginner and intermediate terrain, plus a new lift on Raintree for this private skiing, starting a year from now.”

With more than 8,500 acres of skiable terrain, Pow Mow, as it is known by the locals, is the largest ski area in North America. Located in the Wasatch mountains just thirty minutes northeast of Ogden, Utah, it is best known for receiving more 500 inches of snow each year – and free skiing to those who are 75+.  Powder hounds from across the country trek here to ski the off-piste, tree-ladened slopes and laid-back vibe.

 Reed, the co-founder of Netflix, got involved with Powder last April, and then took majority control of the resort in late summer by pledging a reported $100 million in new investment. He signed a development agreement with Meriwether Companies, a leading resort developer perhaps best known for their development of Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, to head this new effort.

 They immediately removed from the market 25 of the 57 lots in the Overlook area that had been listed for $1 million each while they develop a new master plan.

 In the meantime, they are investing in some infrastructure upgrades. The horribly slow Paradise lift will be replaced by a high-speed detachable quad that will cut the ride time in half. Additional terrain will be accessed by a new fixed-grip quad on Lightning Ridge, which had been accessible only by cat skiing or skinning in the past. The cat skiing will be moved to another part of the mountain. The new owners are also upgrading the Timberline triple lift with a fixed-grip quad.

 “We believe this blend of public and private skiing secures us decades of exceptional uncrowded skiing for all, funded partially by real estate. To stay independent and uncrowded, we needed to change, and we didn’t want to join the successful but crowded multi-resort pass model (ie, Snowbasin) or sell to a conglomerate (ie, Vail),” Reed stated.

Construction Begins This Summer

This ambitious plan will affect their 2024 summer operations.

“Construction will begin this summer on a number of lift and maintenance infrastructure upgrades that are set to greatly enhance the on-mountain experience at Powder Mountain,” they announced. “We will not be operating lift-accessed mountain biking this summer (2024) due to on-mountain summer construction needs. We appreciate all of the planning and hard work that has gone into making lift-serviced mountain biking at Powder possible for the past two summers, however after evaluating all options, this is a necessary step in order to complete our ambitious plans of installing four new lifts.”

Some new homes already have been built in the designated private area. A few are really are spectacular with truly wonderful views of the mountains.  Meaghan O’Neill recently wrote in Architectural Digest that, “… buildings by acclaimed architects like Marmol Radziner, Olson Kundig, and MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, the Summit Powder Mountain village promises sprawling views of the Great Salt Lake and a stunning organic modern aesthetic.”

The new grand design has yet to be rolled out.

Changes to Season Passes

There have been several changes in the ticketing prices. For this next year they are lifting season pass caps, but intend to control numbers by limiting day passes.  In a blow to seniors, the complimentary 75+ season pass has been eliminated.

What will the future hold for Pow Mow?

Will this become a private club for the super rich or a necessary blend of public/private that will keep the area open to the general public for generations to come? Stay tuned.

Three cheers for spring.  It means longer hours to linger in the sunshine, wearing fewer layers, ditching goggles for sunglasses, and also enjoying oodles of end-of-season events and early bird discounts for next season, including new season pass options. Here is a round-up of what to check out before you pack away your skis, snowboards, neck warmers and base layers for golf clubs, tennis rackets, mountain bikes and tank tops, including always good-for-laughs pond skimming contests .  Don’t forget the SPF!

In the West

Jackson Hole again features its annual Rendezvous Music Festival the first weekend in April, 5/6 with FREE concerts both downtown in Town Square and at the Teton Village base area, including Country super-star Luke Grimes.  You can also download a Spotify playlist.  Jackson Hole is scheduled to close for the season on Sunday, April 14 https://www.jacksonhole.com/rendezvous

For the 2024/25 season, all Big Sky single day or multi-day lift tickets purchased from the resort will include Tram access, and the new Twin Tips Pass includes early and late season access.  Note that skiers/riders with Ikon, Mountain Collective, and Big Sky Resort passes without tram access will continue to have pay for the tram on a per-ride basis.  Pass prices here. https://bigskyresort.com/24-25-season-passes

Also, the resort is offering 35% discounts through April 28 to explore the challenging terrain off the Lone Peak Tram and upper mountain when you book with a Tram Guide.

Snowbasin is offering a year-round Premier Pass that includes summer activities such as gondola rides and mountain biking trails, and no black-out days in any season.  It’s relatively inexpensive for what it offers – $1,129 for adults to 64 and $829 for adults 65+ – which includes five days of skiing/riding at sister resort Sun Valley, free public transportation on the UTA Bus system, and multiple discounted Buddy and Family passes.  More information here.   https://www.snowbasin.com/tickets-passes/season-passes/

The end-of-season Pond Skimming fun at Steamboat is Sunday, April 14, one week before the official closing date on April 21.  https://mtn-resorts.com/Steamboat-Springs-Event.php?id=49

In the East

Family-owned and operated Tenney Mountain in New Hampshire has one of the least expensive pass deals anywhere, with no blackout dates and six Buddy Passes included in every purchase.  Prices are $399 for ages 19-64, $299 for Veterans/Military and Seniors 65-79, through April 30^th.  80+ skis and snowboards FREE.  A bonus is that skiing icon and super-nice guy Dan Egan – who grew up nearby and grew up skiing here – is the new GM, and there are chances to ski with him and learn from him.  More information here. 

https://tenney-mountain.axess.shop/en/Products/Tickets/Category?cID=1

Pennsylvania destinations Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton and Camelback Resort in Tannersville, now under the same corporate ownership, have a a new joint pass program for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. The Peak to Peak Poconos Pass offers unlimited skiing and riding at both for the upcoming 2024/2025 season.  Purchase now and it includes the remainder of the current season.  Adult prices are $899 through April 3. They are also Ikon Pass members.

Pond skimming at Whiteface is Saturday, April 6.  https://whiteface.com/event/pond-skim/

Pond skimming at Stratton is Sunday, April 7.  https://www.stratton.com/things-to-do/events

Spring Bash Weekend at Saddleback is April 5-7, with the fan favorite Pond Skimming contest on Sunday the 7^th.  https://www.saddlebackmaine.com/event/spring-bash-pond-skim/

In Canada

The resorts of Quebec continue to offer a bargain deal for first-timers through the end of the current season.  The Never Ever Days program, for ages 5 and up, is a lesson at a ski resort with a certified instructor, plus full equipment rental for only $29.95 Canadian, which is more like $25 US. The program has helped introduce more than 30,000 already this season.  That’s great news for the future, thanks to introducing newbies to the sport we all love.  More information here.  https://boutique.maneige.ski/en/products/mpf

The annual World Ski & Snowboard Festival at Whistler, April 8-14, is a week full of events and action on and off the slopes. It features ski and snowboard competitions, music, art, photography, filmmaking and exciting nightlife, plus some of the best skiing and après sessions of the season, most of which are FREE and others ticketed. The annual Slush Cup pond skimming event is on the final day.  See the full schedule of events here.

ttps://www.whistler.com/events/world-ski-snowboard-festival/

See you on the slopes – if not again this season, fingers crossed for next season.

As a young ski racer, I learned the importance of properly tune skis. Now as an old a recreational skier, I can assure you skiing “tuned” skis makes the sport more enjoyable. 

Tuning a pair of skis answers three questions. One, do the bindings work as advertised? Two, are the bottoms flat, not convex or concave? And three, are the edges are sharp from tip to tail.  

The bindings are the easiest to check. Simply twist the toe piece left and right. It should turn smoothly. If you feel a grinding feeling, there may be crud inside that has to be flushed out. FYI, if you carry your “naked,” i.e. not in a bag or container, a ski rack on the top of the car, you will have dirt and grit in your bindings. 

Open and close the heel piece. Again, it should move smoothly. If it doesn’t, use a hose to clean both t

he toe and heel pieces. Do not use soap or a degreaser which will clean out the dirt as well as all the lubricants.

And last, know your ski binding DIN number. The industry went to great lengths in the 1970s and early 80s to standardize boot sole shapes and the boot binding interface. Out of that came a chart that considers, your age, ability, and weight to create a binding setting number. You should know it and check and see if it moved.

In an earlier piece about waxing skis, I mentioned a scraper. Photo one shows me checking to make sure that it is square. Why? The scraper is the perfect tool to check to see if you have a concave or convex bottom.

To determine if you have a convex bottom, (Photo 2) as you slide the scraper down the ski, you can see daylight along the edges, and the scraper will rock on the P-Tex. In other words, the bottom is higher than the edges. If it is, the ski will swim, even dart to one side when you try to ski with them flat. 

If the bottom is concave, with the scraper resting on the edges, you can see a gap between the scraper and the P-Tex. A concave bottom is another bad condition which causes the ski to be hooky when on edge and often hard to turn. 

Neither condition is good. To fix either, take your skis to a ski shop that has a bottom grinder that will true up the bottoms. Note, that grinding the bottoms will take off both P-Tex and the steel edges and must be done very carefully. BTW, another reason to wax skis frequently is that it reduces P-Tex wear.

Most ski bottoms, even after several seasons are neither concave nor convex, but their edges are dull. First, when you look at the edges, they should be 90⁰ where the edge meets the snow. Often, you will, as you run your fingers gently down the edges, feel burrs or imperfections caused by hitting rocks, bare spots, pieces of wood, etc. Both edges need to be smooth and “sharp.”

Most ski shops have files designed specifically for this task. You simply run them down the ski, from tip to tail to smooth out the edges. (Photo 3). When you are finished, use the back of your thumbnail, and gently draw it across the edge at a 90⁰ angle (Photo 4). The edge should scrape off some nail. Once you are finished filing the edges, wipe them down with a damp cloth to clean off any reside and you are done.

Trust me, if your skis are tuned properly, you’ll notice the difference.

This week Don Burch brings us A very personal account of what skiing means to him.  Enjoy!

 

Way back when in the last century, after I started skiing, ski bottoms were wood. Then, Kofix, the first polymer bottom, came out in 1956 followed by P-Tex 2000 in 1966. Since then, every ski has a polyethylene bottoms. The lure, besides better gliding over the snow, was that with P-Tex, one didn’t have to ever wax your skis again.

So much for nostalgia. Besides helping the skis run better, wax also helps protect the bottoms of the skis from damage. Again, back in the last century’s good old days, I’d apply a coat of paraffin to the bottoms of a new pair of skis, scrape it off, buff it from tip to tail, and then repeat the process twice.

What this did and still does is fill in the pores in the polyethylene and make it slicker. Slicker means the ski goes faster, easier to skid and/or turn.

Before each ski trip, I’d prep our family’s skis, and each night after skiing, I’d apply a new coat of wax. In the late 80s, hotels and condos had a room where one could prep skis, but they seemed to have disappeared along with the typewriter.

Newer ski bottoms are better, but I still wax before each trip. If nothing else, it gets me excited about the coming ski trip. Here’s the process.

Step 1 – set up your work area. This will be messy, so I recommend covering the floor under the sawhorses with plastic used to protect walls and floors when you paint. This way, when you are done, you can pick up the plastic that contains the wax shavings and put it in the trash.

Step 2 – wipe down the skis with a damp (don’t use soap!) rag to clean any dirt or grit off the bottoms.

Step 3 – Drip the wax in a wavy line down the ski using an iron (mine is an old travel iron). It doesn’t matter if you start at the tip or the tail, and when you’re done with each ski, the trail of wax should be about 3/8 to ½ inch wide. For this base wax, you can use paraffin that, once upon a time, you could get in small slabs where the canning goods were at the supermarket, but it is getting harder and harder to find. I’ve switched to LFTurari Ski and Snowboard Wax. The link to get it on Amazon is here.

Step 4 – use the flat bottom of the iron to flatten the wax on the bottom

of the ski. Don’t worry if some drips over the edge. Be careful not to leave the iron on the bottom on any spot for more than a few seconds. By the time you finish the second ski, the wax on the first one has cooled sufficiently to scrape.

Step 5 – scrape the wax off from tip to tail by holding the scraper at a 30 – 45 ° angle to the bottom and scrape from tip to tail. My scraper is the blade from an old kitchen bench scraper which are easy to find. Just make sure that you deburr it before you use it.

Step 6 – buff the wax, again moving the cork or plastic brick from tip to tail. I prefer cork. This step pushes it into the P-Tex and smooths it out.

Step 7 – run the scraper down the edges to remove any remaining wax. Then, pick up the plastic!

Warning, depending on the snow conditions, your skis may feel sluggish at first until the wax wears off. However, the more you do this, the more protected your bottoms are, and if you wax for specific conditions, the prepped bottoms should hold and retain the wax better.

Days are getting longer and warmer, and spring skiing is the reward we downhillers get for braving frosty fingers and toes until now.  Let’s hope the snow holds until April or May. Until then, enjoy these events and deals happening at the destinations we love.  Here are bits and pieces from here and there for March for skiers and riders.

Sugarloaf

The largest ski area East of the Rockies just got even larger with the opening of West Mountain in mid-February.

 “We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated grand opening of West Mountain”, shares Karl Strand, President & General Manager.  “The magnitude and pure impact of this type of terrain expansion can’t be understated.  It’s the largest terrain expansion to happen in the Northeast since the late 1970’s.”

West Mountain expansion includes 12 new alpine trails, covering approximately 120 acres. The expansion will increase Sugarloaf’s total skiable acreage by nearly 10%, catering to both beginner and intermediate skiers and riders.

They are transported by the new Bucksaw Express, a high-speed detachable quad which will increase Sugarloaf’s uphill capacity by 2,400 skiers per hour. It transports skiers and riders up to Bullwinkle’s Restaurant, providing convenient access to the heart of the mountain and revolutionizing the way guests access and navigate the slopes.

 “West Mountain creates a new family-friendly zone, something Sugarloaf has needed for quite some time”, shares Strand, “the accessibility of the lift and terrain provides a progression platform unlike anything we’ve ever had here.  Our instructors and families will have a separate zone creating confidence and a “safe” zone, if you will, for beginner and intermediate level skiers.”

Extended Hours at Aspen

Starting March 1, all four resorts that make up Aspen/Snowmass are extending the hours of lift operations, to coincide with extended hours of sunlight.

Aspen Mountain: Silver Queen Gondola, Ajax Express and FIS Lifts will operate until 4pm The last ride down on Silver Queen Gondola is 4:30pm.

Highlands: Exhibition Lift will operate until: 4pm. Loge Peak will operate until 3:30pm.

Buttermilk: Summit Express will operate until 4pm.

Snowmass: Big Burn and Elk Camp Gondola will operate until 4pm. The Village Express Lift will operate until 4:00pm to the summit and until 4:15pm to the mid-point.

Steamboat

The popular pre-pandemic free daily mountain tour program for adults only with “yellow jacket” volunteer hosts has been changed into a ticketed tour for all ages, especially families.

Guides still take participants on greens and blues (no blacks), focusing on connecting the various peaks and lifts, along with historic tidbits. 

Now called Full Steam Ahead Mountain Tour, it is being offered Monday-Thursday through early April, 10am to Noon.  The formerly-free tour is now $20 for adults 13+, and free for a child aged 10-12 with a paid adult ticket (children younger than 10 are not permitted on the tour, and children 10-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult).  

Advance registration is required, as is a lift ticket or pass.   Steamboat is a member of the Ikon Pass system, and also offers resort-specific passes. Meet at 9:45am the base of the new Wild Blue Gondola, at which whisks riders to the top of the appropriately-named Sunshine Peak.  https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/activity-details/mountain-tours

I love to ski. (My wife says I live to ski).  Most of my adult working life I was too busy  to research new ski technologies and techniques. It is why I wound up skiing the same pair of Head Monsters for a decade until they wore out, and how I learned how important the demo process is to finding the perfect new pair of skis.

For years, my purchasing research typically was reading a few articles, talking to fellow skiers, and with a (hopefully) knowledgeable ski shop salesperson.  Invariably, I would buy what one of them recommended.  Maybe you have, too.

The last time I brought the Monsters in for sharpening, I was told there was nothing left to sharpen. Obviously, I had skied and sharpened the metal edges to death, and they finally died. It was time to buy a new pair. (Not my Salomon boots! I’ve had them spot-stretched three times, and they fit like a glove. I have had to replace the heelpieces, though.)

Instead of running to any ski shop to buy something, I chose to rent on my first full-week trip of the season and not rush to buy new ones. I’ve always shlepped my ski stuff wherever I’ve skied, both domestically and internationally, so this was an extra perk. (The serious convenience of shipping instead of shlepping skis to and from ski trips is a different subject.)

Flying into SLC in the early afternoon for a 70+ Ski Club trip, there was plenty of time to get to a ski shop to rent skis (fitted to my own great boots, of course). We discussed my ability, and he began to point out the differences of several brands and models he was considering for my skill level and body weight.

I asked if I could ski a different pair each day that he would suggest based on my feedback, and he agreed, even encouraging that.  A good shop will let you swap as often as you want. So, I rented for the week, and took the first pair he suggested.

During the next five days I tried to remain focused on the skis while still enjoying my skiing each day, trying all different types of terrain, speeds and turns and paying attention as much as I could to weight shifting, balance, chatter, turn radius, carving, etc.

Whenever I had a few moments, I would dictate my impressions about the skis into my phone. At the end of the day, I would return the skis to the shop, meet the same sales/manager guy, and report what I liked and didn’t like, what it felt like, etc., compared to the previous day’s skis. Then, he would recommend a different pair for the next day based on my pros and cons, and repeat the process for the entire week.  

 At the end of the week I knew exactly which skis I liked the best and why– enough to buy them 

I know ski performance can vary substantially between skis models. I just never felt it myself, until that week, and the differences were both noticeable and meaningful. Simply, my new skis improved my skiing and my enjoyment of skiing. I couldn’t be more satisfied.

They fit me and my ski style better than any other I’ve used in decades, even before the Monsters. They require the least amount of work to achieve the level of comfort I want while skiing, without the negatives of the others.

I can’t recommend this “trial” approach to purchasing skis strongly enough, especially if your purchasing method is to talk with sales folks, read a few articles and ask other skiers how they like what they’re skiing on. Most ski shops will apply your rental fee towards the purchase of a new pair from them at the end of the week, whether you rent one pair for the week or a different pair every day.  Some will even sell you the actual demo pair that you fell in love with.

When these skis are worn out, I’ll be sure to find a new pair the same way.

by Stacey Smith

I have been a ski instructor for 18 years. I am also a parent to two grown adults who learned to ski as children by going to work with me. Keeping all of us warm and comfortable for entire days on the slopes was my responsibility, and I make sure my clients, at any age, are warm and comfortable to ensure they have their best day on snow.

Layers

There’s one word to describe how to stay warm – layers. Today’s materials and fabrics are so much thinner and warmer than the heavy knits of decades ago. 

Start with a base layer consisting of a long sleeve top and long underwear bottoms or even yoga pants. Long underwear is made in so many different materials and weights, such as fleece for cold, sub-zero days, and thin polyester blends for warmer spring skiing days.

Stay away from anything with a tight ankle cuff as you will want the ability to pull your pant leg up and over your calf when getting fitted for ski boots.

Socks Are Important

If your feet get cold, that will be enough to distract you from your ski experience. Find a good pair of synthetic/wool blend socks. Just make sure they are long enough to go over your calf.  

Stay away from cotton socks and anything shorter than crew length. Anytime bare skin rubs against the inside of the boot, it creates friction and becomes very uncomfortable. The more coverage you have on your foot and calf, the better.

Fleece

Keeping your body’s core warm is key if you’ll be outdoors for any length of time. Depending on the weather forecast, you may want to wear a thin fleece pullover or vest under your jacket or coat. They can always be taken off if you get too warm.

Snow Pants

Either bibs or standard snow pants, will do. Do yourself a favor and wear the most

comfortable pair of winter boots you have to the mountain. You’ll thank me for that advice at the end of your day!

Mittens or Gloves

Which you choose is an individual preference. In my experience, a thin glove liner in a mitten can help to ensure even more warmth on cold days. If you use hand warmers, the liner acts as a barrier to your skin preventing any burns if the handwarmers get too hot.

Helmets

I cannot stress enough the importance of a helmet, for two reasons, first to protect your head. Secondly, you will find it much warmer than a hat. You don’t need to buy a helmet; you can rent them at most ski areas and most ski schools require them with lessons, including for kids.

If you are renting and feel funny putting your head in a helmet worn by others, wear a balaclava (combined neck warmer and cap) or a thin hat/cap underneath the helmet. This will add an extra layer of warmth. Just be sure the hat is thin enough, so the helmet fits properly.

 Neck Warmers

These are a great way to close the gap between neck and helmet. Depending on the weather, choose toasty fleece or something thinner.  A scarf can work, too, provided the ends are tucked securely into your jacket. The last thing you want is your vision obstructed by a scarf fluttering in the wind as you’re sliding on snow, or – worse – caught in the chairlift when you exit.

 Goggles

These are important all winter, especially when weather conditions are snowy, windy, or just brilliantly sunny. It’s difficult to listen and watch your instructor if you must constantly turn away or cover your eyes because of blowing wind and snow.

 Boots

I mentioned handwarmers with gloves or mittens and it should be noted, toe warmers are also a great thing to have on very cold days. They are best applied when you put on your ski boots,  or right before you go to the rental shop to save time.

When fitting your ski boots, do not place any other clothing in the ski boot other than your sock. The single biggest complaint I hear from “first time” clients when we meet on the snow is “My feet hurt, my boots are too tight”. It’s usually because they have their underlayers and pants tucked into their boot and then the boots are buckled tightly, causing their circulation to be cut off.

I hope this helps you prepare for your first time or perhaps your grandchild’s first time on the slopes. Positive experiences on snow create future skiers and that’s always been my goal!

 Bio

Stacey Smith grew up in NH not far from the Mt. Washington Valley. I realized when mychildren were young, that I could become a ski instructor and at the same time they could learn to ski. I spent close to 18 years teaching all ages and abilities to make their first turns on snow. These days, I live in southeastern MA with my husband. He doesn’t ski but loves apres ski, and we both enjoy all things related to skiing, travel and food.