There’s good news to report from the Land of Skiing and Snowboarding: Conditions are steadily improving with more ski areas planning to open this weekend.
And there’s a good chance (I’m keeping my fingers crossed) that Thanksgiving weekend could bring some of the best skiing and snowboarding in years.
Cold temperatures will return tonight, allowing northern New England areas to fire up their snow guns to expand terrain and open up more trails. How cold? Check out this great National Weather Service site for mountain forecasts in Vermont and New York. This is a site to bookmark and visit all winter long.
Keep in mind these early season conditions are not for beginners. Most trails open are on upper mountain/expert and intermediate terrain. Few have top-to-bottom runs open and sometimes, trails aren’t even groomed.
What’s important about these early season openings is getting you ready for the season. It’s time to have your equipment checked and tuned, get your gear together and prepare for those great times on the slopes. It’s the ideal time to PLAN ski trips this winter. You can not only lock in good prices, but often get the kind of lodging you want at a particular resort. It’s even more important for prime vacation times like Christmas/New Years or February school vacation week.
Here’s a great link to an early season checklist from SnowSports Industry America that can help you get ready.
In her blog, Kelly Pawlak, Mount Snow’s GM, gives good insight on how a ski area makes a decision to make snow and open for the season.
Okemo posted this photo on its Facebook page showing how things looked Sunday at the Vermont resort.
In today’s report, Killington noted: “Skiing and riding will be on advanced terrain on 15 trails that ski like seven runs. Skiers and riders will be making turns from the top of the Killington Peak to the base of the North Ridge Triple. If expert skiers and riders would like to continue down the mountain from the North Ridge area, they can follow Middle Great Northern, Middle Chute and Lower Bunny Buster to return to the K-1 Lodge, but some walking will be required. Please note there is no beginner terrain available at this time.”
Over at Okemo, there’s five trails open including Buckhorn, Countdown, Drop Off, Turkey Shoot, and Upper World Cup. Look for that number to grow later in the week.
In the early season, it’s wise to study the snow conditions report before heading to a resort. Carefully, read the report and check the map. And don’t be fooled by trail counts. Often ski resorts can count one top-to-bottom as three different trails through upper, middle and lower designations. Make sure you know how much a lift ticket costs.
Stowe (which opened Saturday for season pass holders) will open for everyone on Saturday. Sugarbush is shooting for a Saturday opening.
Jiminy Peak in northwestern Massachusetts opened its season last weekend. The resort had 25 percent of ticket proceeds donated to relief efforts of the American Red Cross for victims of Superstorm Sandy.
Jiminy will reopen later this week.
Closer to home, Mohawk Mountain has a targeted opening date of Nov. 23 … the day after Thanksgiving.
Ski Sundown in New Hartford tweeted today: “shooting for thanksgiving weekend . Think cold.”
Owners of snow sports shops have to be really happy today.
Why?
The first arrival of fresh snow … the best advertisement you can ever hope for getting people excited about the upcoming ski and snowboarding season.
See snow = Think skiing, snowboarding. It’s that simple.
Yes I know, like you, about the problems of dealing with winter-like conditions in a generally snow-hating state. Jerk drivers in SUVs who tailgate on slick roads, people on mobile devices behind frosted windshields and drivers going way too fast for slippery conditions who freely give you the finger for going too slow.
All not good … but this is a blog that LOVES and CELEBRATES snow and the cool and happy things you can do with it.
So that’s why I’m happy that Connecticut snow came so early after last winter’s horrible season. Not only for skiers and snowboarders, but for the local snow sports shops that pray for this early season snow promotion.
And there’s even better news …
Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont is getting a two-week jump on the season. It plans to open at 9 a.m. this Thursday!
Okemo had planned to open on Nov. 17. but cold temperatures have allowed it to crank up the snowmaking and open up some trails.
Here’s its report today:
“We have been making snow `round the clock and will continue our efforts as long as the temperatures cooperate. At 6:30 a.m. the summit temperature was 17 degrees and it was 24 degrees at the base of the mountain. We’re expecting cloudy skies throughout the day today with snow developing. We are expecting 1 to 3 inches of snowfall. It’s always nice to get a little extra help from Mother Nature.
“Lifts will start turning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8. We will be skiing and riding on four trails at the top of the mountain: Buckhorn, Countdown, Upper World Cup and Drop Off. Terrain is for advanced skiers and riders only during this early part of the season. We will be moving our snowmaking focus toward Turkey Shoot, Sapphire and Jolly Green Giant with an expectation of opening more terrain as quickly as possible.
Okemo has the snow guns blowing for its Thursday opening.
Two lifts will be running on opening day. Guests will be shuttled to the base of the Northstar Express and will access the snow by riding up the Northstar and skiing down to the Glades Peak chair. When they’ve had their fill of carving turns, guests will then download on the Northstar Express. Full-day ticket prices will be $39 for adults, $34 for young adults and $27 for Juniors and Super Seniors. Half-day tickets will be $29, $26 and $20 respectively.”
The nor’easter heading toward us should not give us much snow, though higher elevations could see a few inches. Even in Vermont there’s a chance of light snow that should put a nice coating on things.
Okemo will bec0me the second Vermont area to open. Killington opened Monday with a few trails in its North Ridge area.
This early skiing and snowboarding is mainly for experts and not for those who enjoy well groomed cruisers. And there’s a good chance the snow guns will also be blowing.
Killington’s report today:
“Snowmaking continues on eight trails and Reason will be open for skiing and riding Wednesday. Skiing and riding will be on primarily un-groomed, advanced terrain under the guns on Upper Great Northern, Rime and Reason trails so we can maximize our snowmaking efforts. Skiers and riders will be making turns on roughly 600 vertical feet of terrain. No beginner terrain or terrain park features will be available at this time.” Killington is charging $39 for adult tickets.
Mount Snow in Vermont is going to have some limited sliding on Friday. Not much, but hey, it’s for a good cause:
“Get those skis and boards packed pronto! Snowmaking operations went as planned with fan guns blowing snow on Launch Pad in preparations for this Friday’s annual early season fundraising event. Come on down and get your jib on at the rail garden loaded with a bunch of features put together by our park crew. So here‘s the “must know” for Friday. Lift tickets are available at the Clocktower for only $10 (free with season pass but donations are welcome) with all proceeds going to Superstorm Sandy Relief. Discovery Shuttle will be spinning all day long from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but make sure to take a break and head down for some chow at the BBQ we will be putting on. The plan is to have BBQs on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday weather permitting. Check back in for details on the BBQ location and other food and beverage openings.
“In the spirit of truth in snow reporting, (Nice guys, my comment) we made the difficult decision to suspend our top-to-bottom snowmaking campaign Monday due to the 10-14 day forecast calling for extended periods of mild temperatures starting this weekend. When we say mild, we’re talking 50 and sunny for multiple days starting Sunday. In addition, forecasted temperatures between now and this weekend won’t give us an opportunity to make a sustainable amount of snow.
“We have always been firm believers in making “smart snow” and it’s for that reason we are focusing all snowmaking efforts on Launch Pad for now. Once that window of opportunity opens again, we will push to get open for the season with top-to-bottom skiing and riding for all ability levels.”
I’d check back before heading to Snow.
The only other areas open include Sunday River in Maine with one trail and our own Woodbury ski area in Connecticut with one slope.
With Superstorm Sandy, it’s been a wild week for weather in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and most of the Eastern Seaboard.
Strong winds, huge waves and tidal surges, flooding and rain.
But now here’s some good weather news for skiers and snowboarders: a stretch of cold temperatures that will allow ski resorts to fire up their snowmaking arsenals!
Many areas are poised to jump on this chilly window of opportunity that will stretch into next week and …with the possibility of some snow.
This is the first serious snowmaking period, unlike mid-October’s cold temperatures that allowed Killington in Vermont to open for a weekend for pass holders. Even tiny Woodbury in Connecticut also managed to open a small slope.
On its Insider Blog, Killington says The Beast will fire up its snow guns tonight and may open by Sunday.
Expect the usual early openers like Sugarbush in Vermont and Sunday River in Maine to also blow snow over the next few nights.
Many northern New England resorts are planning to open the weekend before Thanksgiving.
DISCOUNTED OKEMO TICKETS
Here’s a sweet deal found on Okemo’s Facebook page. If you plan to ski/snowboard Okemo in early winter, you’d be crazy not to jump on it:
“Great news Okemo fans – our November Ticket Presale Event begins today! Pre-purchase 3 Okemo lift tickets for just $44 each until Nov 10th! Use them all yourself, or share them with friends – you’ll just need to use them by January 31, 2013. That’s 50% off regular ticket prices! Click on the “ticket presale” icon above for more info and to take advantage of this offer!”
Even if you’re not a big fan of Warren Miller ski movies, here’s an incentive that may get you into the theater – free lift tickets.
On Friday Nov. 9, The Stamford Center of the Arts at the Palace in Stamford will be screening “Flow State,” the new film from Warren Miller Entertainment.
The cost of a ticket for either the 6:30 or 9:30 p.m. shows is $23. You can buy tickets here.
The movie will also be shown at The Bushnell in Hartford at 6 and 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10. The cost is $22. To purchase, click here.
With that price and FREE lift tickets, it’s well worth the price of attending.
How it works: once you hand in the movie ticket, the attendant gives you a card with a code on it. You then go to the designated web site, print out the ticket vouchers. Take the voucher to the lift ticket window for your free pass. Sweet!
Besides the freebies, viewing a Warren Miller film is a great way to get psyched for the season, especially with an audience filled with skiers, snowboarders and snow lovers.
HERE’S WHAT YOU GET IN STAMFORD
FREE LIFT TICKET TO SUGARBUSH, VT
One FREE lift ticket to Sugarbush Resort, valid Monday through Friday during the 2012-13 winter season. Offer NOT VALID 12.22.12 through 1.01.13, 1.19.13 through 1.21.13, and 2.16.13 through 2.24.13. Not valid with any other offers. No refunds. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $73
FREE LIFT TICKET TO WINDHAM MOUNTAIN, NY
One FREE lift ticket to Windham Mountain, valid from Opening Day of the 2012-13 season through 1.11.13 OR 3.10.13 through Closing Day. NOT VALID 12.26.12 through 1.01.13. Not valid with any other offers. No refunds. No cash value. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $65
FREE LIFT TICKET TO GORE MOUNTAIN, NY
One FREE lift ticket valid from Opening Day through 12.14.12 OR 3.18.13 through Closing Day; OR b) One (1) 2-FOR-1 lift ticket offer valid 1.03.13 through 3.17.13, NOT VALID 1.19.13 through 1.21.13 OR 2.15.13 through 2.19.13. No refunds. No cash value. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $65
SAVE $20 ON A PERFORMANCE SKI OR SNOWBOARD TUNE AT OUTDOOR SPORTS CENTER on Route 7 in Wilton.
Everyone attending Flow State will receive a voucher good for $20 OFF a performance ski OR performance snowboard tune at Outdoor Sports Center. Regularly $55. No refunds, non-transferable, no cash value. OFFER EXPIRES 12.13.12.
If you or someone you know is planning a trip to Utah this winter, here’s another free ticket:
FREE LIFT TICKET TO CANYONS RESORT in UTAH
FREE mid-week lift ticket to Canyons Resort. Valid Monday through Friday, Opening Day through Closing Day. OFFER NOT VALID THE FOLLOWING BLACKOUT DATES: 12.22.12 through 1.01.13, 1.19.13 through 1.21.13 and 2.16.13 through 2.23.13. No refunds. No cash value. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $73
HERE’S WHAT YOU GET IN HARTFORD
FREE LIFT TICKET TO SUGARBUSH
One FREE lift ticket to Sugarbush Resort, valid Monday through Friday during the 2012-13 winter season. Offer NOT VALID 12.22.12 through 1.01.13, 1.19.13 through 1.21.13, and 2.16.13 through 2.24.13. Not valid with any other offers. No refunds. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $73
Everyone attending Flow State will receive a voucher good for One (1) 2-FOR-1 lift ticket to Sugarloaf, valid Sunday through Friday from Opening Day 2012 through Closing Day 2013. COUPON NOT VALID: Saturdays and the holiday periods of 11.23.12 through 11.24.12, 12.25.12 through 1.01.13, 1.19.13 through 1.21.13, 2.16.13 through 2.24.13 and 4.11.13 through 4.14.13. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers and holds no cash value. Vouchers can be redeemed at any lift ticket window. No refunds. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $65
Everyone attending Flow State will receive a voucher good for One (1) 2-FOR-1 lift ticket to Sunday River, valid Sunday through Friday from Opening Day 2012 through Closing Day 2013. COUPON NOT VALID: Saturdays and holiday periods of 11.23.12 through 11.24.12, 12.25.12 through 1.01.13, 1.19.13 through 1.21.13, 2.16.13 through 2.24.13 and 4.05.13 through 4.07.13. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers and holds no cash value. Vouchers can be redeemed at any lift ticket window. No refunds. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $65
FREE LIFT TICKET TO GORE MOUNTAIN, NY
One FREE lift ticket valid from Opening Day through 12.14.12 OR 3.18.13 through Closing Day; OR b) One (1) 2-FOR-1 lift ticket offer valid 1.03.13 through 3.17.13, NOT VALID 1.19.13 through 1.21.13 OR 2.15.13 through 2.19.13. No refunds. No cash value. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $65
Often, you are given the free vouchers when you provide your ticket at the door. Viewing the movie is not mandatory.
FREE LIFT TICKET TO CANYONS RESORT in UTAH
FREE mid-week lift ticket to Canyons Resort. Valid Monday through Friday, Opening Day through Closing Day. OFFER NOT VALID THE FOLLOWING BLACKOUT DATES: 12.22.12 through 1.01.13, 1.19.13 through 1.21.13 and 2.16.13 through 2.23.13. No refunds. No cash value. Non-transferable. Estimated value: $73
Each year a new Warren Miller Entertainment film provides gives skiers and snowboarders a great way to kick off the season.
Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont is one of the areas offering discounted tickets to Connecticut Ski Council members this winter. Photo courtesy Yukon Kornelius/Okemo Mountain Resort.
The preliminary list of dates for ski areas offering discounted lift tickets is out.
And again,it’s absolutely the BEST DEAL going!
We’re talking about more than 50 percent off tickets at such prime Vermont areas as Stratton, Okemo, Sugarbush and Killington, many of them on weekends.
How cheap? How about $34 ticket for Mount Snow on Sunday, Dec. 16? Or 44 bucks at Okemo on Sunday, Jan. 6? Or $43 at Killington on Sunday, Feb. 10? A steal when you consider the walk-up-to the-window price can be in high $80s-range. Ouch!
And many of the discount days are arranged so you can plan an affordable ski trip around these dates. Ski one cheap area one or two days; move ontoa nearby resort for its discounted day.
All you have to do is have a Connecticut Ski Council membership card, be at the designated ski resort … on the designated day … at the designated ticket window … and get you cheap ticket. Yes, it’s that easy.
So easy, I’m always amazed at people griping about the high cost of lift tickets when they can, with some planning and flexibility, save hundreds of bucks this winter.
The list is brought to you by the good folks of the Connecticut Ski Council, a group of clubs through the Nutmeg State made up of people like you who have a good time on, and off the slopes.
All you have to do to reap the benefits of these cheap lift tickets is join a ski club. It’s not a huge investment; dues can be as low $30.
That will not only give you the coveted membership card (that you need to show at the ticket window), but options for day bus trips, ski vacations, business/equipment discounts and the chance to meet some great people who love sliding down a mountain as much as you do.
But you need to take some time to find the best club for you. THE site for learning all about that is the Connecticut Ski Council’s website that provides direct link to individual clubs.
Many clubs allow you to simply download a membership form, send in a check and bang, you’re in. No required meeting attendance or baking cookies. Involvement in a club is up to you.
So drum roll please, click on Awarenessdaysbelow to see the list of discounted tickets. After reading it, there’s a good chance you’ll be signing up soon to be a ski club member.
Riding Killington’s K1 gondola this winter will be a mooving experience.
Sorry for the pun, but I couldn’t resist it when I read the Vermont’s ski resort’s announcement today that it plans to power the K1 by using cow manure.
“Farms collect cow manure throughout the day, mixing it with wash water from the milking equipment which is then pumped into an anaerobic digester. The slurry flows through a digester for about three weeks at 100 degrees Fahrenheit allowing bacteria to convert the manure into biogas, about 60% methane gas and 40% carbon dioxide. The biogas is then delivered to a modified natural gas engine, which drives an electric generator to create electricity. Finally, the energy generated is fed onto the GMP electrical system which ultimately powers the K-1 Express Gondola.
The K1 gondola at Killington in Vermont will be powered by gas created by cow manure.
“The left over manure in the digester does not go to waste; it is separated into solid and liquid portions. The liquid portion is used as enhanced fertilizer and the solids, consisting of plant fibers including grass, corn stalk fibers, grain hulls, etc. can replace sawdust as bedding for the cows.”
So don’t expect a barn full of cattle at The Beast this winter or the scent of manure at the K1 base area. What you’ll probably seen are signs reading “K1 Gondola: Powered by Cows.”
Yet maybe Killington will get a new knickname: The (Bovive) Beast.
Using green power is becoming more common at ski resorts.
In fact, the Snowbowl ski resort in Arizona plans to use recycled sewage wastewater to make snow.
Guess Killington’s and Snowbowl’s plans are all part of a bigger movement.
Post script:
Killington opened its season last Saturday with limited skiing and snowboarding in its upper mountain North Ridge area. But it was only available for season pass and Express Card holders. Not everyone was happy with the decision to announce the opening on late Friday afternoon. Killington explained the decision in its blog.
The Saturday opening made Killington – and tiny Woodbury ski area in Connecticut – as the first areas to open in the East.
Who’s still skiing and snowboarding in New England? Mostly those with season passes, locals, college kids looking for some fun on spring break or strong-legged baby boomers who have second homes in Ski Country.
But for most of us the season is over. The end came earlier than normal when the snow stopped falling and temperatures soared into the 60s, then 70s and likely today, the 80s.
The scene near the summit of Mount Snow in Vermont. No wonder they are planning to end its season on Sunday.
I expect this weekend will be the last for many ski areas this season. By mid-April, all lifts should stop turning everywhere.
Mount Snow in southern Vermont has already decided to pack it in on Sunday. “As you can imagine, snow does not react well to temperatures in the 60′s and 70′s, and that’s exactly what Mother Nature threw our way this week,” Snow posted this morning.
Okemo in Vermont also announced today that its final day of the season will also be Sunday.
“As the warm weather is making the days enjoyable, it is also melting away the snow that our snowmakers worked so hard to make all season. While we gave a gallant fight, the warming sun has been too much – so get on up here and enjoy your last turns while you can,” Okemo posted on Facebook today.
While there is still some good skiing and snowboarding, usually in the early morning and on high-elevation trails, conditions … for most people … are difficult.
Like many areas, Okemo is encouraging people to bring the sunscreen and “work on your goggle tan.”
The southern Vermont area gets the prize for the best take on the day: ”The best part of spring is the music you can hear in the air, as the sun rises each morning, and the days get longer, the birds return and their songs fill the world with joy.”
But what about the snow conditions at the areas still open???
Finishing a run down Superstar at Killington on Wednesday. Killington's average snowfall is 250 inches. This year it received only 130 inches.
Read Stratton in Vermont’s “snow report” for today:
“Our terrain is challenging, bumpy and absurdly fun these days, and spring conditions mean that bare spots, puddles and other unmarked hazards exist on open terrain. There is fun to be had out there, so bring your rock skis or boards and be ready to hop, skip, and walk to get to that spectacular soft spring snow.”
“Conditions are rapidly changing each day and some walking is required to get to the hidden gems of soft snow.”
“The good news: today has the potential to be the warmest day of the year thus far, which means T-shirts and sunglasses are skiing and riding essentials. The not-so-good news: that sun is quickly melting the snow pack, causing the rest of our days to be numbered. Solution: The beach will be there for the rest of the summer, so you might as well get your last turns of the season in, before you have to wait until next year.”
Vermont still has lots of trails open, but the number is dropping daily.
Even the mighty Beast of the East, Killington, sees its days are numbered. Today, it has a mere 14 trails open.
On its Facebook page this afternoon, Killington posted: “We lost more snow than we expected last night and have closed the K-1 Gondola and Snowdon Triple.”
It makes me sad to read this report:
“Walking is required to ski or ride Outer Limits and there is no beginner terrain available. Additionally spring conditions exist, they can change rapidly and create unpredictable surfaces, so please pay close attention when you’re out on the trails and check back often for updates.
“We will be spinning the Bear Mountain Quad and Superstar Express Quad. Please note the unseasonably warm temperatures this week have caused our snow pack to melt faster than we hoped and although we’re skiing and riding down two peaks, they are both isolated. So, if you’re interested in skiing or riding on the isle of Bear Mountain and you want to return to K-1, simply hop on a shuttle – they’ll be going back and forth from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.”
In New Hampshire about 10 areas remain open with about a quarter of their trails open.
Personally, I think spring skiing is overrated. I’ll take a cold day with some powder or packed powder over a warm and slushy one with spring crud. I’d rather be cruising than getting grabbed by some slushy puddle.
Add the unadvertised fact: Many ski areas do not groom many trails so they can preserve the snow for the larger weekend crowds. Groomed trails lose their snow quicker.
Today if you want to go skiing and snowboarding in the East, you have to make a long drive. And with the high cost of gas, you have to ask yourself: Is it worth it?
