On the up and up!
The one thing we have going for us in New England is that when it bottoms out and things could not get any worse, inevitably they improve. Monday Boston got some snow, what a sight for sore eyes. I actually had a coffee with a friend from Vermont and she was awestruck by how wet and heavy it was. I told her, “Welcome to sea level.” Most of her time is spent around the Stoweflake, which sits a couple thousand feet above the ocean on Mountain Road in Stowe, Vermont. When it snows there, the consistency is needless to say
The grand news is that this storm did wind up depositing much needed natural snows in the mountains. Most ski areas in New England reported 2-4 inches out of yesterdays weather event, some collecting as much as six. Jay Peak is skiing Powder again, these pictures were taken Monday on the hill. If any area is going to recover in powder skiing style leave it to Jay Peak.
In Canyonland @ Jay Peak, skier Brian Keet
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For all intents and purposes New England resorts will be just fine and improving daily as we ski our way into February. In fact, it is apparent to all, some more than others, that Mother Nature and Old Man Winter owe us a little love down the stretch this season. It will come in the form of cold air and above average snowfall. I am holding my breath and keeping my fingers crossed that we have finally turned the corner and are in the fast lane to a much brighter ski season.
Although nothing to write home about, all the reports have been of very manageable conditions. Sure, there may be a grass spot there or some boiler plate over there, but given the hurdles the mountains have overcome, they have done a magnificent job. Fifteen years ago and the entire North East would have been virtually unskiable considering what we took over the last month weather wise. Outrageous that in this day and age man has overcome nature to a certain extent…
Keep an eye on Snow Country to find out what is happening at your favorite mountain.
Powder Fix: I am going to Montana. Destination Moonlight Basin! I could not be happier with the decision. I am honestly very excited to actually be able to turn my ski thoughts to powder. Thinking about skiing good conditions on a big mountain is a wonderful alternative to anything else you may concern yourself with; in fact it does a number on your perspective. You want to speak of a mental release, think powder. Take this bull of a season by the horns and get a flight west. The snow out there is unreal and it should not be missed.
Instead of pondering when it will snow again, it will. Turn your attention to where you are going to be when it does. I reckon that two weeks from now we will be looking at a season anew. A genuine Do Over for us New Englanders who have suffered more than our share of disappointment. There is plenty of time left. We are also owed a big spring according to my notes and that is when the fun really begins on the slopes. Not only will February stomp, March will roar!
Last year we got wiped out with hot water right before April, another unfortunate act of god that ruined skiing, but I will place my chips on the table now that it will not happen this year. Be ready for the long hall. We got a ton of season in front of us and the best is sure to come.
In my opinion the North East needs at least two major blizzards (without interruption of rain) before we get back to conditions that have not been seen since last year. The slopes will be fine, snowmaking and grooming are only going to improve the product, but the trees and steeps require more attention than the average go around. They need help, help they can not control, they need natural snow. Patience however is a virtue and if you ski in the North East you had better have it on multiple levels. (i.e. weather, crowds, traffic and cost) Our time is coming, and when the opportunity knocks you had better be ready to answer the door.
My wish is simple…
Snow!
S.G.
