Weekend Warrior

I almost feel relieved that the weekend is over. As I sit early Tuesday morning typing I can feel the skiing that was done in the muscles, joints and bones. Friday was one of the most memorable days I have ever had in New England on the snow!

Sugarbush was 100% Deep Powder Skiing.

The storm the rolled through the region did not do much but spit ice and sleet on us in Boston. BUT up North the mountains of ME, NH and VT got absolutely buried! The Burlington Free Press was reporting that the event was the 4th largest snowstorm in state history. Avalanche warnings posted all over the New England back country (some still in force) for hikers, sledders (snow mobiles) and skiers.

Mountains everywhere north are experiencing the best conditions they have had in seasons.

the S.G. on Stein’s Run kicking up some fluff

All the ski areas in New England have been making snow like crazy and watching conditions improve over the last month. Pile on the results of this past weeks blizzard and we have gone from Zero to Hero!
My weekend was a whirlwind. Unfortunately, I only got to ski two days (bookends Friday & Monday – avoided crowds). I heard that Saturday and Sunday were both crazy busy.
The excuse: I had to be at a good friends (and skiing buddies) wedding down in the Southwest corner of CT on Saturday night, it was awesome. This meant a lot of windshield time though…
Thursday night – drive from Boston to Sugarbush, VT (4 hours)
Friday afternoon – from Sugarbush to my folks in Western MA (4 hours)
Saturday – Western MA down to Brookfield, CT (2 hours)
Sunday – southwest CT up to Weston, VT (5.5 hours)
Monday afternoon – Magic, VT back to Boston (3 hours)
Sugarbush, VT: Friday I hit the Bush and it was absolutely EPIC! I was out on the snow with my cousin. We hit the lifts early and went full speed until the legs gave up. For me that meant skiing from 9 am until 3 pm – big day…
Sugarbush has been operating at 100% for the last two weeks. Throw a ton of snow on top of a good base and eureka, the finest conditions I have skied in New England this season!
The resort itself reported close to 40 inches, but from what I saw it was more than 4 feet. There was more than that in places due to drifting snow. I have not been to Sugarbush in quite some time when conditions were this good and the place has always been one of my favorite mountains. My decision to head there to take in the POW was easy.
a look down at the new base area at the Bush from the top of Stein’s Run

Magic, VT: Monday was Magical. The crowds had thinned at this hidden gem in Londonderry, VT. I was up on a chairlift early yesterday morning (8:14 am). It was cold. Zero degrees at the base cold. The snow was a bit punchy also, a result of a sub zero and very windy Sunday night. But there was still a Ton of Powder on the mountain. Conditions really improved in the afternoon. As the sunshine crept over the steep slopes the surface softened.
my friend Dave poaching some Magic wind blown powder on Mystery

I crashed at a ski house in Weston, VT that some friends have rented for the past few seasons. After a few runs Monday morning it was apparent these guys had been skiing hard all weekend. I cannot blame them, when we receive blessed conditions like these AND you have a Ski House = Take advantage of the timing.
More on both days experiences at Sugarbush and Magic to follow. For now I am still in recovery mode.
Looks like more snow Thursday for the mountains! Start panning for next weekend today.
Hit the Message Boards with your weekend reports LINK.
This is It! The ski season is in full swing. The remainder of February and all of March are going to rock.
Think Snow,
photos ~ S.G.
Always in theme – Presidential colors on the ice atop Magic on Wizard