Small ski hills are the lifeblood of the ski industry in the northeast. Sure they don't have the glitziest base lodges, the fastest lifts, or most vertical, but you and most skiers you know probably learned to ski at one.
All in Ski
Finding Freshies: Cross-Country Skiing at Moose Hill
There’s nothing better than making you’re own tracks after a fresh snowfall. But when you live in Greater Boston finding fresh tracks can sometimes seem impossible. I mean, there’s millions of people around here and unless you time things perfectly, somebody usually beats you to the punch. Except, that is, at what feels like my secret stash—Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon, Massachusetts, where fresh tracks abound.
Snow Kiting
Snow kiting is another of my favorite winter sports. All you need is an open field with no power lines, a little bit of snow (four inches is perfect), and some wind.
Do You Believe in Magic (Part 2)
Hopefully you enjoyed our story on skinning and skiing Magic Mountain last December. With February vacation week upon us (and the masses descending on the ski resorts), here’s five other ski resorts in Vermont that are uphill friendly.
Do You Believe in Magic
With frozen, firm, and un-fun ski conditions in the backcountry and eager to earn some early December turns we found ourselves at Magic Mountain, in Londonderry, one of the most uphill-friendly ski resorts in the country.
New Year, New Lesson, Old Trip
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve skinned and skied Mount Tecumseh but if I had to guess I would say over 20 and under 50. Despite my numerous adventures on Mount Tecumseh, I still find myself being educated by the journey to the mountain’s summit and the trip down the ski resort’s slopes, and my most recent trip was no different.
Sometimes Nature Decides for You
I reply sourly, “IDK.” Sure, I have plenty of ideas, but at the time I was having difficulty mustering enthusiasm for any of them. It feels wrong to hike when skiing is still an option, but I don’t feel like skinning at the resort and I’m terrified of the dust-on-crust lurking in the backcountry. On the other hand, I’m stoked to boulder but I would like to spend some time in the mountains. Doug and I trade texts back and forth, him with ambitious plans, and me shitting all over them; too icy, too far away, and I think it will suck represent only a few of my bitter responses that day.
Mount Moosilauke Ski Gear List
Moosilauke is often one of the first places that newer backcountry skiers visit. And, if they are like us, they will keep being drawn back by the more than five-mile long descent and above-treeline terrain. While there are plenty of places to get beta on the trip—like this article Tim wrote for goEast—we thought a detailed gear list would be an interesting, informative, and helpful companion. So here it is.
Skiing On Moose’s Carriage Road
Our ski day on Moosilauke was pretty special, but overshadowing the day is this whole month. “Miracle March” has given us one of the best ski months in recent memory and helped salvage an otherwise disappointing ski season.
Ski Season Comes Back to Cardigan
Although Cardigan isn’t the loftiest of goals, nor does it present the most challenging terrain, we found plenty of fresh snow, good turns, and managed to duck the crowds for most of the day. It even got me stoked on skiing again!
The Best and Worst of Ski Season
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. After the start of a ski season that fluctuated somewhere between uneventful and blah thanks to an unseasonably warm stretch of weather, the snow finally arrived. However, with the snow also came record-low temperatures that tempered any enthusiasm for sliding on snow with biting cold.
Frigid Fun on Mount Tecumseh
Looking to break the cycle and to start the new year off by doing something active and outdoors—sorry, treadmill and climbing gym—I headed to Mount Tecumseh on New Year’s day with Doug, my wife, and the intention of skinning to the summit of a 4,000-footer and skiing down the adjacent Waterville Valley Resort.
Tips for Becoming a Skinning Star
When most people think of backcountry skiing, their minds turn to flying down a backcountry bowl or gliding through glades; but, the truth is, self-powered skiers spend far more time going uphill than down. To make the most of your time spent going uphill—and to hopefully spend a little less time doing so—follow these tips to become a skin track superstar.