to those of you that enjoy sliding on the the white stuff,the winter is here in full force. My lcal area,Sugarbush,is pretty close to full operation.the natural snow trails are skiing quite well due to the snow/rain/snow cycle we had last week. close to a foot fell Saturday night and another 4 to 9 inches last night. more snow is expected this week.hope some of you get the chance to get out this holidayweek and enjoy what mother nature has given us.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone

Nice!! I think I'm heading up to jay to partake on Thursday and on January 4th cranmore mt. does ticket rollback day where they charge 7$ for tickets, the same price they charged the day they opened. Gonne be in north conway for a fe days then. Bring on the white stuff!!
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If every single joint below my waist wasn't wasted, I'd be there. Believe it or not the Bombas were skiing legends back in the day of MT. TOM.

I'm still a legend.

I used to do the boarder cross races at mt. Tom in the early-mid ninetys.
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I, personally, was done on January 2nd, 1993, when I tore my ACL, PCL, and meniscus in the opening day of the corporate league GS races, where Mikey cut in front of me at the head-to-head finish (he had no where else to go).

This was the one time that I figured out that setting the bindings to 14 so the skis wouldn't pre-release on the chatter was a monumentally bad and life changing mistake.

I don't even know if Mikey finished out the season. It was the end of the Mt. Tom Ice Demons (we were the home team) and maybe the series there.

Baah, at least I have you guys. I'll take the latter.

Merry Xmas,
Rick

Turfguy,Jay would be a great choice,they got quite a bit more than most areas did.Mikey,these days you just replace the knees and hips .and you are good to go.i keep my fingers crossed,after 45 years of skiing my knees are still holding up,its my mind that is that is failing.

Sunday River, SugarLoaf, Saddleback have over 30" of mothers finest

I will be at Stowe for the New Year,they have 97/114 open and should be at max by then.John,let's meet for a beer in Waterbury. Merry Christmas to all

I saw that MRG opened on Xmas eve. I hope to get up to ski both MRG and Sugerbush (Castlerock chair) in january when the natural snow is good.

Good snow cover reported at Sugarbush.

the natural snow trails are skiing exceptionally well right now,Sugarbush is at106 out of111 trails as of today.skiing on some brand new skiis,with no fear on the natural snow terrain. here is my daughter at the top of heavens gate today Chrisif i can i will try and meet up with you

Beautiful picture of your daughter with some great looking conditions at the 'bush. I can't wait to get on the hill and carve some turns. I will let you know when I get up to waitsfield. I will have to stop in Bristol and pick up some hardwood as well.

ahh- those were the dayz........ used to ski 40-50 dyas a year when I was in my 20's. now if I get out once a season its a lot.

too fat, old and tired for much more than that...... yep- headed fer them "golden years"........

Thanks John...music to my ears even if MY skis need to have breaks and a motor attached! :) (never was coordinated enough to work the other kind without epic fails)

Maybe we should have S-B snowfest :) HAHA!

the natural snow trails are skiing exceptionally well right now,Sugarbush is at106 out of111 trails as of today.skiing on some brand new skiis,with no fear on the natural snow terrain. here is my daughter at the top of heavens gate today Chrisif i can i will try and meet up with you

I will call you when I figure out the family part. Great picture of your girl,what about her brother?

Chris,my son,Jp,is out in Colorado instructing at Copper.hopefully i will get out to visit him this season.

John! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

I had buddies that used to live in Solitude Station on Copper. Great being able to wake up at 8:00, not drive, and still be able to get freshies before anyone. We would ride cafeteria trays down to the base after the lifts stopped for the day. Snow mobile back up. Awesome.

Mikey,JP was able to get employee housing,which is about a 100 yards or so from the lift.Oh to be young again.

Last year I was hoping to get out again after back surgery, but it was so mild, I played golf every weekend instead. Taught at Berkshire East for 4 years after Zoo-Mass in Amherst and had some memerable and life threatening trips out west with some crazy ski instructor buddies.

Question, I have to go look at a production facility in Utica NY around the middle of Janauary and was thinking since the company will let me expense a night stay I'd break up the trip by skiing a day coming or going and hit the plant on a Friday or Monday. I have no clue if any of the skiing close is worth while, so my thoughts are Mt. Snow and then go or Killington (less direct); anyone know if anything closer to Utica is worth a damn?

We should put a Striped-Bass ski day together, probably enough crazies on this site to make for a fun day. Sunday River is definatly in my sites for a weekend later in the season, need for OZ to open before I venture north, looks like the season is starting well for them for sure.

im hoping to get out this weekend. i need to make some turns badly.

What is not to like about Colorado................?
I am sure he is happy with that choice.I have a friend with a place at Winter Park who offered it up to me for a cleaning fee.I have only been to CO. one time about 20 years ago for a trip to Vail and it was memorable. 97 trails open at Stowe today and a strm brewing has me realizing I am out of shape.

What is not to like about Colorado................?
I am sure he is happy with that choice.I have a friend with a place at Winter Park who offered it up to me for a cleaning fee.I have only been to CO. one time about 20 years ago for a trip to Vail and it was memorable. 97 trails open at Stowe today and a strm brewing has me realizing I am out of shape.

Out of shape my butt. I heard around the RI circuit they call you Jack Lalaine!

spent day before xmas and xmas at loon, conditions were ok, good coverage on trails that were open, no lift lines and some fresh snow all in all we had a great trip, until my wife tore here knee up. Going to the Dr. at 2pm hope its just a sprain

Happy Holidays John

God I would love to try skiing again but I imagine I am wayyyyyy to out of shape. Last time I skied was in Taos New Mexico in 1984, probably last time I was in shape too. I'd probably be better off sitting in the lodge and drinking a few beers, out of shape for that too.

Pretty close to 2 feet so far from this storm.One of the best Christmas weeks in a long time,after last year it is well needed.

I didn't make it to jay but visited a friend in Wilmington vt who's snowboard patrol at mt. Snow and spent the day there. 16-20" just puking snow all morning epic powder day for this time of the season. Depressing ride back into mansfield to see nothing on the ground
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Looking forward to getting some turns in this winter. This year I am planning it to make it to Sugarloaf in ME., I have herd lots of good things about Sugarloaf but never made it there. Back to the original thread about Sugarbush in VT. Ages ago I was with a bunch of folks for a ski house there for a winter at Sugarbush. Lots of fun skiing ,and hanging out at the Hideaway after.

Looking forward to getting some turns in this winter. This year I am planning it to make it to Sugarloaf in ME., I have herd lots of good things about Sugarloaf but never made it there. Back to the original thread about Sugarbush in VT. Ages ago I was with a bunch of folks for a ski house there for a winter at Sugarbush. Lots of fun skiing ,and hanging out at the Hideaway after.Sugarloaf and Saddleback are going gangbusters.The town of Rangeley is hopping with people.In the local supermarket[IGA] the lot was full of vehicles.Everyone in the store were actually nice to eachother as they cruised the isles.Come on Up!!!!!

still plenty of powder to be had,the only drawback is the cold and wind today,getting colder as the week goes by.hope everyone had a great new years day

U 2!

Sugarloaf and Saddleback are going gangbusters.The town of Rangeley is hopping with people.In the local supermarket[IGA] the lot was full of vehicles.Everyone in the store were actually nice to eachother as they cruised the isles.Come on Up!!!!!

Too weird, actually being civil, them New Yawk people.

Too weird, actually being civil, them New Yawk people.Plenty of Mass----- folks.Conn.,NH,a few NY plates.

A tragic note too.......A woman[45] drowns in Rangeley lake yesterday on a snow machine in front of her 16yr old son who went around the hole.To make it worse.While looking for the woman.The wardens find a helmet of 3 missing men on snowmachines overdue on Sunday.They were on a trip through the Carrabassett out to Eustis and haven't been heard from since.The search has been called off due to high winds and driving snow off the ice from the winds.-2 degrees[without wind chill] right now in town.Horrible way to start the new year.

STAY OFF THE ICE!!!!!!!

I will be at Stowe for the New Year,they have 97/114 open and should be at max by then.John,let's meet for a beer in Waterbury. Merry Christmas to all

Friend ,,, Love the other side of that ,,, Smugglers Notch ..

Smuggs is no longer on a reciprocal with stowe which is a shame. Robins run is one of my favorite trails in the northeast. Good news is my hip held up great and we had two great days on stowe with the family. Best I have felt on skis in 15 years. Awesome family trip in the cold! I would make the run with you anytime Eddie.
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i rode stratton on sunday. Great day. woke up to 7" of fresh. No one on the sunbowl side. Found stashes all day. I felt good, the offseason training was key. Usually day 1 im exausted and sore. Felt great the next day.

I do a yearly to Sugarloaf and it's an awesome mountain, lots of steeps and the snow is usually very good. The downside is they get some serious wind, which has a tendancy to shut down a lot of the lifts. Last year, I was there during one of the very few snowstorms of the season, the wind had every single lift shut down so they took us up on snowcats, it was cool.

another 4inches today,not sure how much more my legs can handle.many fresh tracks still to be had.i Skied Smuggs for a couple of years in my college days difinetly a great place to ski.haven't been there since JP stopped racing

another 4inches today,not sure how much more my legs can handle.many fresh tracks still to be had.i Skied Smuggs for a couple of years in my college days difinetly a great place to ski.haven't been there since JP stopped racing

Yea, I've got a friend in Waitsfield and I think she has at least 3 feet on her deck furniture.

-spence

Does it tip over when you sit on it?
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Ran up to Sugarbush right in front of that storm on 12/27 last minute. Crowds were a little annoying but well worth it.

Mike,the great thing about coaching is no waiting on line,except Castlerock.some snow coming down right now,some snow in the forcast next few nights,a dusting to 5 inches,but you never know till you go.

if the forecast pans out should be some great skiing friday and saturday.hopefully some of you will get out and enjoy it i know i will.

Just spent 4 dry days at jay peak. Wish the storm came last weekend. At least I scored some heady topper
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I was hoping the girlfriend wouldn't insist I not go to Sunday River for 2 days, looks like I'm hanging to dig out before hopefully getting in a day trip Sunday.
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Hardest part is figuring out who's getting hit with the most snow so I can figure out where I'm snowboarding saturday
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more importantly,is which mtn. has enough verticle pitch to be able to move down hill with a few ft of new snow. i think it was the Valintines day storm a few years ago ,where it was tough going on anything that wasn't fairly steep.saw a few people walking on intermediate trails because they couldn't get going in the deep snow.

more importantly,is which mtn. has enough verticle pitch to be able to move down hill with a few ft of new snow. i think it was the Valintines day storm a few years ago ,where it was tough going on anything that wasn't fairly steep.saw a few people walking on intermediate trails because they couldn't get going in the deep snow.

Pretty sure Star at Stowe would get you moving with out much trouble
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I remember falling in one of the chutes off Paradise at Mad River probably 20 years ago, ended up with my skis cross the chute in the brush on each side, me hanging downhill. The snow was so deep and soft I couldn't reach the bottom with my pole, It was long enough ago that I had Look Nevadas and couldn't get enough torque to twist out. we don't have years like that very often. Those chutes were steep enough...........

well about another 12 to 16 inchs in the last 2 days.skiing was pretty good.not a hude crowd for holiday peroid. i had the pleasure of meeting Blood Terror after skiing yesterday. hopefully next time i won't be coaching and get to ski with him. looks like more snow saturday night and then again mid week. get out and enjoy while it is good. you never know what tommorrow brings

Next year I get back on skis. Or snowboard. Going to get my daughter going. Can't wait
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Great to meet up with you John. yes.. Sugarbush has some sweet conditions now... Castlerock was wide open and I took advantage of the conditions and skiied it hard yesterday afternoon. Next time I hope to get a chance to ski with you John...

not sure if I have posted this link before that chronicles Brian Mohr (Ember photography and Adventureskier.com) and Emily skiing MRG during the famous 2007 valentine's day storm. The footage shows Brian's crew skiing several woods lines off the MRG single and some epic conditions on Paradise (Awesome glade trail @ MRG)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gisIjeQJ2oA[/url]

I need to get back up to warren soon. Last time i skied rumble was in 1996
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castlerock wasn't as good as yesterday,but still good,today.i think rumble might be on the hit list tommorrow,haven't skied it yet this season.

Great to meet up with you John. yes.. Sugarbush has some sweet conditions now... Castlerock was wide open and I took advantage of the conditions and skiied it hard yesterday afternoon. Next time I hope to get a chance to ski with you John...

not sure if I have posted this link before that chronicles Brian Mohr (Ember photography and Adventureskier.com) and Emily skiing MRG during the famous 2007 valentine's day storm. The footage shows Brian's crew skiing several woods lines off the MRG single and some epic conditions on Paradise (Awesome glade trail @ MRG)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gisIjeQJ2oA[/url]

I bet it has been close to 20 years now but MRG was surely at its best for a storm that turned a 2 day trip into a 5 day trip. Rt.89 was closed and so was MRG for a day and a half.Youth dictated we walk up for freshies...we skied paradise in champagne powder up to our chest,point them downhill and go!!!Still remember searching for my ski for 2 hours.Great area,are they still anti snowboard?John,do you remember Betsy?We used to stay at her place and abuse the honor system for the bar lol.

The Mad River Barn used to have a bar with an indoor shuffleboard table... we used to hit that place after skiing for several rounds and play the shuffleboard game while we sucked down the beers . it was the best... anyone else ever go to the Barn on route 17

Chris,if you mean Betsy Pratt,i still see around,pretty sure i went to St Mikes with her son or nephew, Rob.never really to the barn. but i did spend a few dollars at the blue tooth for dimies,those were the days 10 cent beers at the Tooth,would stay at the Bagatelle for a 1.50 a night for bag space,2.00 dollars if you wanted a pad. a meal vocher was 2 dollars for a meal at Gallaghers.now adays a grand will get you a room and a nice meal.Rumble was a bit boney today but i couldn't say no to the kids when they wanted to ski it.

Jay,.....

Those MRG glades look awesome Chris, will have to get there some time.

I did Sugarloaf last weekend, conditions were great, we skied the chit out of it and had some great times at the Carrabassett Inn

Well another 7 to 12 inchs since yesterday,upper mtn. was on wind hold.looks like i will have to find out where the snow blew into.

Nice fish. You guys are having a good year. The wife and I just arrived in Lake Tahoe last night. Gonna snowboard the next couple days with some of our friends that moved out this way. My wife's first big mountain experience and my first time back out west since I lived I telluride back in 2000
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If anyone heads up to Stowe, Sugarbush, or Mad River... stop in at the Alchemist in Waterbury to sample a draft Heady Topper and take a few 4 packs home

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130301/LIVING06/303010007/3-Vermont-brewers-taking-beer-world-by-storm-The-Alchemist-Hill-Farmstead-Brewery-Lawson-s-Finest-Liquids-Heady-Topper

Just got back from killington. Skied two days 25 inches of new snow best day of the year
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Finally freed up a weekend to head to Sunday River, heading up there this coming Friday with my son for two days. They have had a bunch of snow, so it should be some good skiing. With the golf courses (played Saturday) opening up, this will be my last ski outting of the season.

i am hoping that my last turns will be May5th,that is the closing date for Sugarbush if the weather coperates. that should give me a few days to pack up and head to the cape.

Rode my rose on Saturday in 50 degree weather and yesterday made it to alpine meadows for a sick powder day. Best terrain I've ever seen. Snowed all day and was so socked in at the summit that was hard to see. Never before have I had vertigo like that before couldn't see 5 feet in front of you but the day was sick!!
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TG,the last time i was in Tahoe was 85.the first week we were there over 10 ft of snow fell.skied squaw,alpine meadows and home wood. if you run into an instructor at squaw Timmy Reeves tell him Fish from LI says hello. heading to Copper march 26 for a week with my daughter to ski with my son.hopefully they will get more snow by then.

nice to read they found that missing kid up there

nice to read they found that missing kid up there

REally? Do you have a link to a story? Tried to google it, got nothing.

REally? Do you have a link to a story? Tried to google it, got nothing.

Mass. teen missing for 2 days found alive in Maine | WWLP.com (http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/national/ap-carrabassett-valley-maine-Mass-teen-missing-for-2-days-found-alive-in-Maine-tf)

Story in the paper here today about the local snowmobiler who found the kid. Wasn't part of the official search party, he was familiar with the area and went up there on his own. Found the kid in 90 minutes.

Seems strange to me that the kid couldn't find his way out the next day after getting lost. Sounds like he built a snow cave and didn't really move around much.

another foot or so today,upper mtn on windhold. another 4 to 5 tonight according to the weather report.looking better for may 5th closing.

Just got back from Vail / Beaver Creek. Absolutley sick. The Vail backbowls were insane. 12' overnight and wide open bowls. Steep and Deep!!!!

Jay this weekend for the season finale. Seeing the Machine saturday night.

Chris,Jay should be great.Basballer,heading to Copper Mtn. tuesday for a week.looks like a few inches every day for the next few days.going out soon to get the upper mtn.

well pretty close to 2ft the last 2 days.Heavens gate and Castlerock were unbelieveable.skied in the woods both days never hit the trails,only to acess the woods and lifts.Today is bright sunshine, but i will have to get some work done today.some more snow in the forecast for tommorrow night.what a differance from last year.

More snow for Friday night?? Was thinking about heading to jay tomorrow
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well pretty close to 2ft the last 2 days.Heavens gate and Castlerock were unbelieveable.skied in the woods both days never hit the trails,only to acess the woods and lifts.Today is bright sunshine, but i will have to get some work done today.some more snow in the forecast for tommorrow night.what a differance from last year.

I can't get back up there fast enough! Work really cramps my style. You are killing me with the castlerock talk! Cotillion and Rumble have been my two favorite named runs of the season up there. I love that area. Up to NH this weekend for a family ski fest and then to the Hyde for an April Sugarbush trip. My favorite ski weatherman tweeted this yesterday.

Long range models say "What's spring?"

Think the skiing is going to be sweet for a bit longer and those crowds are only going to get smaller.

Tuff Guy,looks like an inch or so called for,but last week an inch or so turned into 15 inchs thursday/friday.Mike,this spring might make up for last year. winter like weather for the next week,a good solid base on the snow making trails,Sugarbush just might make it till May 5th

LIFVT you have to go to vail while your out there. destroys every mountain in that area. There were guys at Vail that lived in Breckenridge. The back bowls are quite an experience for the east coast rider.

another 6 inchs this morning,a good way to end my coaching duties for the season

The sap is flowing like water! I'll be by for a syrup/plug swap when you get back.
Rip it up at Copper!!

Greg,i am back,will give you a call. my mouth is watering for some fresh maple syrup.skiing was great getting some time with JP even greater.looks like some great skiing still left at the Bush.another month of skiing and i will be ready to fish.

Nice scenery John

glad you got to spend some time with JP

Bruce, if it weren't for the ocean,i'd move out there in a heartbeat,but i need the salt as much as i need the snow.hopefully we can share a few tides this season,miss fishing with you.

Will JP spend the summer out there John?

Chris, JP plans on staying for the summer.He was out there last summer.

well another great weekend of mid winter skiing.a few inches
saturday and snow Sunday,about 6 new total up top.it is tough thinking about fishing when skiing is still good.waiting for some real spring skiing,at this rate the mtn. will close before it happens