Family Ski Trips

The Cult that is Sugarloaf…

2012-03-02T07:58:00.001-08:00

Heather takes a closer look at
The Cult that is Sugarloaf…

Are you a @Sugarloafer since__?

Read her ski blog and see if you can be a Loafer ...

Skiing at 80 …

2012-02-27T07:53:00.002-08:00

Read Heather's article about skiing at 80+. No we are not talking 80mph, though Klaus Obermeyer claims to ski his age every year in mph - and he's over 80. That just seems crazy. No, this is a ski story about a great guy Heather met on a windy lift ride at Wildcat...

Skiing at 80 …

For photos of that great ski day at Wildcat, see our Wildcat ski photo gallery

Happy trails...

The Saddleback secret

2012-02-23T14:33:00.001-08:00

We love discovering snowy places, ahead of the curve and the crowd...this special Maine resort begins with an S like the other big boys ..but it has something special...soft snowy glades, untracked cord late in the ski day...and an old school vibe...

Read Heather's review of the gem in the Rangeley Lake region...and go there now...the snow is good, and the sunsets from the Loon Lodge are lovely...

The Saddleback secret

Family & Luxury Ski Trips among "the best"

2012-02-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

How flattered are we to be included among the Best Ski Blogs and websites?! In a word, very...check out Find The Best, and our ski sites featured in a comparison with Kim Kircher and Brave Ski Mom for example...

FindTheBest's ski resort comparison allows browsers to compare ski resorts based on location, price, acreage, average snow fall, and even whether or not they have a children’s snow school for example. They also offers alpine ski reviews, heli ski and cat ski comparisons, a great resource for the vertically inclined. Our sites were invited to take part in this clever comparative format and we were indeed flattered.

Take a look at our Family Ski Trip ranking and our Luxury Ski Trip status on Find the Best.

Find The Best gets more than 6 million unique visitors per month, with the sole purpose of providing consumers with completely objective, relevant information to allow them to make more informed decisions. That's very much like what we do at family and luxury ski trips, provide honest, personal reviews of ski resorts we have visited and our recommendations on where to stay, dine, what's the best place to ski, all the stuff you need to nknow for your on snow vacation.

Thanks for being fans of www.familyskitrips.com and www.luxuryskitrips.com ...

Skiing, safer than driving...

2012-02-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

Skiing is a relatively safe sport, a healthy fun way to enjoy the great outdoors in winter...but sometimes skiing gets a bad rap...read the statistics on how skiing is safer than driving an automobile on the highway. Of course they are ways to dramatically improve your safety on the slopes, most of these safety tips are covered on the timeless National Ski Area Association's 7 Point Skiers' Responsibility Code...

“Your Responsibility Code”:
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.

Read Heather Burke's blog on ski safety: Skiing, safer than driving...

Top 10 Ski Lists

2012-02-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves a Top 10 Lists ...you can thank David Letterman for that I suppose...but we are the skiing critics - we are more about daylight downhill skiing than late night comedy. All jokes aside, here are our top 10 Favorite Ski Resorts for families in the East and our top 10 Favorite Family Ski Resorts in the West.

You will also find tips on teaching your kids to ski, getting the most out of ski and snowboard camps for kids, and how to pack for your family ski vacation.

Thanks for checking in with the ski journalists at Family Ski Trips...stay tuned! And enjoy your time on the snow with your family!

first tracks - 'cause if you're not first, you're last...

2012-02-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

Our family is hooked on first tracks, ours' is admittedly a competitve crew. Sometime you have to pay to play, and pay extra for the early morning ski privilege - but like many of the best things in life: it's worth it! We love to crush the corduroy at 7am, or get fresh powder while others are still hugging their pillows...here is our take on taking sweet laps before the lifts are open to the public.

Read our review of First Tracks for skiing families

Sugarloaf? There is an app for that

2011-12-06T04:52:00.000-08:00

Sugarloaf? There is an app for that

Hey Sugarloafers, no more loafin as you can track your vert, your runs, your speed and your entire season and compare with your ski compadres with the new Sugarloaf Reply app, brought to you by @Alpine Replay for iPhone an Android with sharing capabilities on facebook - fun!

App on, game on, this is going to be interesting...

Top 10 Reasons to Ski!

2011-11-23T06:40:00.000-08:00

Looking for excuses to escape to the mountains this winter? Here are our top 10 reasons to ski! From calorie burning to camaraderie- we will provide you the perfect reasons to get out and get active in the snow with your family this winter season!

Family Ski Trips Top 10 Reasons to Ski!

we always oogle and google before ski season!

2011-11-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

The anticipation for alpine skiing is on, as always. A fluke pre-Halloween snow storm was affectionately called "snOwtober" by skiers and Armageddon by those who lost power for days. But the heavy Halloween snow measured as much as a foot in the mountains, allowing both Killington and Sunday River to open for skiing on upper mountain trail on Saturday Oct 29. 2011.

Now, Sunday River has been getting the first to open goods for several years now, their 5th pre-Halloween start in as many years. But Killington made the announcement ahead of the Maine resort, and Sunday River graciously opened one minute later (10:01) to let the Big-K have their day - or their minute in this case. Weekend only operation has ensued in this extremely early season skiing.

While we haven’t made our first turns yet, we anxiously anticipate La Nina snow year. Meanwhile, we are tweeting, writing, and prepping for another great season.

You can, and should, follow us on Google+, this is Google’s answer to facebook…and our idea of more social media overload. But we are on board just the same. We’re happy to give Mark Zuckerberg a little healthy competition after all. Worked for Sunday River and Killington this fall- so why not Facebook & Google?!

Stay tuned, tune your skis, and see you on the slopes!

Join our new Google Plus Pages
family ski trips google+
luxury ski trips google+

Give ‘em the bird…just joking, give the Bird a hand!

2011-07-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

I love Snowbird, the amazing tram to 11,000’, the 500’ bounty of Utah pow, and the awesome 2,500 acres of terrain that makes every skier’s top 10 must ski list. But just like Mr. Blackwell’s top 10 best dressed list, ski resorts need to update their wardrobe and keep their look fresh – so to speak. Snowbird has proposed a 5 year improvement plan with 11, not 10, important but modest improvements to the ski resort. These are thoughtful, low impact to the environment, upgrades…but since Snowbird is in a National Forest and their goal is always to work in harmony with the environment and forest service…your support of the proposed MDP is appreciated and important.

Snowbird hopes to improve their beginner area, provide night skiing in Gadzoom area, install a new conveyor lift for first timers, create bike trails and a new outdoor deck, remodel the Mid Gad Lodge restaurant and make Gad 2 lift a detach, to name a few.

Here are the 11 proposed improvements to Snowbird Resort from 2011- 2016:

1. Beginner Skiing Area Below Entry One

2. Conveyor Lift in Gad Valley

3. Baby Thunder Yurt

4. Night Skiing on Gadzoom

5. Lift Maintenance Shop and Office Expansion of the Lower Gad Valley Pump Station

6. Gad Valley Day Lodge Adaptive Sports Expansion

7. Bike Trails and/or Park

8. Relocation of Lunch Run Summer Road

9. Remodel of Mid Gad Restaurant

10. Gad 2 Upgrade

11. Outdoor Deck for General Gritts

Here is a detailed description of Snowbird’s Master Plan

So don’t just flip the Bird, friend the Bird and show your support by emailing comments-intermtn-wasatch-cache-saltlake@fs.fed.us in support of Snowbird’s plans.

Read our family ski trip reviews of Snowbird

winner, winner, final skiing and lunch (not dinner)!

2011-05-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just as Sugarloaf was paying a fond farewell to the ski season, thinking they had sealed the “last ski resort standing” in the East title on Monday May 9, Jay Peak goes for the sneak with plans to reopen the following weekend. So once again, it's the Eastern skier that keeps the skis or board handy that really wins the game.

So if you haven’t stored those boards, here’s the deal at Jay Peak this weekend. A full day’s lift ticket and lunch is $39 on Saturday or Sunday, May 14 or 15, 2011. You need to go to www.jaypeakresort.com/ilikejay to get your coupon to present at the Jay ticket booth. The Jet Triple will be spinning, and the golf course opens Satruday May 14 as well. If you want to ski and tee the same day at Jay, you can get a golf and ski ticket for $59!

We still think Sugarloaf is the King of Spring, but maybe Lady Jay could be dubbed Queen of the Spring Scene with their pond-skimming, Tailgate Party, Mardi Gras and more.

What an extraordinary winter...and western resorts Mammoth (pictured above), Alpine Meadows, Squaw, and Snowbird are still skiing on deep base depths. Happy trails!

Sugarloaf earns King of Spring rep...

2011-05-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Sugarloaf reigns supreme today, May 9, as King of Spring and the last resort ski standing in the North East on Monday May 9, outplaying and outlasting sister Sunday River, Jay Peak, and Killington. It was an impressively long season for all these top guns in New England, and for the fortunate skiers as snow continued through April, and even into Mother’s day weekend in May.

As for the longest ski season in the East, that title deservedly goes to Sunday River for opening October 22 and closing 181 days later on April 24. The ski season of 2010-11 will go down in history as “epic” for snow conditions, all across the country for that matter. Mammoth, Snowbird and Alpine Meadows reported record snows and continue to ski - with Alpine peaking out on the snow charts at 852 inches. Moonlight Basin and Big Sky in Montana stayed open well past planned closing dates, skiing on deep snow on all their trails through Easter April 24! Western resorts still skiing include Bachelor and Timberline in Oregon, Arapahoe Basin Colorado, Squaw, Alpine and Mammoth in California, and Snowbird in Utah.

For those of you, like me, who have stored your boards, next winter promises the delivery of a new quad at Sugarloaf and at Northstar at Tahoe, and a replacement quad at Stowe. And you can start to get pumped for the Sochi Russia Winter Games, now that Freestyle halfpipe skiing and Women’s Nordic jumping have been approved for Olympic Competition in 2014. Let’s keep our fingers, not our tips, crossed that next winter brings a similar bounty of snow too! Stay tuned for more ski news.

still skiing?

2011-04-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

Who's still skiing? My friend in Utah just passed 186 ski days...I am impressed but admittedly "done"! But for those still wanting to go, there is plenty of snow in the high elevations of New England, out west and Canada.

This winter of 2011-12 has been one of the snowiest on record. Snowbird received a record breaking 690 inches (that's a whoppping 57 feet of fluff)! And its still snowing! Big Sky and Moonlight Basin had their latest closing dates every on Easter Sunday April 24 - the Montana resorts closed with deep coverage on most every trail.

If you still want to make some turns, check out Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Jay Peak, Killington and Sugarbush in the East. I think Sugarloaf will be the last resort standing in New England come May 15 (when you can tee and ski at the Maine resort on the same day)!

Out west, Snowbird and Alta, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin are still blanketed in snow. Idaho's Brundage keeps cranking along with Oregon's Bachelor and Timberline. California late players include Squaw, Sugarbowl and Mammoth - who vows to keep skiing till July 4! North of the border, Whistler Blackcomb and Lake Lousie continue to carve. Did I miss any?

So many resorts have passed the half year mark, offering skiing and riding for more than 6 months of the year. And skiers and riders cheer! Where's Al Gore and his global warming fear?

Easter skiing...hippity hop!

2011-04-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Our family is more about first tracks and skiing spring moguls on Easter, than fancy hats and ham dinners...

Mind you, dragging the kids out of bed before dawn to load the Quad for Easter Sunrise Service is a task...but those early morning tracks at Sugarloaf following a beautiful sunrise are precious...even better when the Easter Bunny has left candy filled eggs on the trails for the kids.

Read Heather's blog on Easter skiing at Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Saddleback, Jay Peak, Killington and Sugarbush!

Spring Skiing Top 10

2011-04-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

I love spring skiing...sunshine, soft snow, high trail count, low human count and general fun & craziness...what's not to love?

While some are packing away the skis and rushing toward the next season, this is the time of year when all the super ski factors culminate ( read: snow, sun,silly dress code, sun, snow,fun,repeat) ... sweet!

Here are my top 10 things I love about spring skiing!
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/04/ten_things_to_l.html

Best Day of the Season? - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-04-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

What's been your best ski day of the season? Was it the first, or the last? Somewhere in between? Somewhere remote - a resort you have never visited before? Or was it a friendly familiar day at your home resort when the conditions were dialed in to perfection?

My ski season started Thanksgiving in Utah with a foot of fresh powder off the Snowbird Tram! Of course, heliskiing in BC was beyond belief!

As a Mom, visiting Montana to ski Big Sky & Moonlight Basin with my son who's in college there was a highlight.

Deep powder at Sugarbush, Saddleback and Sugarloaf all make the list.

Read my blog on the best ski day of this season:

Best Day of the Season? - The Ski Guru Blog

Fling with the 'King of Spring'

2011-04-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

My love affair with Sugarloaf started in 1993, and it is rekindled most every spring - when the sun comes out, the snow softens and The King of Spring shines....this season was no dissapointment as I skied the spectacular snowfields, discovered Brackett Basin, and stayed at the ideally situated Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel.

Read all about my spring fling with the King!

Fling with the 'King of Spring' - The Ski Guru Blog

Saddle up to Saddleback for spring skiing and riding - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-04-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Its still winter in the Maine mountains, so Saddle up your ski gear and your ski buddies and go to this Rangeley Maine ski resorts this spring! Staying open every weekend in April and into May!

Saddle up to Saddleback for spring skiing and riding - The Ski Guru Blog

Longest ski season throwdown showdown - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-04-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

It's a race to the May finish line for New England ski resorts. Major players Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Killington and Jay all plan to keep skiing into May. Who will be the last ski resort standing? Who will claim the longest ski season? My bet is the skier that doesn't stow those boards is the real winner...there is a ridiculous amount of snow in the high elevation ski hills. April 3, I skied Sugarloaf's snowfields and Brackett Basin glades, and I have never seen the slopes snowier.

Read all about who will be the King of Spring Skiing in my Boston blog:
Longest ski season throwdown showdown - The Ski Guru Blog

snow day, more winter! No April Foolin!

2011-04-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

Not sure what Punxatawney Phil was thinking back in February. Ma Nature rules supreme today, and always, with her April 1st snowstorm just pounding the North East with heavy snow. You can't trust a goundhog to weather forecasting, and you can't plan bike rides and golf outings too soon in New England. If you do, then April Fools on you!

Th skiing this weekend is going to be epic...for those skiers that can get to the mountains. Of course, skiers are a hardy bunch, so they will risk slippery roads for snowy slopes 99% of the time.

I have my snowy sights set on Saddleback and Sugarloaf...big Maine mountains with elevation for drier lighter snow of good bounty. And next weekend, perhaps Jay Peak will be the place to ply some late season turns.

Check out our favorite spring ski resorts

We still haven't gotten our spring ski fix, soft corn snow, deck parties and SPF required. Several pond skimming events have been pushed back awaiting more melty temperatures.

So pause those thoughts of planting peas, and grab your skis. The rest of the season may well be the best of the ski season. See you on the slopes!

Dumont Cup this weekend!

2011-03-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our family's obsession with Simon Dumont began with my daughter's crush five years ago...she thought Simon was all that and a bag of skittles. Then I saw him launch 36' off a monster manmade quater pipe at Sunday River in April of 2008 (establishing a Guinness World Record) and I joined the fan base for this freeskiing boy from Bethel. Simon has since won 9 X-Games medals, starred in numerous ski films, and acquired sponsors like the Shaq of skiing.

So that's where we'll be this weekend, watching Simon and his freeskier friends - Alex Schlopy, Jossi Wells, Tom Wallisch, Bobby Brown, all of whom my daughter is more excited about now - girl crushes change.

This is your chance to see the best in big air hit new heights at the 3rd annual Dumont Cup!

Read all about The 3rd annual Dumont Cup at Sunday River

March madness - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-03-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

My March madness basketball bracket was so bad, I am in last place out of 44, and Barack Obama is first (don't get me started on our President's picks and priorities).

So there goes my $5 into the pool and with it my interest in the NCAA tournament. I turn my thoughts and my skis to spring snow and the better show going on at ski slopes from Maine's Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Saddleback to New Hampshire's Wildcat to Killington, Jay Peak, Stowe, and Sugabush, Vermont.

There is plenty of snow in the moutnains, parties and pond skimming, plus dazzling events like The Dumont Cup this weekend at the River, and Reggaefest at The Loaf April 14-17.

Read my Boston.com blog and my best bets for March madness on the slopes!

The late shows - The Ski Guru Blog

Quality or quantity? - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-03-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Do you count your skis days? Are you aiming for 1 million vertical feet skied this season? Are you all about quantity or quality ski days?

Read Heather's blog on Boston.com about her obsession with ski days and vertical and her new lease on loving carefully selected ski days...like last week at Sunday River in the sunshine and soft snow.

Quality or quantity? - The Ski Guru Blog

Bridger Bowl Montana

2011-03-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

As ski journalists, we love discovering new ski places...consider it our job and duty to you! A recent trip to Montana included a bonus day at Bridger Bowl. This Montana ski area just 20 minutes from Bozeman is a real gem with 2,000 acres and over 2,600 vertical, plus beautiful views of the Yellowstone River and the Crazy Mountains...

Here is our review of Bridger Bowl!
Basking in Bridger’s unfamiliarity - The Ski Guru Blog

Skiing & St. Patrick's Day?

2011-03-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

What do St Patrick's day and skiing have in common? Not much...but I love both...read my blog!

Deals a-plenty on St. Patrick's Day - The Ski Guru Blog

and wear green to select ski slopes on March 17 St Patty's and you could score a $17 lift ticket!

Skiing Risks and Rewards

2011-03-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

I have heard so much about "consequences" this ski season...the word has been popping up like moguls on a spring ski day!

The Consequences of skiing beyond your limit, or beyond boundaries, for example...can be considerable.

Read Heather's Blog on Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/03/consequences.html

Still, I contest that skiing is full of rewards, and the risks (aka: consequences) can be reduced with caution and consideration...so ski with care...but ski!

Sugarbush – sweeter than ever!

2011-03-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

Revisiting this Vermont favorite this week, we discovered Sugarbush is sweeter than ever. Read on about this 4,000 acre ski resort in the beautiful Mad River Valley of Vermont, the new Lincoln Peak Village and the vast Slidebrook Backcountry now open for skiing.

Sugarbush – sweeter than ever - The Ski Guru Blog

Big reasons to ski the Big Sky State

2011-03-10T09:26:00.000-08:00

We admit it, our family has a love affair with the Big Sky state...the scenery, the skiing, the snow, the friendly Montanans...

Need more reasons to visit the Big Sky State?
read Heather's blog on Boston.com !http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/gallery/montana/

New lift for Loafers

2011-03-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

Sugarloaf skiers and riders are finally getting a new lift...but wait ...it comes with a bonus. Let 's hope the new conveyor belt loading system doesn't bum out loyal (but reluctant to change) Loafers...

Read Heather's Boston.com blog about the new Spillway Quad:
New loading system for Loafers - The Ski Guru Blog

The Snow Belt

2011-03-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

March roared in with rain along the coast and southern New England...but as most meteoroligsts claim "an inch of rain = a foot of snow"!

Read Heather's blog on where to go to find the snow this week....
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/03/the_snow_belt.html

Up state Maine - Saddleback & Sugarloaf, The Balsams in New Hampshire, and Vermont's Jay Peak, Stowe and Smugglers Notch got the Lion's share with over a foot fo fresh snow!

Since March came in like the wild cat...will it go out like a lamb? Stay tuned! and ski often!

Simon Dumont & the 3rd annual Dumont Cup at Sunday River

2011-03-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

My daughter's obsession with Simon Dumont began four years ago. This amazing athlete from Sunday River was smashing freeskiing records, launching big air and giving my daughter butterflies in the process. I actually let her skip school on a sunny spring day in April 2008 to witness Simon's Guinness World Record 35' jump at Sunday River...I frankly knew it would be one of those rare sunny blue ski days with soft corn snow- the Simon show was a bonus to me.

That dreamy day led to our annual pursuit of the now pro Dumont. We attended his first Dumont Cup and met his entourage of freeskier friends - Tom Wallisch, Josse Wells, Mike Riddle, Peter Olenik...which led to the 2nd annual Dumont Cup and more famous fun athletes and another big air showdown throwdown.

And that led to my assignment to write about the mighty young man from Bethel and his 3rd annual Dumont Cup for Maine Magazine...
http://www.themainemag.com/play/profiles/1455-simon-dumont.html

Like all teen crushes, my daughter has moved on to Justin Beiber (the Simon Dumont of pop love songs), Bobby Brown and Alex Schlopy on the freeskier scene. Perhaps the Winter XGames in Aspen are next...

Skiing with Sarah Palin?

2011-03-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

Right now I could be in Alaska...sking with my peeps at the annual NASJA meeting and chillin with Sarah Palin at the Iditarod...Todd is participating, don't ya know.

I could be skiing Alyeska, and accepting in person my 4th Honorable Mention for the best ski column writing - the Harold Hirsch Award...but I'm not...so I am pouting! Not because I didn't win...its an honor just to be nominated and "mentioned" right?!

Join me in my pout or just enjoy my blog on Boston.com:

Skiing with Sarah Palin? - The Ski Guru Blog

Next year's NASJA meeting is in Heavenly..so there 's hope I can attend that one...and maybe be a winner!

traveling with ski gear!

2011-02-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

I am a ninja traveler. I know how to pack for skiing. Boots in the carry on along with ski pants, goggles, and mittens. I wear my ski jacket, so I am ready. If my skis don't make it - I can rent a pair, but I love my Rossignol boots...they are irreplaceable!

I know to pack clothing that matches and coordinates, much black - which is flattering and doesn't show salsa and hot cocoa stains. I always remember a swimsuit; you can poach a heated pool or hot tub more easily than you can find a flattering bikini, ya know!?

I have travel size beauty products that fit in the requisite zip lock baggy to keep the TSA people (that's a stretch - they aren't typically cheery, but I don’t want to bait them with big shampoo bottles). Besides, the day of the bulky train case full of makeup is so yesteryear.

Another one of my secrets is to keep my ski bag always packed and at the ready. You will never hear me utter that I’m not ready to ski. The moment I get home I wash my longies, ski sox, etc, so I am ready to go again!

I am not infallible however (hush your shock and surprise). On a recent three connection flight to Montana, I left my sparkly new Beyonce Live Concert DVD in the seat back pocket. Those who know me, know this is a traveling travesty. I love my B, especially since it was a coveted Christmas gift from my daughter. Well thankfully, it is replaceable despite Beyonce’s song “irreplaceable.” I imagine some United flight attendant or cleaning crew is immeasurably grateful for my unplanned gift!

And my ski boots were in hand for a very happy ski week at Big Sky Montana with family. Beyonce doesn’t actually ski anyways. More on skiing Montana in my upcoming blog.

Tale of two Strattons - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-02-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

The classic Vermont resort, Stratton, has a split personality - half posh and perfectly groomed for Bogner wearing clientele...with a huge halfpipe and snowboarders galore on the flip side.

Turning 50 this year, read about the iconic and interesting Vermont ski resort...

Tale of two Strattons - The Ski Guru Blog

love Montana - Big Sky, Moonlight Basin, Bridger Bowl!

2011-02-22T07:18:00.000-08:00

This week our travels take us to beautiful Montana...the land that inspired John Steinbeck and staged movies like "A River Runs through it"...but we're not here to fish, or write, we're here to ski - three major mountain resorts: Big Sky, Moonlight Basin, Bridger Bowl!

Stay tuned for our powder reports from Big Sky, where we ski the ominous Lone Peak, to secret glade stashes and a visit with Late Night's David Letterman at Moonlight Basin. Also we catch a crazy Freeskiing event at Bridger Bowl, where Doug Coombes launched his free skiing career, as extreme skiers launch off the Ridge terrain for the title of best skier du jour.

And we check in with ski instructor Ian Burke at Big Sky, ok our son, who has acheived PSIA Level 1 certification at Big Sky Resort - one of the finest ski schools in the country with the largest percentage of Level 3 instructors.

Here is just a taste of Big Sky skiing for you..

February vacation ski tips - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-02-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

Its Presidents weekend and school vacation week for many school kids. For a change, ski conditions across the country are quite good, even New England.

So grab you gang and go...but first read these tips to streamline your ski trip and get ahead of the crowds!

February vacation ski tips - The Ski Guru Blog

best new skis and ski boots reviewed!

2011-02-17T08:11:00.000-08:00

We love when your job takes us to Stratton to test next year's ski gear. Fresh snow, midweek ski crowds, and truckloads of spanky new ski equipment to demo!

We tried dozens of new skis and several new ski boots for the 2011-12 fleet. Here are our favorite skis and boots for next ski season:

Best new skis for 2011-12 reviewed on Boston.com

Best new ski boots for 2011-12 reviewed on Boston.com

Now if we only had an unlimited budget ; - ) ! Happy Trails...

Romancing the slopes - tips from the Ski Guru

2011-02-15T11:28:00.000-08:00

Do you think skiing is romantic? It should be...but many of my gal pals find skiing "scary, cold, complicated, competitive, rushed," to name a few of their fears!

Here are some tips from Heather on how to make skiing a bit more romantic, and hopefully your girlfriend will join you on the slopes more often!

Romancing the slopes - The Ski Guru Blog

and for our most romantic ski resort recommendations:

Most Romantic Ski Resorts in New England

Happy Trails <3

Gunstock is loaded for family fun!

2011-02-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, I have loved Gunstock since I learned to ski here @ age 3! But a recent visit confirmed my affection, Gunstock is super scenic with views of Lake Winni and Mount Washington, well groomed with a swift base to summit lift to access a dozen ego pleasing trails, and a seriously amped up Blundersmoke terrain park.

See my blog on Boston.com or just load up the gang and go to Gunstock!
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/02/i_call_it_the_l.html

New England's signature ski trails

2011-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Do you have a favorite New England ski trail..top to bottom, scenic or steep - something that defines your downhill expereince on that day?

Sunday River's Risky Business

here are our picks...but we'd love to hear about yours!

New England's signature ski trails - The Ski Guru Blog

The rush of heli skiing - Boston.com

2011-02-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

See our amazing photos from an unbelievable week of heli skiing in Bella Coola British Columbia!

Exciting, extreme, epic even...
The rush of heli skiing - Boston.com

Punxatawney Phil is a putz...that groundhog has snow idea!

2011-02-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

As old farts in Punxatawney PA gathered to see the furry groundhog cast a shadow, or not, I decided beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is the most ridiculous tradition. Despite their dashing tuxedos and jaunty top hats, the groundhog day predicition for spring is a load of crap. Even Matt Lauer called Pux's pontification a bunch of "bull" on the Today Show. Matt and I may no longer find Pennsylvania to be "the friendliest state" given our dismissal of the said groundhog..oh well!

Look outside people, this is the winter skiers have been waiting for. Its snowing from Maine to Texas...the Dallas Cowboys had to retract their fancy new roof over the football stadium in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday due to snow. That's doesn't spell early spring to me. No rodent living in a hole near Pittsburg is going to predict the rest of my ski season.

I am following my fellow meteorolgists Matt Noyes at NECN, and Russ Murley in Maine, with their forecasts for "snowmaggedon" and the storm of the century, even "snowpocalypse"!

However, in honor of Groundhog Day, I am skipping work this Friday to go skiing. I looked at the aforementioned weathemen's reports and the sun is predicted to shine on Friday, so I will cast my own happy shadow on the freshly fallen snow at Gunstock. Take that Pux!

Happy snowy February my friends!

XGames is Aspen trend headquarters...leather on snowboarders?

2011-01-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

Leather, the latest trend in snowboarding?

So I am watching the Winter XGames taking place in Aspen during a down day heli skiing in British Columbia (it happens). Out comes Shaun White, formerly the flying tomato with his raging red hair, sporting a rock-star black leather jacket & pants for his slopestyle snowboard run… interesting I think to myself. I never embraced the baggy boarder pants around the knees and the boxers on display. I prefer fitted for sure, I am an old school skier, and not sure what to think of the biker look for boarders either.

Well Shaun White’s qualifying runs weren’t enough to make the final’s cut; despite his fashion flair… he was as surprised as the fans I bet. What I didn’t expect was for White to be so gracious… saying that the upcoming riders were bringing the bar up and that he’d have to go practice to keep up.

Shaun just raised the sportsmanship and style bar at least, this is the dude that started the whole face bandana craze as I recall. I predict more leather in the terrain parks in the near future. And look for Shaun to bring some serious height to the Superpipe at the XGames. Still to come as well, Maine’s great sport Seth Wescott in snowboard cross. The Winter XGames are on all weekend.

Heather the ski guru goes heli skiing in Bella Coola!

2011-01-26T12:08:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of Bella Coola Heli Sport? Few have...that's what makes heli skiing here so sweet!

read about our British Columbian adventures on Boston.com here:
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/01/_greeting_from.html

Heli skiing in Bella Coola BC!

2011-01-24T07:44:00.001-08:00

Heli skiing in British Columbia is a amazing...gorgeous lodge at Tweedsmuir Park, exciting heli rides into the remote mountains of Bella Coola and skiing our private snow stash...shared with nine other skiers and our two guides...good times - understatement!

Follow our adventure on facebook!

http//www.facebook.com/luxuryskitrips.com

This is the winter we have waited for… - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-01-21T12:40:00.000-08:00

Time to book it out west to Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, Utah, you name it, or your favorite New England resort..snow is here..go get it! says ski journalist Heather Burke

Read her ski blog:
This is the winter we have waited for… - The Ski Guru Blog

Loafers rejoice, Brackett Basin debuts...

2011-01-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Cue the cow bells, sound the Swiss horn as Brackett Basin is now open for skiers and riders at Sugarloaf. The much anticipated glade terrain, part of Sugarloaf’s 665 acre expansion on Burnt Mountain, was enjoyed by eager Loafers thanks to 10 inches of fresh snow. Patrol dropped ropes on the four upper glades of Brackett Basin that can be reached off the top of King Pine, Birler, Sweeper, Edger, and Cant Dog, which represents about 60 acres of the 270-acres of glade skiing that Sugarloaf plans to open this winter. Logging continues on the rest of the new terrain, but should open soon as long as workers and ma nature keep up their good work

Keep in mind this is backcountry terrain, featuring ungroomed, natural snow with the occasional stumps, bumps, jumps, and plenty of trees peppered in. So go with a buddy and use caution as trees don’t move – so you should. Sparks could fly and P-tex could peel off but this is still exciting new terrain for Sugarloaf skiers and good news after the lift derailment over the Christmas holiday. For those that have poached this wild terrain prior to it joining Sugarloaf’s official trail map, this is good news and bad news. The glades are better pruned now (good), but now you have to share your sweet stash (bad).

Brackett Basin is part of the “Sugarloaf 2020” ten-year expansion plan that will eventually double Sugarloaf’s in-bounds terrain, making it the largest ski area in the East. Tree skiing in Brackett and a juicy Bag burger should put a smile on every Loafers’ face.

It's Ski Safety Week - so Know the Code!

2011-01-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

Do you know The Code? You should! It's safety awareness week for skiers and riders across the country...here is the 7 point Responsibility Code:

Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

Click here for more on Ski Safety Awareness Week on Heather's Boston.com Blog!

The downsides to chasing gates - The Ski Guru Blog

2011-01-11T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ever been a gate keeper? Sounds very powerful and prestigious but when it comes to high school level alpine racing it means standing on a snowy mountainside freezing, watching kids skid around icy gates...I'm not a gate hater, I was on the race team at Smugglers Notch Vermont as a teen. I just prefer to ski where I want when I want ..heres' my blog on bamboo chasing!

The downsides to chasing gates - The Ski Guru Blog

Are you a Chairlift Chatterbox?

2011-01-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

My kids say I am a chairlift chatterbox...engaging in ski conversations during my lift rides to bide my time. What can I say? I find fellow skiers interesting...much more than my neighbors in the hood.

Read my Boston.com blog about chatting on the chairlift...Inane Chairlift Chats

and enjoy the ride...

Who you gonna call? The Editors at Family Ski Trips...

2011-01-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

"I'm just a girl who can't say no"...I remember those lyrics from my high school play Oklahoma. So when The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, Real Simple magazine and HybridLifeRadio call me for my professional opinion...I provide it in thorough, researched, relevant detail. And so I have done that in the last few months...What can I say? I was flattered to be called upon and interviewed! I am usually the reporter with the notepad...so it was fun to be on the other side.

The irony in two of these situations is that my expert info was utilized throughout the resulting articles...without a lot of credit, just a link to my family ski tips site. Oh well, live and learn and ski often.

Sugarloaf's Spillway takes a spill

2011-01-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

What are the odds that a CNN reporter was on holiday riding the Spillway East chair at Sugarloaf last week when the cable derailed?
Dec. 28 2010's lift accident at the Maine ski resort became national news, namely CNN, within minutes, but the Sugarloaf rescue crew was even swifter in its response and care for the eight injured skiers in fallen chairs, and evacuated 200 skiers and riders by noon.

Read Heather's article on Boston.com

New snow for the new year?

2011-01-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

We have been doing our snow dance here on the East Coast...while the western Rockies and Sierra Nevadas are getting dumped on! Well, no need for a pity party, take comfort in knowing that New England resorts have significant snow fire power (they can fake it and make it)...check out our hit list for resorts with the best snowmaking!

See Family Ski Trips' Best Snowmaking Resorts!

Sunday River picture here with all eight peaks open and snow covered thanks to 1600 guns!

Carving out time for Christmas - The Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all and to all good skiing!

Carving out time for Christmas - The Ski Guru Blog

Ode to the snow god - The Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Do your kids know the legend of Ullr (pronounced Ohh- ler)?

Read on for the snowy scoop on the Norse God of Winter ...

Ode to the snow god - The Ski Guru Blog

Happy Holidays and think snow from your friends at Family Ski Trips !

Meet your Ski Idol- The Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

It's a dream come true to meet your ski idol. My daughter's is Simon Dumont, my son -Ted Ligety. For me it was Donna Weinbrecht - so when I met her @Okemo..imagine my glee. I was even more ecstatic to demo her Chickadee skis...and find that we have the same soul length!

Weinbrecht is involved in RAMP skis and snowboards, which stands for Riders, Artists, Musicans Project...and when you see their graphics you will be amped about the artist input.

Read all about it on Boston.com
Ski idols - The Ski Guru Blog

Guarantee your family a White Christmas! The Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-20T09:21:00.001-08:00

Guarantee your family a White Christmas at Sunday River - The Ski Guru Blog

Brown ground just doesn't say Merry Christmas in New England, so go where they've been making snow since Ocotber for a happy holiday all dressed in white..

Read Heather's Boston.com ski guru blog about Sunday River skiing this holiday season!

Guarantee your family a White Christmas at Sunday River - The Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-20T09:21:00.000-08:00

Guarantee your family a White Christmas at Sunday River - The Ski Guru Blog

Demo daze - The Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

Today's skis come with camber, with reverse camber, rocker, shape, fat, its overwhelming! Check out Heather's take on the skis to take your best runs on!

Demo daze - The Ski Guru Blog

Dude..World Snowboard Day!

2010-12-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

Remembering when my brother first snowboarded back in the 80's...my how times have changed...now riders proclaim their own day.

Read all about World Snowboard Day!
Celebrate World Snowboard Day - The Ski Guru Blog

Best Historic Ski Hotels

2010-12-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

How cool...we love when we scoop a good ski story. So when our editors glanced through the recent Ski magazine's "Best Historic Ski Hotels" we found we already tagged 5 of their 7 on our site in our top 10 on Luxury Ski Trips!

Yes, we have skied & stayed at The Hotel Mount Washington at Bretton Woods, Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, Timberline Lodge at Mt Hood in Oregon, Equinox Resort of Manchester in Vermont and The Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho. All stellar properties with a rich past and posh lodging.

This is a sign from the our freinds at Ski Mag and the ski gods that we must soon visit Jackson Hole's Wort Hotel and Telluride's New Sheriden soon...stay tuned to Luxury Ski Trips!

meeting mogul star Donna Weinbrecht...

2010-12-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about skiing, you never know what you are going to get, or who you are going to meet. Today at Okemo I got the opportunity to demo a fleet of fantastic ladies skis - Fischer Styles, Volkl Fuegos, Kastle's, Atomic Cloud 9s, Head Great Ones (Lindsey Vonn skis on these for fun photo shoots).

Ski Magazine was offering their 2nd annual People's Test of skis and boards at Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont...if you get the chance to come to this free demo in the future- don't miss it. And there among the ski reps was my idol growing up, Donna Weinbrecht whose repping for RAMP skis.

Donna looks fantastic, and couldn't have been friendly (a far better experience for me than meeting Bode Miller). Now, its time for some apres ski with my fellow ski writers from Boston Herald, Ski, the NJ.com blogger, SnowEast, etc. And tomorrow I look forward to skiing so more cord at Okemo, testing some more sweet girl skis, and maybe taking a run with Donna Weinbrecht on her Chickadee Ramps.

See you on the slopes! for more...

Skiing with trying teens - The Family Ski Guru Blog

2010-12-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

See Heather's latest blog about Skiing with Trying Teens...what to do when they'd rather sleep in on a powder morning!

Skiing with trying teens - The Ski Guru Blog

luxury ski trips on Hybrid Life Radio

2010-12-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

My daughter joked this morning that I have a face for radio, irony is that she's growing up to look a lot like me!

Well, I was happy to chat about my favorite subject, skiing, on HybridLifeRadio today.

You can listen to our discussion about some of my favorite resorts, etc...
http://twokdprod.media.streamtheworld.com/audio/hlr_120810_100921101.mp3

Enjoy! And don't worry, I am sticking with the writing thing, not going with late night talk shows just yet!

Always another chairlift coming...

2010-12-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

After 11 years of writing the weekly ski column for Maine’s largest paper, I decided to move on to other media outlets and online opportunities. Having contributed over 220 ski articles over a decade, I am filled with the memories of the many skiers I interviewed in Maine (from superstars Bode Miller, Seth Wescott and Simon Dumont, to handicapped Tim Giggey and Matt Bell), and the ski resorts I discovered and was able to share (to a surprising number of arm chair skiers). I am grateful for all the positive feedback I received from devoted readers over the years.

That’s why I was so eager to see who the new columnist would be. What a delight to find a dear friend has taken my written space and place, someone I admire and respect, and have interviewed numerous times in my columns – John Christie, author of The Story of Sugarloaf, former owner of Saddleback and GM at The Loaf. Along with John’s experience and enthusiasm, he brings his son who will share the column space, since it takes two to fill my ski shoes…kidding.

I will be writing more for www.Boston.com, magazines, and my two increasingly popular ski sites www.familyskitrips.com and www.luxuryskitrips.com
The adage is true, when one door closes another opens. Thhere is always another chairlift, another T-Bar or Tram coming along to take you on a different but equally exciting adventure.

You could be waist deep in Utah pow...now - Boston.com

2010-12-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

You could be waist deep in Utah pow...now - Boston.com

A Holiday Greeting from Family Ski Trips

2010-12-02T12:19:00.001-08:00

Joy Love Story Holiday

Make a statement with custom holiday cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

thankful

2010-11-25T07:04:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my family of 4 skiers, for our health and our freedom to pursue our passions. I am grateful that we can travel the globe, thanks to our military that protects our nation within and outside our borders. I am thankful for the natural beauty of our globe, and the ingenuinity of our people. I am blessed to be with my Greg, Ian and Aspen today...even if it is -10F in the mountains of Utah. Happy thanksgiving, and happy trails.

TSA pat down, paid a fortune to bring my skis but powder tomorrow!

2010-11-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

Travelling for that long anticipated ski trip can often be a work out. Today's TSA pat down and full body scan was actually quite uneventful after all the media hype. Paying a fortune to bring our oversized bags was more traumatic. But Utah is expecting the storm of the century...hopefully not more media hype. The other hitch in our happy plan, our son's drive to meet us from Montana was thwarted when they closed the road at West Yellowstone. He's stranded at a hotel watching the storm, and snacking on McDonald's - the only "restaurant" open in town. At least he can indulge his passion for fast food.

More reports from the snowy Rockies of the Wasatch Range...happy turkey prep & powder day for the school kids in Utah! See you on the slopes.. http://www.familyskitrips.com/

Carving Turns or Turkey?

2010-11-21T06:54:00.000-08:00

Love this time of year. No, not Thanksgiving – I think there is far too much focus on one stuffing meal. My family has learned that mommy would rather carve turns than turkey, so we ski on Thanksgiving, no lines, no waiting, no congealed gravy, just freshly groomed snow. Typically we start our season at Sunday River, perennial Eastern opener. But this season there is a twist as our eldest son started college out west. So we’ll meet in the mountains of Utah for our first tracks. Usually those first tentative turns have me all excited, but seeing my son has me equally atwitter.
Reuniting our 4 skiers on the snowy slopes of Alta will be awesome. It’s dumping out west, so stay tuned for details of our first descent. Oh… and enjoy cooking, carving and cleaning the kitchen. See you on the slopes!

Alpine Anticipation

2010-11-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

Love this time of year, the anticipation of ski season is always exciting. Ski resorts are opening faster than you can say “where’d I put my ski pass?”

One of my favorite family ski resorts, Sunday River, opened first in the nation Oct. 22 (nice!), and now western ski areas in Colorado, California and Utah are following suit and getting natural snow.

This winter, our editorial staff at http://www.familyskitrips.com/ and http://www.luxuryskitrips.com/ has plans to visit and review for you Alta/Snowbird and Solitude in Utah, Big Sky in Montana, Okemo and Jay Peak in Vermont, and more as the snow mounts up! Keep your skis handy and keep checking in with us. Heather will be writing for Boston.com as the family ski guru again, as well as contributing ski articles to the Maine Sunday Telegram, Maine Magazine, and various outlets online and in print.

Happy Trails!