Our Luxury Ski Vacation blog has moved, follow us at Luxury Ski Trips! Thanks!
Now's the time of year more and more skiers head into Tuckerman's Ravine on Mt Washington to enjoy true spring skiing, au natural, no lifts, no grooming, just the great White Mountains under a blanket of winter's snow. The sun comes out, the partyers do too. Trekking the 2 mile ascent up from Pinkham Notch into the bowl to be surrounded by snow, like minded skiers, and folks who are eager to celebrate the essence and the end of the sport of skiing for the winter. Tuckerman's is an Eastern skiers rite of passage, certainly the passage from winter to spring.
Tuckerman's has been attracting skiers since the 1930s, the first Inferno race was held on these Mt Washington south slopes in 1933. Tony Matt made it famous tucking the headwall in 1939. Today you see other crazy stunts, costumes and hard core skiers attempt the snowfield, the headwall and Hillman's Highway.
Me, I prefer riding the high speed Wildcat Express across the valley, enjoying my cushy quad ride, resting my quads and doing 2,100' vertical laps on groomed snow that softens to perfect corn in the spring. Why hike when I can ride a 6 minute lift? I get the allure of Tucks, I did it as a teenager. Its a lot of ski gear to carry up the Fire Trail for those few runs. The party is fun, but its kind of a freak show on weekends these days. With as many as 4,000 people on a sunny spring Saturday, dare I say some don't know what they are doing up there, which scares me.
I urge folks to know before the go... check the avalanche danger, be prepared for the natural elements, changing weather, and don't put yourself or other skiers and riders at risk. PS: remember that you have to carry your empty beer cans and yourself out at the end of the party.
See more on Skiing Mt Washington's Tuckerman's' Ravine and skiing at Wildcat at Family Ski Trips!
Showing posts with label spring skiing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring skiing. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
What a ski winter! Ready for spring skiing?
Our Luxury Ski Vacation blog has moved, follow us at Luxury Ski Trips! Thanks!What an amazing snowy winter for skiers. Like pennies from heaven, snow storms have been very kind to New England ski resorts, and much of the west. The big winner for snow out west is Big Sky Resort -planning to keep skiing through Easter April 20! Snow season started late for Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, Colorado and Utah, but now they are catching up and catching fresh tracks. with more frequent snow
In New England, cold temps and continuous snow fall has assured skiers
of a great ski season. I am at day 44, counting well over a 1,200,000 vertical
feet! And I am not done skiing... could
make 50 days! Ironically I have not enjoyed some of the best skiing in New England,
travelling from The Alps to Oregon's snowy volcano. And still to come is my favorite part of ski season - Spring!
How did I miss out on much of New England's snowy winter? Let's see, we
skied Big Sky Montana in January- enjoying the new Big Sky Moonlight ownership
for the biggest skiing in America.
Early February we hit Western Canada to discover new ski resorts Kicking Horse and Revelstoke - both steep scenic exciting mountains in British Columbia. We also had the adrenaline fix of heli skiing inthe Purcell Mountains with Purcell Heli Skiing and the legendary heli ski terrain of the Monashees with Eagle Pass Heli Skiing.
Early February we hit Western Canada to discover new ski resorts Kicking Horse and Revelstoke - both steep scenic exciting mountains in British Columbia. We also had the adrenaline fix of heli skiing inthe Purcell Mountains with Purcell Heli Skiing and the legendary heli ski terrain of the Monashees with Eagle Pass Heli Skiing.
March we made the epic trip to the Swiss Alps, our second visit there
in two years! Skiing the Jungfrau Region was amazing, we'll not soon forget the White Hare off piste run at Wengen, racing down the Lauberhorn or fresh snow of the SchilthornPiz Gloria - very James Bond 007! Gstaad was a surprise - the ski region is spread
out over 14 villages, and seven ski sectors - here we stayed at the best Swiss
ski hotels - 5 star and fabulous. Two unexpectedly great ski resorts we enjoyed
were Engelberg Titlis and Haslital - both incredibly scenic and not yet on most
skiers lists...but they should be.
Last but not least, we skied a volcano! Mt Bachelor Oregon delivered
fantastic skiing - you can ski all 360-degrees of this conical dormant peak. We
had sunshine and superb views two days then got dumped on with 8 inches of
dense powder the last two. Staying in the cool town of Bend kept us amused après
ski - this great town has the most breweries per capita of any! Cheers to beers
after skiing Bachelor's volcano !
So I will see you on the slopes. Sunday River still has all their trails
open, 800 acres of springs skiing. Sugarloaf is the King of Spring -
Reggaefest and Easter skiing are the Loaf's most loved events of the entire season.
Killington has brought the Beast of the East back to life, indicating they will
keep lifts spinning as long as they can to reclaim their longest ski season
title.
How many days of skiing have you had this winter? Can you calculate your
vertical feet accumulation? Or are you just grateful for any and every day on the
snowy ski slopes?
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Cult that is Sugarloaf…
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 ...
The Cult that is Sugarloaf…
Are you a @Sugarloafer since__?
Read her ski blog and see if you can be a Loafer ...
Thursday, May 12, 2011
winner, winner, final skiing and lunch (not dinner)!
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!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Spring Skiing Top 10
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
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
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saddle up to Saddleback for spring skiing and riding - The Ski Guru Blog
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
Saddle up to Saddleback for spring skiing and riding - The Ski Guru Blog
Friday, April 1, 2011
snow day, more winter! No April Foolin!
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
March madness - The Ski Guru Blog
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)






