December 5, 2009 E-MAIL PRINT

Mountains of things to do

by Tony Chamberlain/

Even when there's not much base there are plenty of options in early season snow. (photo: Tony Chamberlain)

Even when there's not much base there are plenty of options in early season snow. (photo: Tony Chamberlain)

Early season travel is in some ways easier than navigating the storms of midwinter in the New England mountains. On the other hand, we usually have to drive a lot deeper into the mountains to find enough snow to cover all the rocks and roots in ground cover.

As usual, if you can travel midweek, that is preferable to weekend driving, but do keep in mind that in the preseason period, ski areas maximize their firepower on weekends and they’re busy working on the product on days of low headcount.

So always check out close to the time you’re ready to travel just how many trails are open at the area you are targeting.

It goes without saying that these periods of skinny snow persist even after a dump of several inches, because the real difference between early and midseason skiing is the lack of a base.

You see that on the roads when guard rails and roadside trees are still bare, and the same is true up in the mountains. Underneath those new inches of snow lie the stumps and rocks just waiting to gash the bottom of your skis or board.

There’s little more sickening sound (you seem to feel it to the bone) than that rip of rock into p-tex. Most experienced folks have a pair off rock skis (or board) for just this reason, and often even the Christmas holiday time is a little early to show off the Christmas skis.

So, skiing early season usually means a very limited number of runs open. (Again, check ahead). Rarely have I spent more than a few hours taking runs on the same few open trails, and you’ll almost never find glades and natural snow runs open before midseason. Again, lack of base.

So, most of us upcountry for some early season limbering find ourselves with short days on the slopes and lots of time to fill off.

Years ago, my son and I would take road trips, ski as we could, but then take mountain hikes without the skis. If the snow is light and not yet icy, this is a good time for vert hiking, and little else gives the legs the kind of workouts that build your skier strength.

Most resorts have gyms, hot tubs, pools and the like — all part of the base-level mix of options. Where possible, however, I will always opt for a hike or snowshoe in the back country over grinding out hours on a stationary bike (I don’t care how clever the LCD programs are on the monitor).

The other obvious option when you’re skiing or riding in lean snow times is the ubiquitous Christmas shopping foray. Most resorts have plenty of opportunity nearly, and my wife is especially fond the Vermont General Store, where she always comes away with packages for grandchildren.

The other sure way to fill off-piste hours — especially if you’ve done your hiking or gym-ing — is a studious exploration of the local dining fare. You might not find kitchens — especially midweek — cranked up to full holiday menu with Yorkshire pudding for your roast beef, but you’ll undoubtedly find plenty of old standards.

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