Springtime in New England. Is there any season that is more alluring, and more perplexing, for skiers? Depending on Mother Nature’s whims, and often where in the Northeast you find yourself, you might get boilerplate, you might get granular, you might get fresh powder, you might get mashed … [Read more...]
Ski expo guru Bernie Weichsel dedicates life to slopes
The United States Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame understandably evokes images of the sport’s legendary competitors. You’re likely to think of accomplished racers, like the great Olympians such as Phil and Steve Mahre, Bill Johnson, Billy Kidd, Diann Roffe, Tamara McKinney and Donna Weinbrecht. With … [Read more...]
Long Trail House at Stratton well-stocked base for exploring
Ski lodging is a distinctly personal choice. Some folks prefer ski in/ski out slopeside condos stocked to the gills with modern appliances. They are the epitome of convenience, whether you’re skiing or entertaining. Others prefer a quaint bed and breakfast, steeped in history and chock full of … [Read more...]
Stratton Mountain Resort delivers across the board
There is a strong, inescapable sense of nostalgia as you exit Interstate 91 in Brattleboro, Vermont, and make the final 30-plus mile jaunt to Stratton Mountain. If your GPS is like mine, you’ll duck onto Cedar Street in Brattleboro, where the Harris Hill ski jump appears almost out of nowhere. … [Read more...]
World Cup-seeking John Brown is Irish and proud of it
Though it’s tempting to fall back on old clichés and suggest that slopestyle competitor John Brown is relying on the luck of the Irish in his quest for World Cup podiums, that would simply be wrong. Luck has nothing to do with Brown’s success. The 24-year-old Brown has worked his tail off, … [Read more...]
A primer for the wannabe ski racer
If you’re a skier, I’ll wager that you’ve been mesmerized by a ski race. Whether it was Franz Klammer’s insane gold-medal downhill dash in the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria — still the single most scintillating race I’ve ever seen — or the slashing runs of Ted Ligety or Mikaela Shiffrin, … [Read more...]
Mountain Edge Resort & Spa offers prime location at Sunapee
One of the persistent knocks against Mount Sunapee is that this delightful mid-sized hill in central New Hampshire doesn’t have any slopeside accommodations. Interestingly enough, you rarely hear the same complaints about a place like Waterville Valley. Maybe that’s because the village at Waterville … [Read more...]
Sailing and skiing kept Barry King closest to his natural state
Quick, name two activities that define New England, and the robust Yankee ideal of harnessing the power of nature. There’s no right answer, of course. But if I had my choice, I’d pick sailing and skiing. Which is why Capt. Barry King of Appleton, Maine, to my mind, has the best two jobs in the … [Read more...]
Hostel of Maine in Carrabassett Valley redefines overall experience
I accept the fact that I might be in the minority on this topic, but I personally feel the condominium was the single worst thing to happen to New England’s ski culture. Sure, condos were a convenient, and often less expensive, option to buying a second home in ski country. But what was lost was a … [Read more...]
Experts weigh in on the best skis, no matter the challenge
You might be an absolute beginner, finally heeding the alluring siren’s song of skiing, or returning to the sport after an extended hiatus. Maybe you’ve finally decided to upgrade from those banged-out Salomon X-Scream skis after 14 years of loyal service. Or maybe you’re the type who simply must … [Read more...]
Mission for U.S. Ski Teamer Sam Morse goes beyond hunt for podiums
My skiing brothers and I often joke among ourselves during early Sunday turns that, while we might be missing Mass, we’re well aware of how fortunate we are. We were raised by devout Catholics, but none of us has followed the "letter of the law" of the church. Still, despite our somewhat agnostic … [Read more...]
Pitcher Inn: Sublime luxury in small-town Vermont
Let’s be honest. Sometimes, you just want to pamper yourself, or that someone special. I’m totally on board with this philosophy. In this crazy world, we all need an escape from time to time. If your travels take you to the Mad River Valley in central Vermont, you can’t find a better diversion than … [Read more...]
