We all know après ski really is an excuse to get together with friends and celebrate a day on the slopes with burgers, deep-fried wings and pints of New England’s finest IPAs. But when it comes time to keep up with your fastest friends on the uphill or even the downhill (and still feel good), it … [Read more...]
Find an open mic night at a ski area near you
In addition to the deepest days and lightest snow imaginable, a sense of community is something that keeps diehard skiers sliding on snow until their knees can no longer take it. And après ski — where skiers and riders alike gather at their favorite watering hole, sharing stories from the slopes … [Read more...]
Seven great spots to enjoy wings after skiing
For the majority of skiers, skiing itself is only part of the equation determining where we’d like to end up after packing our cars for the weekend. Of course, there is an elite class of diehard skiers who care more about snow density and vertical drop than anything else — the ones who are unwilling … [Read more...]
Eight tips for backcountry skiers, by backcountry skiers
There’s no denying it — for the first time since lift-accessed terrain became popular, human-powered skiing is making a comeback. Maybe it’s rapidly increasing lift ticket prices, the progressive technology aimed at backcountry travel, motivation to become physically fit or simply all of the … [Read more...]
Five cocktail recipes to enjoy after those cold days on the hill
With some of the best beer in the country, New England’s ski country serves up ample opportunity for snowriders to savor a craft IPA after a day on the slopes. But there is something to be said about sipping on a warm, booze-filled cocktail on the bitterest of days. Those on a budget might … [Read more...]
Trail-cutting dream on Maine’s Whitecap Mountain becomes a reality
For years, Jeff Marcoux stood on the true summit of Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford, gazing at Rumford Whitecap Mountain off in the distance. “That’s where I want to be,” he thought. Marcoux founded the Angry Beavers — an organization dedicated to cutting and maintaining glades on Black … [Read more...]
Here’s a look at January’s aprés-ski music schedule in New England
Ski season is in full effect in New England, with resorts throughout the region expanding their open terrain, and the backcountry filling in nicely. But of course, we all know skiing is only part of the equation. Music was once the main focus of the aprés-ski scene, with ski bars striving to … [Read more...]
How Red Parka Pub became Mt. Washington Valley’s premier ski bar
A wooden sign that read “Red Parka Pub” dangled on the side of a rundown, maroon-colored building in Glen, New Hampshire. Inside, six stools clustered around a small bar, accentuated by mismatched decor. Vinyl shower curtains, hand cut to fit the tables, served as easy-to-wash tablecloths. In the … [Read more...]
Seven ways to spend New Year’s Eve in ski country
Each year, the days leading up to New Year’s Eve are filled with pressure to make it the most fun night to date. It’s almost as if the way we spend the night is a foreshadowing of the upcoming year. And if all goes well, we’ll have plenty of photos to post on Instagram — that way there’s no question … [Read more...]
Parties aplenty on tap for this ski season
For many, music festival season comes with the warm temperatures of spring. Many of the largest music events happen throughout the year, save for winter. Winter is left for hibernating at home, listening to bands and artists from the comfort of a blanket. But as skiers, we know that winter brings … [Read more...]
Lot 1 is aprés central at Smugglers’ Notch
It was a bluebird spring day in Vermont — the kind that New England skiers live for. The air had a chill to it, but the sun’s reflection off the remaining snow added a warmth enough to keep any skier or rider out all day. It was 2002, and Mike Chait had made the 45-minute drive to check out … [Read more...]
Six backcountry spots where you can earn your early-season turns
The ski season is officially upon us in the Northeast. Lifts are spinning and resorts across New England are blowing snow, hoping to achieve maximum trail coverage for the long season ahead. But not everyone is looking forward to the park and groomer laps often associated with early … [Read more...]
