Let’s make some real New Year’s resolutions

Bolton Valley’s touring instruction aims to take away backcountry intimidation. (Ski Vermont)

Ski more? Well…sure. 

But, come on. If we’re going to play the whole resolution game on the dawn of the new year, perhaps we should challenge ourselves to come up with a few more ambitious ideas when it comes to our skiing and boarding pursuits. If we’re simply dedicating ourselves to getting out on the hill more, we might as well resolute to something equally as obvious, like eating more pizza. Or taking deeper breaths every now and then. 

Maybe it’s about making more practical decisions. For instance, this is my sixth season in Lange RX 100 boots, which I have loved for their performance, if not so much for their fit. It’s taken years to break these boots in to the point where things do not result in mid-day, corporal pain. But perhaps it’s still about time I seek out more pain-free options. Alas, when a good day consists of the agony simply not impacting the enjoyment, perhaps a change is finally needed. 

Skiing someplace new is always a goal of mine when the calendar turns, a goal that always brings with it a fun list of never-evers to consider. I recently wrote a piece for the January issue of New England Ski Journal (coming soon) about the revival of New Hampshire’s Tenney Mountain, a place I’d love to pencil in once the next powder day arrives. A colleague recently gave a glowing review of Berkshire East, the Western Mass. locale that always seems to garner great reviews. I’ve never skied at Gunstock, Mt. Abram, or…dare I say it, Mad River Glen. 

I’d like to learn how to tune my own skis. REI offers a number of hand-on demonstrations at various locations throughout New England, showing participants “how to choose the best wax for the conditions, and have expert guidance as you clean and wax your personal equipment.” It’s $55 for non-members, which, you figure, is probably what you’d hand over to have somebody else tune your skis for you anyways. Might as well learn the skill in the process. 

There’s also my annual determination to get more into the backcountry, and Bolton Valley’s touring instruction has always seemed a sensible place to begin. The clinic’s cost is dependent on the amount of people in a group, but a private intro clinic with a half-day instructional tour will run $225 for one, $75 for any additional people. That includes all equipment, which should help take away a good chunk of the intimidation. 

But perhaps the best resolution to make is one that we should always consider anyway. Do something unexpected or, at least, unplanned. That doesn’t have to mean hitching a last-minute flight to Tahoe (but, it can). Maybe it’s as simple as taking a left on the trail where you normally take a right. Perhaps it’s getting into the trees a bit more often or sparking up a conversation on the chairlift ride. 

Or, buying new boots. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me…

Parties aplenty for the new year and beyond 

If you’re still looking for ways to spend New Year’s Eve after a day on the hill, New England Ski Journal contributor Josh Laskin has rounded up a list of seven ways to spend your night. And if you don’t want the party to end there, then Laskin has also complied another through list of some of the biggest shindigs happening this season. 

Soar-ing to new heights

Congratulations are due for Hannah Soar, the product of Killington Mountain School, who scored her her first World Cup podium earlier this month when she finished third in dual moguls in Thaiwoo, China. Soar, a native of Somers, Conn., qualified for the U.S. Ski Team during her junior year of high school. 

Steals and Deals

Each week in this space we’ll bring you some unique deals to keep an eye out for when you’re planning your time in ski country. This week, we present the New England Ski Journal readers special at the Comfort Inn and Suites in North Conway. Receive 10 percent off all direct booked reservation by calling the hotel at 603-356-8811. Visit www.northconwaycomfortinn.com for more information.

This deal is good for the entire 2019-20 season.

Hollywood goes ‘Downhill’

It’s been a while since Hollywood has dipped into the skiing genre, but that will change in February when “Downhill,” starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus hits theaters nationwide. The premise, as noted by IMDB: “Barely escaping an avalanche during a family ski vacation in the Alps, a married couple is thrown into disarray as they are forced to reevaluate their lives and how they feel about each other.” 

It’s a remake of the 2014 French film, “Force Majeure,” and, by the initial looks of it, seems to nail the look and feel of a family skiing outing. Here’s the trailer. Thoughts? 

Action in Jackson 

The second episode of this season’s New England Ski Journal TV will debut on NESN Friday evening at 6 with a visit to Black Mountain and the iconic village of Jackson, N.H.  Be sure and tune in.

Here’s a look at the debut episode which took a ride around November’s Boston Ski Show to show off some of what to expect this season in the mountains.

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