When is winter going to get here anyway?

Cold temperatures -- and snow -- may finally be on the way. (Eric Wilbur)

I’ve always thought a “good start” was overrated anyway. 

Frankly, I’d rather still be skiing in leftovers seeping into May rather than putting the rush on the season in November and December. That doesn’t settle the itch to pop into my bindings for the first time. It is just a sense of patience that I’ve always kept knowing that the best was always yet to come. 

But this? This is ridiculous. 

As if the pandemic and all the travel restrictions related to it weren’t already putting a damper on the 2020-21 skiing and riding season, there’s the matter that it feels a heck of a lot like October outdoors these days. Even if we are fewer than four weeks away from the Christmas season. 

Wachusett won’t be re-opening this weekend. Attitash, Sugarbush, and Wildcat have all pushed back their opening dates. 

The recent trend of warm weather is an issue that the ski industry could hardly use in a season of social distancing. 

Yet, here we are. 

Take a look at some of the webcams from throughout New England and it’s enough to put any skier or rider in a state of depression. The white is difficult to find, replaced by the bland brown of late fall that won’t go away. Yes, there are ebbs and flows to every season, but when one starts this tepidly, it’s enough to wonder, and hope, when the snow will come. Or, at the very least, we should ask when we might finally see temperatures cold enough to make it. 

So, cheer up. Both seem to be on the horizon. 

It’s finally dipping below freezing in northern New England and the snow guns are on tap to do their magic in the coming days. There’s snow in the forecast for New Hampshire and Maine on Saturday, Our ski season may, indeed, finally be on. 

Of course, there are those state-by-state restrictions we still have to deal with, but regardless. When there’s snow in the forecast, the stoke level rises. 

Bring on the cold. 

New England Ski Journal TV returns this month

A big welcome to Meredith Gorman, who will be hosting the fifth season of New England Ski Journal TV, debuting on NESN later this month. 

A graduate of Northeastern, Gorman is a reporter and host on NESN and host of Golf Destination on NESN and Fox Sports. 

“As a big skier and New England resident myself, I am so excited for the opportunity to hist New England Ski Journal’s show this year,” Gorman said. 

Prior to joining NESN, Meredith served as the team reporter for the New England Patriots. The 2018-19 season was her third season covering the team — which included three-straight trips to the Super Bowl. 

Produced by Seamans Media and Moody Street TV, the Emmy-nominated show debuts this season on Dec. 29, at 8:30 p.m., on NESN. 

NESJ TV December 2020 airings:

NESN: Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m.; Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.

NESN+: Dec. 27, 11 p.m.; Dec. 30. 6:30 p.m.

NESN National: Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m.

Backcountry bonanza 

The 30th anniversary edition of Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast, by award-winning author David Goodman is being released by Appalachian Mountain Club Books this month. 

“There is a revolution underway in the backcountry skiing world,” Goodman said.“This is the perfect time to head into the backcountry.”

Look for more from Goodman in a feature that we’ll be delivering you about the release of his book later this week. 

Meanwhile, elsewhere…Things aren’t going well in France, where they are going to carry out border checks to stop skiers from spreading COVID. Meanwhile, in Austria, there will be holiday skiing, but with plenty of restrictions. And skiers in Colorado are skeptical about the safety of the season. 

— The Storm Skiing Journal has a great rundown on how the pandemic may have actually improved our season pass plans. 

— Community members from across the country rallied around Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ #GivingTuesday fundraising campaign this week, raising more than $135,000 for the organization’s year-round adaptive sports and recreational programs and athlete scholarships.

“We are very humbled and grateful to say the least,” said Erin Fernandez, executive director of the nationally recognized non-profit. “This year has been so hard for so many. We really didn’t know what to expect. Our programs are so important to so many athletes with disabilities, now more than ever. We knew we would be thankful for whatever we could raise. But this community has just blown me away.”

— The Bangor Daily News describes how Maine ski resort visitors are using their cars as ‘mini ski lodges.’

Get used to it. 

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