Mar 22

This Time, Last Year: Canoe-Ski

This time last year, a solid snow pack at river valley levels and easygoing river conditions (pre-snowmelt, with ice cleared from previous thaw) tempted us to head out on another canoe-skiing adventure – this time down Vermont’s White River Valley.  With our friend Justin Beckwith, we set off in our trusty 16′ river canoes, climbed from our canoes and skied several beautiful runs right to river. We pulled over for an ice cream cone break in a village along the way, and we enjoyed a cozy camp on a faraway island (glorified gravel bar) – complete with a warm fire, a great meal and one heck of a good night’s sleep. In the days following the trip, it felt as if we had briefly gone to Alaska and back.

It was a trip we will be sure to repeat…but not this year! – Brian

(Stay tuned for additional posts about this adventure. Thanks to Vermont’s Clearwater Sports, as well as Pistil Designs, for their support of this adventure)

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Mar 19

Photo of the Week: March Madness

Did we all lose track of the calendar somehow? Or did that last solar storm turn up the Northeast’s thermostat? Considering that the weather and skiing is more typical of late April out there, it’s hard to believe it’s only mid-March. Still, until Old Man Winter returns with his usual late-winter antics, we’ll just have to make the most of what we’ve got. (Click on thumbnail below to view larger image.) – Brian

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Mar 15

Ski It While You Can!

With the weather over the next week forecasted to be more like mid-May than mid-March, it’s time to put everything else aside for a little while and ski it while you can – before most of our precious snowpack here in the Northeast (at low to mid elevations, at least) is gone. Whether you feel motivated to grab one more run close to home, ride lifts at your favorite local ski area, or spend some time in the alpine somewhere, the warm and sunny days ahead should make for some of the most enjoyable ski days of the season.

Ski you out there. – Brian

Finishing off the pasture skiing season (maybe not?) close to home on Wednesday evening.

Spring skiing at its finest in the Mad River Valley (captured in 2009, but conditions today were similar):

Early spring turns in New Hampshire’s high country.

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Mar 12

Photo of the Week: Last Gasps of Winter?

Although the forecasts are calling for unusually warm temps through at least the next seven days (with the exception of Wednesday pm – with snow possible in the mountains!), we’re confident that Old Man Winter will grace us with his presence again this season before spring takes over for good. In the meanwhile, it’s worth reflecting for a moment on the many wonderful wintry days we’ve had this season, including both this past Saturday and Sunday (in the shade at least) – after a surprise 3-12″ coated the higher elevations of our northeastern mountains on Friday night.

Was that winter’s last gasp? We doubt it. In fact, we’re excited for a few more solid snowfall events in the northeast this season, even if they only affect the mountains. For the time being, we’re content to start cutting garden greens that wintered over from the fall, mix in a little biking and canoeing, and enjoy the delectable snows of this current spring-like weather cycle in the mountains.

Ski you out there. – Brian
(Click on thumbnail of image below to view larger image)

Mar 08

Adirondack High

As we shared a couple of weeks back (link), the late-winter snow pack in the Adirondacks has been luring us to explore some of the many new landslide paths created by Tropical Storm Irene last August. And after several recent adventures in the Dacks, it’s become clear that Irene has dramatically expanded the scope of backcountry skiing there for many, many years to come.

Whereas “slide” skiing in the Dacks has historically demanded a fair amount of tricky navigation, ski mountaineering and good old fashioned bushwhacking in order for skiers to both enter, ski and exit these slide paths safely, many of the newer slides are now relatively easy to access. This is a blessing in many respects, but it also means that some relatively dangerous and avalanche-prone terrain is easier to get to than ever. In fact, several new slides now run right into popular winter hiking and ski trails.

Without a doubt, the new terrain opened up by Irene offers endless opportunities for skiing adventure. The image here features our friend, Ian Forgays, skiing toward a newly created slide in the High Peaks earlier this week, while a couple of pre-Irene slides tempt us from across the valley below. With some luck, the high country will recover from this incredible March Thaw with another prolonged cycle of winter weather, and we’ll be back over there with some fun nice snow conditions to work with, soon.

Ski you out there. – Brian

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