Jan 11

POWDER ALERT: It’s Going to Snow!

While forecasters are busy trying to predict the course and final outcome of the approaching weather system, one thing is clear: It is going to snow. We can smell it. And, for the first time ever, a wild snowshoe hare ran across our path at AdventureSkier headquarters this morning. We’re treating that as VERY good sign.

How much snow? By the looks of the weather maps this morning, it seems as though a blanket of snow as thin as 1-3″ in southern areas of the north country, but approaching 20″ deep in some higher mountain buy valium dublin locales (especially in the central and northern Greens), is likely by sunset on Friday. If you need to know more, please get to know our ever-evolving weather page.

Meanwhile, there’s still some excellent skiing out there right now in lower-angle, higher-elevation zones (photo is from late Sunday in the Green Mountains – click to enlarge), and if you have not already set aside some ski time for Thursday and Friday, you might want to get on it!

Ski you out there. – Brian and Emily

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Jan 08

Video: “Singletrack Skiing” Green Mountains, Vermont – Early January 2012

Almost daily squalls of Champlain Powder treated higher elevation zones in the central and northern Green Mountains to 3-10″ of fresh snow this past week. This made it possible to trail check a few lines that we sensed needed some minor broken-branch and dead-limb clearing. Returning to one area after several more inches of snow fell, we were rewarded with some tasty turns. – Brian

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Jan 07

New Date TBA: Camel’s Hump Challenge Backcountry Tour

UPDATE 2/3: In order to provide a better experience for skiers, event organizers have postponed this event until Sunday, Feb. 12. Let’s hope we pick up some more fresh snow before then, and stay tuned to the links mentioned below for more details and updates.

We can’t say enough about this wonderful opportunity to enjoy skiing around Vermont’s Camel’s Hump. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the Camel’s Hump Challenge, and organizers are hoping for a great turnout. Proceeds benefit the Vermont chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Look for more details in the press release below. Thanks! – Brian

WILLISTON, VT (December, 2011). The 25th annual Camel’s Hump Challenge (CHC) will be held in Huntington, Vermont on Sunday, February 5, 2012 (the alternative weather date will be February 12th). The Camel’s Hump Challenge is a demanding 26 km backcountry ski around Camel’s Hump. After 25 years, the event has gained recognition within the region as a unique fundraiser supporting education and family support programs for the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter. Experienced backcountry skiers are invited to gather at 7:30 am at the Camel’s Hump Nordic Skiers’ Association center in Huntington (see website for directions: www.camelshumpchallenge/directions.com).

Participants in the CHC raise money by collecting pledges to support their “Round the Hump” trek with contributions. All skiers are asked to collect a minimum of $125.00.  Each participant raising $125 or more will receive an event t-shirt, warm food, drinks and a fire await the returning skiers, giving them a chance to relax, reflect on the tour, and warm up. In the past, amazing gear incentives have been provided for skiers that raise more than the minimum amount including: MRS snowshoes, Black Diamond skis and trekking poles, Princeton Tec headlamps, day passes to select ski areas and much more. Pledges and registration will be accepted at the event or before the event date, participants can register and collect pledges on the website.

“The purpose of this event is to enjoy this extraordinary ski tour and to raise money for a good cause,” says Camel’s Hump Challenge board member Bruce Beeken.

If you want to contribute, please send your contributions directly to a fundraising skier or please mail donation checks made out to: The Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, Vermont 05495.  

If you would like to participate, please visit:www.camelshumpchallenge.com.
It’s important to note that all money raised at the Camel’s Hump Challenge stays in Vermont to support our local families and communities dealing with Alzheimer’s.

About the Alzheimer’s Association:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The Association is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For more than 25 years, the donor-supported Alzheimer’s Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes. For more information, call 1.800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org.

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Jan 06

Photo(s) of the Week: Shallow Powder and Alpenglow

Scattered snow showers continue to add precious white snowflakes to our relatively thin snowpack across the Northeast, with up to 4″ of Champlain Powder falling around VT’s Mt. Mansfield on Thursday. While most off-piste lines still need quite a bit of natural-snow base, others are really starting to take shape. The first image here was captured on Thursday while skiing one of our favorite creek lines on Vermont’s Mt. Mansfield, near Stowe. (Please click on thumbnails below to view enlargements.) The second image was captured a few days ago during a beautiful sunset, from the heights of the Green Mountain divide. While the snowpack might be thin out there, fresh snow is beginning to load up nicely at higher elevations on the usual leeward aspects/pockets. And the overall challenge of the conditions adds some really nice flavor to the experience of being out there on skis right now… – Brian

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Jan 03

Video: Champlain Powder – Dec 2011

With another 1-6″ of powder snow falling since late Monday over the Adirondacks, Green Mountains (Champlain Powder) and parts of northern NH, ME and Quebec, we’ve got some nice fresh snow to slide around on this week. Although natural-snow base depths are very thin, some well maintained off-piste and backcountry lines are starting to lure skiers. In fact, we’re looking looking forward to skiing some nice, boot-deep, dust-on-crust in a local backcountry zone this afternoon. Be careful out there, but have fun making the most of what we’ve got.

Here’s a glimpse at last Wednesday’s Champlain Powder storm in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. Enjoy!
-Brian

Champlain Powder – Mad River Valley, VT – December 2011 from EmberPhoto on Vimeo.

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