Dec 28

Photo of the Week – Champlain Powder

The powerful storm that treated us last night to wet snow, sleet and POURING rain also produced some of the most intense mountain snowfall we’ve ever witnessed in the northeast.  A still unfrozen Lake Champlain, an approaching cold front and a good orographic (upslope) flow of moisture definitely contributed to today’s prolific snowfall. At one point this afternoon, snow was falling at a rate of 2-3″ per hour.

At dark, at least a foot of fresh Champlain Powder was coating many mountain slopes above 1500′ along the Green Mountain Divide in central and northern Vermont, with snow still piling up. Pockets with easily 16-20″ were already established in terrain we skied during our last run out at dark. Deepcember is back.
– Brian
(Click on thumbnail image below to see enlarged image.)

Follow this LINK to “Like” AdventureSkier.com on Facebook. Thanks!


 

Dec 23

Thank You Ullr – Powder Cruising

Ullr (the Norse god of snow) and his fellow snow god friends seemed to have responded kindly to the countless cries for mercy aross the north country. With generally 2-8″ of snow falling today across the mountains of the northeast, and more on its way, the hills and mountains are once again a great source of joy for snow sliders far and wide. The image above was captured midday today in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. Powder cruising is back in style.

Let’s hope for a snowy holiday week ahead! – Brian and Emily

Follow this LINK to “Like” AdventureSkier.com on Facebook. Thanks!


 

Dec 22

Photo of the Week: Solstice Sacrifice

When a light mist turned to a steady rain on Wednesday afternoon, a few of us did not hesitate to continue up the mountain for some afternoon turns. We’ve learned over the years that skiing in the rain is always worth it. More than anything, it impresses the snow gods. (Prolific snows have followed many rainy ski adventures in our past.) If you dress right and bring along a few changes of dry layers, it’s easy enough to be warm and comfortable, too. The snow conditions also tend to be soft and smooth in the rain – if there is any snow left at all. Although a decent cover of natural coated the upper mountains in Vermont’s Mad River Valley on Wednesday, coverage at the lower elevations was getting thin, as illustrated by the photo. Nonetheless, it was a very fun and memorable afternoon on the mountain, and we can only hope that the snow gods appreciated our solstice sacrifice.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for some fresh snow tonight and Friday! Take a peek at our weather page for details and some different perspectives on the weather. And Happy Holidays to everyone!
– Brian

Thin snow. No problem on Marquette skis…

Snow was nice on the upper mountain…

Follow this LINK to “Like” AdventureSkier.com on Facebook. Thanks!


 

Dec 20

Micro-Freshies…And More to Come?

Happy Winter Solstice! Monday night and Tuesday morning treated skiers in the central and northern Green Mountains to a dusting to 3″ of fresh snow at the higher elevations. (Does anyone have any snow to report from other regions?) It was enough to freshen up the coverage on natural snow terrain that had melted back again a little bit since the weekend, and it treated lift-served skiers at Sugarbush, Stowe, Bolton and Jay to a run or two of morning velvet on Tuesday. Despite the thin coverage, the skiing continues to be incredibly fun. We’ll take what we get! (Just think, there could be no snow…none, nada, or as our good buddy Crazy Craig would say “she no go”.)

More snow is on its way to the mountains on Wednesday and Wednesday night – snow that’s shaping up to just the kind of heavy, base-building snow we could really use right now. Enjoy the solstice!

-Brian

Follow this LINK to “Like” AdventureSkier.com on Facebook. Thanks!


 

Dec 17

Photo of the Week: Winter is Back

Old Man Winter finally seems to be done taking naps and neglecting his snowfall producing duties. He breathed some fresh snow into the mountains across the northeast Friday and earlier today, and he now seems intent on offering up some more on Monday and then again on Wednesday. It’s likely going to be a white Christmas across much of the northeast’s mountain country. Reports from the hills today indicate that a nice coating of 1-3″ of snow is out there for your skiing pleasure.

Snow coverage on natural snow surfaces is ideal right now for skiing with a pair of Marquette skis, junkboards or some tried and true rock skis. Snow surfaces on the open and maintained trails at ski areas are best enjoyed with some nice sharp edges and well tuned skis. Visit your local ski shop if your skis, or spend some good time learning to tune your own skis, if you are in need of a good tune. When snow conditions are on the firm side, it’s really worth it. See you on the snow! – Brian
(Note: The image above features one of Mad River Glen’s two hard working snow guns, at work putting down some “back up” snow around the base area.)

Follow this LINK to “Like” AdventureSkier.com on Facebook. Thanks!