Apr 13
The recent warm temps, mountain rains (snow today at highest elevations!) and now a return to sub-freezing nighttime temps will set things up for excellent corn-snow harvest in the days to come. Whether you are heading to your favorite local ski area or to a sunny spot in the northeastern high country… there’s nothing like the sliding sensation experienced on a good harvest of well-ripened corn… (Click on image to enlarge) – Brian
Apr 08
What a winter it has been! And now we have spring to look forward to! We took advantage of this great transition season by paddling and camping along one of our favorite Vermont rivers last week – with our skis in tow – and skiing some beautiful lines right from the boat. In a time where we are finding it increasingly difficult to justify long-distance travel…no matter what the objective…we are also finding the potential for world-class adventure, locally, to be truly unlimited. If only we had the chance last week to stay on the river for five more days… Next time. – Brian and Emily (Click on the thumbnail photo below for a larger image)
Apr 02
The well timed April Fools Storm delivered by dumping up to 20″ on Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula, approx. 12″ in the highest peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and parts of western Maine, and as much as 6-8″ in the higher elevations of the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks… The above images were captured in the Green Mountains on Saturday afternoon (4/2) at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. Much of the region will bask under the springtime sun on Sunday, before another round of snow sets up for the mountains Sunday eve through Monday. See you out there! – Brian
Mar 30
It all seems like such a blur now…this endless winter season, that is. We’ve simply lost track of all the great storms at this point, and our memories of those first turns of the season, back in mid-October, are slipping away into the recesses of our minds.
Meanwhile, Old Man Winter continues to show us what he’s made of. Mountain snow squalls and a cold north wind have dominated our weather pattern for nearly ten days now, and one can only hope that the maple sap will start flowing again in earnest. For us skiers, however, this is all just a dream come true. Not only did this winter, relatively early in the season, produce a near-record level snowpack, but we are now having an unusually extended opportunity to thoroughly enjoy it.
Be it off-piste powder up high in the mountains, afternoon corn in your neighborhood pasture, lift-served trail skiing at your favorite ski area or the exciting and beautiful interaction between snow and 70mph winds (see photos below/click to enlarge), we have a lot to be thankful for right now.
And to top it all off, a major nor’easter is winding up to our south, with 6-16″ likely Friday and Saturday (April 1-2) across the mountains of the north country. Wow… See you out there! – Brian and Emily
Mar 27
Our Vermont friends Pennie Rand and Poppy Gall have organized two backcountry skiing adventures in Iceland this April. One trip (which is full) is an all-ladies trip, while a second trip (co-ed / April 22-29) still has a few spots remaining. If you are feeling rather spontaneous and would like to treat yourself to the adventure of a lifetime, please contact Pennie at mrand(at)gmavt.net, as soon as possible.
Here’s some background, too:
Way back in 2009, eager to share our love of skiing in Iceland with others, we led a wonderful crew of ten Vermont skiers on an unforgettable skiing adventure just a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle. (Our fifth trip to the region). Although we were tempted to head out sailing and skiing again with our friends Siggi and Runar, of Borea Adventures, in Iceland’s wild West Fjords, we opted to connect with our friend and mountain guide Jokull Bergmann, in northern Iceland’s spectacular Trollaskagi (“Mountains of the Trolls”) For seven days, our crew climbed and skied these mountains from summit to sea, feasted on the delicious home-cooking courtesy of Jokull’s mom Anna-Dora, and relaxed in the cozy confines of Jokull’s family farmhouse.
The pictures below shed some light on our adventures with the Vermont crew…
For skiers and longtime friends Pennie Rand and Poppy Gall, Iceland was love at first sight. And while exploring on their own for several days after our skiing adventures together, they were inspired to bring a crew of their own back to Iceland someday. They haven’t stopped thinking about it since…and this April, Pennie and Poppy are going back.
If you think you might be interested in joining Pennie and Poppy on a truly incredible skiing adventure this April 22-29, please contact Pennie via email at mrand(at)gmavt.net. The trip will be guided by Jokull and his guides, and include lodging and meals at Jokull’s family farmhouse, deep in the heart of Iceland’s greatest mountains. We will post more detailed info about the trip here shortly, or you may request it from Pennie.
Thanks! – Brian and Emily
Summit to sea in the Mountains of the Trolls.
Sailing and skiing in Iceland’s West Fjords.
Earning our turns in Iceland’s Trollaskagi.
Arctic glisse…
Midnight sun.
Exploring for hot springs apres ski.
Poppy Gall and Pennie Rand
The ski quiver, and then guide Jokull Bergmann and his mom, Anna Dora, outside their farmhouse/ski lodge (Klaengshol) in northern Iceland – the base of operations for Bergmenn Mountain Guides
Runar and Siggi, of Borea Adventures, in Iceland’s West Fjords.
