Nov 12

Gear Giveaway: Winter 10/11 – How Deep?

We all know it can snow a lot in the northeast – and the powder can be absurdly deep – but we rarely go through a winter without a bit of rain and warm weather washing away at least some of the snowy gains we’ve made. Still, the snow can really pile up, and during most winters, the northeast’s snowiest spots average more snowfall than many well known western/Rocky Mountain locations. So the question is, how deep does it get here? Piece together the most correct answers to the following questions, and win a nice cozy pair of merino wool Bridgedale Ski Socks! tramadol buy online best price (Note: Use the links/resources listed on this site to find the answers)

1. What is the average peak snowpack depth for Mount Mansfield, VT?
2. Why was the snowpack record for Mount Mansfield in 2010 unique?
3. On average, which mountains receive the most snowfall annually: High Peaks of the Adirondacks, Gaspe Peninsula, Green Mountains, Maine’s High Peaks or the White Mountains (choose one)?
4. Which mountains get the least? (choose one from above)
5. Describe the deepest powder you’ve skied in the northeast…

Please write out your answers in the comments section. One attempt per person, please. Thanks and good luck!
– Brian and Emily

Nov 09

Skiing the Greens – Early November 2010

On Monday (11/8), while rain, sleet and freezing rain cancelled schools in the valleys, a thin layer of fresh “snow” in the mountains took the edge off the weekend’s crust at all but the highest elevations.

Nov 07

Backcountry Update – Nov 7: More Snow On Its Way?

After a fun week of skiing in the sun and snow in the Greens last week, last Thursday’s storm dropped 4-8″ of fresh snow up high, then some rain, and then it exited our region unwilling to cover up the rain-soaked snow with any significant fresh snow. Although there is now a great little base plastered to the mountains above 2500′, the snow surface has been quite crusty. Still, the skiing continues to be very fun – albeit bit technical and challenging. A storm that was previously forecasted to skirt by us on Monday/Tuesday is now looking more promising as a potential snow producer for many mountain areas of the northeast. With some luck, there will be some fun fresh tracks to be had Monday morning (binding deep?), before warmer temps and rain returns later in the day and on Tuesday. Milder daytime temps and sunshine could also produce a spring-like corn snow cycle later in the week. The image above was captured over the weekend in the Green Mountains of Vermont…

Nov 05

Photo of the Week: SNOvember

After one of the snowiest October’s on record for the higher elevations of the northeast, Snovember has already proven itself as another great month to ski in the northeast this season. With some colder air settling over the region this weekend, and the possibility for some fresh flakes tonight, the snow pack – which was put to the test by Friday’s (11/5) rains, but still remains nicely skiable above 2300′ – promises to offer plenty of fun skiing in the days ahead. (Update 11/6: The rain storm exited our region Friday pm with very little fresh snow falling Friday p.m./Sat a.m., and although there is a great little base plastered to the mountains above 2500′, the snow surface is quite crusty. The skiing is still very fun, but it is also a bit technical and challenging. This surface should soften up in the sun in the coming days, and with some luck, a small weather front forecasted to slide by Monday/Tuesday may drop enough snow to freshen things up nicely.)


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Nov 03

Pray for Snow

Although there is some very fun skiing to be had across the northeast right now, including but by no means limited to a few lift-served spots at Sunday River, ME and Killington, VT, it’s exciting to think the approaching storm system could leave us with another round of snow for the weekend. Until then, a thin, but very smooth and carveable carpet of snow awaits skiers above approx. 2500′, and below that, a little fast grass (depicted here) only offers some extra challenge and a few good laughs.
-Brian