Ski Reports:

Connecticut 1-800-CT-BOUND	Delaware 1-800-441-8846
Maine 1-888-624-6345	Massachusetts 1-800-632-8038
New Hampshire 1-800-FUN-IN-NH	New Jersey 1-800-354-4595
New York 1-800-CALL-NYS	Pennsylvania 1-800-22-WELCOME
Rhode Island 1-800-556-2484	Vermont 1-800-VERMONT

 

Ski & Snowboard Guide:

Where to Go:  Ski resorts have a long, impressive tradition of somehow luring visitors to New England in the dead of winter.  For 75 years, Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont has made a name for eastern skiing, due to Mount Mansfield and its classic ski runs, and the charming nearby village with its European flair.  Stowe and the Stratton Mountain Village, another “Green State’ choice, are both good options if you don’t want to use the car once you’re there.  There’s public transportation, including trolleys and shuttles, which makes getting around worry-free.

To the west in the Adirondacks of New York State, Whiteface is another “oldie but goodie,” with 50 years of offering skiers amazing views on more than 225 acres of ski terrain, and the biggest vertical drop in the Northeast (3,430 feet).  Lake Placid, the site of two winter Olympics, is nearby, and the source for winter activities, accommodations and dining options.

Belleayre Mountain in New York’s Catskills is known as a casual, friendly ski and snowboard area in close proximity to the metro NYC market.  It too has a half-century history, and can still be counted on for reasonable lift ticket and rental prices, a 3,429-foot summit and 171 skiable acres.

Sunday River, located in Maine's Western Mountains, is a large resort attractive to serious skiers who know this place is worthy of the trek.  Eight separate peaks are spread out over 667 acres, with better-than-most lift and snowmaking systems.

Snowboarders can almost always find a park or pipe at any ski resort of respectable size.  That doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a choice ride!  But Vermont’s Stratton gives snowboarders their due, with its terrain parks ranking No. 1 by Ski Magazine.  Coyote Ridge at Jiminy Peak in Hancock, MA, offers a quality terrain experience including a half pipe. 

To locate ideal snowboarding slopes, go where the high-stakes snowboarding competitors stake their claim.  For example, the Mid-Atlantic Snowboard Series events take place at a variety of mountains that encourage the sport, including the Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, PA; Mountain Creek in Vernon, NJ; Roundtop in Lewisberry, PA; and several in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania, including Camelback in Tannersville; Jack Frost Big Boulder in Blakeslee; and Shawnee Mountain Ski Area in Shawnee-on-Delaware.

When the intent of your getaway is to spend time on the slopes, the lodging part of the equation may not factor greatly in your decision of where to go.  However, couples or groups of friends traveling together may want an adult atmosphere, and there are resorts that are better suited for “grown-ups” than kids.  Killington, VT tops all the lists for nightlife, and was rated No. 1 in aprés-ski by Ski Magazine.  This large resort area covers seven mountains with a large variety of terrain.  You’ll also find a younger, urban crowd at Mountain Creek in Vernon, NJ, drawn by reasonable lift-ticket rates and the active nightlife supported by a number of bars and restaurants.

Loon is the New Hampshire resort of choice for twenty-somethings who take their skiing seriously.  New England's newest ski terrain is located at Loon South Peak, an additional 49 acres of terrain serviced by two quads.  The state’s longest gondola skyride, as well as a busy event and entertainment calendar, provide something for everyone.

Once overlooked, the family market is now the largest segment of skiing travelers.  If you want to bring your kids to a Vermont resort where they will be entertained 24/7, Smuggler’s Notch has ranked No. 1 for family programs by Ski Magazine for several years.  “Smuggs” is essentially an all-inclusive winter sports paradise, enhanced by the FunZone Family Entertainment Center and countless activities and events.

New Hampshire's largest ski resort, Bretton Woods, is part of the historic and prestigious Mount Washington Resort.  In a relatively short time, it has evolved into a ski area respected for high levels of service, lessons, and quality family programs.

The South’s first ski resort, The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA, sits 3,200 feet atop a small mountain nestled in the Allegheny Mountain range.  It is noted for an upscale, family-friendly atmosphere, with its own award-winning KidsClub.

When you can’t get enough time on your sticks during the day, there’s always illuminated night skiing!  The Shawnee Peak Ski Area in Bridgton, ME gets high marks for their offerings, with 18 trails under lights, and lifts which operate until 10PM on weekends during the season.  At the Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in West Cornwall, CT, recognized as the Nutmeg State’s top snow resort, twelve trails are illuminated at sunset.

Although you could ski or snowboard all day and night, you may be traveling with friends or family members who like more variety in their daily itineraries.  There are a number of resort areas that offer a pleasing variety of winter sports, as well as activities that have nothing at all to do with snow!  The Wisp Resort and Hotel in McHenry, MD, includes the nationally-recognized Sewickley Spa, shopping, dining, bonfires and other evening entertainment, and a range of children’s activities.  Jiminy Peak, the largest resort in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, features a village-like atmosphere with retail shops, children's programs, cafes, and close proximity to regional cultural attractions.

For those spontaneous decisions to go skiing or snowboarding just for the day, it’s often easier to get several runs in if you go to a smaller daytime recreational area versus a full-fledged ski resort. The Yawgoo Valley Ski and Sports Park in Exeter, RI offers snowboarding and a ski trail for varied ability levels.


Did You Know: A “snow cannon” or “snow gun” is the name of the machine which forces man-made snow onto a ski slope.  Snowmaking is the expensive and inefficient process of generating man-made snow.  It takes almost 220,000 gallons of water to cover an acre of land to a depth of one foot!  Man-made snow forms crystals, which are more dense than natural snowflakes, and less desirable for skiing.  Snow making was invented in 1948 by Skiing Hall of Fame member, Walk Schoenknecht.

Ski Lingo:

Know your terminology before conversing with your fellow ski and snowboard enthusiasts!

Apres Ski-- The night-life (bars, clubs, restaurants) in and around a ski area.
Base - The bottom of the mountain where the lodge is normally located.
Bullet Proof – Icy conditions.
Bunny Hill - The easier beginner's slope(s).
Catching Air - Jumping off the snow into the air.
Face-Plant - Falling and landing on your face in the snow.
Fakie - Skiing, snowboarding or skiboarding backwards (Also: Going Fakie).
Hardpack - Firm, almost icy snow.
Milk Run - The first run of the day.
Moguls - small hills and troughs made by skiers turning in the same place (also: Bumps).
Out-of-Bounds - Outside the designated ski area.
Powder – Light snow that hasn’t been groomed.
Run - Designated ski slope or trail.
Schuss - Running straight down hill, with skis parallel.
Shredder – A talented snowboarder.
Sticks - Another word for skis (Also: Planks).
Trail – A marked ski run.

Resources:

United States of America Snowboarding Association (USASA): www.usasa.org
National Ski Patrol: www.nsp.org

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