New England Outdoor Adventure Blog from YankeeMagazine.com

Favorite Outdoor Adventure Towns in Northern New England--May through August

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The essential elements for a town to make it on my list include water and mountains. What I like to do during the warmer months of the year: hike, bike, swim, sail, kayak, run, and hammock. My favorite adventure towns have all of the above or something of the like very close by, though you may have to BYOH (bring your own hammock).

Who: Heather Atwell

What: Favorite outdoor adventure towns

Why: I promised I would write this top 5 list

Where: Northern New England

How: The complete opposite of an exact science

When: May to August

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington is the hotspot in Vermont. It's the closest thing Vermont has to a city. It's also the closest vibe the northeast has to Boulder, Colorado, well-known for its decidedly hip outdoorsy folk. In fact, Burlington's Church Street has the same pedestrian style walkway that Boulder's Pearl Street has, and a similar lively scene of shoppers, eaters, and street performers especially in the warmer months. One thing Church Street does not have is a jaw-dropping view of Lake Champlain with the Adirondack's as the backdrop. 125 miles long, it's no mere puddle. For a bike ride that follows the shoreline, The Burlington Waterfront's Bike Path travels 7.6 miles. Longer road rides and mountain biking trails are also nearby, but just remember, as the saying goes, Vermont ain't flat. Rent a kayak or canoe at North Beach, or a sailboat at the Community Sailing Center. You'll need to travel out of town for truly majestic hikes of Camel's Hump or Mount Mansfield. Then hurry back for yummy food, shopping and great nightlife. Eat your way up and down Church Street: Leunig's Bistro, American Flatbread, The Single Pebble, Ben & Jerry's, Penny Cluse. Shop at the Outdoor Gear Exchange where you can buy new duds or re-sell your used equipment. For bike-o-philes, check out Old Spokes Home , a bike shop that sells and services new, used and vintage bicycles.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

........

New Hampshire has 18 miles of seacoast, and Portsmouth is the perfect home base to take it all in. Head to Hampton, about 25 minutes from Portsmouth, for Northeast style surfing. Take a surf lesson or rent a board from Cinnamon Rainbows based at North Beach. Nearby Seabrook Beach and York Beach are also popular surf spots. And speaking of beaches, there are more than 30 nearby, though you may have to cross the border to explore all of them. Check out Portsmouth Kayak Rentals for kayak rentals and group tours. Do a little bit of honkey tonk in Hampton Beach. Head back to Portsmouth by night-fall. Sneak in some culture at The Music Hall, a historic theatre downtown that features movies, performances, and live music. And, be sure to eat and drink. Portsmouth is overflowing with great restaurants.

Jackson, New Hampshire

This small village is nestled in the Mount Washington Valley. There are quite a few towns that would make for a suitable base camp to enjoy all the outdoor activities available in this area, but staying in Jackson will provide some special comforts in the areas of food and lodging after a couple rugged days of hiking Mount Washington while overnighting at AMC lodges and huts. This outdoor adventure will focus on hiking. Oh sure, you could drive your car to the peak of Mount Washington, then buy a bumper sticker that says, "This Car Climbed Mount Washington," but I am sure just the mere thought of that makes you feel a little sick to your stomach, and not because of the altitude. Your boots were made for hiking. And that is why it is okay to call Jackson, New Hampshire, one of your favorite adventure towns. Cause you've adventured and now you need to hammock a little. If you feel like you need to get more activities in, Eastern Mountain Sports, located in North Conway, offers guided kayaking, climbing, hiking and mountain biking programs. Or to get on the Saco River, check out Saco Bound for guided whitewater rafting and canoe trips. But, don't forget to relax a little.

Bar Harbor, Maine, and Acadia National Park

This might not be the best weekend jaunt for a getaway from Boston or Hartford, but it's a must-do East Coast natural wonder destination. And, I am not going to say much more than that because starting on page 60 in Yankee Magazine's May/June 2011 issue, Wayne Curtis will fill you in on all the details about Acadia National Park's hiking trails. Sure, there is also rock climbing, biking adventures, kayaking, whale watching, and windjammer cruises. But, I don't want to overwhelm you.

Burke, Vermont, and the Northeast Kingdom

Kingdom Trails and Burke Mountain have helped to put the Northeast Kingdom on the map. Though, that statement could spur a chicken versus the egg debate because the Northeast Kingdom's geography is what put it on the map in the first place. Either way, in 2006 the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations named the Northeast Kingdom as a destination for Geotourism which they define as, "Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents." Sounds like a nice place to visit.

Here is one thing about the area that is not debatable: it's a mountain biking destination. Kingdom Trails Association maintains a trail system that during the warmer months is considered the "best trail network in North America," according to Bike Magazine. (It doubles as a destination for cross county skiing during the winter.) Not too far off of I-91, depending on where you are traveling from, thanks to the convenience of interstate travel, it's closer than it may appear.

With Lake Willoughby about 30 minutes away, and Lake Memphremagog under an hour away, despite being in the land-locked state of Vermont, you'll have opportunities to get wet. In fact, from Lake Memphremagog, you can paddle part of the the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and the Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail to the Connecticut River.

If you haven't learned anything new from my list of favorite adventure towns in Northern New England, I will share with you one tidbit of information that I've learned from compiling it. Don't limit your favorite list of places to go this summer to a short list. Because I am pretty certain all across New England whatever adventure you are on and where ever you may be, you're going have a pretty good time. Especially if you can find a hammock!

When It All Melts Away

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The March/April issue of Yankee Magazine features many of the more positive first signs of spring--maple festivals, swan boats, flower shows. But this time of year isn't all bright yellow daffodils or rows of tulips in red, pink, and violet. In fact for those who suffer from SSAD--Shoulder Season Affective Disorder--it's tough. Okay, so there is no official SSAD, but Seasonal Affective Disorder does afflict people during different seasons, not only winter, though winter seems to rank highest in cases of SAD.

As I am sure you know, early spring in New England is also referred to as mud season. The snow is gone, but it's a little too early and too mushy to hike or bike on trails. There are still bits of ice in nearby lakes and ponds. Oh sure, the tough guys and gals are out there white water kayaking in super thick wetsuits or dry suits or whatever it is that keeps then from freezing to death. But not me.

When I go for a short run around the neighborhood in early spring, I bask in the stages of melt. In more specific detail, that means once the snow disappears I see lots of dog poo, old trash, and partially decomposed leaves. Those are the true first signs of spring for me.

But there is an upside. Yesterday I saw a sweet old gentleman raking his lawn. Sure, the grass was not close to green, but his yard looked so clean and neat--free of dog poo and trash.

If you are still skiing, be sure to look around the ski racks and under chairlifts as the snow melts. Sure, you'll see lots of beer cans and candy wrappers, but you just might score some single gloves (hey two single gloves just may make a pair), or a handkerchief, or even some loose change. I found a wet ten dollar bill once.

Ah, spring.

New England Weather Patterns

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0100

"If you don't like the weather in New England, wait a few minutes." - Mark Twain

I first heard this quote not in one of my college English classes, but on a chairlift post-college from a fellow ski bum. And, finally, I decided to research it in a way I could not have done during my undergrad years, Google. Twain nailed that one.

I followed my own advice, and skied two days mid-week. But going into these two days, I was borderline noncommittal about taking the days off, mostly because rain was in the forecast. Of course, the weather report continued to change. Back and forth. Rain, no rain. Sun, no sun. Clouds with snow. Snow with snow. You get the idea. All of it was fine with me except the rain part. I have skied many, many days in the rain. And yes, the snow surface is actually nice in the rain. But, I just did not feel like getting soggy. So, I waited till the little thumbnail image on weather.com did not feature raindrops to commit to a couple days off.

Despite understanding the whole "If you don't like the weather in New England" thing, I was still expecting spring-like conditions. This past Sunday I enjoyed some on-the-brink mashed potatoes spring skiing. I just assumed I would get the same this week. Instead, mid-winter snow conditions, fresh snow, and hand warmers were on the schedule. (The hand warmers were not completely necessary, but I was on vacation so I thought I would live it up.)

The good news (for skiers) is the snow on the mountain is in great shape so there is no reason to summer your skis just yet. In fact, I will postpone my car appointment for a few weeks too. I do live in New England, so even though it's spring, I'll keep my snow tires on a little while longer. You never know.

Tips for Teaching Young Kids to Ski

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0100

There are certain childhood memories that stand out. One for me was counting my turns as I skied down a trail with my father. I loved this game. He would ski behind me as I would yell out the numbers as I made pretty turns down the mountain.

When I started teaching skiing, I realized this was a game masked as a learning tool. A couple weeks ago, I tried this with my five-year-old nephew, who loves to ski but has not yet become all too fond of turning. Based on some unscientific research, I think most kids love to ski but aren't really that thrilled about turning.

So, we skied down the mountain. My nephew was counting the whole way down, shouting out his updates. Somehow he managed to make 20 more turns than I had made. The next run, the same thing happened. Well, I knew how he made 20 more turns. He used a looser definition of the term "turn."

Over hot chocolate, we discussed the turn situation. Of course, I was trying to be the diplomatic aunt, albeit, a little conniving with my attempt to get him to make more turns. I explained I was fine with only making 80 turns even though he made 109 because my turns were really curvy and helped me control my speed. He was neither impressed with my turns, nor convinced that I was "okay" with being the loser in the game. His response: "You are not okay with the fact that you only made 80 turns and I made 109." I responded that every fiber of my being was okay with the fact that I made 80 turns to his 109. My nephew's response as he sipped his hot chocolate and shook his head, "Every fiber of your being is not okay with the fact that I made 109 and you only made 80." Thank goodness he doesn't say things like, "Loser," because in his estimation, that is what I was.

The thing is, I know this kid is going to kick my butt skiing in about thirteen years—or at least I am hoping he will. By then, perhaps the fact that my turns were prettier than his when he was five will have more of an impact on him. (I know—whatever, Aunt Heather.)

Tips to Teach Kids to Ski or Ride

If you are teaching your favorite little ones to ski or ride, here are some excellent tips, courtesy of a few select ski professionals in New England.

Burton's Riglet Board and Riglet Reel—Best for Small Tots

I started teaching my daughter Ryder how to snowboard last year when she was 2 and a half. I used the Burton Riglet board and Riglet reel to tow her around the base area before riding the magic carpet and introducing downhill sliding. The Riglet reel (a retractable cord attached to the nose of the board) is the best aid in getting your 3+ year old started on the board.

Jeff Wise, Stowe Mountain Resort, Director of Communications and former Snowboard School Director

Living Room Skiing and Riding, Toys on the Mountain, and Marshmallows—Best for Small Tots

To get three-year-old Bridget comfortable moving around with ski boots and skis, we had her practice at home wearing her ski boots, scooting around on the carpet in her skis, then out in the snow-covered driveway. At the ski area, she would forget all about the potentially awkward feeling of moving around in skis if we threw rubber duckies in the snow for her to retrieve. And stashing a treat like mini-marshmallows in your pocket can prove to be just the reward a little skier needs for successfully making a turn and getting down the slope.

Martha Wilson, Outdoor Mom Blogger for Bretton Woods

Your Kid Needs to Stand Up on His/Her Own Two Feet—Little Tots

Another important element to teaching kids to ski is to ask them to be in charge of their own balance. It may be slow going, but in the long run, if your kid can stand up on his or her own right from the beginning, you're on the right track. If you feel you must help, be sure to be in front of your kid (as opposed to behind) to encourage the balance to be toward the front of the ski. Kids have a higher center of gravity than adults due to their disproportionally large heads, so balanced over their skis will look different in them than it does with an adult (lower, further back), but they need to be balancing on their own.

Katherine Rockwell, Pico Ski & Snowboard School Manager

Let Your Kids Set the Pace—All Ages

One of the most important things about teaching your kids to ski is to go at their pace. It can be really tempting to push them to stay out that extra half an hour, or go on that blue trail, but in the long run, taking it slow is the key to longevity in the sport. With very young kids, you may only be out on skis for 20 minutes, if you even get to skiing at all. It is just as important to make snow angels, explore snow banks and chase you around as it is to actually be on skis. The first time your young kid is cold or unhappy out skiing will stay with them for a long time. Watch for signs of stress, be it emotional or physical and get back inside or off skis before it bubbles all the way to the surface.

Katherine Rockwell, Pico Ski & Snowboard School Manager

Activate Prior Knowledge—Best for Kids (and Adults) 6 Years and Older

Work on movements that kids already "own" from playing other sports and then transferring those familiar movements into skiing and riding skills. This technique works really well with improving balance. If your kids play soccer, you can say something like, you know how you have to put your weight on one leg when you kick a ball? That will help them focus on where their balance is when they are skiing or riding.

Rob Bevier, Okemo's Ski + Ride School Assistant Director

Make Skiing Fun and Develop Fundamental Skill Development—Best for Ages 7 to 12

When I am working with a bunch of kids, (typically "Superstars" ages 7-12 in the Killington Ski School) the first chairlift ride often begins something like this: "I saw a dead skunk in the middle of the ski trail, I one it, I two it, I three it, and so on until the unsuspecting skier cries I EIGHT it! The kids all get hysterical and the one who "ate it" gets to think up an even more gruesome scenario as the game continues. (We sometimes think of nice things to eat, a candy bar or hot fudge sundae, but more often than not the grosser items win out). I like to encourage levity on the chair so that when we land on snow we are ready for some serious work! The kids loosen up a bit and are eager to listen to the next installment. I like to have fun on the hill, but what could be more fun than learning how to ski well? For this reason, I steer clear of on hill "games" and prefer to get results from solid skill development and positive reinforcement. It all depends on what level you are teaching, but I also tend to use every possible natural feature: bumps, banks and "woodsies" to get kids comfortable with changes in terrain. Often we'll try to make our skis "purr" on fresh corduroy. On moguls and fresh powder we hop and bounce along, or do sneezing turns which require a quick rise as we AH! And a slow sinking CHOOOO! After teaching for 25 years it still amazes me that new fun can be found every day, all it takes is a little imagination. I do, however, possess a Secret Weapon, that never fails if our young skier is reluctant. It's the Sound Machine! I actually have two of them that make a variety of sounds ranging from the "howling powder hound" to the "screaming banshee". There is of course the ever popular farting and burping sounds as well. The burp sound helps us recall the fundamentals of skiing: Balance, Edging, Rotation and Pressure, and that is as technical as I get!

Amy Chessia, Killington Mountain Resort Ski Instructor

Don't Go Too Steep—All Ages

Regardless of age, one of the biggest mistakes parents make is taking their kids too steep too soon. If your kids can't ski a green trail with parallel skis, they are not ready for intermediate trails. It is one thing to make it down, and another to ski it in control and balance. The bad habits we form from defensive skiing on trails that are too steep are very difficult to break. As I was taught growing up, there's no such thing as a "nice big wedge." It's either nice or it's big. The wedge is a tool to get to parallel skiing, and if we have our feet wide underneath us, we ultimately can't steer both feet in a parallel turn. No matter how tempting (and no matter how bored you are on the beginner trail), taking the time on the greens to build those skills is the key to accurate, balanced skiing in the future.

Katherine Rockwell, Pico Ski & Snowboard School Manager

Lessons with a Professional Instructor—All Ages

If you're tired of skiing on the greens with your kid, you can always put them in a lesson. The social aspects of lessons are really valuable, as is the opportunity to work on skills on proper terrain while giving you a break to go make some turns yourself.

Katherine Rockwell, Pico Ski & Snowboard School Manager

Properly Fitting Equipment—All Ages

Properly fitting equipment is paramount to success. If finances are prohibitive, I recommend renting equipment rather than buying equipment "to grow into." Ski boots are like the steering wheel of your car- you want them tight enough that when you move they move (and in turn move the skis). Too big and it's like driving a car that takes half a turn of the steering wheel before the car even responds. That's stressful, dangerous and ultimately will have you doing anything you can to avoid driving in the future. Also consider seasonal rental programs at local shops that offer a mid-season switch and get the boots your kid needs now and upgrade as they grow.

Katherine Rockwell, Pico Ski & Snowboard School Manager

Bribery—Any Age

Bribery is alive and well. A few pieces of candy in the pocket can be a great motivator/distraction when a little one has a bad tumble or is struggling.

Karl Stone, Ski NH Marketing Director

A Tip to Conquer Icy Ski Trails

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0100

You are at the top of a double black diamond--your favorite trail after the groomers lay down fresh corduroy. But, it's late afternoon, and all you see is an icy slope, with no convenient way to change your mind and head to another trail. Heart palpitations, weak knees, and shortness of breath ensue. Uh oh. You are in trouble.

Focus is a good thing, but not when you are focused on the opposite of what you want. But, when you are at the top of a steep slope, about ready to nose dive it down a sheet of ice, it's hard to think about or see anything but the glaze.

Take a moment, though, and you may be surprised to see mounds of softer snow in between those slick patches. Some days the mounds will be minuscule. But, very often, if you look for it, you will realize that there is some softer snow hiding amongst the truly shiny areas. And, it's a lot easier and more fun to control your speed on the fluffy stuff than it is on the icy stuff.

On any given afternoon when this icy snow phenomenon occurs, I would guess that about 90% of people are skiing in the slippery and icy troughs. But you don't have to. You will need to change the pattern of your turns, but it's worth it. You will be taking the line less traveled. Robert Frost would be very proud.

You can completely ignore the icy patches and just ski the mounds of fresh snow, but you will need to change the pattern of your turns. (If you are skiing on a true sheet of ice, you'll need to refine your movements. You should be extra subtle with your pressure control and edging--probably the opposite of what your natural reaction is. Just like driving, when you hit a patch of ice, you might react by slamming on your brakes. This does not end well while you are in a car. It does not end well if you are skiing either. But this is another topic for another day.) Your direction of travel will be more diagonal across the trail following the mounds of soft snow while making short radius turns rather than heading straight down in a fixed corridor. You can also make wide long radius turns following the same diagonal pattern of the softer snow, but you will need to absorb the mounds by flexing and extending your ankles and knees. In either case, this will be much more enjoyable than scraping your way through the icy path.

Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows this trick. I'll get to the end of a run and the person I am skiing with will make a comment about the ice and I will reply: "Ice? There was ice?"

On-Mountain Ski Food

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0100

You've come to expect me to share my outdoor adventure knowledge, and I am not going to change gears completely, but a girl gets hungry. (Especially if she is outdoor adventuring a whole bunch.) So this blog is dedicated to one of my other favorite things besides skiing, which is lunch.There are two options for lunch at a ski resort. The first is to brown bag it/pack your own, and the second is to forage when you get there.

To give homage to the brown bag crowd, this is definitely the most economical and quite often, the healthiest option. I was brought up on this team, though my parents used an L.L. Bean tote bag, not a brown bag to pack our family lunches. Of course, I often needed an afternoon snack of soup from Maria who ran the cafeteria. It seemed like such a luxury to have this cup of soup in the afternoon, though I am sure it was standard Campbell's chicken noodle. And that may have started my addiction to eating on-mountain despite the sometimes lackluster options.

Of course the other reason, I often opt to not brown bag it, is that it's hard to pack a lunch when you are heading to the mountain. It can be done, but with all the planning it takes to actually get to there in the first place, food is one of those things that is easier to deal with later. Most resorts have pretty typical fare -- burgers, fries, pizza. I've noticed in the past five plus years, there are certainly more and better options.

One of my favorite on-mountain treats at Killington Resort in Vermont is Ana's Empanada's, conveniently located in the Needle's Eye area by the mid-station of the Skyship gondola. Made by a lovely husband and wife team (Ana is the wife if you did not guess already), the empanadas are all natural and made with local and fresh ingredients. You've never had an empanada? They are Latin American pastry or bread pockets stuffed with deliciousness, then sealed and baked or fried. The inspiration for a Hot Pocket probably came from someone who ate an empanada and thought, "We could make this into something gross and highly processed, freeze it, and sell it to lots of people who are too lazy to cook, or don't know how delicious an authentic, home-made empanada is."

My favorite empanada from Ana's is The Butternut: Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and wild mushrooms with a touch of hot chiles (extra chimichurri salsa, please). I think that I could drink the salsa straight and be totally blissed out for days. Of course, people would start avoiding me from the intense garlic odor seeping from my every pore. If you are from the brown bag/pack your own lunch school, they've opened a location in downtown Rutland, Vermont. You could buy a batch on your way to the mountain, but you might eat them all by the time you get to the mountain. So, maybe that is not an option.

I am going to move from the savory to the sweet. I think that the best sweet to purchase at a ski resort is a Snickers bar. You will pay $2 for it, but it's the perfect afternoon snack if you've been skiing hard all day long. Snickers really does satisfy, as they say. I recommend the added expense of purchasing this tasty treat at the mountain because it is sort of gross to eat a warm, mushy Snickers bar in the afternoon. Buy it. Eat it. Don't allow for lag time.

Of course, you might not make it inside the lodge to purchase a Snickers bar if you catch a whiff of a waffle wafting through the air. I've seen these waffle shacks everywhere lately, it seems.

The Waffle Cabin at Okemo has been featured on The Travel Channel's "Extreme Fast Food" show, as the most extreme drive-through in the country, according to Okemo PR Director Bonnie MacPherson. "Sure, the Belgian style waffles are delicious, but the best part is that you can ski right up to the window and wrap a mitten around a piping hot waffle. . .and keep right on skiing. The secret ingredient that makes these waffles irresistible is special beet sugar, imported from Europe. Sugar crystal nips baked into the batter give the waffles an extra little crunch as they caramelize on the outside of the waffle."

After all that sweet, I am going to end with something savory, and also something that appeals to the brown bag crowd. I have never done this, and I probably won't try it myself, but for spud fans, here's one for the recipe box. Back in the days of true frugality, Stowe Mountain Resort's Jeff Wise, would make a baked stuffed potato, wrap it in foil and put it in his pocket until it was lunch time. "Don't laugh," Jeff told me. "It actually tastes good cold, and provides a filling energy boost."

The Hot Pocket people should consider putting mashed potatoes in a tube for eating on the go.

Discounted Lift Tickets at Ski Resorts

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Skiing or riding can be an expensive hobby, but there are ways to get discounted lift tickets, especially if you follow my one proven tip on how to be a savvy bargain-hunter skier or rider. (If at any time during this blog post, you ask yourself, "Does this person realize she sounds like a cheesy infomercial," the answer is, "Yes, very much.")

The Tip: Don't Buy Your Lift Ticket at the Resort (Plus Some Foreshadowing about the One Exception to This Rule)

The first and only tip to save money is: Don't buy your lift ticket at the ticket booth. There is one exception to my one very important rule, but you'll need to keep reading. (Have I hooked you? I've never gone to cheesy infomercial school, so I am not sure if this is the correct tactic to get you to keep reading, but let's hope.)

When you purchase your ticket from the ticket booth at a ski resort, it's like paying full retail. Now, if you like to pay full price for something that you could buy discounted from another store, then please buy directly from the ticket booth. In fact, while you are at it (since you sound like a really nice person), buy a ticket for the guy in line behind you, too. Some people don't like even the slightest hassle. But, if you research deals and purchase tickets before you head to the mountain, chances are, you will save some cash. And it's quite simple.

Liftopia.com

My favorite go-to site to search for lift ticket deals is Liftopia.com. It's easy to navigate and the process is simple. The last time I used it, I bought my lift ticket online and printed a voucher page which I then showed at the resort ticket booth window. I saved about $20 off of the price of a full-day lift ticket.

Resort Web Sites and Resort Facebook Pages

Visiting your favorite resort web site can also save you some hard-earned greenbacks. I've found that most resorts list their special deals on the drop down menu button that says "tickets." Nowadays, you can sign up for special deal e-newsletters, so look for that option also. Some resorts offer deals to their Facebook fans, too.

The Exception to the Rule Revealed, Plus Some Pertinent Examples

The exception to my fantastic rule (just guessing that cheesy infomercial school would tell me to use an adjective to describe my rule) is if you've done your research ahead of time and you are going to the mountain on a special discount day. Here are some examples:

On non-holiday Tuesdays and Thursdays, Burke Mountain in Vermont offers a discounted rate of $25 for a full day ticket to guests 55 years and older. I am not 55, so this is not a great offer for me, but it gives me a chance to remind you to read the fine print with these discounts. Sometimes there are restrictions for these specials, like an age requirement. I'll remind you again later, since this advice is important.

Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont, is offering a special deal on April Fools' Day. If you donate three non-perishable food items on April 1, 2011, your lift ticket costs $10. Donations collected will be distributed to Black River Good Neighbors' food bank in Ludlow.

Head to Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2011, and pay $39 to for a one-day lift ticket.

Or check out Ski NH's deal page where every resort in New Hampshire lists their best day ticket discounts: http://www.skinh.com/lift-ticket-deals/index.cfm

Oh, but you wanted to ski in Vermont? That's okay, here is the place to go for Vermont deals: http://www.skivermont.com/events-and-deals/deals

And, Maine: http://skimaine.com/deals.php#skiareaoffers

But, don't just take my word for it, start searching for yourself.

Other Things to Note

If you are planning a multi-day trip to the mountain, you can also save by doing your homework. Many resorts offer package deals that include lodging and lifts tickets, or ski lessons and lift tickets.

Resorts tend to offer loyalty programs where you can get discounted tickets if you buy a certain amount. This is a great option if you know you will visit one resort multiple times, but you still aren't ready to commit to a full-season pass.

To be a savvy bargain-hunter skier or rider, you will need to read the fine print. (Does this sound slightly familiar from earlier in this blog?) Often, there are some exclusions to discounted offers. For instance, during peak holiday periods, deals will be difficult to find. But, keep searching and you can save some cash.

And remember this whenever you doubt that the price of admission might be too high for what you are getting in return for a day on the slopes: You are never going to pay a scalper $900 for a ticket, then sit on your butt for the next four hours watching a live football game, eating expensive hot dogs and drinking over-priced beers at a ski resort. In the worst case scenario, you will disregard my one valuable, brilliant tip and buy a lift ticket from the ticket booth for $90, and then be too cold and lazy that you end up sitting inside at the bar eating expensive hot dogs and drinking over-priced beer watching a televised football game. My point is that no matter what you pay to go skiing or riding, discounted or not, there is a lot that you will get back in return: fresh air, activity and the great outdoors.

A Must Read for Skiers: Spalding Gray's It's a Slippery Slope

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0100

I miss Spalding Gray. I never knew him personally, but I loved what he wrote. I also miss my copy of his book, It's a Slippery Slope, which used to be on my bookshelf. From one skier to another, regardless of your skill level, I highly recommend that you read it. Go buy a copy. I'd lend you mine, but it's currently--in the best scenario--on someone else's bookshelf or--in the worst scenario--lodged between a wall and a bed mattress somewhere in North America, depending on who borrowed it.

I am not going to ruin the story because (a.) I haven't read it recently and cannot remember all the details enough to give a proper synopsis; and (b.) even if I could remember the details, my version would be completely inferior to the original work. Plus, it's short, so you could probably read the entire book in a couple hours.

I will tell you this: it's a memoir that involves, among other things, Spalding's desire to learn how to ski. (There are many New England references.) I have no recollection of not skiing; no personal anecdote of looking at a ski trail and being mesmerized by the unfamiliarity of it. That's part of what Spalding shares. But, really, it's his right turn that has stayed with me the most since I first read the book. You see, he finally gets his nerves and his chance to try skiing, and all he can do is turn right.

You are probably not laughing right now at the thought of this which goes back to (b.) my delivery. Sorry about that. But, promise me, you'll at least consider my recommendation to read his book.

Then sometime soon, in a future blog post perhaps, I'll dissect the necessary components of making a left turn.

PS: If you haven't figure it out on your own, at this point, you should be more excited about reading It's a Slippery Slope than reading my future blog post about left hand turns. I mean, I probably won't actually write about that.

Cross-Country Skiing, XC Skiing, Nordic Skiing: By Any Name, Learn How This Winter

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0100

No matter what you call it, Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, or xc skiing, winters like this one--where we have lots of natural snow--are perfect opportunities to go and go often.

Look outside your window. I see piles of snow, which makes me smile. In New England, during winters when we are less blessed by the snow gods, the remarkable snow-making capacity at ski resorts provides us with the white stuff. Resorts augment the experience by carefully grooming their slopes, and whisking us back to the summit on high speed lifts. These factors along with other overhead expenses mean high operating costs for resorts, which in turn is why you have to pay high lift ticket prices. Bottom line: It costs a lot to run a thriving ski resort. I am so very thankful for what ski resorts do so we can enjoy the sport we love, even when the weather does not cooperate.

I am even more thankful during winters like this one, when Mother Nature pulls her own weight.

Cross-country ski tickets cost much less money than Alpine/downhill resort lift tickets. One reason is that you are buying a "ticket" rather than a "lift ticket." (No lifts mean less of an operating cost for cross-country areas.) Some cross-country areas have snow-making, and most areas groom their trails, but the scale to which they do so is minuscule compared to what thriving Alpine resorts do. Cross-country skiing costs less, but the conditions are somewhat less reliable. Except, of course, during great snow years. And thus far...2011 is an outstanding snow year. (Yippee!)

In addition to the cost factor of cross-country skiing (which can even be free if you can find somewhere to go where you are not trespassing), on very cold days it's a great option because you can stay a lot warmer while you are cross-country skiing compared to going downhill. It's an aerobic sport, so you generate lots of heat at the same time you are getting a great work out.

If you've never cross-country skied before, take a lesson. It will make this new experience much more enjoyable.

Bolton Valley Resort in Bolton, Vermont, is hosting the New England Nordic Ski Association 10th Annual New England Women's Ski Day on Sunday, January 30. It's a full day of Nordic skiing, lessons and ski demos. Sorry, men, this day is not for you.

I really love Ski Vermont's Reciprocal Pass Program. If you purchase a season pass at a cross-country ski area in Vermont, you can sample all the other participating Nordic areas in Vermont one day each with a one-time complimentary trail pass.

Ready to get out there? One of my go-to Web sites for checking snow conditions is Snocountry.com. They report conditions for both Alpine and Nordic resorts. Check out the Nordic report here: http://www.snocountry.com/index.php/home/ski-resort-directory/cross-country-directory.html

And for some cross-country skiing inspiration, check out David Goodman's adventure on Vermont's Catamount Trail in the January/February 2011 issue of Yankee Magazine.

The Pleasures of Mid-Week Skiing and Riding

rss@ypi.com (Heather Atwell) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0100

I work Monday through Friday at a desk job. In fact, I have had my behind in a standard issue office chair since a little before 9 a.m. on this lovely Monday morning. It's quite frigid outside, so I am okay with my work situation today. But, please, please don't let me know about the storm totals from yesterday. Don't let me even wonder how blue the sky is on the summit of my favorite mountain peak, and how fluffy the powder would be under my skis. And this storm that we might get tomorrow, don't mention that either. I'd rather live in denial that around Wednesday, ski resorts in New England will have been blessed by more snow and I will still be right here, sitting in my desk chair -- because this is where I am mid-week. It may sound like I am throwing myself a pity party, but what I am really doing, is getting to my point. Mid-week skiing is a true luxury, and if you do anything in this lifetime, you should spend at least one week of your life on vacation at a ski resort mid-week. And by one week of your life, I mean one week of your life each winter. And by mid-week, I mean during a non-holiday period. And by you, I mean YOU!

Why?

The answer seems obvious to me, but my guess is that most of the general skiing and riding public may not have had the same opportunity that I, and lots of people I personally know from my ski industry days, have had. Therefore the general public may not truly understand the "why" part. Working at a ski area full-time, for two full seasons, allowed me to notice the extreme difference between skiing on a weekend when the masses are out in full force and having the mountain to myself. And if you go mid-week, you pretty much have the entire mountain to yourself -- or so it seems. Of course, others are there, but they are like you -- lucky souls who get to enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of mid-week non-holiday skiing.

There is another reason to go mid-week skiing or riding: It's cheaper. Ski resorts want people to come to the mountain and spend money. Since there are so many barriers to getting away from what pays the bills mid-week (for instance: kids in school and vacation time deficit), resorts try to give incentives to overcome those barriers.

I've just given you two reasons to go skiing mid-week. Now that you understand the reasons why you should go skiing mid-week, I'll give you a few easy steps to actualize your plan. (Since it's still January, this could be a resolution, but really self-actualization can happen all ski season long.) Instead of dreaming about skiing in general at your desk job, you should focus your desk job day-dreaming on skiing mid-week. (Stay with me: ask, believe, receive. It works for skiing too!) Take the two reasons to ski mid-week as motivation to spend your lunch hour surfing the Web to find some great mid-week deals. They exist. You just need to find them. To recap my plan: (1) Daydream specifically about mid-week skiing; (2) take action by finding ski discounts.

I know that you can do this. The universe of mid-week skiing is waiting for you. Namaski.