Issues → January/February 2009 → Travel →
New England Winter Fun: 17 Ways
(page 3 of 3)
No. 12
Catch Iditarod Fever Close to Home
Mahoosuc Guide Service, based in Newry, Maine, offers dogsled
day trips and weekend overnights, introducing beginners to winter travel by snowshoe, ski, and canine team (all specialized winter clothing and equipment provided), as well as four- to six-day North Woods journeys into pristine wilderness. Or, if you're not quite up to mushing, check out the 80th Laconia (New Hampshire) World Championship Sled Dog Derby, February 13-15 this year. Watch canine champs race this 18-mile course over three days--a great way to get into the sled-dog spirit. Mahoosuc Guide Service, 207-824-2073; mahoosuc.com Laconia Derby, 603-524-4314; lrsdc.org
No. 13
Hang 10 in 10°
Visit Narragansett, Rhode Island, on February 21 this year to catch the 41st Annual Mid-Winter Surfing Championships, the longest-running winter surfing contest in the world. Winter surfers can enjoy near-empty beaches and bigger waves, and spectators can stay warm on the beach while still basking in the thrill of watching the competition. And, if you want to try winter surfing but you're not ready to compete yet, contact Peter Panagiotis--he runs the Peter Pan Surf School in Narragansett all year round (wet suit and surfboard provided). Eastern Surfing Association, 757-233-1790; sne.surfesa.org Peter Pan Sales, 401-575-0003; peterpansurf.com
No. 14
Moosehead Lake Snowmobiling
With 160 miles of well-groomed, marked trails (thanks to five loyal snowmobile clubs)--plus stops for coffee, food, and gas along the way--you can't beat Moosehead, Maine's largest lake, for snowmobiling adventure. Its tracks join with the Maine Interconnected Trail System, letting riders explore more of the Pine Tree State plus New Hampshire and Canada as well. Greenville and many of the other towns along the way are snowmobile-friendly, with rental shops, guide services, and plenty of resorts, as well as easily accessible trail condition reports. Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, 888-876-2778, 207-695-2702; mooseheadlake.org
No. 15
Watch Olympic Flyers
The Harris Hill Ski Jump in Brattleboro, Vermont, is one of only six such Olympic-sized structures in the U.S. Open since 1922, Harris Hill stayed in operation after the sport's popularity declined. The 85th annual tournament is scheduled for February 14-15 this year. It's worth the trip to watch the ski jumpers do their thing from the spectator climb--and when they take off, you'll hear the whoosh of air as they leap into space. 877-254-4565; harrishillskijump.org
No. 16
5 Tips for Great Winter Photos
1. If it snowed the night before, photograph early in the morning, before the sun becomes bright enough to reflect off the snow.
2. In winter, don't shoot directly into the sun, because it will reflect off the snow and bleach your picture.
3. Because of the gray-and-white landscape, it's easy to get washed-out looking pictures, so include some bright hues--a colorful scarf, for example--in your settings, to break up the pale expanse of winter scenes.
4. To keep the lens from fogging up in the cold, hold your camera near your body when you're not using it.
5. Cold weather uses up power fast, so carry extra batteries. When you're not taking pictures, take the batteries out of the camera and keep them warm in your pocket to save energy.
No. 17
How to Build a Snowman
The best snowman snow is at or near the melting point, with a high moisture content (near 50 percent). Roll the separate sections as symmetrically as possible, so that he doesn't start to lean. If the balls won't stay together, put sticks through their centers for support. If your arms get tired from all the rolling and lifting, use a bucket to pick up the snow and pile it on top for the upper sections; then shape them. Food coloring is a fun and easy way to add some pizzazz to your snowman; an umbrella will keep him from melting at the first hint of sun.
Reader Comments
Comment from Susan Russo on January 6, 2009
You missed a great family event in Stowe,VT on March 7th. Relay For Life NordicStyle being held at the Trapp Family Ski Touring Center. The "only" NordicStyle Relay in the country,this Relay has all the elements of a summer Relay, but is done on cross country skis, snowshoes or in winter boots on the oval or on the beautiful cross country trails of the lodge. For more information on particpating as a team, joining a team or being part of that very special group of cancer survivors, and being part of this historical Relay, go to www.relayforlife.org/nordicstylevt Hope to see you there as we work towards a cancer free society....
Comment from Allen Hawthorne on April 27, 2009
There's more to the traditional "sugar on snow" treat: alternate spoonfuls of the chewy, syrup-sweetened snow with small bites of a dill pickle spear and occasionally cleanse the palate with a bite of ordinary cake donut.
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