Roxbury, NY – The weather radio crackled with a Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service in Albany. Six to 10 inches of snow were expected overnight in New York State’s Capital District, and 11 to 14 inches to the south in the Catskills. The situation was setting up perfectly for a “Powder … Continue reading Ski Plattekill: Powder Daize
Londonderry, VT – When I was in graduate school in 1988 I skied at Magic Mountain. The weekday lift tickets were $15 back then, an attractive price for a poor student. It may have been cheap, but I remember good skiing for such a small place, with nice terrain and no frills barely more than … Continue reading Magic Mountain: Keeping the Magic Alive
Ellicottville, NY – The warm rain washed away the early December snow that had fallen in copious amounts the prior weekend and frigid air was on its tails. The conditions for the coming weekend were looking like refrozen saturated snow, in other words “boilerplate” and “death cookies.” The cold air worked up the moisture from … Continue reading Ski Capital of Western New York
Photos by Marc Guido Six warm, snowless months have passed. The leaves have fallen from the trees, and the first stretches of cold weather have come to the northeastern United States. On the Internet, ski-related chat rooms, message boards and listservs are busy with the buzz of the dawning winter season. Ski swaps, pre-season shop … Continue reading Early Season, O.K.
Cortland, NY – When the lake-effect snow cranks up off Lakes Ontario or Erie, work in New York’s Southern Tier ends early, and the rest of the day is spent choking on powder turns in a blinding blizzard into the night under the lights of Greek Peak. Dinner is a Power Bar, or waits until … Continue reading Greek Peak: Central N.Y. Skiing As Good As It Gets
Lake Placid, NY – What makes a perfect family ski vacation? Is it a mountain large and diverse enough to satisfy all abilities, preferences and choices? Or, is it a quaint village with historical values, a feeling of remote tranquility, invariably warm and hospitable locals, and a festive atmosphere? Perhaps it’s an ample choice of … Continue reading Lake Placid: Family-Friendly Olympic Heritage
Stoneham (QC), Canada – “If you don’t slow down, you’re going to give me frostbite!” Such was Rob’s concern as we speed down perfectly groomed corduroy at Québec’s Stoneham Mountain Resort. It was the American Thanksgiving weekend, and we had escaped the crowds by heading north of the border. When you want to get away … Continue reading Stoneham: Destination Resort or Suburban Delight?
