I'll start by noting that the last photo posted by Silver Linings is a bit disturbing. Funny, but disturbing.
As for Winter, I was out on the snow on Monday morning, expecting a 35-40 degree day, since that's what the weather forecast had indicated. Boy, was I wrong. It was just like the middle of February, low 20's, breezy and crystal blue skies.... and snow everywhere.
It was so nice on Monday, I went out again on Tuesday morning for a few runs. The temps were a little warmer, but winter is still here. Which means.......the skiing and riding will continue to be good for the next few weeks. OK, I know, Mother Nature could change her mind. But she's gonna have to work really hard to make all of the snow disappear that fast.
I had the pleasure this winter of taking part in the Innkeeper's Racing series. Sadly, we had our last race on Tuesday. The fun part was, we had a really great End of Season dinner and awards event up at The Hawk Mountain Resort. Great food, music and a ton of heckling, for those people who won 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.....and the team trophy went to Northern Ski Works....nice job! If you know Chris Kleeman, the Innkeeper's race director, say thank you for a great season, without his dedication the weekly races would never happen.
See you on the snow.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Is that a Marshmallow Peep in the Trees?
Eastern Ski Writers Association President Chris Dehnel spent Sunday in the glades researching terrain for upcoming segments in his Journal Inquirer column and SnowEast magazine and had this to report:
"Tree skiing at Okemo is the best its been in five years.
The run down Outrage was silky smooth - especially in the middle - and almost every fall line had it rewards. There were a lot of easy decisions to make in there - even over the ledges where one can get abit of air.
Forest Bump was a little firm at the top, but the rest of the glade made one forget about that in a hurry.
Supernova had an annoying crust to it - as did most of Jackson Gore early in the day - but when it softens up over the next couple of days, add that run to the list of must-dos for the this spring.
But the real hero of the day was Loose Spruce. It began with a smooth carpet and became better as one worked his way down the glade. Skiing it just made one giddy."
"Tree skiing at Okemo is the best its been in five years.
The run down Outrage was silky smooth - especially in the middle - and almost every fall line had it rewards. There were a lot of easy decisions to make in there - even over the ledges where one can get abit of air.
Forest Bump was a little firm at the top, but the rest of the glade made one forget about that in a hurry.
Supernova had an annoying crust to it - as did most of Jackson Gore early in the day - but when it softens up over the next couple of days, add that run to the list of must-dos for the this spring.
But the real hero of the day was Loose Spruce. It began with a smooth carpet and became better as one worked his way down the glade. Skiing it just made one giddy."
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Note from Ross Powers
Feb 23rd and 24th I had one of my Ross Powers Camps at Mount Sunapee. We had a great camp with a good group of riders and coaches. The weather was nice and sunny and Sunapee did a great job with it's park. I don't think I left the park and pipe lift once the whole weekend. After the first day all the campers told me they at least learned one new trick if not a bunch as we were watching video of that day. On the Sunday of my camp there was a pipe contest that some of the campers rode in. One of the campers got second and one got third which was cool to see. I had a great time riding with everyone at the camp and look forward to going back to Sunapee for another camp next year.
I'm looking forward to my Ross Powers Camp coming up March 24th-26th at Okemo. We have a good group of coaches lined up for the camp and hopefully some nice spring weather. Okemo has had such a good pipe and park this year and I look forward to riding it as well as the mountain with all the campers. My goals for the camp are to help the campers learn new tricks, for them to meet new friends and most importantly to have fun. This year we've been doing more video of the campers which has been cool. We will also have a Pizza party with goodies and autographs. I hope to see you at my camp for a fun few days of snowboarding at Okemo.
~Ross
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Okemo Site Back Up
Update: we're back online, including season pass sales and lodging reservations. Thanks for your patience! However, our email snow report is still not available. Be sure to visit the snow report for up-to-the-minute info.
Due to some unforseen technical issues, the Okemo website is currently down. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
The snow is awesome and we're 100% open. For up to date conditions, call our snow phone at (802) 228-1782.
For lodging and ticket information, 1-800-78-OKEMO
Hopefully we'll be back online soon!
Due to some unforseen technical issues, the Okemo website is currently down. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
The snow is awesome and we're 100% open. For up to date conditions, call our snow phone at (802) 228-1782.
For lodging and ticket information, 1-800-78-OKEMO
Hopefully we'll be back online soon!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
One word: WOW
This is the east coast right? And in the Northeast the weather is fickle, plain and simple. One minute sunny, one minute snowing. Today? Case in point.
I'll admit it. I did not want to ski this morning. It was drizzly, it was damp, it was foggy...just not the ideal day. But, I signed up for WAA WAA (Women's Alpine Adventures) and I LIVE for this program every year. It's amazing what you can do for your skiing with a few days, a small group and a fantastic instructor. (Sorry guys girls only this time.) Anyway, if I were to wimp out, I wouldn't be able to show my face the next morning. So I dressed, headed out and decided to make the best of it. Let me tell you, the best is exactly what we had. The snow was absolutely amazing!
Hands down, we skied through more than I thought was possible in one day. From drizzle, fog, sleet, snow, and freezing rain (can I say microdermabrasion!)... to a little wind, more snow, a few peaks of sun (yes I said sun)... and call it a day. It was insane.
But you know what? My skiing is better for it. It was fun, I learned a ton, and we had the whole mountain to ourselves. So all of you fair weather skiers, take note: if you're willing to brave the elements on a day like today, the mountain will reward you.
Time to head off and get the boots on the drier and wring out my gloves - tomorrow should be awesome!
I'll admit it. I did not want to ski this morning. It was drizzly, it was damp, it was foggy...just not the ideal day. But, I signed up for WAA WAA (Women's Alpine Adventures) and I LIVE for this program every year. It's amazing what you can do for your skiing with a few days, a small group and a fantastic instructor. (Sorry guys girls only this time.) Anyway, if I were to wimp out, I wouldn't be able to show my face the next morning. So I dressed, headed out and decided to make the best of it. Let me tell you, the best is exactly what we had. The snow was absolutely amazing!
Hands down, we skied through more than I thought was possible in one day. From drizzle, fog, sleet, snow, and freezing rain (can I say microdermabrasion!)... to a little wind, more snow, a few peaks of sun (yes I said sun)... and call it a day. It was insane.
But you know what? My skiing is better for it. It was fun, I learned a ton, and we had the whole mountain to ourselves. So all of you fair weather skiers, take note: if you're willing to brave the elements on a day like today, the mountain will reward you.
Time to head off and get the boots on the drier and wring out my gloves - tomorrow should be awesome!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
OMG AWESOME!
When my friend Lucky (yeah, that's really his name) called me yesterday afternoon and suggested meeting for first tracks on Sunday, I was the one feeling lucky that my job allows me to start the day with friends and freshies.
What a jolt ... and especially on a day like this one. It is absolutely glorious here and the conditions are simply inspiring. We headed straight for South Face, where we were met with powder-dusted packed powder corduroy. I'm such an eastern skier and I always anticipate fast snow. This morning's conditions were like a trip to a tropical island - chillin out, slowin' down taking it easy with the sun on my face - oh yeah! On the first few runs we had the entire trails to ourselves and skied right up and onto the lift where Richard, with his melodic Jamaican accent, reminded us what a beautiful mornin' it was. Richard did a little side-to-side two step as he paced the maze to a reggae beat.
When we had our fill of South Face, we took the turn down Rimrock and hopped on the Glades Peak Chair for a return to the summit. We pointed the boards down Buckhorn and as we neared the terminus of the Northstar Express, Lucky shouted, "leader's choice." I turned my skis into the hill to give him the lead and he shot down World Cup. Piles of snow were already starting to form but they were so light and fluffy that my boards sent up big clouds of powder as I crashed through. I collected my thoughts and checked my speed - reminding myself to slow down and enjoy the ride.
All good things must come to an end, and since it is a work day for me afterall, I said so-long to Lucky and made my way across the base area to my office. I persevered through the stream of eager skiers and riders headed for the lifts and their first runs of the day at the crack of ten. I felt a glib sense of satisfaction knowing that I beat them all to the punch. It was me who carved the corduroy on Turkey Shoot and made those first tracks in the snow on Stump Jumper. Ha ha ha! Cheers!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Pow!
Three words:
Totally sick pow
Last night snow fell (after midnight), dropping the first 10" of fresh pow on March 1. I woke up this morning with a HUGE smile on my face and came to 'work' with my ski pants already on.
Let me put it to you like this. This morning was absolutely as good as it gets. First chair at South Face and it was fresh tracks everywhere. The woods were amazing. It's so deep in there that you can literally go anywhere you want. I went into a stream bed. That was probably not the best decision as I found myself buried in waist high powder with no way out. Okay, but the rest of the glades are amazing. You're just floating through the best snow we've seen all year. The grooming machines were out this morning, and it some places knocked down the powder into the worlds best corduroy. The whole mountain is, in one word, epic.
If you're not here enjoying the best winter we've seen in years, get in your car NOW and head for Okemo. More snow expected next week so the fun isn't going to end anytime soon!
Back to the pow pow.
Totally sick pow
Last night snow fell (after midnight), dropping the first 10" of fresh pow on March 1. I woke up this morning with a HUGE smile on my face and came to 'work' with my ski pants already on.
Let me put it to you like this. This morning was absolutely as good as it gets. First chair at South Face and it was fresh tracks everywhere. The woods were amazing. It's so deep in there that you can literally go anywhere you want. I went into a stream bed. That was probably not the best decision as I found myself buried in waist high powder with no way out. Okay, but the rest of the glades are amazing. You're just floating through the best snow we've seen all year. The grooming machines were out this morning, and it some places knocked down the powder into the worlds best corduroy. The whole mountain is, in one word, epic.
If you're not here enjoying the best winter we've seen in years, get in your car NOW and head for Okemo. More snow expected next week so the fun isn't going to end anytime soon!
Back to the pow pow.
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