Odds are you’ve seen this image floating around Facebook today as die-hard skiers and riders in the Northeast are crossing fingers, toes, arms, legs and who knows what else in hopes they could be in for one more taste of winter.

Courtesy of The Weather Channel

If you look close (ok, really close) it appears this little something or other could drum up bit of accumulation (consistency: TBD) for Jay Peak and Stowe overnight and into Thursday. A little dust on man-made crust perhaps? Yes, please.

You may have noticed we’re avoiding the mention of a certain four letter word in this post… just trying not to jinx it. Jinx what? Exactly. The season end is nigh one way or another, but the chance of a few extra days on the board is definitely worth superstitiously tying yourself in a pretzel for.

Notice anything different?

Believe it or not these photos were taken just 4 days apart. Yeah F-O-U-R. As in less than a week. As if Mother Nature’s volatile temperature mix wasn’t enough to make this a memorable season already, now Jay Peak is making snow again… in late March! You’re absolutely right, that $#it cray!

Just last week Jay was peeling back the roof panels on the new Pumphouse Waterpark to cool things down with the refreshing 70+ degree outside temps that were sweeping through the east and setting a record-breaking meltdown. Now, just a day after five more resorts have closed for the season, temps are diving into the 20s and 30s and the guns are back on. What up with that.

Jay is planning to continue snowmaking efforts non-stop for the 24-36 hour window as long as temperatures allow. We say, “stick it to Ma Nature, Jay and let it blow!” (Just don’t send us the bill.)

Prototype tests at Stratton, VT 1990. Photo: Hubert Schriebl, Rider: Tera Eberhard

There’s nothing like that time of the year when you can go blasting down the mountain in a t-shirt, no gloves, goggles (or snowpants for that matter) and know that even in the event of a massive digger, you’ll come out smiling. Spring riding is one way we cope with the seasonality of snowboarding in Vermont and just like foliage, maple syrup and Sports Illustrated, there’s a time of year when it’s best. Sure, spring conditions were basically the only ones we got, but whatever… good excuse to crush some demo boards anyway.

With Burton’s headquarters near the home of the US Open in Stratton, it simply wasn’t that rare a sight to see some of the world’s best snowboarders getting in some turns on prototype product, or for a photoshoot. Tera Eberhard was one of the first dominant women in snowboarding—and not afraid to compete in race and halfpipe events.

Each Thursday we present a photo from the annals of snowboarding history in Vermont.

UPDATED: Friday, 3/23, 5:00PM

Check out the Weekend Roundup for full list of events happening this weekend.

Courtesy of Mount Snow.

You’re probably thinking, “It’s that time of year again already!?”

Yep, it’s true. Spring has sprung very early and there’s little more we can do about it than slather on the sunblock, pop on some shades and go ripping down the slush to skim across a pond for old times sake.

It’s pond skim season and let’s take this piss poor disappointing season out with a splash. After all, it’s tradition.

Here’s where and when to dress like a [insert noun here] and try your hand at staying afloat. Winners of these events usually take home prizes, but on the birght side if you don’t win, at least it will feel refreshing in this 80 degree heat.

Mount Snow:  March 24 // 10th Annual Sink or Skim Pond Skim // Limit 125 skimmers

Sugarbush: March 24 // Pond Skimming – Annual Rite of Spring // $20

Killington:  April 1 // Bud Light Intergalactic Pond Skimming Championships (K-1 Lodge) // $10

Jay Peak:  April 14 // Pond Skimming (Tramside)

We think it goes without saying, but its about friggin’ time that southern Vermont got some serious snow love. And today, the lovin’ is good. We’re talkin’ a foot plus of freshies and it continues to dump on the smiling faces of starving powder hounds.

Luke gets stylie under the Black Lift at Magic Mountain.

The Ride Vermont crew hung the closed sign on the office door and hit the hill early to tear it up at nearby Stratton Mountain. After our fill of faceshots (okay, there’s really no such thing as enough, but you get what we’re saying) we packed up the rig and took off to the north to find epically deep stashes throughout the gnarly wooded terrain at Magic Mountain (or as we like to call it, the trail less traveled.)

Long story short, it’s fair to say winter arrived in Vermont. Sure it’s a few months late, but we’re in no place to complain. In fact, these could easily be the best conditions we’ve seen (and maybe will see) all season. So get out, shred hard and don’t forget to button your powder skirt.

Here’s a few pics from ’round south. Post your pow pics on our Facebook wall or tweet that ish to @ridevermont. Cheers.

Photo Courtesy of Okemo.

Photo Courtesy of Killington

Oh yeah. We got that fresh. Great success!

“Deep” down, skiers are good people. Photo Courtesy of Mount Snow.

]]> http://ridevermont.com/southern-vermont-gets-its-due-12-inches-of-pow/feed 0 http://ridevermont.com/girls-day-out-at-mount-snow http://ridevermont.com/girls-day-out-at-mount-snow#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:20:06 +0000 Pete http://ridevermont.com/?p=635 Continue reading →]]> Tweet

We’d been hearing rumors about this event that’s returning to Carinthia Parks at Mount Snow in March. All we knew for sure was that badass snowboarding chicks were involved and the guys weren’t invited. So we decided to find out just what the heck Girls’ Day Out is all about.

The girls get some pointers from their coach. Photo Courtesy of GDO.

After quizzing event organizer Jessica Trimble with a series of character-assessing questions — Michael Jackson vs. Janet Jackson, favorite ice cream and whether or not she’d return a wallet full o’ cash she found the street — we moved on to the upcoming GDO snowboard clinic at Mount Snow. Here’s what she had to say about it.

Ride Vermont: Where did the idea for Girls’ Day Out come from?

Jess Trimble: I grew up riding at Mount Snow, but didn’t know many people who wanted to ride park. I knew that there were more girls like me that wanted to break into the park but needed some guidance. Learning basic tricks like ollies, boardslides and 180s can be daunting for a total novice, but once you have those moves down it’s easier to progress to the next level and feel more comfortable riding in the park.

RV: How’d it get started at Mount Snow?

JT: Last year I was an intern in the marketing department at Mount Snow. I came to them with my idea for a women’s park clinic and they loved it. With some guidance from everyone in the department, help from friends who volunteered to coach and the Carinthia park crew for building the best park, the first-ever Girls’ Day Out came together on a partly rainy, partly sunny spring day.

Last year's event had a huge turnout. Photo Courtesy of GDO.

RV: What was the response like?

JT: The response has been amazing! Last year we had around 45 women aged 13 to 40 something. After the event I got so many emails from girls saying thanks for having the event. This was why I had to bring the event back for another year.

Now I see even more girls riding at Mount Snow and many of them are friends because of Girls’ Day Out. One of them even came up to me and told me that Girls’ Day Out changed her life and that her coach, Tanya Schmidt, was such an inspiration. That same girl got first in the Red Bull Butter Cup at Mount Snow.

RV: Wow, that’s awesome. You must be stoked. So what’s your background in snowboarding anyway?

JT: I switched to snowboarding when I was eight and since then I have done everything I can to be closer to the mountains. I was an instructor at Mount Snow for a while. I lived in Utah for 6 months to shred and go to school. Snowboarding has allowed me so many great opportunities to travel and meet incredible people who share my love for the sport. I owe a lot to snowboarding, so I hope that Girls’ Day Out helps other girls realize their passion.

With a little help from my friends. Photo Courtesy of GDO.

RV: Do you think it’s hard being a girl trying to break into the snowsports scene?

JT: In some ways I think it might be easier for girls to be noticed and get sponsored because there is less competition. However, there’s still a lot of barriers like the cost and time commitment needed to pursue snowboarding. I think that with more events like this one, that give girls the opportunity to break into the sport at a young age — and the continued progression of women’s sports in general, in the future we’ll see more and more females going pro.

RV: What should girls expect from GDO and what should they bring to it, mentally?

JT: Expect to make 50 new friends, fall hard, smile harder, and ride away with a few new tricks in your bag. It’s helpful if the girls know what their ability level is and what they would like to learn; that way their coach will be able to maximize the time they have with their group. Most importantly, a positive attitude and the willingness to learn will get you a long way on your snowboard and in life.

Interested in taking part? Here are the deets.

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 2012

WHERE: Carinthia Parks, Mount Snow

WHAT: Girls’ Day Out is a freestyle snowboarding clinic for female snowboarders aged 13 and up. This is a chance for beginner and intermediate park riders, to learn to slide, jump, spin and jib in a supportive, no-pressure environment from top female riders and coaches. Private park just for the GDO girls, free pizza lunch and sponsor swag bags for all participants. Space is limited; don’t miss out on all the fun at Girls’ Day Out at Mount Snow.

COST: $40 registration fee includes a full day of freestyle coaching, free pizza party and sponsor swag bag. No season pass? Add your lift ticket for only $49.

REGISTRATION: Click here. After registering, email Jess Trimble at jtrm085@mac.com with your ability.

SCHEDULE:
8:00-9:30AM:  Registration in Carinthia Lodge basement
9:45-10:00AM:  Meet up with coaches on the Carinthia Lodge deck
10:00AM:  Head to the Park
12:00PM:  Free pizza lunch in Carinthia Lodge basement
12:45PM:  Head back to the park
2:45PM:  Awards at Carinthia Lodge deck
3:20PM:  Call it a Day or Free Ride

Got questions? Email Jess (jtrm085@mac.com) or visit Girls’ Day Out on Facebook.
Here’s a little teaser to help stoke you up.

Jake Burton airing it out. Photo: Mark Heingartner

It’s easy to take the snow for granted sometimes, like when there’s a crap ton of it. But other times, like up until this week, we’re sobered up to just how lucky we are that Vermont bestows a season specially devoted to the practice of sliding sideways. It’s nurtured our sport and our love of the outdoors. And now that the snow is finally here, we can get back to what we love most about winter. Snowboarding.

Shots like this 1983 pic Mark Heingartner took of Jake Burton airing it out make you wonder if the people hiking in the background knew they were witnessing history. Hiking to get some laps in Woodstock, Vermont, while riding the Performer — one of the most recognizable boards of the era.

Each Thursday we present a photo from the annals of snowboarding history in Vermont.

If there’s any hope in the old saying “good things come to those who wait,” our number may finally be up friends. The next 48 hours could well be the start of the winter we’ve all be longing for, and we’re sure you whole heartedly agree we have waited long enough.

This two-part system is expecting to see lake-effect snow coming out of the Great Lakes, making it our way overnight Wednesday into the wee hours of Thursday morn. The second system could produce enhanced snowfall for Friday into Saturday. Two-system totals are estimated for anywhere from 9″ to a foot and a half of the white stuff. Hey, we’re all for natural snow enhancement. (Read that again, so you don’t think we’re sickos.)

Plus, without getting too ahead of ourselves with snowfall estimates (we’ve seen what good that does or rather, doesn’t do), there’s tons to do at Vermont resorts over the MLK weekend. So wax up the gear, get out there and keep the winter dream alive.

Stratton
Saturday: Cold Wars Rail Jam
Live music and Apres at Grizzly’s
Fireworks by the Main base Area, 8:30pm

Mount Snow
Sunday: Torchlight and Fireworks , 5:30-8PM
Monday: Grommet Jam

Smuggs
Friday/Saturday: Apres, music, trivia and more, 2PM
Saturday: Gravity Control Rail Jam
Saturday/Sunday: Family Fun Race, 11AM-2PM

Sugarbush
Saturday: Family and apres activities
Free Whistle Pig Whiskey Tasting
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
Late Night Music in Castlerock Pub, 8PM-12AM.
Sunday: Kids Movie and Pizza Night
East Shore Vineyard Wine Tasting

Magic Mountain
Alakazaam Tubing Park “Apres School” hours on Friday, 4-7PM, Saturday 11AM-7PM and Sunday 11AM-4PM.

Okemo
January White Sale deals
Kids Rock Free – Get one free Junior or Young adult ticket when you buy one Adult ticket for the same day.
MLK Online Ticket Offer: pre-buy a special holiday three-day lift ticket valid January 14-16, for just $185 (Adults)

Dew Tour Superpipe is taking shape at Killington. Photo: Chandler Burgess/Killington Resort.

Look out a window. Any window. We don’t have to remind you what a slow season it’s been, far as natural snowfall is concerned. And with the Dew Tour coming to Killington in less than two weeks, the thought on everyone’s mind is “Will they be ready?”

To ease the stress cases out there, us included, Ride Vermont caught up with Sarah Thorson, K-Town’s own Communications Manager to get the skinny on mountain prep. You can always count on Sarah knowing the score and just like we expected, five minutes on the phone with her and our heart rates were back to normal and the perspiring had all but ceased. Here’s the word.

“Killington Resort is thrilled to host the largest on-snow event in the East and we’ve committed to provide the highest quality of snow for the upcoming event. These low temperatures have allowed our snowmakers to pile up the snow for the Superpipe and Slopestyle course at Bear Mountain and things are looking fantastic. It’s been a rough start for snowmaking, but as long as the temps are there, we are not stopping. We’re looking forward to having the best freeskiers and snowboarders from around the world compete at Killington Resort in the second stop of the Winter Dew Tour.”

Next up: On Monday, January 16, Alli Sports will announce who will be competing here in Vermont. Stay tuned to Ride Vermont for the latest. ‘Til then… Check out live images of the Superpipe construction here.

After patiently waiting for Mother Nature to turn her cold side, it looks like the winter season has finally arrived here in the Green Mountains. And, oh what a relief it is.

Over the holiday week, and following a surprisingly white Christmas, the temps have remained chilly enough for expansive snowmaking at many resorts and low and behold a bit of fresh to find its way to the slopes. Check out this boarder gettin’ some at Killington on Thursday.

Yeeah bro! Photo Courtesy of Killington.

Up at Sugarbush they’ve been droppin’ ropes left and right. We’re talking over 50 new trails open in the last 48 hours. Redonkulous.

Bolton, Stowe, Smuggs and Jay have been feeling the love lately, tallying close to a foot of fresh top to bottom in the last days of 2011.

Sugarbush picked up a foot of flakes this week. Photo Courtesy of Sugarbush.

The images rolling in from the resorts this week are definitely kickin’ up the stoke and more seasonal weather is due as we welcome twenty twelve. Maybe even some lake-effect snow. Keep up the funky snowdances, ancient rituals and all-night Ouija board sessions. They seem to be working.

Snow in the forecast to start off 2012. Image courtesy of The Weather Channel.

There’s a lot on tap in the New Year, so be sure to keep an eye on the Ride Vermont Events page for all the deets.

Enjoy the snow and Happy New Year.

-Ride Vermont