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. →

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 … Continue … 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 … Continue Reading ››