skiing Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

To a Stellar Ski Season 2026

Paula — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:06:00 +0000

Two weekends ago marked the end of ski season and what a season it was. Ski season 2026. The snow started flying in December and all of January was perfection, as was February. March might have been a little rockier weather-wise but wow the snow was peak almost the entire season with the exception of about a week of rain. To be clear, I was laid off in late November and that was terrible and a big hit financially. But ski season started maybe 3 weeks into the layoff. THANK GOD. Before mid December the doors were open at our local ski club and I was at the lodge and happy to have a space to carve. I mean this year many ski resorts like this one on the east coast got record snow. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I make a small commission off of qualifying links. This year, after a super quick pause to process, connect with unemployment and engage a career support agency, I looked at networking in different ways. Despite being an introvert, I challenged myself to make new connections and to tell people my story. Sometimes that was chitchat on a chairlift or connecting with board members and skiers at events like Ladies Day. And I made a lot of new contacts on bus trips to Blue Mountain with local skiers. Networking Differently Honestly, I’d rather not be sitting in a room talking to other people looking for jobs or on a Zoom meeting hosted by a career guru. This worked way better for me and my mental health. So, outside it was. Even on those -20C mornings. If I could get out in my favourite cold weather ski gear dressed for the conditions, then I was out on the hill skiing or practicing until everything else fell away. This is the year I learned javelin turns, balancing on one leg, fixing my balance and leaning hard into the ice. If you ski on the east coast then you know the conditions are always a mix of wild weather and the positive thing about that is you generally learn to ski almost anything (but for heavy powder.) Typically we go to Vermont for that. No place better on the east. But this was the season we got the heavy powder too. On the days when I went with the bus trip to Blue Mountain we worked hard for those turns and loved the heavy powder at Blue, along with the views of course. Meeting new people and making connections was a true bonus. Sundays are for the Girls Of course, there were my Sunday girl days. Just me and Payton. Followed by a T&T trip or a sushi lunch date. Sometimes date night Thursday, Friday or Saturdays with Jim and occasionally the entire family made it out together. The busier and older my kids get, the harder it is to make that happen. Payton is currently finishing her last year of her undergraduate degree and Noah is in school again as well. So times are busy and school takes priority. Unfortunately one of those Sundays in February I was hit by a snowboarder and I injured my shoulder and lower back which took me out for a few days. Back pain persisted for weeks but seems to finally be vanishing. New Patterns This year, I skied by myself often in the morning because it kept me moving and was a brilliant way to start my day. I enjoyed Ladies Day at Boler yet again which I highly recommend every February and I managed to stay active every week with a record number of hours spent skiing. For the first time ever I did the double black diamond at Boler (Wayne’s) which is honestly not a double black but is labelled as such so I am taking the win. I got over a lot of my fear of tackling new runs and channeled my inner athlete to work on turns, steeper slopes and more challenging terrain. Black diamond runs were less daunting than before as practice and muscle memory kicked in. Ski Season 2026 At least on the east coast, ski season 2026 was one of a kind. My only regret this year is that we couldn’t get to Tremblant or Vermont. At this time, nobody in my family is travelling to the United States due to the politics involved. Sadly, we miss Vermont and Maine and Upstate New York. And as for Tremblant, this year it would have been ideal as I had the time but the money was another matter. Every single year as the ski season comes to an end I do not go lightly or easily. I am on my skis skiing until the very last moment even as the mud starts poking through making slopes insanely narrow and ugly. Until the Summer It makes me insanely sad when the season ends, like fall into a depressed state sad, but this is my attempt to remember what a great year it was for snowboarders and skiers. During the spring months which are not my favourite, I will fight to be as physically active as possible for my mental and physical health. Too much rain and too many grey days before camping and swimming season gives me a reason again. For now I will engage in walks and hikes and anything else that I can find. Of course, a small part of me will be counting the days until December when the snow flies again.

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Ski Clothing for the Coldest Conditions

Paula — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:31:46 +0000

Consider this a Get Ready With Me kind of post for those days when you want to get outdoors but need to brave the -20°C temperatures. You know, polar vortex kind of weather? So what’s the best ski clothing for the coldest conditions. Post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases made via qualifying links. To be clear, this is a women’s clothing post. I wear women’s ski clothing. If you are a man or a youth, several of these tips still apply but you probably need to modify the brand names of the clothing to suit men’s sizing or youth sizes. When the temperature drops to -20°C, skiing shifts from a casual hobby to a serious game of temperature management. As an outdoor enthusiast with years of experience navigating the elements, I’ve learned that a polar vortex is no reason to stay inside—you just need the right technical layers. You know that saying no bad weather, just bad clothing? That’s exactly what we believe. If you love to ski or snowboard, you should layer up and get going. Here is exactly how I layer up to stay cozy and focused on the run when the mountain climate hits -13 to -30C. Don’t miss my TikTok ski clothing video about dressing for cold weather. The Layering Strategy Whether I’m exploring a new trail or heading to a familiar peak, my ski capsule wardrobe (LOL) ensures I’m focusing on the fresh air, enjoying the views from the summit, and the descent rather than the thermostat. See you on the chairlift! 🎿 Let me know if you have any of these pieces or if you have other favourites. Looking for a great ski adventure? This is one of my favourite destinations for ski families. Smuggs and Sugarbush in Vermont. Whiteface in New York State and Mont Tremblant of course in Quebec.

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Why Whiteface Mountain is Pure Magic

Paula — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:49:00 +0000

You know those trips that just stick with you? The ones you think about in the middle of a mundane workday, wishing you could swap that office chair for a quad chair or gondola and the smell of pine and cold air? For me, lately that trip is skiing Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York. I visited Lake Placid and skied Whiteface with my family a couple of years ago and it’s been too long. The History Whiteface isn’t just another ski resort; it’s iconic. Tucked away in the stunning Adirondacks, this mountain has a pedigree few others in the East can claim, having hosted the Alpine events for the 1980 Winter Olympics. When you’re standing at the base, looking up at that massive face, you can feel the history and to be clear there are signs of that everywhere. But that’s not why I keep dreaming of going back. It’s the height, the challenge, the trails and the views honestly. The Greatest Vertical in the East (and the Best Kind of Leg Burn) We hit Whiteface knowing its reputation: the “Beast of the East.” And trust me, it lives up to the name. This isn’t your average hill. Whiteface Mountain boasts the greatest vertical drop of any lift-served mountain east of the Rockies. We’re talking about over 3,100 feet of vertical descent, a difference you feel in your legs almost immediately. The four of us are good skiers and have been at it for over a decade now so I wasn’t overly concerned but I was hopeful about finding some excellent conditions and scenery. My strongest memory of our Whiteface trip revolves around tackling new to us terrain. For me, it was challenging in the best way. Cloudsplitter Gondola Catching the Cloudsplitter Gondola up to Little Whiteface, or riding the Summit Quad, rewards you with a panoramic sightline that is truly breathtaking. The gondola ride alone is a kick in the pants. You’re surrounded by the Adirondack High Peaks—a sea of white and evergreen—with the iconic Mirror Lake and Lake Placid village nestled below. On a clear day, you can even see into Vermont and beyond. It’s a moment where you forget the burning in your quads and just soak in the epic scale of the wilderness. For a necessary break from the steeps, the intermediate cruisers here are legendary. The Wilmington Trail, which runs for over two miles, is the perfect chance to lay down some huge, fast arcs while taking in the scenery—a great run to ski together as a family. Black Diamonds Whiteface doesn’t mess around with its Black Diamonds. When the conditions are right, you can even experience The Slides, the infamous double-black diamond, hike-to, off-piste terrain that offers a truly wild, unbridled challenge. It’s the kind of skiing that demands your full attention, a level of focus that is incredibly rewarding. Runs like Skyward—dropping almost straight down from the Summit Quad—offer an adrenaline rush and a leg burner that tests your skills from top to bottom. It’s relentless, steep, and magnificent. Regardless of the run I chose during our visit, I felt exhausted but invigorated, instantly planning my next punishing lap. Whiteface boasts the kind of runs where you need to create a break on a flat halfway down to get your sea legs straight. Or at least I did. The Perfect Balance: Challenge and Charm Whiteface can also be great for a young family. While the experts are playing on the steeps of the Summit and Little Whiteface, the beginners have the excellent Bear Den Learning Center, a separate area designed for low-pressure learning. This is important to ensuring everyone, from the seasoned skiers to those still mastering their stops and turns, had an awesome, unforgettable day. Home of Two Winter Olympics Lake Placid, located high in the Adirondack Mountains, has been the home of two winter Olympics. What better place to embrace winter and challenge yourself to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, bobsled or simply enjoy the outdoors? Did you know that Lake Placid also hosted the third ever winter Olympics in 1932? Where We Stayed Lake Placid village itself is extremely walkable. Newly renovated, Lake Placid Bay Hotel overlooking the majestic Whiteface Mountain has some of the most spectacular views you can find here. From the hotel, it’s just a short drive to the Main Street, where the restaurants and museums along Mirror Lake beckon tourists. In the winter, on Mirror Lake, you can try out dog sledding before shopping for souvenirs. Olympic history runs deep in Lake Placid, steeped into every corner, street sign and landmark. I am old enough to remember relatives travelling to Lake Placid shortly after the 1980 winter Olympics and I vaguely recall watching the Olympics on TV as a kid, cheering athletes on, celebrating Miracle on Ice, one of the biggest moments in US sport history. Finally, you can’t talk about Whiteface Mountain without mentioning the town of Lake Placid. It’s charming, filled with history, and refreshingly authentic. It has that cozy, old-school ski town vibe that reminds you why you fell in love with winter sports in the first place. You grab a hearty meal, talk about the day’s steepest runs, and watch the Olympic ice skaters practice, making the whole trip feel like a pilgrimage to a true winter sports capital. The Facts: Technically in Wilmington, New York State which was about a 7 hour drive from London, Ontario. Cashless which is new. Whiteface Charm Whiteface is more than just a mountain; it’s a demanding, beautiful, steep family friendly ski destination. It rewarded us with exceptional views, and gave our family a trip I am still talking about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check the snow report.

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How to Spend Two Days in Lake Placid

Paula — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:57:00 +0000

We were hosted by Lake Placid Tourism while staying in the area. Accommodations and attractions were provided in exchange for media coverage. My opinion is my own and it is truthful. With an extremely walkable Main Street area and majestic mountain views, there really are no bad places to stay in Lake Placid. This past winter we had the chance to visit Lake Placid for the first time ever. While we have been to Vermont many times, nearby Lake Placid was not on our radar as a ski destination until recently. Here’s why it should be top of mind next ski season if you are an outdoor loving family or couple. Where to Start in Lake Placid If you are frugal travellers like we are then you will most definitely want to consider a stay at Placid Bay Hotel. Newly renovated, Lake Placid Bay Hotel overlooking the majestic Whiteface Mountain has some of the most spectacular views you can find. From the hotel, it’s just a short drive to the Main Street, where the restaurants and museums along Mirror Lake beckon tourists. Check in to Placid Bay Hotel and drive to one of the restaurants on Main Street for dinner, but you might want to check ahead and make reservations. In fact, that’s one of my biggest takeaways after visiting during ski season. If you have a specific restaurant or dining experience in mind, plan to make reservations so that you won’t be disappointed. We visited in peak ski season in February near President’s Week and we encountered many long lineups at dinner time. Placid Bay Hotel Placid Bay Hotel has a roaring campfire pit with comfortable Adirondack chairs overlooking a smaller lake where at night you can tuck in and grab a s’mores kit to enjoy together as dessert. Skiing, after all, or hiking in the summer season, takes serious fuel. This was one of the first times we had separate rooms which were clear across the hotel parking lot and that was a change for our family. With younger kids we’d never have risked that distance but it works when you have independent teens or young adults accompanying you, plus ability to text or call made us all feel fine about staying in touch. Our kids both had spring break time so they came along for the skiing and also so we could tag a little Vermont and Boston onto the end of our adventure. Day One in Lake Placid Listen, if skiing was the sole goal of our trip to Lake Placid, we’d have had no issues at all spending all day every day at Whiteface Mountain. High in the Adirondacks, the skiing is exceptional. We will return as soon as the snow flies again. Whiteface Mountain A seven-to-eight-hour drive from southern Ontario, Lake Placid is perfect for skiers. Whiteface Mountain is paradise with the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies and challenging lovely long runs. Take Cloudsplitter gondola to the summit and chase your favourite ski buddy down until your legs quit. Whiteface Facts The trails are long and Whiteface felt challenging for us even as intermediate skiers with almost a decade of skiing under our belts. International events have carved Whiteface into a leading ski destination and recent innovations in sustainable snowmaking, lighting, trail grooming and more make this a trip you can also feel good about making. While we often pack our own snacks to eat on the hill and to avoid expensive lunches in cafeterias at chalets, this time we decide to sample the chalet food. You can see below how much my kids enjoyed the local snacks. There’s a wide assortment of food, from sandwiches to Asian cuisine and local pop shop kind of pops that will fuel a few more runs from top to bottom. Note: Whiteface doesn’t do night skiing so do not waste too much time eating or drinking or you might miss out. The Newly Renovated Olympic Museum After a gorgeous blue-sky day of skiing Whiteface Mountain, it was time to visit the Olympic Centre starting at the newly renovated Olympic Museum. With the largest exhibit of Olympic torches in the world and a story that begins in 1920 with the first Lake Placid Olympics, the Olympic Museum is inspiring and an impressive marriage of history and technology. Newly renovated and reimagined, the Olympic Museum reopened in December 2022. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is an immersive learning experience featuring athlete stories, hands on exhibits and engaging displays. It is impossible to not be inspired when you visit. Maybe, just like me, you remember relatives travelling to Lake Placid shortly after the 1980 winter Olympics or watching the Olympics on TV as a kid, cheering athletes on, celebrating Miracle on Ice, one of the biggest moments in US sport history. But did you know that Lake Placid also hosted the third ever winter Olympics in 1932? Back when the Olympics were barely even a concept, Lake Placid vied for the Winter Olympics and won. Olympic history runs deep in Lake Placid, baked into every corner, street sign and landmark. James C. Sheffield Speedskating Oval Once you’ve had your fill of the Museum, check out the Olympic arena and the 1980 Olympic ice rink. Pop by the James C. Sheffield Speedskating Oval where the 1932 Opening Ceremonies were held and keep your eyes peeled for athletes currently training there. Mirror Lake In the winter, on Mirror Lake, you can try out dog sledding before shopping for souvenirs or breaking for food in one of the restaurants on Main Street. It’s a first come first serve family friendly kind of activity that you should definitely try if you have yet to ride on a dog sled. The Olympic Jumping Complex At the Olympic Jumping Complex take a gondola ride to the base of the jumps followed by an elevator to the top for a unique perspective and some incredible views of the mountains. Ski jumping, competitions and athlete trainings still happen here. Mt Van Hoevenberg On the way out of town, Mt Van Hoevenberg is an adventure lover’s treat with bobsledding, indoor climbing, a web of picturesque cross country trails and snowshoeing. Book time to cross country ski, snowshoe, or bobsled. There’s a bobsled adventure here that is more than worth planning to try! While we missed out the day that we were there, we watched numerous couples and families enjoy the bobsled ride. Our entire family embraced snowshoeing and explored the trails. Did you know that the Bobsled Skeleton World Championships are scheduled to take place in Lake Placid in February 2025? Embracing the Future With a well-known Olympic history, Lake Placid is now shifting the vision forward into a future which elevates the Olympic Region once again to a position on the world stage. ORDA, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, is ushering in a new era of excellence in winter sport, recreation, and tourism. Numerous recent construction projects are repositioning the region’s appeal and stature in the wide world of winter sport. Over the last six years, New York State has made significant investments in ORDA’s state-of-the-art training and competition facilities, including over $500 million across all ORDA venues and operations in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. As a result of these investments, ORDA facilities are open year-round for events, athlete training, and recreation. With each project the organization has implemented important venue improvements aimed at sustainability and mitigating climate change impacts to winter activities. These include reduced energy and water use through high efficiency snowmaking equipment, hybrid snow groomers and electric Zambonis, LED technology, new cooling systems and industrial refrigeration improvements, salt use reduction, solar arrays, and more. It can be hard to live in the long shadow of the Olympics, but Lake Placid has managed to carve a path into the future based on the foundation of the past. Our recent visit to Lake Placid proved that the Olympic Spirit is still very much alive and well and the area thriving. Don’t Miss Main Street Looking for a souvenir sweatshirt or a hat, some candy, snacks or treats for the ride home? Then take an hour or more just to shop the cute stores on Main Street. Everything is walking distance and if you are really into the Olympics you can definitely find some sports gear and memorabilia of your own. Lake Placid is Rich in Outdoor Experiences Decades after the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, through investment by the State of New York, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) has modernized its venue infrastructure with a priority placed on eco-friendly renovations and practices. The effort has been massive. The investment, game changing. No matter the time of year, Lake Placid makes an impression that will inspire you to strive for greatness in life, in sports, or just in your overall outlook. That’s no small thing!

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Why Not Spend Spring Skiing in Vermont?

Paula — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 01:05:53 +0000

For years, I have made no secret of my love for winter and summer too. Spring and fall were distant cousins at best. A couple of years ago though, I started to wonder what if we simply stretched winter out a little longer right into spring. Spring skiing! We are guests of Smugglers’ Notch while visiting which means we receive accommodations and lift tickets as well as activities. Spring Break Oh I know, spring break is often synonymous with heading south and we are technically heading south. Just not to the sunny south where the weather is warm. This year, we are on our way to Smugglers’ Notch to do some spring skiing. We can’t wait! Smugglers’ Notch Layout Smugglers’ Notch consists of three mountains – Morse Mountain, Madonna and Sterling Mountains. When we visited Smugglers’ Notch the first time in 2016, we were almost entirely on Morse Mountain because we were beginners. We returned last summer to see what Smugglers’ Notch had to offer in the summer months and now we are checking it out with an eye to spring skiing. That’s, right. I said Spring. Celebrating Spring Break In the last 2-3 years, we have become experts on family Spring Break ski vacations. Last year, we embarked on an epic 12-day road trip through Vermont, Maine and Quebec, culminating in a stay at Hotel Valcartier and the Hôtel de Glace, just outside Quebec City. Read all about staying in an ice hotel. Next week, we will drive to Jeffersonville, Vermont again, pretty much a straight ride through Ontario to Quebec and then down into Vermont until we see the sign that indicates Smugglers’ Notch is ahead. For Canadians, Smugglers’ Notch is an easy drive and an excellent choice. Why Take A Smugglers’ Notch Spring Break? Smugglers’ Notch was named #1 for Family Friendly Ski Resorts in the East by Ski Magazine 2020 and it’s easy to see why. It’s also a 2019 Traveller’s Choice on TripAdvisor. We have been to Smugglers’ Notch a couple of times and it’s incredibly family friendly as well as a great spot for teenagers too. For sure the kids will be checking out the teen lounge again. So, What Can You Do in the Spring at Smuggs? Pretty much everything that you did in the winter is available during the spring months too, weather dependent of course. This year, we are driving to Smugglers’ Notch to spend our spring break there skiing. We arrive just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Hurray! So, we plan to go get some green shirts or hats and dress up that day. Here’s What’s on my Agenda for the Week Spring skiing can be just as awesome as winter skiing. I mean it’s typically a bit warmer and a few trails might be closed, but for the most part at night temperatures dip so snow guns are often still going. Also, the slopes are often less crowded and resorts can be a bit more peaceful. Oh, and also if you are on a budget, then you can save money if you time it right. St Patrick’s Day Festivities On St. Patrick’s Day we will be skiing and wearing green. This year on March 17, there are numerous activities happening at Smugglers’ Notch. Wear something green and look for the leprechaun on the hills. He will be handing out raffle tickets which you then turn in at the end of the afternoon for possible prizes! I love a good contest and so do the kids, so we will be looking for that leprechaun. Here’s hoping it’s not a rainy day. I’m aiming to do lots of spring skiing and potentially some other fun outdoorsy activities. Maplefest Spring is the ideal time for sugar shacks. The sap has been flowing and the maple products should be everywhere right now. You can stay at Smugglers’ Notch and then drive to a sugar shack to learn more. Or, you might consider sampling the goods close to the resort and stocking up to take some home. Spring Skiing Of course, this is the main reason we are looking forward to March Break! Spring skiing is glorious and like a last hurrah for the season. Go out with style. Ski all the trails possible and fall into bed at night. That’s typically my goal every season. Nothing is sadder for skiers than the day they have to put all the gear away. Glow Tubing Please let the weather gods – and the health gods – be kind. Glow tubing is being offered on March 17th at the end of the day to cap St. Patrick’s Day off. Cross-country skiing Join the Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center and enjoy 34 kilometers of beautiful cross-country trails for every level from beginner to expert. Rental equipment is available there too. We also have several group and private cross-country lessons. Not sure if I will get to do this, but it is an option for any of you visiting right now. Snowshoeing Our Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center also offers 24 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe trails for every level from beginner to expert. Atlas snowshoes are available for rent at the Nordic Center. We have an extensive list of snowshoe lessons and tours to choose from. Ice Skating My younger daughter has had this in her head for weeks now. We tried to go skating a couple of times but the weather for outdoor rinks around here has been a mess. We had rain in February and that did the rinks in. They have frozen a few times since but now they are a bit of a mess. Twirl and glide across the outdoor ice skating rink (weather permitting) at Smuggs. Located next to the Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center. Access is FREE. Rental skates are available at the Nordic Center. Snowboarding Lessons So, my youngest daughter has been talking a bit about trying snowboarding. She’s the most athletic of all of us, so I feel like she could pick it up. When we are not on the slopes perfecting our technique and enjoying the scenery then I might sneak over to see her master snowboarding. Teen Lounge Now that my kids are teens one of their favourite things about this kind of trip and this resort is the teen lounge. They would spend all week there if possible. Follow Along for Spring Skiing and Family Fun this spring break.

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A Year of Adventures – Best of Travel 2019

Paula — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 15:05:47 +0000

What a year in travel! Since 2020 is here, I thought I’d take a minute to recap the best of travel moments here this year. Almost all the trips I took this year were sponsored by the destinations here. Post may also contain affiliate links. Family Travel, Girl’s Trips and Romance A lot of travel bloggers and writers reflect on their adventures at year’s end, so it’s time to revisit some of my favourite memories this year and tell you a bit more about why they were MY favourites. Maybe you will find inspiration to read more about these destinations and perhaps you will go ahead and book your own adventure right now. The Hotels Combined widget in this post works brilliantly and is secure should you want to book ahead now. Ellicottville, New York January started with a quick two nights in Ellicottville, New York. We were hunting for something enjoyable to do at the end of our Christmas vacation, so before the kids went back to school we drove to Ellicottville and skied Holiday Valley for the first time. The weather was a bit mild when we got there, but still we enjoyed the change. Loved the variety of trails there as they give you room to breathe and stretch your skiing. It definitely makes my best of travel list for the year. New York City At the end of January, I was back to New York for the International Media Marketplace, a travel writer and destinations forum. There’s a great speed dating style format that works brilliantly. It was a busy day and I got a lot of great ideas about destinations I wanted to cover in 2019/2020. Ice Fishing in York Durham Headwaters Later that winter, my younger daughter and I drove to York Durham Headwaters and we tried our hands at ice fishing and tubing. Amazing spot for a winter getaway. Then we raced home for one night, packed all of our skiing gear and loaded the van for the long drive to Vermont. Our 12-day March adventure was epic. The best of travel moments for the entire year launched here in Vermont first stop Okemo. Vermont – Okemo All The Pretty Things Indeed. Okemo is gorgeous. It is undeniably spectacular and I’d drop everything to go ski there again. Sugarbush Vermont Immediately from Okemo we headed to Sugarbush, one of our happiest places in Vermont. Sugarbush people are always so friendly and the resort itself features exceptional terrain. So glad we got to celebrate their 60th anniversary together as a family at Sugarbush. I live for JESTER from the top and need to return to do that run over and over again. We were first there in 2017 and we were still learning, as we are even still, but oh boy what a dramatic difference two years makes! From nervous skier to competent skier in two years. Maine – Sunday River Ski Resort Together, after three days at Sugarbush with amazing cold snowy conditions, we headed over through New Hampshire and on to Sunday River Maine. If you are hunting for great ski resort options, you should give Sunday River serious consideration. Loved the range of mountains they had and the terrain was varied if not quite as scenic as Sugarbush and Okemo. Indeed Sunday River has family friendly written all over it, with spectacular accommodations and ski in ski out access as well as great food. Lobster Roll, anyone? YUM. Book Your Own Adventure Here – > Hôtel de Glace and Valcartier in Quebec Three days and nights of skiing at Sunday River for a total of seven or eight days skiing in a row ended with us driving up through Quebec. Normally, we are all over the skiing in Quebec but this time we had a different agenda. We drove straight to Valcartier and got ready to do out night inside the Hôtel de Glace! If you have never seen Canada’s ice hotel, make it your mission to do so. If you have a chance to stay overnight in the ice hotel, do it. This was in my top three events of the year here. My entire family made it through the night in the ice hotel and let me just say that was no small thing as my older daughter was a bit anxious about the experience. Read more about our Hôtel de Glace stay here. Central Missouri and Lake of the Ozarks Helicopter rides, bass fishing and learning to golf! Central Missouri was a spectacular girl’s getaway. This time I took my youngest daughter with me, sporty spice in grade nine, and she was in heaven. The PR team there knocked this out of the park and she connected with Marjorie and Jo and genuinely loved spending time with them. Missouri and Lake of the Ozarks was a highlight on my best of travel 2019 list. Vermont – Smugglers’ Notch We have been to Vermont yearly for several winters, but until this season we hadn’t ever been in the summer months. There’s so much to do in Vermont in the summer and the hiking is wonderful too. Oregon – Tualatin Valley Wine country Tualatin Valley pulls so much from multicultural influences in the area. That’s something I never would have expected actually, until seeing it and tasting it for myself. Rochester At the end of the summer I thought I’d take a bit of time with both of my girls. They worked hard last summer, so it was time to take a break. Rochester was just the right ticket for the three of us. Finger Lakes – Corning and Watkins Glen Immediately after Rochester, we drove to Watkins Glen and hiked Watkins Glen State Park. Just 24 hours in Watkins Glen was not remotely enough time and the wineries!! I can’t wait to return with my husband for a romantic getaway. The next day we drove to Corning and visited the Corning Museum of Glass. Corning’s New Glass exhibit was breathtaking. Wyoming In September, I flew to Billings, Montana for TBEX travel blogger’s exchange conference, and then on to Cody Wyoming for a trip through the Wild West. Montana and Yellowstone National Park OH MY. If you never do anything else, go book the time to see Yellowstone. It is otherworldly. I did this trip with Austin Adventures as a group trip and it was stunning and memorable and challenging at times too. October was a quiet month on purpose because after all that travel I needed to get some writing done. New Orleans WE ended the year on a high note with a 12-day girl’s getaway that began in New Orleans. Three days in NOLA for the first time ever and we were sated. The food, the atmosphere, the burlesque brunch. New Orleans is larger than life in every way. So many of my favourite travel experiences have been with my family, but sometimes it’s such a treat to travel with your friends instead. Four women over 40 on a 12-day trip through the Gulf Coast. Magic. Louisiana Northshore Not even 45 minutes outside of NOLA is Louisiana Northshore and Tammany Parish. What a peaceful place along the shore. Coastal Mississippi NEVER had I ever been to Coastal Mississippi before. Here’s my take on the Romance of Coastal Mississippi. Mobile Alabama The food tour alone was worth the visit, but there’s so much more to Mobile Alabama than just food. We stayed at the Renaissance Riverview Mobile Alabama and I can’t say enough about the service there. Mobile was charming. Gulf Shores Alabama Back in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area again after a trip there in 2017! I was thrilled to end the trip at the beach in a gorgeous beach house with good friends. Any one of these destinations would be a great choice for 2020. Depending on what type of trip you are looking for…. What Do You Seek in 2020? Romance? Coastal Mississippi. Oregon for wining and dining and a bit of outdoor adventure. Vermont and Maine for skiing. Gulf Shores for the beach always. You can’t argue with their gorgeous sunsets.

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Reasons to Stay at a Ski In Ski Out Lodge

Paula — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:48:29 +0000

No big surprise for many of you that we love to ski. We have done at least one epic ski trip every single year since learning how to ski at Tremblant in 2015. We have stayed: on the mountain, at the resort, right at the base of the lodge, ten minutes away, half an hour away, in condos and most recently in a ski in ski out lodge. So, we have formed some opinions of the benefits and even the slight inconveniences associated with each type of family ski trip accommodations. Ski in ski out lodges are our new favourite way to stay and ski. In fact, after doing two of these stays this year I feel like this is the way to go for busy family ski trips and even solo or romantic getaways. The goal is for you and your family to have an epic ski trip, right? A ski in ski out lodge provides all the comforts of home and incredibly easy access to the slopes. Staying in a ski in ski out lodge allows you to have more fun on the slopes whether skiing in Utah, Denver, Vermont, Quebec or Maine, this is my new preferred accommodation choice because it saves time and money with less headaches overall. Here’s why we are big fans of ski in ski out lodges. Benefits of a Ski in Ski out Lodge We recently took a two-week ski road trip during which we skied at four different areas. Two of them were ski in ski out resorts, and I learned firsthand just how amazing it is to stay in one of those places. I can say from experience that these benefits made our trip absolutely amazing. Our first big ski trip of the year this past March involved a stay at Okemo Mountain Ski Resort in Vermont. We stayed at Jackson Gore Inn and it was our first time doing ski in ski out and we were hooked. Easy Access First and foremost on my list of benefits is easy access to the slopes. Staying in one of these lodges gets you as close as you can possibly be to the action. It makes for an incredibly short trip to the lifts, far more skiing, and adds so much more convenience. If you get hungry or need a bathroom break, you just ski right down to your lodge. It couldn’t be easier. Affordable Meals Staying in a ski in ski out lodge gives you all the amenities of home, which means a kitchen. Rather than spending a ton of money at the big lodge, restaurants, or cafeterias, you can make your own meals right there at the condo. I really didn’t get this until we stayed here at Okemo early in March on a hosted ski trip and I was thrilled with the ability to pop back at lunch and eat a quick sandwich or wrap in our condo. Another day we each ate the leftovers from the dinner the night before. Less food waste too. Time Listen, you simply can’t put a price tag on time. The extra time that you would spend driving to and from the resort is now spent skiing. JOY!!! That’s invaluable to me. Less Clutter in Your Living Space Most ski in ski out lodges have rooms or lockers for all your ski equipment, which means you aren’t tripping over your skis or poles during your down time from skiing. Some ski in ski out resorts also have stands for skis, poles, and snowboards right outside the entry, making it incredibly easy to store your gear or just drop it off for a few minutes while you take a meal/bathroom break. Word to the wise though. Don’t forget your skis or snowboards are there. In March at Okemo we spied several pairs of kid’s skis that were left behind after someone clearly returned home. Those little ones would be sad pandas when they realized the Princess pink skis neglected to make it home. Comfort Most ski in ski out lodges are among the most luxurious options you’ll find at the resort. These lodges provide a level of comfort you won’t usually find in a standard hotel room. It’s a wonderful feeling to come back from skiing and relax in accommodations that have all the comforts of home and then some. From laundry to kitchenettes, to quick access to hot tubs and resort pools – we love using the amenities after a long day of skiing. Location, Location, Location Most of these lodges are closer to more than just the slopes. These accommodations are usually also close to restaurants, if you prefer that over making your own meals, play areas, fire pits, pools, hot tubs, bars, workout and fitness centres, and other amenities at the resort. Extra Perks At some resorts, staying at a ski in ski out lodge also grants you access to other perks. Many resorts offer scheduled family activities which you can take advantage of like snow play times, parades, dress-up or themed ice skate nights, tubing, free small treats, and even entertainment and holiday celebrations. A Ski in Ski out Lodge is the Best Way to Ski From now on, we will continue to search for the best options for our family. But that said, I will always look up the prices and availability for ski in ski out lodge first. The many benefits these lodges and condos provide make for a ski trip that’s heavy on fun and light on stress. The only downside at all to these places is that they can sometimes seem like more money upfront. This is in fact why we avoided this for a few years. But now that we have experienced the joy of waking up, dressing for a day on the slopes and skiing straight over to the chairlift at 9 a.m. or earlier, it will be hard to justify staying off site anymore. It’s Worth It In my opinion, the pluses far outweigh the minuses. If you’re planning a ski trip, I highly recommend looking into ski in ski out lodges.

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Where Can You Find Amazing Skiing in Maine?

Paula — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 18:50:06 +0000

“There’s skiing in Maine?” That’s what my family asked the week before we left for a 12-day road trip through New England and up to Quebec. Oh yes, indeed, there’s great skiing in Maine and when it comes to affordable family friendly ski trips, Sunday River Resort delivers. Spring/Winter Family Road Trips As a family, we ski Vermont every year and we’re extremely familiar with that territory and the Green Mountains. But this year we decided to add on to our trip and keep exploring for as long as we could. So, after five days of skiing at Sugarbush and Okemo in Vermont, we crossed New Hampshire and headed east to Sunday River Resort, in Newry, Maine where we learned first-hand just how great the skiing there can be. What Took You So Long? Sunday River Resort is one of those places that, once you find it, you’ll wonder what took you so long. None of us had ever been to Maine and we were excited to see what was waiting for us at Sunday River. We couldn’t wait to hit the slopes and honestly I was more than a little excited about the prospect of dining in Maine. Hello, lobster rolls anyone? Discovering Sunday River Resort From the moment we pulled up to the Grand Summit Lodge at Sunday River Resort we were captivated. Grand Summit Lodge sits right at the base of the mountains so, even in the dark you can see the peaks and trails rising up behind the lodge. Of course at night you can also spot the groomers on the hills. It’s a majestic winterscape. We’ve never felt so physically close to the skiing. Average Snowfall And the snow?! SO much snow!! New England rarely disappoints and this year was an epic snow year. When we were at Grand Summit Lodge the snowbanks crept halfway up the ground level hallway windows. Sunday River Resort averages 155 inches (390 cm) of snow per year. A Popular Spot Sunday River Resort was hopping from the second we got there on a Friday afternoon to the minute we left on Monday. The snow held off on the busy Saturday, when it hit us on Sunday as we were skiing Jordan Bowl, Aurora Peak, Spruce Peak and Barker, it was pure New England magic. For more Maine magic discover all of the coziest things to do in Ogunquit, Maine. Ski In Ski Out Access Grand Summit Lodge is convenient and has ski in ski out access that will take you straight to White Cap and Little White Cap Quad Lift. Loved the easy access to the slopes. Also, Grand Summit served cookies in the lobby on the Friday night we arrived. How sweet is that? Vintage Ski Decor Walk straight into a welcoming, warm, foyer decorated with nostalgic ski equipment and comfortable benches. Use the guest laundry on site if you’ve been on the road for a long time. Other amenities of note were: a locked, staffed ski equipment room, arcade, heated indoor outdoor pool and movie nights by the pool. There’s a decent restaurant at Grand Summit called Camp. Make note though reserve your table because it gets ridiculously busy during prime ski season. The breakfast buffet is also extremely popular, so get there early. But again the beauty of a ski in and ski out condominium means you can easily cook breakfast in the room too. Exclusive Deals This was our first time ever at Sunday River Resort, as well as our first time skiing in Maine and we were amazed at the quality of the skiing, the views, and accommodations. Sunday River Resort is a hot spot for Canadians because of its proximity to the Quebec border. This resort offers exclusive deals for Canadians, so if you don’t know about it already now you do. Make note of this post. Canadian Skiers Get Great Deals at Sunday River Resort March passport is available every year and works perfectly for Canadian March Break. Also, look for the Silver Passport season pass on sale. Benefits of both passes include: 20 % off lodging and retail discounts. Canadian rates are available all season long! Ski Weekends in Western Maine The mountain itself has 8 peaks covered in powder, perfect for a day, or a weekend, of skiing. We arrived on Friday night and were up early to go skiing Saturday. We had all weekend for skiing at Sunday River Resort. Our First Morning Together my daughter Payton and I woke up, grabbed breakfast in the room, picked up our skis and took the shuttle from the Grand Summit to South Ridge Lodge to pick up our lift tickets. Ainsley and Jim stayed in the condominium getting ready and we tried to navigate back to them to deliver the passes. Well, let’s just say I won’t do that again on my first day at a new to us destination. Overall Impressions of the Layout The Sunday River Resort layout can take some time to figure out (it took us a day) so plan on staying for at least two or three days so you can get the most enjoyment out of the slopes. We had three nights and two full days of skiing, and every second of it was amazing. Our last day with the snow falling down heavily as we skied was bliss. Unique Features The gondola, dubbed a chondola, up the mountain is a unique touch, and we enjoyed the difficulty, scope and size of both Aurora Peak and Jordan Bowl. These two felt a bit more challenging than the slopes close to Grand Summit Lodge, so they were a nice change of pace. Of course you can take lessons and there’s something here for everyone. On that note as for ski lessons, Sunday River Resort is partnered with Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation to provide adaptive ski lessons at the resort. We stayed in a ski in ski out condo at Grand Summit hotel which was clean, cozy and convenient. The furnishings had a nice, warm feel, and the Murphy style bed in the living room made the whole thing seem like a sleepover. My first time actually staying in a condominium with Murphy style wall beds. Now, that’s an efficient use of space. Sunday River Resort Statistics: 8 Peaks 135 Trails and Glades 5 Terrain Parks 3 miles wide 15 Lifts There are 5 High Speed Lifts 870 Skiable Acres 2,340 Vertical Lift Hours The lifts run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays. That’s 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on week days – Monday to Friday to be specific. A Few Sunday River Resort Facts I mentioned earlier that Sunday River Resort has 8 peaks. Located in western Maine and owned by Boyne Resorts, Sunday River Resort is one of Maine’s largest, most visited ski resorts. The vertical drop of 2,340 feet makes it the second largest in Maine and sixth largest in New England. The 8 Peaks of Sunday River Resort They’re all unique, so I wanted to give a bit of information about each. White Cap Sunday River’s signature double diamond, White Cap is known as Steep and Deep, and it lives up to its name. This is the one right outside of Grand Summit Lodge, where we stayed. Locke Mountain These slopes combine classic New England terrain with a modern take. Two race trails cut a straight path from the summit to the base surrounded by rolling terrain and narrow paths. On Saturday a race was happening here and this section of the resort was busy. Our Family Favourites WE enjoyed this one many times over and it was wide enough that we could find our own areas to explore without being in the way of the racing. My favourite trails here were Upper Sunday Punch, Sunday Punch, Goat Path and Lower Sunday Punch which leads right to Barker. Barker Mountain This area features a variety of terrain and slope depths and provides easy access to everything available at the resort. You can access Barker Lodge and South Ridge Lodge from here. Spruce Peak Offers two exceptional groomers as well as tricky steeps. North Peak North Peak provides access to the resort’s terrain parks, superpipe, and excellent family terrain. You can also enjoy a great lunch with a view at Peak Lodge. Aurora Peak Located behind Spruce Peak, Aurora offers glades, groomers, and steeps. It has something for everyone. Aurora was one of my favourite peaks because you can get in some sweet long runs on Aurora Peak. As we have already established, I enjoy the lengthy runs from start to finish and there were a couple of nice ones here. Oz An adventure seeker’s playground, Oz offers mountainside dotted with trails, trees, and nature’s beauty. The glades here looked challenging and the names in this section of the resort cracked us up. Flying Monkey and Poppy for instance. Jordan Bowl The biggest peak at Sunday River Resort, Jordan bowl is perfect for those who love long, scenic cruising over expansive glades. We only found Jordan Bowl on the last day there when it was snowing so hard that you could barely see as you skied down. This quickly became our favourite part of the mountain. Slope Side Accommodations Sunday River Resort offers accommodations from their on-site hotels to privately owned slopeside condominiums. Grand Summit Lodge Grand Summit Hotel, built in the early 90’s, has 230 rooms. The resort constantly renovates and improves the building to ensure the best experience possible. Camp serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Jordan Hotel Their other hotel, Jordan Hotel is situated at the western-most point of the resort. Together, Grand Summit and the Jordan act as bookends to the 8 peaks of the resort. Jordan Hotel has Grand Ave, a breakfast restaurant open during ski season basically. Northern Lights Cafe serves light breakfast and lunch. With mountain views and a slope side deck, Sliders serves lunch and dinner. Other Food Options That Rock Barking Dog Market right across the road from the entry to the Grand Summit Lodge has the best pizza ever. There’s a grocery store, with wine and liquor, as well as other ready made meals. We had the meat lover’s pizza and the sausage on it is quite possibly the greatest sausage ever. Sunday River Resort is Perfect for Families We had a wonderful time at Sunday River Resort, and now that we know about it, we’d definitely return. Skiing in Maine is challenging and fun and the food in the area is spectacular. With comfortable accommodations, 8 peaks, incredible ski conditions, and some gorgeous long runs, Sunday River Resort is perfect for the family that loves to ski. Perfect too for Canadians! Disclosure We were guests of Sunday River Resort and Visit Maine while in Maine and received accommodations and lift tickets while there.

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Celebrate 60 Years at Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont

Paula — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 13:18:33 +0000

Update – in November 2019, Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont announced they’d been sold to Alterra. Win Smith told me in an email: “Alterra is focused on sustainability at all their destinations both in terms of doing responsible things but also in advocating for initiatives to deal with the growing climate crisis. Sugarbush has been doing this already and will have a greater voice as part of Alterra.” Alterra Buys Sugarbush Ski Resort The sale is expected to go through January 7, 2020. Staff will retain their jobs, the reaction to the announcement has been positive and current staff will all remain at Sugarbush. “The brand is not changing.” “The right next owner was interested in Sugarbush,” he said. “The consolidation in the industry and the growing attractiveness of the multi-resort season pass, the need to continuing making significant investments to increase snowmaking capacity in anticipation of climate change were all factors making the timing right for the sale to Alterra.” Sugarbush at 60 Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont is the kind of place you can’t possibly visit JUST once. Tucked away in the Green Mountain National Forest of Vermont you have to search it out, intentionally driving by several other ski resorts just to get there. But I promise you, every single time, Sugarbush delivers perfect powder, friendly people, majestic views and so many twists, turns and bumps that your entire body will thank you for making the trip. That famous Sugarbush powder and terrain is addictive, so much so in fact, that when you have to leave you will feel it deeply in your bones. The only clear remedy for this is to plan your next trip back. Sugarbush is Always an Event In March, we found ourselves skiing and staying at Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont again. Returning was an event for us. We set out on a 12-day road trip through New England and up to Quebec City area. Sugarbush was our second stop before driving through New Hampshire and visiting Sunday River in Maine. This season marks Sugarbush’s 60th anniversary and we were ready to celebrate, while also delving into history to hear more about the Sugarbush story too. We were all extremely excited to discover a few new things waiting for us at Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont in 2019. Every Vermont Ski Resort Tells a Story If every family ski resort in Vermont tells a story then the story of Sugarbush is familiar, reliable, comfortable and steady. Located in the northern Vermont snow belt, the temperature during the height of ski season is often -10 C to -17 C and the snow is ALWAYS falling. It’s Vermont perfect. Where to Stay From the moment you pull up to Sugarbush Inn off Sugarbush Access Road you just can’t help but feel at home. Sugarbush Inn is the kind of warm, friendly old New England style inn that will remind you of the movie White Christmas. Welcoming lobby, warm fireplaces, and cheery people like Donna staffing the front desk. My younger teen could have spent hours chatting with Donna because she was that friendly. Sugarbush Then and Now Photos View this post on Instagram ”Vermont is a country unto itself,” – > Pearl S. Buck Two years ago after an almost ten hour drive through winding mountain roads we landed here at Sugarbush Inn in Vermont. We stayed at this comfy New England inn and skied away the daylight hours. Love seeing how much the kids have grown in their ability and how much we have too of course. It’s always hard to leave Vermont. A month ago we returned on a 12- Day Road trip and stayed again at the Sugarbush inn where I took this picture of the kids in the same spot. Today I’ve been writing about our visit and the changes that have happened for the better at Sugarbush ski resort in just two short years. Committed to sustainable growth and supporting local business Sugarbush ski resort is unique in its architecture too. All buildings blend with the Vermont landscape in Mad River Valley. Buildings here either look like school houses or farm houses. You notice it immediately when you pull up to the base. This year we realized when we returned that this spot in Vermont just feels like home every time we are here. Happy we were able to visit as Sugarbush celebrated its 60th anniversary. Stay tuned for the blog post later this week. #giftedexperience #travel #wanderlust #vermont #sbturns60 #ski #travelwriter #familytravel #family #travelling #skifamily #skiing #skiingislife #ustravel #newengland #skibums #bestdays #fun #wintersports #sugarbushvt #bebetterhere #winter #springbreak2019 A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Apr 17, 2019 at 11:34am PDT There’s nothing like skiing all day and returning to your comfortable inn to find someone who is so tapped in to customer’s needs that she immediately offers to put some logs on the fire so you can sit and read or play a game in the lobby before dinner. This year we stayed across the hall from the rooms we had in 2017 and while our surroundings were pretty comfortable then, we felt even more at home this time with our adjoining rooms. First Day Back Skiing at Sugarbush Our first visit to Sugarbush took place in 2017 and though I clearly indicated we were intermediate skiers at that time, I now know better. That first visit was memorable too, but I clearly recall being slightly intimidated by the impressive terrain. In fact when we hit Jester in 2017 I’m pretty sure I took a tumble and I know I was terrified at the twists and turns. We didn’t even make it over to Mount Ellen that time. What a difference two years makes! Be Better Here Fast forward to March 2019. This time we were ready and thrilled to be seeing Sugarbush ski resort Vermont and a bit of Lincoln Peak with the guidance of a Sugarbush ambassador named Frank. There are 80 ambassadors at Sugarbush, who are all volunteers. They help out 20 days a year giving tours and answering questions. Turning The Page New and Exciting Right off the bat I have to tell you about our first time ever skiing with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) badges. HUGE improvement. While I talked about ski in and ski out accommodations being a hit with us this season, nothing compares to these reusable, reloadable, SugarXPress RFID cards. They are our favourite new user friendly technology for skiers. What are RFID Badges? RFID badges go in an upper left coat pocket without anything else near it. As you walk through the gate to the chairlift it automatically scans you and you speed past. That eliminates the person walking around with the scanner waving it at the lift tickets. Nobody needs to stop you to ask you to flip over your lift ticket, which may or may not be hanging off a zipper near your waist with 4-5 other souvenir lift tickets or season’s passes. The New RFID system is Super Efficient! The RFID passes are two years old at Sugarbush ski resort and they are magical. We barely had a lineup the entire three days we were there. That means more time skiing! Also you keep them for the next trip and reload. RFID passes at Sugarbush for the win. Our First Tracks Okay so we didn’t make FIRST tracks, but we came close. We were up and at it early Wednesday morning after a great breakfast at the Sugarbush Inn. Thrilled to note that they have expanded the breakfast options to include warm, protein rich, foods like eggs at the Sugarbush Inn. That is the kind of thing that matters to us as a family. Skiing all day makes your appetite gigantic. Warming Up On our first morning back at Sugarbush, Frank took us all to Pushover, Overshot, and Lower Hotshot for our first run off the Gatehouse Express Quad. We found our ski legs over there and then followed that up with Hotshot, Sleeper, Lower Jester and back to Sleeper again. A lovely tree-lined glade, Sleeper, which used to be called The Glades, turned out to be one of our girl’s favourite runs. So we did that one multiple times over three days. Instagram Spots From there it was straight over to Super Bravo Express Quad, where we did Lower Jester twice. Valleyhouse Traverse took us to Snowball and Spring Fling before lunch when the tour ended. Worth noting that this was our first time on both Spring Fling and Snowball and they are gorgeous spots to take photos from. Also notable: Birch Run and Jester from the summit. The Past: Sugarbush Valley History Before Sugarbush opened in December of 1958, the Mad River Valley was mostly a farming community, with lumber mills too. In 1948 Mad River Glen opened and that helped establish the area as a ski destination. Then in 1958 Sugarbush opened. Mascara Mountain? In its early days the Sugarbush ski crowd was wealthy, and they loved to party. Some of the Kennedys were frequent visitors, as was Kim Novak. At one point, in the early days of Sugarbush, the area earned the nickname Mascara Mountain, dubbed such by Vogue magazine due to the affluent New Yorkers who frequented the mountain every weekend arriving by bus from New York. This helped build the thriving après ski scene in the area. NEARBY Mad River Glen opened in 1948. We had the chance to ski this skier’s only iconic mountain in 2017. The Present at Sugarbush Sugarbush continues to be one of the only privately owned ski resorts in Vermont. While there have been a few offers from large corporations wanting to buy Sugarbush, the commitment to sustainability and integrity comes first. That’s been the vision of owners Win Smith and Adam Greshin from the start. Together, they form Summit Ventures and have owned Sugarbush since 2001. Architecture of the Village Architecture of the buildings is Vermont-vernacular and the village at the base of Lincoln Peak has grown slowly, on purpose, to blend with the area community. Buildings all resemble schoolhouses or farmhouses, which fits the landscape. Future Five Years at Sugarbush Before we let Frank go for the afternoon, we thought we’d ask for his thoughts on how the ski resort has evolved. In fact, Frank has been skiing Sugarbush for forty of its 60 years in existence. Asked what changes he thinks Sugarbush will undergo in the next five years Frank indicates he thinks a couple of lifts are likely to be upgraded. Eventually, a conference centre will also be built between the school house and condo area. A Conference Centre in Future John Bleh, public relations manager for Sugarbush agrees a new hotel and conference centre is needed in future. “There aren’t enough rooms on busy weekends and we need employee housing.” Ever since Win bought Sugarbush he has had a vision and has clearly executed that vision, according to others working at Sugarbush. Our Sugarbush Ski Adventures 2.0 This time around, after numerous gorgeous long runs and half a dozen trips down Sleeper, I was committed to heading up to the summit of Lincoln Peak. While our first day was around minus 15 to 17 C and chilly as heck these are the kind of temperatures we have come to expect in March at Sugarbush in Vermont. Cloudy skies that day meant photos were a bit overcast, but the trip down Jester from the summit multiple times was nothing short of a gift. You know the kind of run where the scenery is so pristine and the snow is slippery, not slushy or icy? THAT. Over and over again, until you want to pinch yourself. By day two the sun came out and rewarded us with clear blue skies so we raced up to Heaven’s Gate again. From the top, on a clear day you can see clear over to Lake Champlain and the photos were so worth the wait. After enjoying repeated rides up Heaven’s Gate to the summit of Lincoln Peak and working our way down admiring every single gorgeous tree we spied in this section of the Green Mountain National Forest, I really wanted to make it across to Mount Ellen. But all three days at Sugarbush ski resort Vermont were frigid and windy. While we were prepared for the weather, a 15 minute ride in a chairlift over to Mt. Ellen sounded a little like torture on a – 14 C kind of day. My Sugarbush Bucket List BUT, there were a couple of things I had on my Sugarbush bucket list that needed to be ticked off during this visit. First I needed to try one of the longest runs they had from summit to base. So I did my best to find two of the longest trails at Sugarbush and because we made it to the summit of Lincoln Peak I had to make it to the summit of Mt. Ellen too. Luckily it wasn’t too hard to convince my family we had to see Mt. Ellen. Slide Brook Express There are two ways to get to Mount Ellen. One is a shuttle that runs every day back and forth. The other is the Slide Brook Express Quad. The Slide Brook Express is the longest detachable quad in the world and it is something you must try at least once. The view is spectacular on the ride over to Mt. Ellen and on the way back too. Mount Ellen boasts Vermont’s highest chairlift, a challenging terrain park, and picturesque woods and terrain. The vertical drop is 2,600 feet and the elevation at Mt Ellen is 4,083 feet, making it the highest mountain we have skied together as a family! From the summit of Mt Ellen we took Panorama, Rim Run, Lower Rim Run and at different times Northstar and Joe’s Cruiser as well as Straight Shot before calling it time for lunch at the Mt Ellen Base Lodge. In the Spring and Summer Months There’s no denying the power of the powder during the winter months at Sugarbush ski resort Vermont, but what’s there to do in the spring and summer? Well, like several of the resorts in this area of Vermont, downhill mountain biking, hiking and golfing are extremely popular pursuits. There’s a zip line here too. Weddings at Sugarbush Fun family activities like disc golf are offered and of course there are kid’s camps, tennis, bungee trampoline, swimming, massage and yoga are all offered. Frankly Sugarbush is also a huge draw for those who want a gorgeous setting for their wedding. Sugarbush can accommodate weddings atop a mountain or on the 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed golf course. Receptions are held at the Gate House Lodge, Rumble’s Kitchen, or on the golf course. Guests can also do downhill at Sugarbush, or cross-country skiing nearby. What Defines Sugarbush? Interview from March 2019 Interview with Win Smith, Sugarbush Owner What, in your opinion, is it about Sugarbush that makes it stand out from the other ski resorts in Vermont? First it is the terrain variety that exists within our 4,000 acres. It is also the special nature of The Mad River Valley which has remained authentic and beautiful. And, because we are independently owned and operated we can remain focused on our guests and make decisions that are best for the long term. How important is it to you, and your business partner, to maintain the integrity of Sugarbush and why? I think this is what sets us apart from the competition. Understanding and protecting our essence is critical, but we must also continue to evolve, innovate and get better each year. What do you see evolving or changing about Sugarbush in the next five years? I see us continuing to improve our snowmaking and to grow responsibly. We can continue to grow our summer businesses as well. How many years have you been skiing at Sugarbush? What brought you here? I came to the Valley while I was at Amherst College and returned 15 years later when our children were young. I have been skiing here consistently now since 1984. Do you have a favourite trail at Sugarbush? What is it and why? I do not have a favorite trail per se, but on certain days I prefer some over others. I always love first tracks down Snowball and Spring Fling. On Powder mornings one of my favourite trails are with Twist or Domino at Lincoln Peak or Tumbler or Cliffs at Mount Ellen. In the Spring, the early morning sun beckons one to Birch, Sunrise or Morning Star. But you can never get tired of a run down Stein’s or Lift Line. What Specifically is Being Done to Celebrate 60 Years? This season to mark the Diamond Jubilee this Vermont institution celebrated with dozens of small events throughout the year. So What Else is New at Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont? Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective Sugarbush is now part of the Mountain Collective and Ikon Pass. Alterra Mountain company created the Ikon Pass. Stratton, Killington and Sugarbush in Vermont are also on Ikon. As a result of this new membership, Sugarbush has seen a lot of new skiers from different states this season. Sugarloaf and Sunday River in Maine are also on the Ikon Pass. No Smoking Zone I was thrilled to see that the Green Mountain National Forest and Sugarbush are now smoke free. No smoking anywhere on the mountain. Hallelujah! Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont Lift Hours Lincoln Peak 9am to 4pm on Monday to Friday. Weekends 8am to 4pm Mount Ellen 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Weekends as well. Other Mountain Information Socials: For more information on Sugarbush Ski Resort, follow their social channels: FacebookInstagramTwitterSnapchatYouTubeSugarbush Magazine The thing about Sugarbush is that it just feels like home, always. Be Better Here is a fitting slogan for this impressive Vermont ski resort and you can’t help but take it to heart, becoming a better version of yourself...

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Vermont Family Resorts – All The Pretty Things At Okemo Mountain Ski Resort

Paula — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 22:00:57 +0000

With bountiful pristine snow-covered deciduous trees, sprawling Green Mountain views, long, wide, memorable alpine trails and a tiny, quirky, local downtown area, Okemo is one of the prettiest of all Vermont Family resorts we have visited yet. Located in Ludlow, Vermont, Okemo rewards visitors for braving the cold and embracing an outdoor lifestyle. A few weeks ago we set off on an epic family road trip. First stop was Okemo Mountain Ski Resort, in South-Central Vermont, where we stayed at Jackson Gore Inn. Vermont is always a spectacular choice for families, hardcore skiers and snowboarders. There are so many great Vermont family resorts that elevate winter to an art form, but Okemo easily stands its ground. With style and substance, Okemo it is so pretty you’ll fall hard for this Vermont ski resort. Why Choose Okemo When There are so Many Vermont Family Resorts? Everywhere you look, every trail you race down, every lift and lodge and condo unit at Okemo Mountain Resort is shiny, clean and inviting. In fact, I feel like you’d be hard pressed to find a prettier ski resort anywhere. And that’s saying something because picturesque views and memorable ski experiences are one of Vermont’s biggest draws. History and First Impressions We had been wanting to get Okemo for a couple of years but timing never worked out, so when we finally arrived after our 9 1/2 hour drive from home, we were keen to check the ski resort out. On first glance, when we drove up and parked to check in, Jackson Gore Inn from the outside reminded me a little of Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario. But Vermont family resorts stand on their own and they outdo anything we can find at home which is one of the reasons this ski family makes the trip to Vermont annually. View this post on Instagram At the top of Okemo Mountain 🏔 elevation 3344 we discovered a trail called Dream Weaver. It’s picturesque, long, and has so much charm. A couple of challenges at the start and many undulating hills. New family favourite. #travel #giftedexperience #skiing #wanderlust #familytravel #skivermont #travel #outdoors #ifwtwa #vermontskiresorts #love #family #mountains #nature #travelblogger #skiblogger A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Mar 6, 2019 at 5:42am PST Okemo Mountain ski resort was founded in 1955 by a group of business people. The first chairlift was introduced in 1965. Until then it operated with Poma platter lifts. Slopeside lodging started up in 1961. In 1982, the Mueller family purchased Okemo. Today, the emphasis here is clearly on family. What’s Okemo Mean Anyways? Legend has it that “Okemo” is an American Indian (Algonquin) name meaning “all come home.” Its use as a name in the area can be traced as far back as the 1890s. Inside Jackson Gore Lodge we discovered well appointed clean and tastefully decorated adjoining condominium rooms, which were ideal for us with two teens. Travel with teens is slightly different than travel with younger kids because teens require more privacy. We have stayed in many different Vermont family resorts and the layout and set up of the room or rooms is always slightly different. Jackson Gore Inn worked beautifully for this age group. Lodging – Privacy For The Whole Family I marvelled at the privacy the adjoining rooms afforded us and the quiet as well. Inside the condominium was a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, fridge, stove and microwave and in a small closet off near the main washroom we found a stacked washer dryer which was extremely useful. After two full days of skiing 6 to 7 hours each day those socks need to be washed. On our first full day at Okemo, the ski in and ski out convenience won me over fast. In the morning as soon as lifts opened we gathered up our gear and walked out the door then put our skis on. After a quick stop at the ticket window to get our passes, we hopped right onto the Coleman Brook Express Quad chairlift. HUGE timesaver and I am all about those when we are on vacation in Vermont. All lodging is privately owned and listed with Okemo for managing. At Jackson Gore, there are more than 200 units being managed by Okemo – all considered ski-in, ski out. For your information there are ski lockers inside Jackson Gore Inn, but you need to bring a lock from home if you visit. Our Favourite Things About Okemo This was our first experience staying in a ski in ski out lodge and it was brilliant. Not only are the ski in and ski out accommodations extremely convenient, they are also smart for so many reasons. Ski In and Ski Out Until this particular trip I didn’t fully realize how clever ski in ski out accommodations are. Hungry? No problem. Ski back to your room, lock up or simply leave skis in a rack for an hour, and eat lunch inside your condo, and head back out skiing for the afternoon. Saves time and money and means more time on the slopes skiing or snowboarding. LOVED that and it has spoiled me for all other Vermont family resorts. Bubble Chair OH, I had been dying to see this feature in action ever since I learned about it at a ski writer event about two years ago. Okemo’s orange bubble chairs are warm and cozy and automatic and one defining characteristic that sets this Vermont ski resort apart. SO great on those brutally cold February days. How Many Bubble Chairs are There at Okemo? Okemo has two orange bubble chairs on the Sunburst Six liftline and the Quantum Four lift. My older daughter, 17, and I rode the Quantum Four bubble chair together many times. This made us ridiculously happy on a gorgeous sunny blue sky day. The chair not only feels warm and cozy because it is heated, so no draft up the back of your ski jacket or down the back of your neck, but it also seems safer since it is fully enclosed. LOVE. It takes a tiny bit of adjusting to get used to the fact that the bubble lifts on its own at the top of the run when it is time to get out. That was clearly indicated at the end of each bubble chair lift. Actually every single time we climbed into the Bubble Chair we made it an event. My daughter kept joking: “Do you feel the windchill? Me either!! and we’d laugh maniacally. This was one of my favourite memories of our family ski trip to Okemo. These chairs are so comfortable and they feel safer which is also comforting when skiing with kids. Indoor/ Outdoor Pool and Hot Tub YES. ALL THE YESES. The night we arrived we were pretty tired and hungry too. My youngest wanted to check out the pool immediately. So we did. There are many hot tubs scattered around Okemo. But the huge indoor/ outdoor heated pool is a showstopper, top notch and stands out even amongst all of the magnificent Vermont Family Resorts we have visited.. Of course there is a sauna in the same area. The change rooms are clean and well maintained. After a long exhausting and invigorating day skiing, it’s a treat to be able to retreat and take a swim outside under the stars while the snow falls. As long as your shoulders and your body are beneath the surface the water temperature feels great. On our last night at Okemo we all took a swim, gazing up at the sky as snowflakes fell around us. Can’t ask for anything more magical than that! Trail System Navigation We skied at four different ski resorts on our 12 day family ski trip through Vermont, Maine and Quebec. There are 121 trails with 98 % snow coverage and 20 lifts at Okemo. Okemo Mountain Resort gets 200 inches of annual snowfall and has a range of terrain options and difficulty levels. 39 Novice (Green trails) 44 Intermediate (Blue) 30 Expert (Black Diamond) 8 Most Difficult (Double Black Diamond) Okemo Mountain Resort: Picturesque Vermont Family Resorts I already mentioned that there are 121 trails and 20 lifts, but what I enjoyed the most was the size of several alpine trails. We skied happily for our entire first day and I was more than comfortable on a range of blue trails. On day two though I wanted to find the lengthiest trails to maximize my time and sometimes that means seeking greens out. I’d read a magazine article on the drive to Vermont that indicated Dream Weaver was NOT TO BE MISSED. Of all the trails we have skied this beauty is one of my most memorable amongst each of the Vermont Family Resorts where we have stayed. My Okemo Trail Picks My mission on this adventure was to find some of the longest runs at each resort area and do them simply because Vermont is the world’s best place to stretch your ski legs out. So we searched Dream Weaver out and skied it several times together. You can reach it from the South Face Express Quad which leads you straight to the top or Okemo Mountain Peak. Summit Elevation is 3,344 feet. Some Favourite Trails at Vermont Family Resorts A lengthy, winding, green trail I can still see when I close my eyes, Dream Weaver is peaceful and at 1,676 meters long it is a sweet length for sunny blue sky days at Okemo. While it is a green there are a couple of quick turns and the terrain is undulating so it feels more challenging than most greens in my opinion. This is my respite from working like mad around the clock as a self employed business and parent of teens. So rewarding. Mountain Road (Okemo’s longest trail) is 3,658 meters long. LOVED both of these. Mountain Road might be the longest trail I have ever done until that visit. (We found some long ones in Maine to our surprise.) Mountain Road was so long that we lost each other when skiing together, because there were a few cutovers and one of my daughters took a wrong turn. No matter though we always caught up at the lift line. Tuckered Out is one of those trails that lulls you into thinking it will be an easy coast all the way back to your room at Jackson Gore. Think again. After skiing it several times we all agreed it was named Tuckered Out because you are tuckered out when you get to your room for lunch, or after a day of skiing when it’s closing time. Jolly Green Giant was also a run we loved. It was classified as a blue intermediate trail. Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Okemo Mountain Resort is just the right size and the trails are not overly complex to map in your head when you first get there. The space is reasonable to navigate, which is a factor, especially with kids. All trails lead either to Jackson Gore Inn and the lodge, or the Clock Tower. A Few Okemo Mountain Statistics The base of Okemo stands at 1,144 feet (346 m) above sea level. The summit is 3,344 feet (1,019 m). … The mountain has a total of 121 trails spread across 667 acres (2.70 km2) skiable terrain. Trails range from easy to intermediate and challenging too so there’s definitely something for everyone. We were there early in the week and spied many families as well as a lot of experienced senior skiers. What About Food? Okemo is in a tiny quirky village called Ludlow. There’s a Safeway as soon as you pull into the village so stop there and get some groceries, then you can eat in your condominium for lunch and breakfast at the very least. Ludlow has plenty of great restaurants but be warned. We showed up on a Monday to a place called Goodman’s American Pie, which is crazy adorable inside by the way, but the wait was astronomical. I spoke to a couple of people working there and they advised that it gets so busy some people call their orders in the day before. Seats are ski lift chairs and there aren’t many. There are a few on resort restaurants such as The Roundhouse, The Coleman Brook Tavern and the Okemo Taphouse. Read more about the Okemo Mountain Resort dining options here if you are visiting soon. Several other nearby restaurants in the downtown area have pub food and pizza too. Of course if you are skiing you will smell waffles from the waffle cabin during the day. Take advantage of those treats at least once. Vail Resorts Okemo was purchased by Vail Resorts in September 2018, and this was also their first winter season as an Epic resort. Vail Resorts has announced a few updates to lodges. Those projects are slated to start as soon as this ski season ends and should be completed by the start of the 2019/2020 season. Lift Hours: Ski lifts run from 8 to 4 p.m. weekends and holidays. Weekends lifts run from 9 to 4 p.m. We were recently guests of Okemo Mountain Ski Resort and received lodging and lift tickets in exchange for consideration here. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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