Wait, what?!? There are no ski areas on Cape Cod! You are half-right. While it is true there are no downhill ski areas on Cape Cod, there are plenty of cross country ski trails and open spaces to enjoy the fluffy stuff. Let’s just say those fire roads in the National Seashore are four season…
Cape Cod aside, I am an avid skier. Over 30 years, I have skied almost 100 ski areas in North America – with the goal of getting to all 150-ish in the northeast and onto the remaining 505 nation wide in my lifetime. Yes, I have plenty of work to do.
While this webpage will largely ignore Cape Cod, I will point out my Skiing from Cape Cod post from February, 2020 and my Dreaming to Ski the Highest Peak of Cape Cod post, from March 2022 and the new Apres Sea Lodge post, from January 2023. Point being, this new direction isn’t completely out of nowhere.
Below are multiple creative ski-themed experiments – ranging from blog posts, essays, articles worth sharing, and even my ski podcast and related custom crafted ski trivia games. Happy Ski Cape Cod?!
POWDER HOUNDS SKI TRIVIA PODCAST
CROSSWORD CREATION
Cranmore Mountain Crossword Puzzle (Powder Hounds Podcast, 01/01/22 Episode)
ARTICLES WORTH SHARING
Conway Daily Sun: Gone But Not Forgotten: 80th Anniversary of Skimobile Lift
ESSAYS
For no particular reason, I started writing an annual essay each ski season. Below is my collection, one of which, was published by Ski Magazine; another was to be published by another title, but was ultimate pulled. I did receive a $100 kill fee, though. The joys of freelance writing, I guess.
Embrace Smaller Ski Area Saturday (May, 2023)
I tend to wander. I visit different ski areas throughout the winter season and rarely ski the same trail or terrain twice (well, unless it’s a sick stash or old favorite). Frequency passes, state ski association lift ticket promotions and frankly, affordable lift tickets at non-mega pass ski areas, make this practically (financially) possible. Visiting smaller ski areas is my go-to move to avoid busy weekend skier traffic, and you should too.
I call this move, “Smaller Ski Area Saturday.” As corny as it may sound, I hope the gist catches on. After all, “Small Business Saturday,” the national marketing initiative to shop local has become synonymous with the holiday shopping season. Skiing smaller ski areas should be encouraged just the same during the winter season.
As much as we rather not think about it, all skiers dread the inevitable crowds on powder days, holiday periods and weekends. Sure, work-arounds exist. Wake up super early for first chair; ride slower lifts, ski during the lunch hour; lap terrain with less traffic; tailgate in the parking lot to avoid lodge musical chairs; etc. But it is easier to avoid crowds all together by skiing smaller ski areas, especially on Saturdays.
By “smaller ski areas,” I just mean ski areas that are not typically over-run with people on weekends. To be fair, every ski area can reach capacity at peak times. Also, some smaller ski areas are quite large, whether measured by skiable acres, vertical drop, trail network or lift system. Finally, every ski area is unique and should not neatly fit into a category, let alone this definition. No offense intended, just spreading the stoke that is felt when visiting a smaller ski area.
Smaller ski areas are the life-blood of the sport. These ski areas are typically where “never-evers” are introduced to skiing or snowboarding. They are more affordable and less intimidating than a larger ski resort. While all ski areas are economic engines for the communities where they are located, smaller ski areas tend to have more community involvement, if not outright local ownership. And of course, smaller ski areas feed the larger areas and resorts as skiers develop skills, confidence and a sense of adventure.
The point being, the ski industry needs smaller ski areas. But too many smaller ski areas are just surviving. Fierce competition (and limited marketing budgets) for customers, unpredictable weather, workforce shortages, and increasing costs are enormous challenges. But we can help smaller ski areas thrive by skiing there more often.
This past winter season, most of my days skied were at smaller ski areas. Sometimes those days skied were split among two different ski areas. Indeed, I wandered. The northeast is fortunate to have over 150 ski areas across seven states, with many located surprisingly close to one another.
A wonderful option at smaller ski areas is choice – skiing all day or for part of the day. An increasing number of smaller ski areas offer “session” lift tickets for a set amount of time (e.g., 2-hour session, 4-hour session, morning session, night session, after 3:00pm, etc.). Usually, session lift ticket prices are discounted, significantly during the week, making an unplanned visit an affordable option. Imagine that, unplanned, affordable skiing? It is possible.
Smaller ski areas tend to be off-the-radar, passionately loved by the local community and ripe with character. They are central spots for community activities throughout the year that support socializing (e.g., host summer concert series) and making a difference (e.g., host fund-raisers for local students). In the winter, many are lighter in skier traffic and waiting to be discovered. I recently heard regional snow sports writer Shaun Sutner say, “Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire is criminally overlooked,” likely because it is not on a mega pass. Mr. Sutner went on to emphasize Ragged Mountain is a must-ski on powder days, an example of the unique character of a smaller ski area. Ragged Mountain’s $99 weekend lift ticket (2022-2023 season pricing) was priced well when compared to its neighbors, and at 1,250 vertical feet on 250 acres, is plenty of terrain for most powder seekers.
Overlooked ski areas, whether criminally or not, are sure to surprise you in a good way. While limited to skiing the northeast this winter season, I came across a number of overlooked surprises.
In the Catskill Mountains of New York, the smallest of the three Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) mountains, Belleayre (not the famous one in California with a different spelling), stood-out as a must-ski. The East’s first significant snowstorm of the season enabled Belleayre to open 100% of terrain despite a mild November and early December. A modern lift system moved people around without stopping and the line of the day was the Wanatuska black diamond trail, perfectly groomed, to the Belleayre Express Quad. A delightful descent, with plenty of cut over options skier’s left. If you buy your lift ticket four days in advance (including weekends), a reliable weather window, the cost is $54 for adults any day (plus $5 for a RFID card for first-timers).
Heading east into the Berkshire Mountains is revitalized Bousquet Mountain in Massachusetts. As an Allied Indy Pass partner, a 4-hour weekday session ticket only costs $21 for adults (plus $5 RFID card for first-timers). The Jewett, black diamond to Parker trail, black diamond, combination is the line to lap all day. Steep, narrow, twisting, no beginners; everything you want in a lively summit to base run. With live music playing, sun shining, a dozen occupied Adirondack chairs at the time surrounding the firepit facing the front slopes, it was all smiles at the base area. Interestingly, the Yellow Chair #1 is the only chair painted gold, though I don’t know why. I will return next season to find out.
Farther northeast is Granite Gorge, in New Hampshire. The location of Granite Gorge is fortuitous; you must drive by the ski area to get to most southern New Hampshire ski areas (if traveling from the west). Granite Gorge re-opened after a two-year hiatus and ownership change. One of the products the ski area offers is a $30, 2-hour session ticket, which may capture passerby skier traffic for those curious. I was among that group. After a morning charging around nearby Crotched Mountain, two hours at Granite Gorge was a perfect way to end the ski day. The line to lap was the Paradise trail, blue square arcing across the mountain to wide-open Main Street, black diamond, with a cold, affordable Switchback Ale on tap as an earned reward.
Less than an hour southwest is Brattleboro Ski Hill in southern Vermont. Brattleboro Ski Hill is home to the cheapest adult lift ticket ($5) on the East. The volunteer-run ski area is walking distance from the popular Vermont Country Deli, so anyone planning to load up on their famous pulled pork, mac and cheese or giant chocolate chip cookies, must first turn left off Route 9 into the Living Memorial Park, of which Brattleboro Ski Hill is located. The Vermont Country Deli actually sponsors the ski area, so you’ll feel good supporting the T-bar powered area, whichever descent you choose: the racing course, progression park or open slope. The baseball scoreboard mounted to the T-bar bull wheel structure will surely make you appreciate the community ski hill experience.
Much farther south is Mohawk Mountain in Connecticut. This is the place to ski on a Saturday, because their “mid” mountain lodge, Pine Lodge Restaurant, opens on weekends. It is not your typical modern summit lodge, but a time-warp to the early days of American skiing. Wonderfully dated memorabilia adorn the wood paneling and a basic snack menu is just enough of a draw for a steady flow of customers. The Mohawk Triple summit chair rises directly over the lodge and the smell of deep-fried French fries is impossible to resist, let alone avoid. Mohawk Mountain’s recently renovated base lodge is beautiful in its own right and features a historic selection of early American skiing artifacts as well. The Timber trail, black diamond, is a must-ski, especially once the trail re-opens after morning ski races.
Finally, way up north, is Saddleback in Maine. After a five-year hiatus, Saddleback re-opened two winter seasons ago to much excitement. While Rangeley, Maine, is not the easiest place to travel to, that is kind of the point. Most visitors are good skiers seeking a new adventure. Big mountain skiing, no crowds, a touch of remoteness, and a catapult of a base area quad that whisks you up three quarters of the mountain in less than five minutes. The Casablanca Glades, double diamond terrain, is must-ski if the snow is good, and this year, the snow was good.
I get it, you have a mega pass or season pass, why would you spend more money to ski somewhere else? Because smaller ski areas are worth it. Smaller ski areas are affordable, less crowded, unique and frankly, need your support to thrive. After all, smaller ski areas feed the larger ski areas and resorts with the next generation of skiers and riders who spend the most money at the mountain (i.e., buy day tickets, rent gear, take lessons, opt for hot chocolate breaks more often, etc.). Those dollars help pay for new lifts, technology upgrades and other amenities that improve our collective on mountain experience. So, next time you find yourself planning to ski on Saturday, choose a smaller ski area.
Ski Magazine: You Can Chase Affordable Powder Days Without a Mega Pass. I Did (August, 2022) by Jeff Shaw!
Mountain Magazine for the Moment (January, 2021)
Youthful inspiration, East Coast ski royalty, stargazing, freeskiing fame, and scuba diving in Lake Tahoe, are just a sample of the first dozen pages of resuscitated print magazine, Mountain Gazette (MG), edition #194. I haven’t even finished reading all 130 pages yet know it is a must-have magazine for this moment.
The semi-annual, 11×17 inch magazine is a beautiful celebration of mountain culture that deserves time and attention. It’s about telling authentic stories of real people living in real mountain towns. It is not about sponsored athletes, latest gear trends or industry experts. It’s about art, nostalgia, music and our endless desire to explore the outdoors. With interest in the outdoor recreation off the charts, timing of this rebirth could not be better.
I don’t know about you, but I struggle slogging through the fire hose of information – emails, posts, prints and recordings – unleashed each day. Just count to three; in that time 18,000 tweets and 2.4 billion emails have been sent. It’s hard enough keeping up with what you are into, let alone things you could be into.
As an avid skier, mountain biker, stand-up paddleboarder, and trailblazer extraordinaire, the pages of #194 are familiar territory. Other topics, pursuits and passions I don’t know much about (birding, climbing, even mutton busting) are still intriguing. With MG, you get shot of both; comforting familiarity as well as enticing new frontiers.
I’m actually late to the party. Thanks to an extended USPS delay, #194 just showed up in my mailbox a few days before New Year’s (subscribers received copies as early as November). Since this edition unexpectedly sold out, better late than never. I also cut my teeth on northeast slopes (not the Northeast Slopes) and despite working at a ski shop as a curious (and mischievous) dual-plank youngster, never heard of MG until the recent string of online teasers.
Before #194 arrived, I had this unexplained feeling that somehow, some way, the revived magazine was made for this moment. (An optimistic view considering the recent fate of Powder and other outdoor titles.) After flipping those initial pages, it all made sense. Holding this beast of a magazine (local Beast [Killington’s nickname] pun intended; rhythm upcoming) is different; better, and meaningful. Here’s why:
The editor, Mike Rogge, is a well-known journalist (Powder, The Ski Journal) and filmmaker (Ski the East) and actively engages the outdoor community. He even sent a personal email to me (and likely to all readers) to say thank you for subscribing and keep in touch. Who else takes the time to do that? Personal connection is appreciated, especially these days.
Six-month editions provide time to read each article at a leisurely pace. The timelessness of the stories makes the magazine a must-keep, to pull from the shelf each, take-your-pick season, to set the stoke. Better yet, pass it on to someone unfamiliar with the title, like my younger self (sharing is caring!). Whether you live in a mountain town, live an outdoor lifestyle or are seeking a temporary escape, the wide-ranging topics, free form style, and emotional depth keeps you invested with an expressiveness that invigorates the imagination.
Environmentally friendly practices. The 11×17 inch pages are recycled paper, yet the print quality holds up. Even the packaging, at least for the “I Love Small Ski Areas” t-shirt, was fully compostable. That took some thought, well done.
Striking Photography. The giant photographs are not shiny, but still catch your eye. Examining the details of the frosty Cannon Mountain landscape got me pondering where to capture similarly brilliant landscapes on my next trek at The Living Legend or elsewhere.
Limited ads. Of the 129 pages, 125 are ad free. Of the sponsors, at least two have bold commitments to environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing. Bless your heart, MG.
A previous criticism of the magazine was that it featured too many Western mountain stories. Indeed, MG was born out West, is currently based in Lake Tahoe (CA) and many writers have Western addresses. When pressed on the vision of where and who stories would come from, editor Mike Rogge, responded, “We are going to explore mountain towns across North America.” Roll call, please: Adirondacks, Appalachian, Berkshires, Catskills, Green, White, heck, even the Laurentian Mountains.
In a loud, chaotic and seemingly lost world, it is reassuring to literally hold positive, inspiring, and uncommon outdoor stories. Eventually those beast-sized pages will tell the East Coast story for the ages.
PS – I read somewhere that Mountain Gazette is too big to fit into a backpack. Nah, just grab an Osprey 24/7 Series and enjoy it from the summit.