A legendary early season in New England continued on the week of Thanksgiving as two back to back storms slammed into the mountains. Waking up Wednesday morning to a mere dusting barely an inch deep at home in Saint Johnsbury, I knew better things awaited me at higher elevations. I opted for Burke as it was the closest drive and where I suspected had the most snow in the area. I was not disappointed with my decision. Upon reaching the mountain, I opened my car door and stepped out into half a foot of powder.
Burke was alive with action preparing for their opening just two weeks away. Pairs of men were working on various structures including a new stairway in the parking lot, the Mid-Burke Lodge, the Summit Quad, and the new High Speed Sherburne Quad. The new Sherburne Quad recently had its unload station installed, all of the towers flown in and mounted, and the haul rope hung. The newest High Speed Quad in Vermont is nearly ready to beckon a new age at Burke Mountain.
From the Mid-Burke Lodge, I attacked the mountain aggressively aiming for the Dippers. However, the exposed and sometimes rocky slopes of the Dippers made for a challenging skin. I soon opted for the Toll Road instead where I found another skier had already broken trail and descended also via the Toll Road. I was super excited to see a skin track already laid down so I did not have to break trail all the way to the summit.
Snow quality varied tremendously around the mountain. The lower mountain retained most of the powder but without much base. Six inches and more in chance locations covered the lower mountain trails. Mid-mountain saw more of a mix with a wet base layer underneath a few inches of powder. Upper mountain trails faired similar to mid-mountain with slightly more powder but less wet base. The snow varied tremendously at various spots on the trail depending upon exposure. Surprisingly, the wide open trails seemed to retain most of the nice powder.
My thighs were throbbing as I approached the summit indicating my lack of fitness and stamina. I soon gained the unload area by the Summit Quad opting for a seat on the bench instead of a chair on the lift. And a good decision that was! Shortly after I sat down, the bull wheel started turning much to my surprise! After a quick snack, I switched gear into downhill mode and prepared for my descent.
Opting for the Willoughby Trail, I was rolling the dice that the west side of the mountain got pounded the most with up slope snow. While the snow depth and quality was similar to the east side, I was not disappointed with my turns. Upper Willoughby sported some thin cover and occasional sticks and flora showing through the snow pack. But for the most part, excellent turns were had on a few inches of powder over a thin wet base. The middle of Willoughby turned rotten rather quickly when I came upon a section of the trail that had not been mowed recently. From my hikes up and down the Willoughby Trail, I was also familiar with the amount of rocks located in this particular section of trail. I picked my lines carefully and tried my best to enjoy survival skiing at its worst for a few hundred feet. Diving head first over a water bar promptly ended the middle section of Willoughby at the intersection of Bear Den.
Lower Willoughby was the prize for all my hard work. Half a foot of light fluffy powder without obstacles or worries. I ripped up the powder offering verbal praise and hollers of satisfaction. In retrospect, instead of summitting I should have just yo-yo’d the lower third of the Willoughby Trail. But hind sight is 20-20 and the better option did not include the satisfaction of a summit. While skiing Lower Willoughby I reflected upon my early season to date. With six days in the bag in less than a month which included two powder days before Thanksgiving, I was off to fantastic start. I waved good-bye to the fellows working on the Summit Quad and headed back to my car in the Mid-Burke Lot wondering just how many more powder days this season will offer me. I won’t have to wait long with another foot of powder barrelling into the White Mountains just in time for Thanksgiving.
