Category: Random

Random

Next Season Strategy

The List has been a continuously updated work in progress. Areas get added, areas get skied, and areas get removed. It was meant to be a long term project taking many seasons. But given my progress last season, I think the entire list is doable within two more seasons. My goal for this coming season is to knock off almost all of the areas excepting Quebec which I will save for a 2013 trip. Thus, freed from exploring new areas, I’ll return to Jay Peak for a season pass in 2012-2013.

Sure shots for 2011-2012 include Stratton, Bretton Woods, Dartmouth, Sunapee, and something north of the boarder. Ideally, I’ll be taking a three day trip through the Townships and knocking off Sutton, Orford, and Owl’s Head in a long weekend. Suicide Six, Dartmouth, and Whaleback (night skiing) might all be skied in the same day for a Trifecta.

Adding to the complexity of this season is my strong desire to do the Mad River Glen Triple Crown. Because if I don’t do it this year, I’ll be one year older when I do. And I ain’t getting any younger which means it ain’t going to get any easier. This might require a few “practice days” under the single to build up my legs given that over two dozen runs are required to place well in the Vertical Challenge. Ouch.

Last year I screwed myself with too many pre-purchased tickets and not enough ski days. This year I will look to reverse that execution with too few pre-purchased tickets and a lot of ski days. Hopefully the weather and work will be more cooperative. More earned turns are definitely needed. And as always, my goal for next season is fewer injuries than the last season (always a dubious goal). The normal suspects including Cannon, Jay, Smuggs, Burke, Stowe, etc. should all see multiple visits.

And most importantly, the condo association cut the bank this summer. So that means a return to the Backside.

Kayaking, Random

Realizing Dreams & Catching Dragonflies

Catching a Dragonfly on Squam Lake

Following up on prior late season Tuckerman Ravine trip reports Tuckerman Ravine: Because It’s There and Tuckerman Ravine: Because It’s Still There, I originally planned to name this post Tuckerman Ravine: Just Because. Because It’s There and Because It’s Still There are worthy reasons, whereas Just Because was not sufficient. Instead, I went in pursuit of realizing dreams.

After nearly ten years of longing for a pair of quality sea kayaks, we recently realized that dream with a pair of Eddyline Fathoms. The investment was substantial but the timing was finally right. People wonder why I have never skied out west despite being a die hard skier. Being a die hard skier does not necessarily mean being one dimensional. There is more to life.

So instead of sliding down snow, I found myself gliding across water. We found ourselves at Dog Cove on Squam Lake. We put in for a relaxing paddle amongst the mountains of the Squam and Ossipee mountain ranges. Long have I seen Squam Lake from the other perspective–it was wonderful to finally see the mountains from the lake instead of the other way around.

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Random

Ski Blog Recommendation: J&E Productions

Thanks to Ski Mad World, I recently became aware of the new northeast ski blog J&E Productions. While the blog is new, jandeproductions.com is not. J&E Productions has been featuring trip reports, pictures, and video for a dozen years and counting (longer than my own online skiing presence).

While only just recently moving towards a blog format, it could be argued that J&E Productions might be the longest active New England ski blog (if not in denotation, then certainly in connotation). The creator of J&E Productions may be more familiar to most readers by his online handle J.Spin, whose reputation for quality trip reports and snow analysis on regional forums is widely known. Please consider adding this excellent blog to your bookmarks.

Welcome to the ski blogging community, J&E Productions!