The 2010-2011 northeast season was a good season, most notable for its consistency. But consistency does not a great season make–as evidenced by my lack luster 39 days (one third less than hoped for). While there was no mid-winter thaw, there was also not many epic powder days. And a difficult work year kept me behind my desk for some of the better ones.

Many of my favorite seasons are noted for extreme inconsistency but also very big storms (often followed by rain/thaw/freeze events). Consistency of small storms did allow for 41% powder days this season. But I would gladly take a lower percentage for twice as many big days.

Despite a mid-October foot of fresh at Killington, the season got a late start with little snow and cold until December. But what a December it was with half of my top six days of the season, including a thirty incher at Cannon. A warm November made snow making difficult for ski areas. And the weekend spring corn harvest was hampered by frequent rain and cold in late March and April. But January and February were amongst the most consistently cold and snowy in recent memory.

Whereas I might not remember 2010-2011 for its epic powder, I will remember it fondly for the new explorations and the people I shared those days with. Seven areas were crossed off The List this season including much anticipated trips to The Balsams and the Adirondacks. And what reader of thesnowway.com doesn’t remember the Okemo Shit Show (the most heavily commented Trip Report on TSW)?

Despite a few bumps and bruises, I stayed off the disabled list and got back to Tuckerman in July. I had many things I wanted to accomplish this season, some were done and some were not. But I’ll remember the season for having accomplished what might be the most important of those goals:

Perhaps instead of specific goals detailing places I want to ski and things I want to do, I should rather set a general goal of discovery, rediscovery, and adventure. That this season might be remembered not for the epic conditions but rather for the epic adventures and new explorations. And for the people I shared those adventures with instead of skiing solo so often. A season in which I never wake up and think that I might go skiing if not for the less than perfect conditions. But rather, that less than perfect conditions open up possibilities of exploration that I might not have otherwise considered.

Top six days of the season coming later this weekend.