Many people believe that New England skiing is completely relient upon man made snow and typically involves skidding around on icy surfaces only vaguely similar to the pure white gold most accomplished skiers desire. References to “The Ice Coast” abound throughout internet web sites and forums, the rumors are many about the lack of pristine snow conditions on New England mountains.
What follows is my attempt to bring forth a preponderance of evidence to the contrary. While New England is certainly not blessed with the quantity or quality of its Western Counterparts, a dedicated and committed skier can enjoy dozens of powder days every season. A typical New England seasons usually deposits at least two or three “Big Ones” throughout various locales. But the “Big Ones” do not come often and the dedicated New England Powder Hound lives for the the Alberta Clippers and Nor’Easters that desposit the white stuff a foot at a time in the hills.
Possessed by Powder is a reference to first hand accounts and reports of New England Powder Days. My personal measure of a Powder day is at least a half foot of snow. Completely untracked lines should be found on at least one run. I am beginning this section by referencing my own personal trip reports from TheSnowWay.com. However, I plan on expanding links to other first hand reports detailing copious amounts of light powder of the most epic proportions… New England style.
The name is in reference to an early season dump at Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. A group of skiers ascended to the Summit of Cannon Mountain to sample a foot of untracked fresh despite the Upper Mountain lifts not turning. While hiking up a trail with skis slung over our shoulders, one member of our party charged up the hill at inhuman speeds. One of my companions indicated that he was possessed. To which I echoed that he was Possessed indeed… by Possessed by Powder!