Mohawk Mountain, Cornwall CT

I learned to ski at Mohawk. I even taught snowboarding one season. I still ski/snowboard at Mohawk and it's still my favorite ski resort in all New England.

In 1989 a tornado blew through Mohawk Mountain dramatically altering the landscape by leveling all the evergreens, but the mountain is still beautiful. On a clear day you can see the Catskill mountains in New York and when its overcast you have a lovely view of Cornwall Hollow and the surrounding Litchfield Hills. Make sure you glance back while riding up the chairlift - especially the farthest mountain right chair lift.

Although I took a ski lesson at Mohawk while in college, I didn't become a regular until the late 1990's when I returned to Connecticut from the West. Saturday or Sunday morning would find me cruising the slopes at Mohawk on a half day ticket.

Mohawk is not a big mountain which may be why the runs hold the snow well. The grooming is meticulous (the best I've seen) with no ruts or hidden ditches to catch you off guard. There are four lifts and bunny slope lift. My favorite runs are Arrowhead and Mohawk. I love to get there early when I have the runs to myself and I take big swooping turns on my snowboard - doesn't get better than that.

And lastly, for the past 10 years until this past season, I always went to purchase my ticket at the same window inside the lodge - the far left window . The woman behind the window was Edna. She had worked there since they opened in the 1950's. Very prim and proper, always wore the most beautiful sweaters and reminded me of my great Aunt Edna from Alsted NH. We always exchanged a few pleasantries and she always ended the season with,"Well, I'll see you next season, the good Lord willing."

Well, last year the good Lord did call and my 92 year old friend no longer occupies the window on the left.