Killington, Killington VT

Big. My first time at Killington, I barely met the description of an intermediate skier as I tackled Outer Limits and tusseled with the snow a couple of times.

Jay Peak, Jay VT

I love Jay Peak. Lots of snow and great conditions. My first time at Jay was also my first time in the glades which were filled with lots of powder.

Tried to ski Jay this year but arrived in a howling snow squall with Arctic conditions at the base so turned around and drove south and stumbled upon the Lyndon Outing Club.

Burke Mountain, East Burke VT

Snowboarded Burke during our first annual long weekend ski trip and stayed near a pig farm - tolerable in winter conditions. Burke is nice. I especially liked the snow covered evergreen trails. It was snowing that day which made everything serene and beautiful.

My understanding is that Burke is undergoing a massive mountain overhaul in an attempt to make it a "destination" mountain. Somehow, serene and "destination mountain" are not synonymous.

Bromley Mountain, Peru VT

Skied this mountain with my friend, Jeff, many years ago. It was a foggy day and rotten conditions. It was one of those days when the moisture in the air hardened up the snow after it was groomed. In other words, bullet proof. Should have known with the name, Shincracker, that it was not a wise choice for our first run. By mid-morning one trail, Thruway, had softened up and everybody on the mountain skied on that one trail for the rest of the day.


I would like to go back to this mountain and get a better feel for it.

Mount Ascutney, Brownsville VT

Mount Ascutney is an impressive mountain with no ski trail scars visible from the highway although it is capped with an annoying tower. For many years Mount Ascutney was afflicted with the "no ski trail from the top" syndrome. A few years back a new faster quad was installed which put skiers closer to the top, but alas fell a few hundred feet short.

So no 360 degree view from the top, but a beautiful easterly view nonetheless. Apparently, it's a popular spot for hang gliders and paragliders in warmer temps.

Have skied/boarded Mount Ascutney several times with a former colleague of mine and her husband - Norm and Charli. Last year I was fortunate to board Ascutney after a 10 inch dumping of snow - pure delight. I love the open fields on Screaming Eagle and Terminator.

Mount Sunapee, Newbury NH

I skied Mount Sunapee sometime in the late 1990's (pre ski mission) in a snowstorm. As I made my way up I-91, my encounters with snowplows became less frequent to the point where I almost turned around. Exit 9 popped into view just in time.

My only impression of Sunapee in the snowstorm is moguls galore. It was my first encounter with skiing in over a foot of new snow and every run was bumped. Within a few hours my legs were shaking like jello on a wobbly table.

Stayed with my friend, Liz and her husband in New London, NH. The next day I cross country skied at a place nearby. It was a gorgeous day to remember - blue skies, soft fresh snow, birds chirping....

Waterville Valley, WV NH

Tucked away in the southern part of the Whites, this ski resort has one of the nicest approaches. Just don't speed because there is always a police car lurking behind the next bend in the road. Conditions were far from perfect - few trails open and heavy wet snow.

I did return later in the season and skied at their Nordic center which was fun. However, it's really set up for skate skiing races so many of the trails appear more like highways than intimate cross country ski paths.

Boarded Waterville Valley for the second time last Friday (3/27/09) in beautiful spring skiing conditions. The view from anywhere on the slope is stunning and absolutely marvelous.

Loon Mountain, Lincoln NH

Back in December 2003 I boarded three mountains - Cannon, Loon and Waterville Valley -while staying at the Wilderness Inn. It's a great little inn and one of the rooms has a big old fashion bathtub that requires a bit of climbing, but once accomplished, you are rewarded with a deep oasis of silky warm relaxing water.

So early in the season, Loon's trails were impeccably groomed considering the icy conditions. Terrific views from the gondola. I was so inspired by the views that two months later I returned for a winter ascent of Mount Lafayette with the AMC.

Cannon Mountain, Franconia NH

Wow, skied Cannon Mountain way back in December 2003. Unfortunately, being so early in the season, not all the trails were open, but it was apparent that this mountain has some very steep runs. From the top, the narrow ribbon of highway down below looks surreal, like an artist's rendition of something far, far away.....