Mount Snow 2018-2019 Magazine & Resort Guide

T H E 2 0 1 8 – 2 0 1 9 M AG A Z I N E & R E S O R T G U I D E

CARINTHIA RISING

SKIING BLIND

DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR GUESTS

The Team Publisher: Mount Snow Editor in Chief: Thad Quimby Editorial Director: Mike Hannigan, Methodikal Art Director: Seth Drury, Methodikal Associate Editors: Jamie Storrs Meghan Wilcock Printer: Lane Press Proofreader: Victoria Beliveau Advertising Sales: Kelsey King Editorial Offices: Attn: Marketing PO Box 2805 West Dover, VT 05356 pr@mountsnow.com 802-464-4203

TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S 02 // R ETRO TRAIL MAPS Greatest hits from trail map covers of our past.

04 // FROM FRONT LINE TO CORNER OFFICE A conversation with General Manager Erik Barnes about what lies ahead.

08 // CARINTHIA RISING A preview of the new Carinthia Base Lodge as it makes its debut.

12 // BEST BUDS Beer and food pairing suggestions from Mount Snow’s resident culinary expert.

15 // TRICKS TO TRY, WITH AMY GAN When you’re ready to soar, snowboard instructor Amy Gan has you covered.

22 // SKIING BLIND Linda Goodspeed may not be able to see, but she can sure as hell ski.

29 // R ELAX, RESTORE, REPEAT How the experts at Naturespa can help you recover from your day on the slopes.

34 // DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT A long weekend at Mount Snow gives a young family the chance to bond.

41 // PHOTO GALLERY A look back at some epic snow and conditions from last season.

48 // THE GUEST GUIDE Everything you need to know to enjoy Mount Snow to its fullest.

62 // WINTER TRAIL MAP 64 // SUMMER TRAIL MAP

MOVING AHEAD, WITH A QUICK LOOK BACK. The brand-new Carinthia Base Lodge is set to debut this winter (see page 8 for all the details), and we couldn’t be more excited. But one of the many things that makes Mount Snow so special is our rich and colorful history.

With that in mind, here’s a look back at some of our favorite trail maps from the archives.

MountSnow.com

POWDER DAYS, BLUEBIRD SKIES, AND FRESH TRACKS We’ve got the snowsport mounts and cargo boxes to get you and all your gear there with ease.

Visit Yakima.com to view our full line up.

SKYBOX 16 SLIMSHADY AWNING

FATCAT EVO 6 FRESHTRACK

Yakima is a registered trademark of Yakima Products, Inc.

E

rik Barnes became Mount Snow’s new general manager last season.

However Erik wasn’t exactly a stranger to the resort when he took the reins; he started at Mount Snow back in 1986 and has worked his way up through just about every department: ski school, tickets, retail, rentals, daycare, golf—you name it, Erik’s probably done it.

On the day after the mountain closed last April, we sat down with Erik over a cold pint of beer to find out how things went and what’s coming next.

MountSnow.com

How was your first year at the helm?

It was fast and furious. We had to put out a few metaphorical fires, but overall, it went well.

Besides, the pros are way better at making perfect corduroy than I am.

How about your best day during the season?

The day we got 30 inches of snow. The team here absolutely came together to get everything open. I saw housekeepers. I saw patrol. I saw vehicle maintenance people. I saw custodial staff, all out shoveling and doing everything to get this place open. It goes to show we’re all a family here. When the family needs something done, everybody jumps in. That’s why I’ve stayed here for 33 years.

You originally started in the ski school back in the day. Are there lessons you picked up teaching skiing that are applicable to leading Mount Snow now?

Absolutely. It’s about entertaining and understanding what your employee or customer wants and providing that. If you can listen, they will tell you everything you need to make it a good experience for them. As long as you cue in to what’s going on, you’re going to be OK.

With the West Lake snowmaking project coming on last year, what were the impacts you saw?

We doubled the amount of terrain that we could open in the early season. That’s the biggest piece, being able to make snow anytime we want and spreading our customers out so they enjoy the experience. Yes, we have all this firepower, but we also have fixed snowmaking infrastructure on all our bread-and-butter trails. We can resurface those in an instant. That’s what makes the skiing experience great every day of the season.

What’s been the biggest surprise for you as general manager?

The number of moving parts. In this business, it’s hard to track them all and keep a complete understanding of everything. It can be mind-boggling.

I didn’t really mess with the operations during my first season because we have staff who have been in this business for a long time and know exactly what’s going on. We also didn’t have anything that was really broken, so I tried to master the stuff I didn’t have as much experience and knowledge of, like snowmaking, grooming, and lifts. I spent a lot of time understanding what their processes were. What are all the factors that will affect the on-mountain experience? What are all the costs? Just trying to understand the electric bill is a nightmare. If we can control our costs and find efficiencies in our own operations, we can avoid passing costs on to our customers.

That’s huge, to just flip a switch.

Yeah, essentially…but in reality there’s much more to it than that. We can have 500 guns running and it only takes 16 people to turn them on. This is partially due to the system’s efficient design, but also due to the fact that we’ve got one of the best snowmaking teams in the country. I’m not exaggerating here; these guys really are the best in the biz.

What’s it like to look up the mountain and see that?

That’s just awe. To pull in the north entrance and see a white cloud of snow over the mountain—you know guests are going to have a great experience that day.

What was your best day on the job?

The day I got to drive my first groomer. I’ve always wanted to drive a cat. Who doesn’t? As a little kid growing up, you always want to drive the heavy equipment. That was my first time. It is way more challenging than you’d think.

Have the people noticed the difference?

I’ve had countless guests walk up and just say, “Thank you. We can’t believe how good the snow is this season.

We can’t believe how great the service is.” Everything has been really good this year. It’s just been an overwhelming response.

Are you going to fire yourself and become a groomer?

Absolutely not. It’s fun, but I like what I’m doing now.

05

A general manager can be a fairly visible person at the resort, and I know you like to be out there as well, but, in your opinion, how important is it for the average guest to know who you are?

What’s important is they know I always have their best interests in mind when we make any decision.

It’s about them. It’s about their experience. They may not see me all the time, but that’s because I’ve put great managers in place. I give the managers the credit because they’re the ones executing our plan throughout the season. I like to let my teams do what they do best, and don’t feel the need to manage each and every detail. I know they’ll handle it.

With our recent snowmaking upgrades, new Carinthia Base Lodge, and other projects lined up in our master plan, we’ve got a lot in store for our guests and passholders. I’m thrilled to be at the helm for this chapter in Mount Snow’s history. As for future plans, we’re looking at lift upgrades, snowmaking expansion, and other exciting projects, but I can’t go too far into the details just yet.

New lifts? Can you give us any hints?

Well, as we look toward expanding snowmaking into Sunbrook, it only stands to reason that we’d replace Quadzilla…er…I probably shouldn’t call it that; I mean the Sunbrook Quad. We know it’s a slow one, and we’ll be looking forward to having a high-speed offering over there to access all that great terrain.

What’s one thing you wish your guests knew about Mount Snow?

I think they already know this, but it would be that we always want to deliver the best skiing experience possible every day of the year.

While some days are admittedly better than others, our teams go all out to serve up the best possible product, whether Mother Nature is cooperating or not.

Anything new happening over at Carinthia?

This year is the 10th anniversary of Carinthia becoming an all-terrainpark mountain face, so we plan to celebrate that milestone. It’s been great to watch it grow from what, at the time, was considered a wild idea, that some even laughed at us for, to becoming the #1 terrain park in the East and a real destination.

The new base lodge is the major upgrade everyone will get to enjoy.

What does the future hold for the resort?

It’s a very exciting time to be working here at Mount Snow.

•

MountSnow.com

OWN WHERE YOU PLAY HOMES, CONDOS, QUARTERSHARES, LAND MOUNTSNOWREALTY.COM Visit the Grand Summit Hotel, or call 802.464.4114

by Mike Hannigan

CARINTHIA RISING

W

hile you’ve been off enjoying your summer, a team of builders, architects, interior designers, and other construction pros have been hard at work on the latest innovation at Mount Snow. As this magazine goes to print, the new Carinthia Base Lodge is receiving its finishing touches and getting ready for its inaugural season. Gone will be the tired, old (but beloved) original Carinthia Lodge, replaced by the first major new building at the resort in 20 years.

While it’s natural to get excited for skiing and snowboarding this coming winter, you should save a little of your stoke for the new lodge. We’ve never seen anything like it here, and it’s just the beginning of a wave of revitalization that is planned at the resort.

Think about what makes a great ski lodge: A place that feels as exciting as the sport itself. Somewhere you can accomplish everything you need to get done and find some optional fun too. A place designed to get you properly started, keep you going throughout the day, and then ease you out of your time on the slopes with equal aplomb.

“The first and best thing about it is it’s made for people who have ski boots on,” explains Joseph Cincotta, the architect responsible for creating the lodge. “The first thing we did was say, every step is going to be gentle. We went far beyond code and really made stairs that are pleasant to walk up.”

As you may have noticed, Mount Snow is all about snow. From the tremendous snowmaking capacity that was added last year with West Lake, to the record-breaking snows that fell from the sky last March, snow is central to the experience here. It’s also key to the design of the new lodge.

The design team at Christine Burdick Design interpreted the concept of snowflakes falling and brought it to life in different ways throughout the building. On the third floor, home to more refined spaces, snowflakes are represented on the ceiling and in the design of the lighting fixtures. As you go down to the second floor, the snowflakes take on a different form, appearing on the walls, including custom-made metal artwork. Finally, just as a snowflake would settle to the ground, the first floor of the new lodge uses overlapping elements to represent the feel of snow on the floors.

While the design incorporates the idea of falling snow, the

First floor floorplan.

MountSnow.com

The second-floor carpet has a modern plaid to it, so that we’re starting to incorporate some of these elements that you would traditionally find in a Vermont ski lodge, but in a contemporary way.”

Color inspiration from historic Mount Snow gondolas.

Aside from aesthetics, the new lodge is a drastic functional improvement for Mount Snow, with each floor dedicated to different purposes. The industrial-feeling first floor houses more utilitarian functions, including lockers, ski tuning services, lift tickets, rentals, a sports shop, and everything else you need to get your day started.

lodge’s color palette is more vivid, with a nod to Mount Snow’s past. The colors throughout the building mirror the colors of the old bubble gondola cars that once hoisted skiers to the summit.

“They’re primary colors,” explains Burdick. “There’s red, blue, and yellow. As you’re walking in on the first floor, there’s this really bright yellow. And the yellow comes from those old, historic gondola photos.

We’ve got yellow on the first floor, and then the red will appear at the second level. As you go up to the third floor, that’s where the blue appears.

As noted, the second floor serves as more of a day lodge, where you’ll come to have lunch and re-energize before heading back out on the mountain. There’s a cafeteria serving made-to-order

“As you come to the second floor, that is where you’ll come with your family to have lunch.

There’s a cafeteria that will be a very active space.

Rendering of slopeside of Carinthia Base Lodge.

09

grill items, salads, paninis, noodles, and grab-and-go items. And there’s an aprèsski bar so you can unwind after your day on the mountain.

Up on the third floor, a more elegant space awaits, with a large full-service restaurant and bar that overlooks the general seating and fireplace on the floor below. If you’re looking for some incredible food, and a place to share stories at the end of day, this is the place to go.

And lest you think it’s all about indoor spaces, the great outdoors is an integral part of the new lodge. On warmer days, immense glass doors open out toward the slopes. There you'll find a massive stone patio with radiant heating for snow melt, an outdoor fire pit, an outside bar and grill, and lounge seating.

The team has clearly gotten the big things right, and the little things too.

Bathrooms on every floor? Check.

Enough toilets to accommodate even the busiest of days?

Absolutely.

Seats upon seats, all the way up to the third floor? They’re just waiting for you.

A beautiful bar up on the third floor, where you can get away from it all? Sure, you deserve it.

Food options? There’s a station for whatever you’re in the mood for. Mount Snow’s director of food and beverage even got to design his dream kitchen in the lodge.

Need some gear, or rentals, or lift tickets, a tune, or a place to store your bags? They’re all on the first floor, right where you need them.

Importantly, the design makes the space highly functional and special all year long, not just during ski season. For someone looking for an inspiring spot for a Vermont wedding, it’ll be hard to beat.

Asked about her favorite aspects of the new space, designer Christine Burdick comes back to the colors and the impression they’ll create for guests.

“I love the energy on the first floor, with the yellow frames,” she says. “I think it’s bold, it’s unexpected. You’re going to walk into the building and just get this vivid, very saturated pop of color. It will energize people who are in the space. I love the volume, and the architect has done a great job to provide these enormous glass doors that look out slopeside. When you’re in the building, you’ll have this connection to the outside.

“We’re trying to create these unexpected pops of fun, like with the gondola; I’ve never seen one of these bubble gondolas before. The light fixtures on the third-floor ceiling at the curve, I think those are going to be magical. It’s going to illuminate the space, and create these sculptural pieces that will provide

Lighting concept drawing.

MountSnow.com

interest, on both the third and second floors. It’s just providing this great building, where you can go and enjoy it. People are coming here for fun. We want to make them feel energized when they walk in.”

When you talk to the team responsible for imagining and building the new Carinthia Base Lodge, it’s clear they understand their role in creating a place that can celebrate the best parts of ski and snowboard culture, a place where you can feel free and be outside and spend the day with the people you care about, all while having an easy time with the logistical parts too.

“What’s really sweet about this is, if I do my job really well, a lot of people are going to have more fun,” enthuses Cincotta. “And this world could certainly use that. Nothing compares to the exhilaration of just plain old fun, and this is a place of fun, this is a fun creator. The idea of being engaged in a place for people to let their hair down, to just be with their children, to be with themselves—sometimes you just want to be alone on the snow first thing in the morning and you just need to clear your head. We humans thrive on that. It’s way cheaper than therapy and a whole lot more fun.”

•

OLD VS NEW

OLD CARINTHIA

NEW CARINTHIA

CONSTRUCTED

1961

2018

LEVELS

2

3

SQUARE FOOTAGE

8,320

42,000

SEATING

249

626

RESTAURANTS

0

1

BARS

0

2

CAFETERIA

SINGLE-LINE; LIMITED SELECTIONS

MULTIPLE STATIONS; MANY SELECTIONS

RENTAL SHOP

NO

YES

LARGE RETAIL SHOP

NO

YES

BAG STORAGE

NO

YES

WEDDING/CONFERENCE VENUE

NO

YES

FIREPLACE

NO

YES

TOILETS

13

55

Cafeteria farm table designed by JG Madison

11

Tile pattern.

It’s no secret that beer tastes really good after a day on the mountain.

With so many great brews in Vermont, beer at Mount Snow is a 10 out of 10.

But to turn your beer experience all the way to 11, stop by Canned in the Main Base Lodge for an impressive selection of Vermont beers as well as experts who can offer food-pairing suggestions to really bring out the flavors of both.

With that in mind, we asked Michael Giorgio, Mount Snow’s director of food & beverage, to offer some advice on what styles play nice with different dishes, as well as two can’t-miss pairings you should try today.

FA RMHOUS E S A IS ON A L E A good saison is one of the best places to start when pairing food with beer. Saisons are farmhouse ales that have wonderful aromas and tastes of fruit with notes of spices such as clove. Traditionally they are brewed for the summer, but you can enjoy them all year round. Despite having great complexity, saisons are one of the easiest beers to pair with food. One of my favorite things to eat with a saison is something spicy, like a spicy sausage on a roll or a bowl of Pad Thai.

T R Y:

aison Lamoille from Lost Nation Brewing S Mignonette at the Station Tap Room MountSnow.com

A dozen fresh Pemaquid oysters from Maine and

BELG I A N W ITBIER Often referred to as “white beer” in America, witbier is an easy-drinking, hazy wheat beer brewed with coriander and orange peels. This is a wonderful summer beer that pairs well with acidic and salty foods. The citrus notes hold up to tart or sour flavors, while the light, refreshing body helps to cut through salt. My personal favorite is oysters with mignonette, but witbier also goes great with a fresh salad loaded with berries and goat cheese.

T R Y:

UFO White from Harpoon Brewery

Thai Chili wings and wasabi aioli from Cuzzins Bar and Grill

NE W ENG L A ND IPA Probably the single most popular beer currently on the market, a big hop-forward IPA (India pale ale) is the perfect beer for smoked meats, cheese, and anything with high fat content. The bold floral aroma, combined with a flavor profile that has notes of mango, pineapple, and citrus, helps it stand out among strong flavors such as smoke and fat. It can hold up to big, bold dishes such as braised short ribs or some type of super-stinky Vermont blue cheese.

T R Y:

P ieces of Eight by Foley Brothers Brewing Smoked brisket sandwich with sweet vinegar slaw and Vermont cheddar mac and cheese from Reuben’s Smokehouse

HEL L ES L AG ER This clean and crisp beer is easy drinking all year round. Helles lagers tend to be low in alcohol content, with a beautiful honey-like sweetness and a mild bite. Another easy-to-pair beer that goes great with fresh fruits and creamy cheeses.

T R Y:

G olden Helles from von Trapp Brewing Light lunch salad of mesclun greens covered in fresh berries, VT goat cheese, and walnuts at The Bullwheel

A MERIC A N S TOUTS American stouts tend to be loaded with flavors such as chocolate, coffee, and vanilla.

I will almost always pair a big American stout with dessert, whether the brew is barrel-aged or brewed with cocoa nibs. Stouts are great with super-sweet desserts but can also help to cut through salty and smoky meats.

T R Y:

T

aple Breakfast Stout from 14th Star Brewing Co. Grilled Sirloin covered in crispy bacon and M blue cheese and whipped sweet potatoes from Harriman’s Farm to Table

he most important thing to remember when pairing beer with food is that there is no real wrong or right; if you enjoy drinking a big double IPA with a light salad and rare tuna, who am I to tell you you’re wrong?

Most beers do well with most cheeses. The more intense a beer is, the more important it is to focus on using fat and acid to cut through the bold flavors of the beer. With cleaner, more easy-drinking beers, intense foods will overwhelm your palate and you’ll lose the taste of the beer.

•

13

A M H Y

IT

TR IC K S

W

TO

Y TR

BY

Ξ

A

E

Y M

TH

N

TI RA

U

ST O

S BY JO

SH

A

N

G

O

LU

N

L AT OO ER CH IN A DS TR AR R D BO A W BO O W SN O SN KI & D S EA W O ,L R N N TE H A TS IG H

G

M

IL

Launching yourself for the first time at Carinthia Parks can be daunting. After all, it’s considered by many to be one of the best terrain parks in the country, and as such, it attracts some seriously talented athletes. But one of the best parts of our work at the Mount Snow Ski & Snowboard School is introducing people to all the joys of skiing and riding, especially when it comes to flying through the air and expressing your own style on snow.

Here are four tricks that anyone can learn, with practice, perseverance, and a little help from your local ski or snowboard instructor.

15

2

1

3

S KI L L L E V E L : E AS Y

METHOD GRAB

Ξ FEATURE: HIP

When you’re heading up a hip, one of the things you should look at is the line choice. You’re going to be picking the line right where the transition and the deck or top meet—right at that triangle, that’s where you want to take off from [figure 1]. For the grab, bring your legs up behind you and reach your front hand behind you to grab your heel edge [figure 2], either between your bindings or just in front of your front binding. To land, let go with enough time to get your feet back under you.

As you get more comfortable you can add style by “tweaking”—pulling the board across the front of your body and kicking your back foot out behind you. The further you can tweak and the more you can get your board horizontal, the better. This is one of the most stylish and classic tricks in snowboarding and skateboarding.

The cool thing about a hip is that no matter what speed you take it at—whether you’re just barely rolling off the top or you’re sending it 20 feet in the air—it’s the same line. All you have to do, as you come up and you’re taking off, is let your feet come up to you and let your shoulders align with the landing. That’s going to bring your board onto that new angle and match the landing zone. Try to land high up on the transition [figure 3], which will make your landing a lot softer and safer.

MountSnow.com

1 2 3

50-50s

S K I L L L E V E L : I N T E R M E D I AT E

Ξ FEATURE: FLAT RAIL OR FLAT BOX

Pick a line from which you can straighten out ahead of time, so you can get your board flat just before you’re getting on the box [figure 1]. You want to avoid doing too many speed checks coming in, but you also want to carry enough speed to avoid getting stuck. For the first couple of times, it’s actually more difficult to be going really slow. As you’re getting on [figure 2], use your eyes to look for the end of the box, and as you go through it, look for that landing.

The most important thing about a 50-50 is keeping your board flat [figure 3]. If you get on edge on a rail or a box, that’s when you’re going to slide out. Practice flexing your knees and ankles, as well as keeping your shoulders and hips in the same line as your board. It’s always a good idea to first watch what other people are doing (How many turns are they doing going into the feature? Where are they starting from?) and align yourself with their approach to start.

17

1

2

3

S KI L L L E V E L : E X P E RT

BOARD SLIDES

Ξ FLAT RAIL OR FLAT BOX

With a board slide, leave your shoulders in line [figure 1], just like with a 50-50, but as you bend your knees, you can start to get the board to pivot underneath you and slide out. While you’re doing that, the important thing is to keep your weight right over the board and keep the board flat. One way to know if your weight is over the middle of your board (i.e., not heel-heavy) is to feel your weight right on the ball of your foot, similar to how you would stand if you were shooting a basketball. Don’t lean back on an edge when you start to rotate around, because that’s when you’ll fall backward. It’s really important to keep your knees bent and keep your weight right over or just inside that front foot [figure 2], so you can start to kick it out. As you’re learning, maybe your board only kicks out a couple of inches, roughly 30 degrees, and then over time you can get it all the way out. As you get more comfortable, you can get that full 90-degree board slide.

Also as you get more comfortable, you can do it earlier and earlier on the box, and eventually you can do it going off the takeoff and land at pure 90 degrees, with that shoulder pointing down the box. As long as your shoulder is pointing down the box, you can land straight again when you come off the box [figure 3]. If your shoulders don’t do that, you won’t come back.

MountSnow.com

3

2

4

1

S KI L L L E V E L : E X P E RT

ALLEY-OOP HAND PLANT

Ξ HALF-PIPE

Come into the half-pipe from your backside wall into your toe-side wall, and all you really do is continue your line up the pipe in a toe-side carve [figure 1]. Let the board continue up the wall while you reach your back hand toward the toe side of your tail [figure 2]. As you’re heading up the wall, the board is going to continue to track. At first you can put two hands down to make it easier [figure 3], but work toward putting only your back hand down. With a little bit of pop, the board will come right off the side of the wall and land back on your toe edge right away [figure 4]. To take this trick a step further, try grabbing your board with your front hand.

A FEW FINAL TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED Generally speaking, the most important thing is to start in the right spot, so for Carinthia, that means starting in Grommet. It’s a really friendly environment with the correct-sized features for learning.

Definitely watch how other people do things and learn how the feature is intended to be used: Watch how fast they’re going. See if they’re taking a speed check so they don’t hit the feature too fast.

AND TAKE A LESSON!

•

19

MOUNT SNOW CONDO OWNERS Join the Mount Snow rental program

Exclusive benefits and discounts

Maximize your financial return

Feel secure with 24 hour service

OWNERSERVICES@MOUNTSNOW.COM | 877.298.9225

Quality Gifts for Every Occasion Vermont Hand Made Gifts for Home, Bride & Baby Danforth Pewter ~ Simon Pearce ~ VT Wood Bowl ~ Bee Line Skin Care ~ Organic Wine ~ Unique Vintage Items & Antiques ~ Local Raw milk Cheeses ~ Expanded Infant Department

Gallery Featuring Ann Coleman 112 Route 100, West Dover, VT | (802) 464-5400

Dover, Vermont home of mount snow

Unique Adventures near Mount Snow

Bike Rentals

3-hour Zip Line Canopy Tours Full and Half Day Whitewater Rafting

Experience a memorable adventure with family or friends and see why our friendly professional guides, comfortable base camp and convenient location make us the choice for Powering Your Own Adventure.

join us! (800) 532-7483 zoaroutdoor.com

Kayak Trips and Classes

MountSnow.com

I’m sure you’ve seen me on the slopes. I’m the one wearing a bright orange bib with big black letters, BLIND SKIER. I’m usually followed by one or two other orange bibs yelling obscure commands like, “2!” “7!” “Center!”

Here are some other things you probably don’t know about me:

I am not deaf, nor do I have a hard time understanding English.

Growing up in Vermont, I started skiing around age 5. All my friends skied, after school, every weekend, holidays. I raced in high school, became a weekend warrior when I moved to Boston after college.

Skiing was even part of my job: I worked for a time for a daily newspaper where one of my beats was skiing and ski racing.

I am not brave or courageous. I am not inspirational or any of the other things people say to blind orange bibs. Jan Hanson guiding me with stage 4 colon cancer? Now, that is brave. That is amazing.

But skiing blind? Really? Even if you’re a good skier, how do you ski without being able to see?

And how much can you really see, anyway? It’s like I have to take a test, like I’m going to peek or something.

Me? I am just someone who lost her sight gradually over the last 30 years, and lost it completely about 10 years ago. I am also someone who loves to ski.

Can you see shapes, shadows?

Do you have light perception?

I am not invisible, although I sometimes get treated like I am.

Neither am I a magnet for the curious.

No, no, and no. What about “totally blind” don’t you understand?

23

I remember taking a ski lesson when I first started losing my sight, and the instructor wanted us to close our eyes as we skied across the slope. It was an exercise about trust and relying on your other senses as we learned how to turn from big toe to little toe, or maybe it was the other way around.

“Close your eyes,” the instructor told us. “Feel the snow, the slope.”

Of course, everybody said I had an unfair advantage. OK. But they got to open their eyes at the end of the run. I didn’t.

Actually, there were several degrees to my blindness. I lost my peripheral vision first, but still had pretty good central (straight ahead) vision, and could follow a guide down the hill. One of my favorites was a short, long-haired blond Australian named Hugh.

Whenever we shoved off, he had this infectious way of jumping up with his arms outstretched as if he were jumping for joy. (Probably he was just making sure I had him in my little round circle of sight.)

“And. . . BEGIN!” he commanded, raising his voice dramatically.

I felt I was a student in one of his lectures about to begin an exam.

“ Your other left! ”

There are many ways to guide a blind person down a ski hill. As I lost more and more of my sight, my guides moved from skiing in front of me to skiing behind me. Some blind skiers need or want to have every turn called.

Because I had learned how to ski as a sighted person, I knew how and when to turn. Just get me to the center of the slope, point me down the fall line, and I can turn myself without being told.

One time, a guide I ski with quite often who knows I like less rather than more direction seemed unusually quiet behind me. Was he still there? Was I really and truly skiing blind, without a net?

“Bob?” I yelled, a little panicky.

“Yes, Linda?” he replied calmly behind me. “Do you need something?”

Runs like that are rare. Between trees, lift towers, other skiers, snowboarders, bumps, dips, children, double fall lines, and terrain changes, there is a lot for a guide to do. Right and left are the most obvious ways to guide a blind person. But you’d be surprised how many people confuse them.

During this phase of vision loss, my skiing actually improved.

Following good skiers and imitating them is the best way to learn how to ski. I even started imitating Hugh’s little jump for joy at the beginning of a run.

Another guide, Phil, who was over 80 and a retired medical school professor, had a more formal approach to the start of a run.

“Your other left!!” more than one guide has yelled.

MountSnow.com

Some blind and visually impaired skiers like to use radios. I don’t.

It’s true that the radios make it much easier to hear your guide, especially if we’re dealing with noisy Eastern powder (i.e., frozen granular). But I don’t get any directional cues from the radio; my guide’s voice is always in the same spot in my ear whether the guide is behind me, in front of me, or over to the side; whether 10 feet away or 100. Without a radio, I can hear the direction my guide’s voice comes from, another little bit of information that helps me put the whole run together.

I will admit it’s nice to be able to talk back and forth in a normal voice over the radio as

we’re skiing down the hill. We can even plan lunch on the fly without having to stop. But for me, radios are just another piece of technology I’d rather not deal with. We spend too much time charging, adjusting, testing, and getting them to work. I’d rather spend the time skiing.

If right and left can be a little problematic, and radios too cumbersome, there are other guiding methods. At one resort out West, I saw a blind skier being guided in a “horse and buggy.” Instead of ski poles, the guide and blind skier held two long wooden rails. The guide led the blind skier down the hill, shouting left and right

25

as they turned back and forth.

Connected as they were, they looked like a big bus coming down the hill.

Another guiding technique I like is the grid. An imaginary 10-point grid extends from left to right across the slope, and the guide behind me yells out the number that corresponds to my location on the grid. The idea is for me to be in the 4 to 6 range on the grid, with 1 being the extreme left edge of the slope, and 10 the extreme right edge. I like it because I can self-correct.

If my guide yells “2,” I know I need to turn hard right; “7,” a little left. I can see where it’s a lot of thinking on the guide’s

part—the guide has to constantly adjust the grid for obstacles and as the slope narrows and widens.

But I like it because it allows me to decide for myself how much or how little to turn. If my guide yells, “Right!” is that a little right or a lot right? If my guide yells, “3!” I know it’s just a little right. It takes a lot of thought; the guide isn’t directing so much as just telling me where I am on the slope at any given time.

It’s then up to me to use that information and get to where I need to be.

I remember one guide in training, obviously used to guiding directionally, instructing me to “come back to 5.”

Huh? But where is 5? I know it’s in the middle, but where is the middle? Where am I now? How do I get back to 5?

Whenever there is the least break in communication, from not understanding or not hearing a command, the blind skier stops immediately. And before we even begin, we always agree on an emergency command, usually, “STOP!” in a very loud and no-nonsense voice. We also look for groomed, wide slopes. Blind slalom racing is a Paralympic sport, but for me, tree skiing sounds terrible. I don’t even like bumps anymore. I can’t anticipate them and can only react to them. Give me corduroy. I have also picked up the bad habit of dragging my poles for balance since I lost my sight.

(Not the recommended way to ski

bumps.) But they help me keep in touch with the slope, even if it makes some of my guides cringe.

“Stop dragging your poles!” exclaimed one guide.

“ Let’s stop and take in the view ”

“I need to do it for balance and surface context!” I yelled back.

Like I said, it’s all about communication—both ways.

Some adaptive ski programs pay their guides. Here in the East, most guides are volunteers.

They volunteer for a whole host of reasons. Some may have a disabled person in their family, some are bored with regular skiing, and others just want to bring this wonderful sport to someone who otherwise would not be able to experience it.

Like volunteers in any other undertaking, they are incredibly great people.

“Being part of skiing with a blind person is like being part of a miraculous event,” said Karen Deets, a guide for nine years with whom I have skied often. “It’s a huge responsibility. Her safety is all on me. I’m honored by the trust she puts in me. It’s both a scary and a joyful thing.”

Longtime guiding relationships are like longtime marriages.

As in the best marriages, communication sometimes becomes intuitive.

“Grab my pole,” my guide Trish said to me as she came alongside me.

MountSnow.com

beautiful, exhilarating.

This spring my daughter and I were on the phone making reservations for a summer trip to the Grand Canyon when the reservation clerk on the other end suddenly interrupted our planning.

“Why in the world would a blind person come to the Grand Canyon?” he asked incredulously.

“The only reason to come here is to see it.”

We were approaching the base of a mountain. I had never heard this command before, but without hesitating, I stuck out my left hand, grabbed her pole, and hung on as she deftly wove in and out of a large group of skiers and riders who were congregating at the bottom. We never stopped or missed a beat.

“That was beautiful,” someone said to us as we skied smoothly into the lift line. “It looked choreographed.”

I smiled at Trish. It was fun, and became our new technique for negotiating particularly crowded areas.

I’ve often thought of blindness as a spatial disease. I can miss a person or object just a few inches from me, and not know it.

My guides don’t seem to realize this. I don’t need to know about the “slow” sign in the middle of the trail. That just makes me nervous, but my guides insist on telling me anyway.

“The trail winds around, gets very narrow, and then goes over a bridge.”

“I really don’t think it’s your call,” my daughter, Masha, broke in over the speakerphone.

“TMI,” I wail. A bridge over a stream? Please, don’t tell me that! Tell me after we get over it.

Knowing about it ahead of time just makes me nervous.

She often guides me skiing and is used to the looks and comments we sometimes get. We looked at each other and shook our heads.

You can experience the world with what you have, or not. My call, not yours.

But sometimes I can’t get enough information.

“Let’s stop and take in the view,” I say as we exit the Bluebird Express chair near the summit of Mount Snow.

We ski off to the side of the trail and stop and look around, deeply inhaling the clear, cold air. I can feel the volume, the hugeness, the height. I’m on top, but I feel so insignificant with everything spread above and below me. My guides describe the reservoir, the snow-covered trees descending before us, the white-capped peaks rolling off to the horizon, the clouds, the sky. I can see it all in my mind’s eye, and it is

27

And thankfully, there are so many guides and people who feel the same way. Because of them I have skied all over the U.S. and Canada, experienced the freedom and exhilaration of skiing, the thrill of pushing off and dropping into a turn, completely unencumbered. No assistance.

No white cane, no arm guiding me. I am on my own. When we get to the bottom and I take my skis off, reality sets in, and I am once again a blind person. But for a while I was a skier, making turns and lots of memories.

•

Photos: Pages 23 & 25, Albert J. Marro Page 27, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports

UNPLUG & RECONNECT RELAX AND LET US TAKE CARE OF YOUR PERFECT FAMILY VACATION OR REUNION

MOUNTSNOW.COM/FAMILY or call 802.464.7088

REL A X restore

REPE AT

By Hilary DelRoss

The Green Mountains are notorious for catching nor’easters as they roll through the region, and when they do, you’ll be hard pressed to find a skier or snowboarder who isn’t spending every spare second chasing fresh powder. It’s what we hold our breath and cross our fingers for every winter, and last season certainly delivered on the promise—Mount Snow rolled out the red carpet for a parade of spring storms that dropped a total of 83 inches of snow in March alone.

It’s no wonder that after four straight weeks of sneaking in sick days between first-chair-to-last-call weekends, my legs were screaming and my body begged for a little R&R. So how does a certifiable ski bum make the switch from shredding pow to zenning out?

This powder hound spent one spring day pestering Lucy, the director of Naturespa, and her squad of yogis, herbalists, massage therapists, trainers, naturalists, and skincare pros to spill their secrets of success. They shared their own tried-and-true tips, tricks, and techniques for getting my tired bod back into tip-top shape. I’m a pretty casual person and wasn’t too familiar with all the different types of services, so I ordered one of just about everything off the spa

29

menu. I figured a day of intense research would help me figure out exactly what I needed to fully recover and get back out on the slopes, fully primed to soak up the rest of the season. This is my story about trying five experiences at Naturespa and finding out what happens when skiers stop resisting spa treatments and start getting really relaxed.

Maybe you’ve been skiing at Mount Snow for years without knowing there’s a team of body gurus just waiting to help you feel your best. If so, you can find the whole team in this cozy getaway-within-agetaway up on the second floor of the Grand Summit Hotel, steps from the lobby fireplace and en route to the heated pool. Just inside the spa door, a calming aroma filled my nose with subtle, earthy notes of lavender and sage. I learned later that the botanicals in all the lotions, creams, and oils are handcrafted on-site with herbs and plants foraged from the surrounding forest or grown in a garden at the resort.

Staff herbalist Michelle harnesses their powers and infuses them into essential oils, body lotions, muscle rubs, wraps, and body polishes in a process she likes to call “kitchen witchery.” This reflects a key facet of Naturespa’s signature style; every aspect of the place incorporates elements from the natural world.

The resort is located smack-dab in the middle of the Green Mountain National Forest, and body products, services, and activities are all steeped in components borrowed from the surrounding environment.

G R AT E F U L YOG A Within seconds of meeting me, Lucy whisked me across the hall to meet Terence, an instructor who was just starting the morning yoga class. His tie-dyed T-shirt, laid-back attitude, and groovy playlist set the stage for a relaxing morning stretch session. I instantly unwound and felt myself start to zone out. I stared out the large windows at skiers ripping down corduroy while following Terence’s prompts, like “Let your tree poses take any shape that feels right to you, stretching and leaning toward the sun and listening to its inner needs.” I realized I was in the Grateful (as in Dead) Yoga class.

While I was rolling up my mat after class, I met a ski patroller who was there to warm up before his shift.

When I mentioned I had never done a class while jamming out, Terence chimed in and explained how he prided himself on providing experiences that are both inviting and unassuming. “Yoga,” he explained, “should be accessible to everyone no matter their style, ability, or experience.” Since practicing yoga improves flexibility in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which all help the body adjust more easily when overcoming obstacles that pop up along the trail, you know it’s a good start to your ski day when even the local patrollers make it a priority.

M O U N TA I N A I R MEANDERING I’ve usually been one to skip out on stretching before jumping into the lift line, but suddenly I was a flexibility convert. Directly after yoga, and a quick change in the freshly upgraded locker room, I checked out a pair of snowshoes for a guided tour with Cara. We trekked straight up into the woods to the top of Carinthia. The time I spent stretching and warming up my ligaments and fascia made the traverse much more pleasant and even helped me avoid tears and other damage while scrambling over and around inclines, avoiding stream runoffs, and navigating berms on snow-covered mountain bike trails. These obstacles were fun to tackle, and I could feel my core muscle groups working hard. Cara suggested strengthening the core, glutes, quads, and hamstrings between ski trips by doing workouts with medicine balls, squat jumps, and walking backward (even on a treadmill). “Developing cellular memory before getting on the chairlift will help your body protect itself while skiing and snowboarding,” she said, “and participating in a sport without any preparation does a disservice to the body.” It was also super cool to see the mountain from this perspective, scoping out features I want to come back and explore, and feeling hidden from everyone carving down trails on either side of us.

MountSnow.com

with the help of a spa treatment, then savoring locally sourced food and a glass of good wine (or a beer or a cocktail), and don’t forget a good restful night’s sleep.”

This all sounded like reasonable advice to me, especially when Lucy put it in terms of cycles.

“Energy production, dormancy, cravings, and growth—these cycles are found in nature as well as in our bodies and are all necessary for quality performance.” She stresses that giving yourself a break to enjoy a little indulgence on your ski trip is perfectly reasonable. “We all know that a good ski trip frequently includes a healthy dose of après festivities. Just remember that balance applies just as much to what you put into your body as to how you use your body, and fueling up with quality nutrients will pay off on the hill.” And with satisfied but not too full bellies, we headed back to the spa, where Lucy pointed me to the cucumberinfused water and offered one more bit of advice: “Don’t forget to hydrate!”

The Naturespa team has several naturalists on staff year-round who lead guided treks around the mountain and through the forest for a dose of fresh air and the opportunity to reconnect with the environment. This form of moving meditation engages your senses and clears your mind in conjunction with light aerobic activity. But if you’re like me and trying to pick your guide’s brain about best practices for boosting performance, native species of flora and fauna, or what they like to eat for breakfast before big ski days, you’ll probably bug her enough to get the scoop. “Negative ions found in nature help to balance the positive ions that abound in our everyday lives,” Cara shared, “so getting outside and into the forest provides scientifically proven benefits to your overall well-being.” Plus, it really works up an appetite. By the time we trekked down, past the condos and back to the hotel, I must have asked her about food five times. She prefers a simple and convenient egg-and-cheese sandwich before snowboarding and recommends the Grand Country Deli for lunch, in case you were curious.

MAPLE SUGAR BODY POLISH Pure bliss may have been an overstatement for how I felt during the scrub treatment. It took me a little while to warm up to this one, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Lucy escorted me to a private treatment room with a neatly made up massage table, which I promptly tucked myself into. The table was heated to a toasty temperature, and soft spa music played in the background. But that was all that was soft about this service until I felt the results at the end.

Lucy scrubbed my limbs and back with a mixture of cornmeal, maple sugar, organic green chai tea, orange clove, and cinnamon, which smelled like a delicious holiday treat but felt like hot sandpaper as it exfoliated the top layer of my skin. The body polish is intended to warm and relax deep tissues and after I finally settled into it, the sensation felt invigorating.

The benefit was most evident after it was over when I stepped down from the table into the steamy in-room shower. I could not believe how soft and smooth my

F A R M -T O -TA B L E F U E L After my hike, I made a beeline to the deli to chat with Lucy over lunch. Lucy is a big believer in Ayurveda, which she described as maintaining the balance within our bodies’ systems. In her words, “A holistic approach to your ski day might include skiing hard during the day, appreciating being in nature’s outdoor playground, plus deep relaxation—perhaps

31

skin felt as my wintry dryness rinsed away with the granules from the polish.

ROCKIN’ MASSAGE While I was rinsing off, Lucy made quick work of changing the linens and set up the room for my next treatment, a “rockin’ massage.” This treatment incorporates hot river rocks in a deep tissue massage and listening to a concept rock album (I chose Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy). The music sets the tempo and mood of the treatment. It’s not often I listen to an album in its entirety anymore, and it was extra relaxing to zone out to music for an hour while lying on the heated table. This treatment is all about heating up the muscles. In addition to massaging me with hot rocks and placing them on my back, legs, and palms, Lucy used another muscle rub made in-house that contains arnica, lemongrass, and ginger for an extra warming effect.

As I faded in and out of blissful fogginess, Lucy shared a few more facts about the benefits of this awesome massage. “Deep muscle work is beneficial to increasing flexibility, soothing overworked tissues, and detoxifying from the lactic acid that

builds up in muscles during exercise.” When it was over, I shuffled aimlessly toward the locker room, a cucumber-water refill in hand. One of the staff laughed and called out, “You’ve got a case of the post-treatment trance if I’ve ever seen one!”

I continued my happy zombie walk back into the locker room for another wardrobe change and then soaked in the nearby hot tubs to lock in the warmth for as long as possible. When I finally peeled myself away just in time to get dinner, an ear-to-ear grin was still stretched across my face. After spending the whole day being pampered and educated by the fabulous Naturespa team, it was hard for me to part ways with them. We said goodbye and I went back to my room to lay out clothes for the next day. I checked the forecast to see just how much snow would be waiting in the morning and started anticipating another heaping helping of first chairs, fresh tracks, and face-framing smiles. As I slathered on some of the lotion I had picked up at the spa, Lucy’s words rang in my ears—“don’t forget to hydrate!” I finished one more glass of water before bed. My mind and body seemed to have reunited, refreshed and rejuvenated, ready again to rip it up on another phenomenal ski day.

MountSnow.com

•

DELI & CAFÉ

• Hot Bar & Salad Bar • House-Made Soups • Sandwiches & Pizza • Smoothies & Coffee • Grab & Go Food

LOCAL FOOD & VT GIFTS

brattleborofoodcoop.coop

Eat in our Café or Take-Out!

• Fruits &Veggies • Fresh Meat & Seafood • VT Cheese

• Craft Beer & Wine

2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT Just off 91 (Exit 1 or Exit 2) 802-257-0236 Mon-Sat 7-9; Sun 9-9

TI M B E R CR EEK

ve r m n t

CROSS COUNTRY SKI AREA

thoughtfully groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trail system ski & snowshoe rentals instructional packages

Route 100 North Entrance Mount Snow 802.464.0999 www.timbercreekxc.com

D I S CO N N EC T TO R ECO N N EC T

By Caroline Tell

MountSnow.com

A

s we curved up Route 7, over the Vermont line toward Bennington, my husband Evan turned giddy. “Every time I’m up here, it feels like I’m coming home,” he said. It was the end of March and we and our kids were headed to Mount Snow for one final ski weekend before packing up for the season.

As we ascended the snowy country roads, our cell service ebbed a bit, thus signifying the intended break from our frenetic New York City life. While the epic snowfall records of 2017–18 were reason enough to come (200 inches plus!), we needed to be in nature. We needed to disconnect. We needed a new vantage point found only at 3,600 feet. All of that, and a weekend off from play dates, birthday parties, and various social obligations. “Now that you can ski better runs,” he continued, “I can’t wait to show you Uncles, or One More Time, or Plummet—if you’re up for it.”

I didn’t come from a skiing family, so my recollections are slightly more complex. One year into dating, Evan wanted to take me skiing over a freezing weekend in January. I hadn’t put on skis since I was 13, when I took one traumatic green run at a summer camp reunion not knowing how to turn. I flew straight down a trail, unable to stop—past my friends, past the lift lines, all the way to a sidewalk where the only thing that could break my speed was pure concrete.

Suffice it to say, I was safely content, nestled even, in my status as a non-skier. But there I was, with a cute new boyfriend who wanted to show me the mountain.

So I put on a brave face and embraced the sport up at Mount Snow. My cold weather gripes aside, we had a great weekend. We went snowshoeing near the Grand Summit Hotel. We hit up Dot’s Restaurant in the charming town of Wilmington, where we nabbed two counter seats and feasted on a breakfast of pancakes and eggs. We cuddled by the fire at the Lodge at Mount Snow. As for the skiing, I took two full-day lessons and slowly started getting the hang of it. I graduated from the bunny slope to Deer Run where, this time, I knew what I was doing. Looking out at the top of Snowdance, I could finally understand why people enjoyed the sport, and in the 13 years that followed—a marriage and two children later—our twice-annual pilgrimage to Mount Snow has become a much-anticipated event in our home.

As Evan listed his favorite trails, I thought back to my first Mount Snow visit at the age of 24. My love affair with the mountain doesn’t span 30 years as it does for my husband and his family. He’s been coming to West Dover, Vermont, since he was a child. At the age of 5, he learned to ski on the hill under the old Standard chairlift. Some years later, he learned to hold his liquor with cousins at their Snow Mountain Village condo. Mount Snow is where Evan’s best memories of youth are safely stored. His father Joel started skiing there with his friend Robbie’s family in 1966. They would stay at the old Trail’s End Lodge. Fast-forward 50 years, and Mount Snow is still their mountain of choice for friends-who-are-family reunions.

What we love about Mount Snow spans more than its 86 trails and 600 skiable acres. We love its stellar food, its ski school, and its fun après-ski scene. Mount Snow somehow manages to grow with you. Evan loved it as a child. We loved it when we were dating.

We now love it with children of our own. While we’re no longer rocking out to Bruce Jacques at Cuzzins, the mountain offers something for every life stage, all equally special. Not to mention that it’s well within

“I realized it’s a sport that encourages spending time with family, and that was something I always knew I wanted,” my father-in-law said. “You see these big families with older kids and younger kids. They’re all there together. The common thing is that everyone loves to ski.”

35

driving distance for families from the New York and Boston area. “It rarely takes more than a few hours to get up here, and the mountain is just fantastically cared for in terms of its grooming capabilities,” Evan said. In fact, on that final weekend in March, we met up with my oldest high school friends, who now live in Boston. We placed our kids in ski school and daycare so we could ski together and catch up over leisurely lunches and cocktails.

That’s another benefit to Mount Snow. As parents, we are constantly striving to experience a family vacation that feels like an actual vacation rather than a nonstop babysitting gig. There’s nothing worse than traveling somewhere to relax and suddenly realizing that we’re chasing after our children up and down a beach, or wrestling to get them to eat lunch day after day. At Mount Snow, we have a balance between time with and without our children. We can both create lasting family memories and give the kids a sense of freedom and independence as they learn something new among

their peers. They can make friends and create their own memories. It’s the combination of time on and time off that makes it so special.

The wealth of kid- and parent-friendly options keeps families coming back to Mount Snow year after year.

Kids as young as 3 can take part in its educational programming. The mountain’s Cub Camp is a twohour session for tots that introduces skiing and snowboarding through a “magic carpet” and gentle learning hill; it builds confidence in the smallest of skiers. As kids grow, so do the offerings. The ski and snowboard school features full- and half-day classes designed specifically for kids ages 4 to 6. Not only do kids improve their skiing and riding, but the small, focused groups ensure they’re safe and looked after while having a blast. We once made the mistake of trying to pick our son up early from ski school on a Sunday afternoon. As anxious New Yorkers, we wanted to get a head start on the drive home. He refused to leave.

MountSnow.com

The education programs don’t stop with young children.

Older kids and adults can also hone their skiing and snowboarding skills via group, private, or adaptive lessons, the latter of which offer instruction to skiers and riders of all ages with mental or physical disabilities.

“I realized it’s a sport that encourages spending time with family, and that was something I always knew I wanted,” my father-in-law said. “You see these big families with older kids and younger kids. They’re all there together. The common thing is that everyone loves to ski.”

As someone who learned to ski later in life, I can attest to the capabilities of Mount Snow’s adult programming. I credit Mount Snow with changing my perception of skiing from a sport I’d stomach for the sake of my family to something I genuinely love to do.

I’ve taken countless lessons at Mount Snow, and the time and patience of these instructors go beyond basic ski instruction. They care more about helping foster a lifelong love of the sport than whether a student masters the perfect turn. To these teachers, skiing is life, and if there’s a way they can pass that sentiment along to whoever they teach, then it’s a job well done.

On our March visit, with just a few hours left of the weekend, Evan wanted to hit up Carinthia and see how

37

“Every time I’m up here, it feels like I’m coming home”

MountSnow.com

construction on its new lodge was coming along. We particularly love heading to this side of the mountain as we get a little glimpse into our future. Though only 5 years old, our son has already proven to be something of a risk taker, and will no doubt engage in every little jump or trick his skis allow him. Carinthia is home to nine different terrain parks with 150-plus features spread throughout. Consider it a breeding ground for some of the best athletes in snow sports. We sat down in the existing lodge and ordered two bowls of chili.

We watched as teenage adrenaline junkies swapped stories about this jump or that trick as their parents chuckled in the corner. We thought about how soon we’d be those parents. Rather than dropping off our kids to be entertained or taught, we’ll be skiing right alongside them, eating together at the lodge, skiing in and out of each other’s tracks.

blue trail. Unlike his mother, he exhibits no hesitation whatsoever. He’ll never know what it’s like to stare down a run and wonder if he’s going to make it. He has the utmost privilege of enjoying skiing in its purest form—without hesitation or fear. Mount Snow taught him that, and for that, I am grateful.

Slowly, I’m getting there too. Each time I visit the mountain, I am further away from the teenager who flew down a green run without turning. My turns may not be perfect, but they’re there. As we packed up the car, Evan and I glanced at each other. I knew what he was feeling because I felt it too. Grateful yet disappointed. Happy it happened, sad it was over. My son looked at us and yawned. Surely he would nap as we made our way back to the city. Back to reality.

He turned toward the mountain and watched his ski school buddies come barreling down.

Feeling inspired, we decided to spend our remaining hours skiing with our son. He wanted to show us some of the moves he had been working on. While having adult time is wonderful and much needed, there is nothing like watching your 5-year-old tear through a

“One more run?” he asked.

Why not?

39

•

IF A S N OW F L A K E FA L L S I N A N AT I O N A L F O R E S T, THER E WILL BE S OM E ON E THERE TO H E A R I T. Ta k e a l o o k a t s o m e o f o u r f a v o r i t e photos from last se ason, and get re ady t o d o i t a l l a g a i n t h i s w i n t e r.

41

MountSnow.com

(Top left) All smiles on the Bluebird

Express on December 26.

(Bottom left) Getting the goods in

the woods on February 5.

(Above) A common March

expression: disbelief mixed with pure euphoria on March 16.

43

MountSnow.com

(Image) Digging into the 27+

inches of fresh powder on March 8.

45

(Top) Christmas Day brought tidings of

powder and joy.

(Bottom) Snowy smiles on March 10.

(Top right) Snow angels in a summit

stash on March 15.

(Bottom right) The North Face was the

place to be on March 8.

MountSnow.com

47

The

GUEST GUIDE Have a question or just want to find something off the beaten path?

We’re here for you. Call 800-664-6535 and we’ll help you plan the perfect Mount Snow getaway.

FOR DAILY VACATION IDEAS, FOLLOW US @mountsnow

/MountSnowVermont

@mountsnow

L I F T T I C KE TS SAVE WHEN YOU BUY AHEAD ONLINE Get the lowest rates on lift tickets when you buy them in advance at mountsnow.com.

FOUNDERS DAY—12/14/2018 Lift tickets starting at $12 online in advance.

Valid 12/14/2018 only. Limited quantities available. Not for resale.

Price increases as inventory sells out.

COLLEGE WEEKS JANUARY 1-4, JANUARY 7-11 Present your college ID and receive some incredible deals. Visit mountsnow.com/college for details.

SHAMROCK FEST—3/15/2019 Lift tickets starting at $17 online in advance.

SUNDAY SLEEPER $39 for one lift ticket, $99 for a family of four online in advance.

Valid non-holiday Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Blackouts 12/30/2018, 1/20/2019, 2/17/2019.

Limited quantities available. Not for resale.

Valid 3/15/2019 only. Limited quantities available. Not for resale.

Price increases as inventory sells out.

IT’S BETTER TOGETHER Group rates available on lift tickets, lodging, dining, and activities for groups of 15 people or more. Call 800-451-4443.

GUEST GUIDE | 49 | LIF T TICKETS

S P EC I A L L I F T T I C K E T O F F E R S

TRIP PL ANNING BOOK EARLY + SAVE Call 800-664-6535 • Visit mountsnow.com

GUEST GUIDE | 50 | TRIP PLANNING

B O O K W I T H CO N F I D E N C E BEST RATE LODGING GUARANTEE You’ll get the lowest rates, guaranteed. If you find a lower price on an identical lodging package, call us and we’ll refund the difference.

SNOW GUARANTEE Try out the skiing for an hour. If you don’t like it, we’ll give you a lift ticket to return at a later date, good for one year.

HOLD FOR 7 Take some time to think it over. Deposit $30 to hold your room for seven days.

EASY CANCELLATIONS Get a refund (minus any deposits) on lodging if you cancel eight or more days before your arrival.

VAC AT I O N PAC K AG E S * 20% OFF FOR PEAK PASSHOLDERS

Valid year-round. Must have a 2018–19 Peak Pass.

SPA AND STAY Lodging and spa treatment for two.

Available 11/15/2018-4/20/2019.

SKI & STAY FROM $79 Includes lodging at Snow Lake Lodge, lift ticket, and continental breakfast.

Valid early season and late season based on availability.

KIDS DISCOVERY DAYS Kids ski and learn free.

Available 1/1/2019–1/4/2019, 1/6/2019–1/11/2019, 2/24/2019–3/1/2019, 3/10/2019–3/15/2019 COLLEGE WEEK Includes lift, lodging, and concert entry.

Available 1/1/2019-1/4/2019, 1/6/2019-1/11/2019 REGGAEFEST PACKAGE Includes lift, lodging, and concert entry.

Available 3/22/2019–3/24/2019 WINTER BREWERS PACKAGE Includes lift, lodging, and festival entry.

Available 3/29/2019–3/31/2019

*Rates subject to change. Some restrictions apply. Based on availability.

LO D G I N G O PT I O N S AUSTRIAN HAUS LODGE // West Dover, VT Located on a hill overlooking scenic Route 100 North, this comfortable lodge has an indoor heated pool, sauna, game room, and color cable TV in all rooms. Relax in the BYOB Lounge with Wi-Fi access and a fireplace. Only three miles south of Mount Snow.

BIG BEARS LODGE // West Dover, VT A family-friendly lodge located just 1,500 feet from the mountain with 24 large bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms, three guest lounges, game room, hot tub, and heated outdoor pool (summer only). Cooked-to-order breakfast included.

COLONIAL MOTEL & SPA // Brattleboro, VT Family-owned motel with a convenient yet quiet location on seven acres in a peaceful setting away from the highway. 65 comfortable rooms, delicious dining, an indoor pool, and a spa that will melt your worries away. You’ll only need to leave the hotel to explore the stunning views Vermont has to offer.

COOPER HILL INN // East Dover, VT Located at 2,300 feet in the Green Mountains, Cooper Hill Inn is a true Country Inn. Beautiful in all seasons, it makes a great place for a Family ski trip in winter or a hike in the woods in the summer or autumn.

Mount Snow dominates the horizon to the west while looking east you see a hundred mile view of Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.

DEERFIELD VALLEY INN // West Dover, VT Enjoy antique-filled guestrooms, wood-burning fireplaces, private bathrooms, TVs, DVDs, and Wi-Fi. Start your day with a full country breakfast and relax by the fire with light afternoon refreshments.

Close to all winter activities, with free shuttle service to Mount Snow.

G U E S T G U I D E | 5 1 | LO D G I N G O P T I O N S

BAKED APPLES AT SHEARER HILL FARM // Wilmington, VT Your country home away from home. Wake to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and homemade muffins. Enjoy the quiet setting of this small working farm located on a pristine country road five miles from the center of Wilmington. Large rooms with private baths.

You’ll be served a delicious Vermont breakfast.

DOVER WATCH CONDOS // West Dover, VT Two-bedroom townhouse with two-and-a-half baths, sleeps six (one queen, two twins, one queen sofa bed in living room), complete kitchen, dishwasher, washer/dryer, sauna, and fireplace. Wi-Fi available. DirecTV. Two miles to Mount Snow Resort and a half-mile to the Mount Snow Golf Course.

G U E S T G U I D E | 5 2 | LO D G I N G O P T I O N S

GRAND SUMMIT RESORT HOTEL // West Dover, VT The only ski-in/ski-out property at Mount Snow. A “green” hotel in the Green Mountains, offering hotel rooms, studios and multi-room suites with kitchenettes, all with LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi. Full-service hotel including a year-round outdoor pool and hot tubs, a full gym, spa, restaurant, and pub. The ski and snowboard check is slopeside, so all you need to do is step outside your door and you’re on your way to the summit.

GRAY GHOST INN // West Dover, VT A warm, comfortable family-operated bed-and-breakfast, less than one mile to Mount Snow. Twenty-six rooms and a three-bedroom suite, all with private baths. Family friendly, outdoor hot tub, game room, BYOB bar, spacious lounge with fireplace, and Wi-Fi. MOOver! bus stops outside the inn and takes you directly to Mount Snow.

INN AT QUAIL RUN // Wilmington, VT The Inn at Quail Run, just five minutes to Mount Snow, is nestled on twelve acres with beautiful views. The Inn has ten bedrooms, with private baths, a stonewall fireplace in the living room, Wi-Fi, game room with pool table, fitness room, sauna, hot tub, and heated outdoor summer pool. Or, choose to rent the entire Inn with large commercial kitchen or the four-bedroom three bath Guest House, with living room, dining room and kitchen.

KITZHOF INN // West Dover, VT Bed-and-breakfast inn, a quarter mile from Mount Snow. All rooms with cable TV and private bathroom. Cooked breakfast, hot tub, outdoor pool (summer only), fire pit, Wi-Fi, TV lounge, BYOB bar, ice machine, refrigerator, and microwave. Families, couples, and individuals welcome.

LODGE AT MOUNT SNOW // West Dover, VT A great value in the base area, the Lodge offers a full-service bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and economical, spacious rooms with refrigerators, microwaves, hair dryers, and cable TV. Rates include an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Groups welcome. Catering is available. The Lodge is located on the free MOOver! shuttle route.

MOUNT SNOW CONDOMINIUMS // West Dover, VT The Mount Snow Condominium rental pool is one of the largest in the area. Most condos are within view of the Main Base Area and offer amenities such as hot tubs, saunas, indoor pools, and workout facilities.

Ski-in/ski-out units are available and many condo units are serviced by the free MOOver! shuttle service to the lifts. Use of the Grand Summit Hotel pool, hot tubs, and gym included with most rentals.

MOUNTAINEER INN // West Dover, VT Walk to the lifts... or take the MOOver! …door to slopes. Enjoy this traditional ski lodge, featuring hearty breakfasts, candlelight dinners, a 14-person outdoor hot tub, fireplaced BYOB bar, pool table, free Wi-Fi, sauna, large-screen TV, weekly welcome reception. All private bathrooms, 42-inch HDTVs, kids stay free midweek/non-holidays. Groups and clubs welcome.

OLD RED MILL INN & RESTAURANT // Wilmington, VT Yankee Magazine’s “Editor’s Pick” for Best Bargain in Vermont 2010. A rustic, converted lumber mill in Wilmington Village, adjacent to shopping and dining. Convenient to Mount Snow skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in winter, golf and lake swimming in summer. Major historic and art museums a short drive.

Tavern open Thursday through Sunday.

QUALITY INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER // Brattleboro, VT Located in Brattleboro, Vermont, off I-91, exit 3. Free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and indoor pool. Guest rooms include coffee maker, hair dryers, irons, refrigerators. Onsite restaurant: India Masala House.

Guest laundry. 3,100 square feet of meeting space, pet friendly and smoke free. 45 minutes to Mount Snow.

SNOW LAKE LODGE // West Dover, VT Mount Snow’s economy lodge, located in the base area, features magnificent views of Mount Snow, MOOver! shuttle bus service to the lifts, and walking distance to the Snow Barn. Snow Lake Lodge is the perfect place for the budget-minded family, couple, or group of singles. Amenities include indoor and outdoor hot tubs and a sauna.

TRIPLE TREE LODGING // West Dover, VT Great location, 1 1/4 miles north of Mount Snow on Route 100.

Triple Tree offers recently updated two-bedroom townhouse units and two-bedroom one-level units, or choose from three private homes each with an outdoor hot tub. All units/houses have equipped kitchens, living rooms with gas fireplaces, and full baths.

Groups of 4-14 guests can be accommodated.

G U E S T G U I D E | 5 3 | LO D G I N G O P T I O N S

PUTNEY INN // Putney, VT A charming Vermont country inn, the Putney Inn is located in the Southern Vermont Village of Putney, just past Brattleboro, Vermont, on I-91. The Putney Inn is a unique blend of an historic country inn and a graciously appointed motel that welcomes all members of the family and provides pet-friendly accommodations.

W I N T E R AC T I V I T I E S WHEN YOU NEED A BREAK FROM SKIING AND RIDING, BUT STILL NEED MORE SNOW IN YOUR LIFE.

G U ES T G U I D E | 5 4 | W I N T E R AC T I V I T I ES

TUBING Open Friday–Sunday plus holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the regular season.

2 hours for $20 or all-day pass for $30.

802-464-1100, x4060 CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Get outside, stay fit, and enjoy the Green Mountains.

Timber Creek Cross Country Ski Center in Dover has trails for all abilities, as well as equipment rentals, lessons, packages, and season passes. www.timbercreekxc.com SNOWMOBILING Get your sled on with a guided tour in the Green Mountain National Forest. Snowmobile Vermont offers one- and two-hour tours departing from the base area of Mount Snow. www.mountsnowsnowmobiletours.com

SNOWSHOEING Venture out onto the mountain or take a tour of the trails in the valley. Trail passes and snowshoe rentals are available at Mount Snow Sports at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel.

Guided tours and massage packages are also available from Naturespa.

Mount Snow Sports: 802-464-6640 Naturespa: 802-464-6606

S KI & S N OW B OA R D SCHOOL PRIVATE LESSONS Book your own private instructor for up to three students of the same ability.

LEARN TO SKI OR RIDE FIRST-TIMERS Includes learning area lift ticket, group lesson, boot and ski fitting, and rental. Ages 13+.

BEGINNERS Includes learning area lift ticket, group lesson, and rental. Ages 13+.

INTERMEDIATES Includes full mountain lift ticket, group lesson, and rental. Ages 13+.

S U M M E R AC T I V I T I E S EVENTUALLY THE SNOW MELTS, BUT THE ADVENTURES AT MOUNT SNOW GO ON ALL YEAR LONG. GOLF The Mount Snow Golf Club offers great mountain challenges combined with wide fairways and expansive greens.

802-464-4254

FAMILY CAMP Bring the whole family for a three-day, four-day, or weeklong vacation in the Green Mountains. It’s fully customizable and all inclusive, right down to the meals from our executive chef. www.mountsnow.com/family-camp MOUNTAIN BIKING From cross-country trails to the steep downhill thrills of the Mount Snow Bike Park, the resort has long been a mecca for mountain bikers. For all things bike related, stop into Mount Snow Sports at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel.

802-464-6640 SCENIC LIFT RIDES Catch the views off the Bluebird Express as you ride to the summit. Open selected days from June to October and daily during foliage season. Tickets available at Mount Snow Sports at the Grand.

802-464-6640 HIKING Whether you want to climb Mount Snow, explore Dover’s network of trails, or visit one of six state parks nearby, it’s safe to say that there’s always a hiking trail near you. Guided treks are available from Naturespa.

802-464-6606

ADAMS FARM Adams Farm is a working seventh-generation farm in Wilmington with seasonal activities and agricultural experiences. Enjoy feeding the farm animals as well as wagon rides, sleigh rides, paintball, and special events. www.adamsfamilyfarm.com BOATING Lake Whitingham is just down the road. The lake is perfect for boaters, paddlers, swimmers, and picnickers alike. Boat, jet ski, and paddleboard rentals are available from High Country Marine, or take a waverunner tour of the lake with Island Jet Ski VT. www.highcountrymarine.com www.islandjetskivt.com VERMONT STATE PARKS There are six beautiful state parks in Southern Vermont, offering hiking, camping, fishing, and more great ways to get outside and explore the Green Mountains. www.vtstateparks.com

G U ES T G U I D E | 5 5 | S U M M E R AC T I V I T I ES

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION CAMP Mount Snow’s high-energy summer camp is offered to kids entering first through ninth grade.

Our staff is made up of expert adventurers who lead campers through engaging activities including hiking, biking, swimming, golfing, chairlift rides, arts and crafts, and exploring local attractions. www.mountsnow.com/the-mountain/oec/

G U E S T G U I D E | 5 6 | N AT U R E S PA & W E D D I N G S

N AT U R E S PA Revitalize your spirit at Naturespa, Mount Snow’s full-service natural wellness spa. Indulge your senses with a massage, herbal treatments, guided treks, yoga, body and skin care, and spa retreats.

Located in the Grand Summit Resort Hotel. 802-464-6606

WEDDINGS Host your authentic and rustic mountain wedding in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Offering full-service food and beverage services; multiple ceremony, cocktail, and reception spaces; and lodging options that can accommodate guest lists of all sizes. To schedule your site visit or for more information, call 800-261-9442 or email weddings@mountsnow.com.

G R E AT FO R KI D S

APRÈS 4 KIDS Drop your children off for kid-friendly après activities, games, and more. Conveniently timed for maximum adult après enjoyment.

Offered select Saturdays 4:00–7:00 p.m.

BOWLING Located on Rt. 100 in Wilmington, just 15 minutes from Mount Snow, North Star Bowl is open daily and features candlepin bowling, food, and family fun. 802-464-5148

CHILDCARE Hands-on learning, outdoor activities, and more at our state-licensed childcare center conveniently located in the Main Base Area.

Kids ages 6 weeks to 6 years welcome. Offered daily, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 802-464-4152

MOVIE THEATER Located in West Dover, just a few minutes from Mount Snow, MHCA is a small movie theater featuring nightly showings of feature films.

Visit www.memhall.org for show schedule and other information. 802-464-8411

G U E S T G U I D E | 5 7 | G R E AT F O R K I D S

LESSONS + CAMPS CUB CAMPERS (3 years old) enjoy a 2-hour program with a skiing or snowboarding clinic.

SNOW CAMP SKI + RIDERS PROGRAM (4–6 years) will improve your child’s skills on the slopes.

MOUNTAIN CAMP SKI + RIDERS (7–14 years) are grouped by similar ability before hitting the mountain for a fun-filled day of learning.

DINING

GUEST GUIDE | 58 | DINING

NOBODY CAN SURVIVE ON SNOW ALONE, ALLOW US TO SUGGEST A FEW DINING OPTIONS.

CUZZINS BAR & GRILL 802-464-4386, Main Base Lodge Burgers, wraps, mountainous salads, a tasty selection of appetizers, and a legendary après scene.

TONY’S PIZZA 802-464-1100 x4381, Main Base Lodge Huge slices of hand-tossed, freshly made pizza with ample toppings of meat, veggies, and pesto-artichoke.

1900’ BURGER 802-464-7029, Main Base Area Mouth-watering burgers, specialty sandwiches, gourmet griddled cheeses, and thick milkshakes.

Takeout and delivery to Mount Snow hotels also offered.

VERMONT COUNTRY DELI 802-464-1100 x4296, Main Base Lodge Famous baked cheddar macaroni and cheese or grab-n-go burritos, gourmet espresso, and hot chocolate.

CANNED 802-464-1100 x4346, Main Base Area Canned serves only beer and ciders produced in Vermont that are distributed in cans.

MARKET FRESH 802-464-1100 x4384, Main Base Lodge This cafeteria offers burgers, sandwiches, a soup station, and salad bar, plus drinks, sides, and quick breakfast options to get you back on the slopes in no time.

STATION TAP ROOM 802-464-4382, Main Base Lodge • 2nd Floor Offers an incredible tap list of craft beer; live music; and snacks, soups, salads, and sandwiches.

REUBEN’S SMOKEHOUSE 802-464-1100 x4120 Cuzzins Deck in the Main Base Area Grab-n-go BBQ classics like smoked beef brisket, pulled chicken, pulled pork, and your favorite sides.

SUMMIT LODGE CAFÉ 802-464-1100 x4697, Summit Lodge Choose from a selection of hot and cold beverages, pizza, soups, salads, wraps, and snacks.

WAFFLE CABIN 802-464-1100 x4126, Main Base Area, Carinthia Follow your nose to the little log cabin serving hot, naturally sweet waffles. Once you try one, you’re hooked!

HARRIMAN’S FARM TO TABLE 802-464-6636 Grand Summit Hotel • Ground Floor The chef uses as many fresh, local products as possible to bring you a genuine farm-to-table experience.

GRAND COUNTRY DELI 802-464-1100 x4567 Grand Summit Hotel • Ground Floor Located steps away from the Grand Summit Express lift. Grab breakfast or lunch to go or sit down and dig in.

Visit the new Carinthia Base Lodge to enjoy some exciting new dining options.

SUNDANCE CAFÉ 802-464-1100 x4695, Sundance Base Lodge Choose from a selection of hot and cold beverages, pizza, soups, salads, wraps, and snacks.

COOP’S LOUNGE 802-464-1100 x4696 Sundance Base Lodge • 2nd Floor Check out one of Mount Snow’s best-kept secrets for cold beer, friendly conversation, snacks, and a relaxed vibe.

WALT’S PUB 802-464-4800, Snow Lake Lodge An amazing view of Mount Snow and equally amazing beers, cocktails, and pub fare.

SNOW BARN 802-464-4266, 294 Handle Road Snow Barn is home to one of the best live music scenes in southern Vermont and serves the best pizza in the Valley.

GUEST GUIDE | 59 | DINING

THE BULLWHEEL 802-464-1100 x4697, Summit Lodge • 2nd Floor Some of the finest New England beers on tap, artfully crafted sandwiches, and snacks. With the observation deck just outside the door, The Bullwheel truly offers lunch with a view.

GUEST GUIDE | 60 | WINTER 2018–19 E VENTS

W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 – 1 9 E V E N TS 11/23 .............................. Turkey Hangover Hillclimb

2/14............................................ Cloud Nine Nuptials

11/24....... Torchlight Parade & Fireworks w/ Santa

2/16–23..........................Winterfest Family Activities

12/14.........................Founders Day—$12 Lift Tickets

2/17.......................... Torchlight Parade & Fireworks

12/15...........................................................Demo Day

2/18............................................Grommet Jam Finals

12/22............................................... Carinthia Classic

3/2....................................Military Appreciation Day

12/27................................................Grommet Jam #1

3/2...........................................Bud Light Mardi Gras

12/31......................... Torchlight Parade & Fireworks

3/2........................................................... Ash & Steel

1/1–4................................................. College Week #1

3/3........................Jack Jump World Championships

1/5.................................Ski VT Specialty Foods Day

3/9............................... Sam Adams 3D Air & Après

1/6............................................................... Youth Day

3/15–17.................... Bud Light Shamrock Weekend

1/7–11............................................... College Week #2

3/22–24..................................Bud Light Reggaefest

1/11–13................................. BMW xDrive Experience

3/23............................Sink or Skim Pond Skimming

1/18–21................................ BMW xDrive Experience

3/24................................................ Duct Tape Derby

1/20......................... Torchlight Parade & Fireworks

3/30.................................... Winter Brewers Festival

1/21...................................................Grommet Jam #2

3/31........................................................... Glade-iator

2/2.................................................Vans Hi-Standard

4/5–7...........................................Minus Zero Festival

2/9–10...............................Passholder Appreciation Event schedule subject to change.

G U E S T S E RV I C E S SEASONAL LOCKERS $349 per season. Includes locker through April 30. Keep your gear close to the slopes all year with a seasonal locker rental.

PREFERRED PARKING $20 per day includes one parking spot in Lot A directly behind the Main Base Lodge, or slopeside at the Carinthia Base Lodge.

GETTING HERE < BY AIR

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ALB) Albany, NY: 77-mile drive to Mount Snow BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BDL) Hartford, CT: 100-mile drive to Mount Snow LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BOS) Boston, MA: 137-mile drive to Mount Snow

> BY TRAIN

Train service is available via the Amtrak Vermonter to Brattleboro, VT, or the Ethan Allen Express to Rensselaer/Albany, NY.

b BY BUS

Bus service through Brattleboro, VT, or Bennington, VT, is offered by Vermont Translines and Greyhound.

" BY CAR

FROM SOUTHERN POINTS New York City (4.5 hours), Boston (2.5 hours), Hartford (2.5 hours)

> From I-95 N, exit onto I-91 N in New Haven >F ollow I-91 N to Exit 2 for VT-9 W toward Brattleboro/Bennington > Follow VT-9 W to Wilmington, Vermont > Turn right onto VT-100 N >F ollow VT-100 N to the main entrance of Mount Snow FROM WESTERN POINTS Albany (2.0 hours) > Follow I-787 N and NY-7 E to Hoosick >C ontinue on NY-7 E and VT-9 E through Bennington > Turn left onto VT-100 N >F ollow VT-100 N to the main entrance of Mount Snow

GUEST GUIDE | 61 | NIT T Y GRIT T Y

BAG CHECK Free for all guests. Complimentary bag check is located on the main level of the Main Base Lodge and first floor of the Carinthia Base Lodge.

Overnight storage is available for an additional fee.

GUEST GUIDE | 62 | WINTER TRAIL M AP

GUEST GUIDE | 63 | WINTER TRAIL MAP

GUEST GUIDE | 64 | SUMMER TRAIL MAP

GUEST GUIDE | 65 | SUMMER TRAIL MAP

T H E 2 0 1 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2 0 1 9 M AG A Z I N E & R E S O R T G U I D E