Stories of Mad River Glen

[billski]

“I ripped my ski pants wide open – ripped ‘em from one knee right up the inseam and straight down to the other knee. I had been slaloming through a tight stand of trees at Mad River Glen, Vermont, when abruptly, my line ended. Swiftly approaching a full-grown pine and a human-size birch sapling, with no room between them, I chose the sapling and cruised into it at high speed. I flipped forward, clutching the trunk, then somersaulted off like a pole-vaulter, to the accompaniment of a prolonged rip, and divoted the snow with my forehead. Things like that can happen at Mad River.

My three partners – Mad River tree ninjas all – had seen me crash. Fingers were pointed at my legs; there was much sniggering. I looked down. Strips of nylon dangled from my pants like Tibetan prayer flags.
The pants were too tattered for slopeside duct-taping, but given the snow conditions – a rare mother lode of deep, talcy East Coast powder – stopping for the day was out of the question. So I skied all afternoon in a pair of pants my mother would call a shmatte, which is Yiddish for, among other things, an article of clothing unfit for a scarecrow. Nobody at the ski area gave me so much as a second glance. At Mad River, people tear their pants open all the time. “
– Michael Finkle, “Alpine Circus”




I need to go. I need to go NOW.

 

[Smellytele]

I was reading it like it was your story. Then thinking "is Bill Jewish". Doesn't sound like a jewish name but hey why not. Then I got to the end.

 

[riverc0il]

Oh My Goodness!
http://www.thesnowway.com/2007/04/07/boot-to-knee-deep-april-powder-day-at-mad-river-glen

I don't really have any stories from MRG. I have had a lot of great days there. I love the music blaring from the base area that quietly tapers off into nothingness as you ascend in the Single. You know you are almost there when the grooves kick in around the mid-station and again fade into silence or grunts and groans, depending if any skiers are on Chute or not.

Spring skiing is awesome grabbing a burger and beer on the deck, sitting back on the slanted seats on the deck, sunshine in your face, tunes coming from the speakers, smiles all around.

Get on it.

 

[Art 53]

I've only skied there once But I was watching these kids maybe 14 years old heading into the woods with no real trail only a little sign the RAT. We skied down through the pines nice tight run but ended up in a parking lot. The wife said I told you to leave those Kids alone

 

[billski]

I was reading it like it was your story.

If only I could write so vividly...
His writing conjures clear images without the need for assists.

 

[Smellytele]

I have the story of the 2 MRG's. On a Friday played hooky and went with a buddy. 15 inches of powder best skiing day of my life. Didn't see many skiers - All you could hear all day was the woops and hollers of the other them. Lift lines were non-existant - paradise was found! Went back on that Sunday with my wife and my buddy and his wife. While there was no ice it snowed all day - wet heavy cement that stuck to you googles. When your googles were clean you couldn't see 5 feet infront of you. The lift line for the single was over an hour wait. 45 minutes for the sunnyside double. Stayed up in birdland for most of the day to avoid the crowds. Long and short of it all. Weekdays heaven, weekends hell.

 

[bvibert]

I've only skied there once But I was watching these kids maybe 14 years old heading into the woods with no real trail only a little sign the RAT. We skied down through the pines nice tight run but ended up in a parking lot. The wife said I told you to leave those Kids alone

You gotta watch who you follow...

Welcome to the forums!

 

[marcski]

There are 2 skiing mecca's for me. MRG in the east. Alta in the west.

'nuff said!

I hit MRG this past season the day after the 50" storm. Outrageous. Oh, and both of those days were during the week. I do agree with smellytele....that its a different mountain mid-week. If its a nice weekend day...I'd probably be more apt to stay down at the 'bush, rather than hit mrg and deal with those weekend lines!!

 

[dmc]

I remember the first time going off that waterfall on Paradise back when I skied.. I didn't stick it and bent a pole..

 

[snowmonster]

I remember looking for Paradise and stumbling into (what I am told) is Octopus' Garden. I also had my pass almost pulled once for exiting into a closed trail. I told the patroller that I was lost in the woods and didn't know where I was. Which is exactly what happened.