OK, I grew up in a small Northern Vermont Town with two working class parents, so trips to bigger places were special and I was one of the town rugrats that frequented the local town owned ski area that was run by volunteers at night and on weekends and vacations. It was 450' vertical and had a T-bar that had been "broken in" at Stowe. The rope tow was still a means of getting up the hill as well.
The trails were gnarly--narrow and groomed using a culvert. Some days we'd ski grass, and others we'd have powder. I can remember some nights spent "powder skiing" under the lights on one of my favorite pitches--I'd usually have it all to myself. Some days I'd hit the jumps kids made and others I'd avoid them. It was fun and if you are wondering if this experience still exists, it does at the Lyndon Outing Club, which is probably my nomination.
I've made a habit of skiing the little guy, because it is my skiing heritage I guess. And I've tried some other interesting places.
The most oddest that comes to mind is the Hillend Dry Ski Area just outside Edinburgh, Scotland. You could 'hire' skis and a lift ticket by the hour to ski the dry ski slopes via a chairlift and two T-bars 365 days a year. Just be careful if you fall--it really hurts on the mats, which are like giant toothbrushes :x
While in Mass, I visited some of the local hills as well. Nashoba Valley was a nice place with great atmosphere and yes, some rope tows that made me reminisce. Last year, I ventured to the mighty Ski Ward with its new triple chair and 300 vertical, I was able to make probably 30 or so runs in three hours or so. The snow was soft, the views were great since there were no trees, and the lodge was homey.
And I'll never forget my trip to Blue Hills (their website is down?! :blink: )on a cold January day in 2004. This was special because it was the only time I drove INTO Boston to go skiing and that this was Ms. Trailboss' first day on the slopes with me. She learned to hate the handletow :lol: I had hiked the hill in November when I learned that they were selling cheap season passes, and I was considering buying one. But my visit revealed that the place was, regrettably, pretty well vandalized and a bit smaller than expected
Even so, the 2-for-1 day we did there was a lot of fun and the double was an interesting lift to ride up. The folks were friendly and the lodge was probably the homiest I've been in. Ms. TB watched football with the ski patrol while having a hot chocolate :lol: Here is the SnoCountry profile of the place.
We've all been to the big resorts and we talk about them. But what are some of your favorite small hills and why?
The trails were gnarly--narrow and groomed using a culvert. Some days we'd ski grass, and others we'd have powder. I can remember some nights spent "powder skiing" under the lights on one of my favorite pitches--I'd usually have it all to myself. Some days I'd hit the jumps kids made and others I'd avoid them. It was fun and if you are wondering if this experience still exists, it does at the Lyndon Outing Club, which is probably my nomination.
I've made a habit of skiing the little guy, because it is my skiing heritage I guess. And I've tried some other interesting places.
The most oddest that comes to mind is the Hillend Dry Ski Area just outside Edinburgh, Scotland. You could 'hire' skis and a lift ticket by the hour to ski the dry ski slopes via a chairlift and two T-bars 365 days a year. Just be careful if you fall--it really hurts on the mats, which are like giant toothbrushes :x
While in Mass, I visited some of the local hills as well. Nashoba Valley was a nice place with great atmosphere and yes, some rope tows that made me reminisce. Last year, I ventured to the mighty Ski Ward with its new triple chair and 300 vertical, I was able to make probably 30 or so runs in three hours or so. The snow was soft, the views were great since there were no trees, and the lodge was homey.
And I'll never forget my trip to Blue Hills (their website is down?! :blink: )on a cold January day in 2004. This was special because it was the only time I drove INTO Boston to go skiing and that this was Ms. Trailboss' first day on the slopes with me. She learned to hate the handletow :lol: I had hiked the hill in November when I learned that they were selling cheap season passes, and I was considering buying one. But my visit revealed that the place was, regrettably, pretty well vandalized and a bit smaller than expected
Even so, the 2-for-1 day we did there was a lot of fun and the double was an interesting lift to ride up. The folks were friendly and the lodge was probably the homiest I've been in. Ms. TB watched football with the ski patrol while having a hot chocolate :lol: Here is the SnoCountry profile of the place. We've all been to the big resorts and we talk about them. But what are some of your favorite small hills and why?
