Dec update

Skiing was great up until last Sunday 12/18 at which point it rained pretty hard and was about 40 degrees in the mtns. That day was an OK ski day since the snow was soft but it quickly got cold and froze like a rock. I have not ventured out since.

Bolton on Sunday:

Snow leaving in a hurry

Cold and clear after Sunday:

Mid December

Great start to the season! 2-3 feet at elevation and powder skiing most days. Seems to keep snowing in the mtns.

Tue 12/13/16 at Smugglers Notch...

Mansfield and the notch from Smugglers Notch

Back at Bolton...

Looking at high point of Catamount trail where I was a few day before

Stowe View trail

Full on winter

Yet another day at Bolton! It keeps snowing there so no reason not to go. It was 15 degrees in the parking lot when I left and when I returned today. Colder up higher. Winter. I did some of the usual trails and then explored "Not a Trail" which had some nice open woods. Then I decided to go on the Catamount trail North. Went up to Ravins Wind and there were no tracks beyond that. I broke trail up to the high point where the lookout is. A few feet of base with 6-12 inches of powder on top. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun going down. Plenty of snow to make some nice turns and check your speed. Yet another great day. The water bars down lower should start to freeze the next few days and more snow coming.

"Not A Trail" is a good one. Lots of powder and open woods

Skiing "Not A Trail"

Lookout at high point of Catamount Trail

This one and next are lower trails (Cliff Hanger)

More skiing

I may have skied more this year already than I did all of last year! That isn't really true but it has been a great start. It stayed below freezing in the mtns and another 6 inches of snow fell on what was already pretty good conditions. Up high there was a good base with 6 inches of powder on it. I went to Bolton and did a grand tour. Went up the ski trails and down the ski trails. Back up to paradise pass, heavenly highway, moose glen to birch loop and then to George's gorge and all the lower trails. Everything was in great shape and I had the only tracks on the lower trails. I was pretty tired but decided to do one loop at the end up to the cabin and down Gardiner Lane. I wish I had tomorrow off so I could get up there again!

Smugglers Notch

No snow in the valley and it has been cold rain for most days during the week. Doesn't sound like a ski weekend but at elevation they got at least 6 inches of snow on top of a thin base. No ice and powder. Actually really good as long as you are not in love with the bottom of your skis! Went to Smuggs for the AM and found powder until 12:00, although I had to switch to closed trails around 10AM. Then I took the x-country skis out on the closed gap road. Nice snow there also. Surprisingly good skiing!