New England
 By Heather Burke
“How do you do it?”
friends ask me. “How do you pack up the family and head to the slopes
every weekend?”
 Being
a lover of skiing, I don’t think of staying home as an option on
winter weekends. The ski season is short enough here in New England.
Friday nights from December to March, it’s not about happy hour or
must-see TV on the comfy couch, it’s about packing up and heading to
the mountains.That being said, I can relate to the mountainous task of packing everyone’s gear every time, and the fear of forgetting someone’s goggles. In a word, it’s all about having systems, just like in an efficient workplace. Here are some tried and true techniques to give a certain flow to getting to the snow:  Every
skier in the family should have their own ski bag. In this boot bag
are all that person’s ski essentials: ski boots, long undies, ski
pants and jacket, hat or helmet, mittens, socks, neck warmer, etc. A
quick check before and after each ski trip should assure that
everyone’s inner and outerwear is clean, dry, and ready to go for the
next adventure. Then all you have to pack is your après ski clothes,
pjs, and a swimsuit for pool or hot tub hopping.Similarly, keep all your hardware: skis, boards, poles, in one place – so you can grab everyone’s gear on Friday without tearing apart the entire garage. Know the weather before you go, this sounds so obvious. Skiing weather, particularly in New England, is mercurial at best and you shouldn’t pack neoprene facemasks and extra thermals if its going to be 40, or conversely, skip the light shell if its going to be well below. Your local weathercaster loves to give you today’s temperature and chance of precipitation in “your neck of the woods.” But what you need is a forecast from a skier’s perspective, what’s it going to be like on the slopes where you’re headed, and when. We have found NECN provides good mountain forecasts. Skiing meteorologist Jim Roemer’s bestskiweather.com is usually dead-on for downhillers and you can get it via web, podcast, or email. While you are on-line, visit the ski area’s website and check on events and programs you should register for in advance. This saves considerable time at check in, and assures that you aren’t shut out of any activities going on during your stay. You might also tap into deals that weren’t otherwise promoted.  If
your child has never skied before, call the ski school desk ahead to
reserve “learn to turn” programs and rental equipment. Newbie programs
are limited because of the all-important instructor: child ratio.
There is a delightful book by Aspen based writer and father Jonny Boyd
for “never-evers”, called
“First Tracks.” This humorous diary
of a little girl’s first ski trip will make parents laugh, while
answering anxiety that your youngster might feel – but can’t
verbalize. You should read this to your rug rat before you hit the
slopes.Scope out your lodging amenities before you go. Whether you have a full kitchen, access to a swimming pool (I was kidding about the poaching), is valuable information when packing. You can bring a few meals from home, even throw in DVDs for the kids, if your unit is so equipped (or save hauling them if not). Don’t be caught saying, “I wish I had known,” when a quick call can clarify your slopeside (or not) lodging amenities. Bring along your child’ favorite stuffed friend from home, something familiar to cuddly with on the ride and in their rented bed. We recently discovered the Pac n’nap, a portable fleecy blankie and pillow you can snuggle with in the car after a day in the elements, or in the condo.  Once
you are at your destination, be sure to pick up the local paper.
Sunday River this Week, The Mountain Times in Vermont, The Mountain
Ear in N.H. for examples, all spell out what’s happening, where’s the
best happy hour, and what the locals are yakking about this week.
These free newspapers are conversation starters when you happen to hop
a quad with a townie, money-savers when you score a coupon for free
wings or dessert with dinner, and obvious fire starters. Hopefully a few of these travel tips will help you get to the slopes more easily, and wishful thinking - more often. In a perfect world, we’d live slopeside and ski our kids to a little red schoolhouse just before lift opening. Until that fantasy becomes a reality, have your stuff organized and ready at the first sign of fluffy flakes. |