Ski fever is highly contagious, especially among families who share close
quarters. The psychotic symptoms appear mid-autumn, as outdoor activities
are curtailed. Ski equipment starts sliding out of storage, cramming into
hallways. If your kids begin wearing their ski jackets to school in
mid-October, that’s another alpine indicator. Our family gets cranked up for
fall line fun at the first hint of frost. Actually, my son has kept his skis
in his room since April, on display in a sort of shrine.
If your gang is like mine, and can’t wait for the calendar to proclaim
winter, there are several New England
ski resorts already flexing their
snowmaking power to open up terrain in late October and early November.
Those foremost ski days in late fall usually mean skiing on very limited
terrain, sometimes just a ribbon of snow on advanced upper mountain slopes.
Given the low trail count and sketchy snow conditions, this is not the best
time to bring your young skiers out, particularly if they are still
beginning or intermediate in their skills. The slopes can resemble a human
slalom, too many zealots on too few acres. You are best off to wait until
several trails and a few feet of coverage are being reported to take the
kids out.
In the annual rush to drop the first ropes, Sunday River and Killington come
to mind. Sunday River is legendary when it comes to snowmaking,
opening by Halloween to be the first in the East. Our family has enjoyed
phenomenal November skiing at The River. Once South Ridge at Sunday River is
open, that’s a good time to hit this Maine resort.
While most families are stuffing themselves with turkey, our family foursome
has been known to make tracks at Sunday River or Killington. Thanksgiving is
a great day to spend with your kids on the slopes. Because of the holiday,
the slopes are sparsely attended and the mood on the slopes is “thankful” to
be cliché. As a side note, dining out after skiing on Thanksgiving is a
tremendous treat for “mom-the meal planner” versus being stuck in the
kitchen with gizzards and gravy all day.
Killington blankets the K1 gondola area with snow first and foremost,
catering to expert skiers (read: diehards) on Vermont’s highest lift served
terrain. The Big K then aims to open Ramshead by Thanksgiving, so that’s a
good turkey thermometer that your family will find enough skiable terrain
for everyone’s ability. For so many years Killington was the first to open
in the East. Now Sunday River has taken that title but Killington’s Powdr
Corp still possesses their self proclaimed “world’s most extensive
snowmaking system.”
Okemo has never failed us for early season ski weekends. While the resort is
far quieter in pre-holiday December, the manmade blizzard is impressive.
Okemo blasts out snow with a goal of opening terrain for all abilities in
the early season, and the majority of their terrain by the holiday week.
Once you see Jackson Gore open at Okemo, you know they have worthy snow.
Sugarloaf has a northern Maine location, elevation, and typically cold
temperatures – allowing it to open most seasons by mid to late November,
targeted at November 20th this season. Snowmaking at the Loaf has been
ramped up, doubled in fact since Boyne was brought in two years ago. When
Mother Nature lends her hand, the Loaf can be in good ski shape for early
season skiing.
In New Hampshire,
Bretton Woods makes tons of snow and offers the most
terrain in the Granite State. Bretton Woods makes a plan of opening by
Thanksgiving weekend, with a goal of spinning the Learning Center Quad and
the Bethlehem Express Quad with enough green circles on their gently sloped
front side to placate moms and pops with tots.
Keep an eye to the forecast for chilly weather and check the daily snow
conditions to find the best snow for your family. Last year delivered the
goods, with exceptional early season skiing throughout New England thanks to
cold temps and a boost of natural snow. My family of four has all 40 fingers
crossed for a rewarding repeat this season.
Getting the family out on the slopes prior to the busy holiday (and before
peak pricing) is a great way to get everyone’s ski legs in shape before the
big winter snow arrives (more wishful thinking here). A day trip to the
mountains or a ski weekend in early December is a better way to celebrate
the turn of the season than hectic holiday shopping in the crowded
materialistic malls.
