VT Retrospective

Mid-winter introduction to Vermont for this Alaskan was a great fit. It snowed every few days. Every area I visited was interesting. Skiing was good everywhere. With more insight on my part, it would be even better.

Skiing was very satisfying in the Mount Mansfield backcountry via Trapp Family Lodge trails and the Bolton Valley lift-served area, as well as the other areas described in separate blog posts (Bromley, Camel's Hump, Prospect Mountain/Bennington, and Stowe/Teardrop). Stowe and Bolton lift served areas were entertaining. Backcountry touring was excellent. Though, I really didn't find the right place to yo-yo laps in the backcountry. Although Stowe has 2000+ ft highspeed lifts, Vermont vertical was difficult for me to accumulate.

AK ski culture is strong, but we can learn a lot from VT's experience and practices. The Catamount Trail, a 300-mile cross country ski trail extending from VT's southern to northern borders, is a particularly unique public / private cooperative approach to quiet recreation.

Freeskiing Competition?

Alyeska's Freeskiing suicide competition was postponed for a day. Banning it altogether would suit me. This cultural blip is akin to an internet suicide video cam with evil-doers encouraging the poor soul to end it. Oxymoronic 'freeskiing competition', Alyeska should rid itself of it and its subjective judging, encouragement of people to take irrational risk, and cutting access to otherwise open areas for true free skiers and riders. My $ are not going to the Deathskiing Competition nor the resort that promotes it.