Year after year, we watch the West Coast celebrate and flaunt their early-season snow. Out there, November powder days are almost a given, while for us, late-season yardwork feels like the trade-off. The thought of a green Christmas quietly lingers in the back of our minds.
Do we feel mistreated? Undervalued? Maybe. Yet this season started strong, multiple powder days and over 300 skiable acres open before Christmas. Finally, we feel valued, spoiled with the grace of Mother Nature. But the joy and gratitude that brings can slip away just as quickly as it arrives. Then comes rain, our sworn enemy, washing away what we cherish most. Trust issues creep in, and our resentment for the West Coast resurfaces because, well, why not?
Confusion sets in, we feel mis lead. What felt like our season, now has us uncertain of what to come. But as New England skiers, we have something that never fails to show up every year. Our relentless love for winter!
Whether it’s two narrow ribbons of snow or eight inches of fresh powder, we’re always ready to take what the mountain gives us. Sure, Castlerock might chew up your skis for the season, but you knew that and still dropped in. Conditions are subjective, but that feeling, the cool mountain air brushing your face as you carve down the trail? That’s universal.
We New England skiers and riders find joy in every corner of the sport. So as the weather works through its identity crisis, remember to savor the little things. Share an après beer with friends, chat with your neighbors on the lift, pause to soak in the view. There’s so much to love about skiing beyond the snow itself. Whether it’s knee-deep powder or a firm, icy base, there’s always fun to be had here at Sugarbush.
Stay frosty, friends.
Griffin Paradee