Though trying to get first chair on New Year’s Day may be a bit much for most skiers and snowboarders, making early tracks on the first day of a new year is a highlight of any ski season.
The slopes and trails aren’t crowded yet, and the frosty air will clear any cobwebs that might have started on the last day of the old year.
As we move into 2019, there’s much to do on and off the slopes and trails on both sides of the Connecticut River.
It was sixty years ago — December 25, 1958 — that Damon and Sarah Gadd, along with Jack Murphy, started spinning the lifts at Sugarbush.
“So far it’s been an incredible beginning to our 60th anniversary season, with over 80 inches of snow and some fun anniversary events in the early going,” e-mailed resort public relations manager John Bleh. “We’ve also been cranking the snow guns to ensure we have a deep base well into spring, when we’ll be hosting a number of throwback anniversary on-mountain events like sloshwicking (a game involving one foot on a ski, snowshoe on the other and a broom), pond skimming, waiter slalom and more.”
Nominees are sought for the Sugarbush Wall of Fame, which recognizes two people who have made a significant contribution to “cultivating a spirit of lifelong adventure and camaraderie among Sugarbush staff, guests and the community.”
Nominations are due by Jan. 31 and must include a brief biography of the nominee; an in-depth description of his or her contribution and a minimum of three photos of the nominee. Nominations must also include a minimum of ten signatures of support and may be mailed to walloffame@sugarbush.com.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have a ski area to yourself — or with your friends, family or colleagues — 2019 is looking good for it. Vermont’s 58-trail Pico Mountain, with its nearly 2,000 feet of vertical, is starting a new private mountain rental option on non-holiday Tuesdays and Wednesdays (days the mountain is typically closed off-peak) from Jan. 8-April 4. Up to 250 guests can ski the mountain off the Golden and Summit Express chairlifts for $6500. Go over the 250 mark and it’s $15 for each additional guest.
Pico’s not the only Vermont area available for rent. According to Ski Vermont, Magic Mountain in Londonderry and Suicide Six in Woodstock also have options to rent the mountain for the day.
The free family-oriented Vertical Challenge Ski and Snowboard Tour returns to New Hampshire, Vermont and beyond this winter. The laid-back race series for skiers and riders of all abilities that’s been going on for nearly 30 years features a treasure chest of prizes and medals for winners. The circuit stops at 17 Northeast ski areas this winter, about half of the number of resorts it did during its heyday, including Bolton Valley, Vt., on Jan. 26, New Hampshire’s Cannon Mountain on Feb. 1, Pats Peak in Henniker, N.H., on Feb. 3 , Burke Mountain, Vt., on March 9 and Bromley, Vt., on March 10.
The top three finishers in each category quality for the April 6 finals at Jay Peak in northern Vermont.
The event also has a festival flair, highlighting fun, fitness and teaching.
“Our senior crew members mentor our new recruits, and they all look to act as mentors to the young racers,” race founder Frank Tansey said. “We adopt them, encourage them, follow up with them and also provide them with opportunities to help out deserving charities.”
Entrants need a lift ticket to the host mountain and can register in advance at ski-vc.com.
Ever muse about what it might be like to plunge down a seven-story ice-cross course in Fenway Park? That’s coming in early February, but first the intrepid skaters must pass through Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H., during a qualifying event for a handful of wild card spots against touring professionals taking part in the Red Bull Crashed Ice competition with its Ice Cross Downhill World Championship on Feb. 8-9 at Fenway Park in Boston. Several skaters at a time blaze down the icy course dotted with turns, jumps and more. Loon hosts the final stop on the Red Bull Crashed Ice Athlete search on Jan. 12 before entering the Green Monster. Organizers say the event is spectator-friendly, so you don’t have to feel obliged to make the icy plunge if you don’t want.
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Marty Basch can be reached at marty.basch@gmail.com.