Owl’s Head, QC: 2/9/10

Owl’s Head was in beautiful shape after yesterday’s surprise nine inches, and on a bluebird day, it’s a great choice to let it rip on a bunch of nicely pitched high-speed groomers.

Sitting right alongside 24-mile-long Lake Memphrémagog, the views are stellar — it feels very similar to New York’s Finger Lakes region, but with mountains. From the “Lilly’s Leap” trail, you can look south toward Newport, VT or north to Magog, Quebec with Mont Orford in the distance.

Owl’s Head doesn’t get much visibility in internet land, but it’s a fun hill, especially on a day with storm leftovers and clear skies.

Mont Sutton, QC: 2/8/10

After two days of skiing sloppy seconds at Jay and Smugglers Notch, I finally hit paydirt just north of the border at Sutton, Quebec.

A small weather event that was supposed to provide a couple of inches ended up dumping what seemed closer to a foot.

Sutton has an eccentric but well thought out network of glade skiing that’s truly unique — and everyone else in my group agreed.

That felt good… my first East Coast powder day of this season. Better late than never.

Smugglers Notch, VT: 2/7/10

Hopkins Bridge

While it’s all about families at Smuggs (almost suffocating at times, and I’m a parent), the terrain really impressed me. It’s a good-sized mountain — a legitimate 2,600 vert covered by old-school EC terrain with lots of character, some steep shots, and skiable trees everywhere.

Harveys

Smuggs reminds me of a bigger version of Magic Mountain, including the outdated infrastructure: vintage double chairs and an undersized, out-of-date lodge at the bottom of the main hill. I can deal with slow lifts, but I’m kind of puzzled by how they’ve managed to avoid updating the uphill capacity while courting a demographic that insists on a certain level of amenities.

Continue reading →