The Earning Turns Blog

Plattekill Tree Skiing Work Day 2021

Posted on by NYSkiBlog

Plattekill Mountain and NYSkiBlog are stoked to present the eleventh annual Plattekill Tree Skiing Work Day at the ski area in Roxbury NY on Saturday October 23rd, 2021. Raindate will be Sunday the 24th.

Plattekill fall aerial photo

As is our tradition, we’re recruiting a motivated, smiling crew of lopper wielding powder hounds to continue our maintenance of some of the Catskills’ best tree skiing.

Our longterm goal is to clear as much terrain as possible under the legendary double chair. As regulars know, Plattekill is committed to helping skiers pursue their passion and find great lines all over the mountain.

free tree lines

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Tagged: Catskills, Earning Turns, Plattekill183 Comments

Petersburg Pass: Skiing the Far East

Posted on by Harvey

For some reason, I’ve started responding to those facebook offers to re-share photos from the same date in previous years. Recently I shared a shot of a brand new and unmounted pair of telemark bindings — Rottefella RT8s — from five years ago.

driving Route 2

I’m not really sure why I shared it, other than I liked the picture. Brian, a fb friend I’d never met, commented “Dammit.. I can use Cobra parts right now.”  I knew I’d probably never use them, so I offered them to him.

Brian lives in the capital district so theoretically I could do some kind of handoff on a trip to our place near Gore. But he had a different idea: He offered to meet me for some earned turns on the Taconic Crest Trail, near the NY/MA border.

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Tagged: Earning Turns, Powder18 Comments

A Vermont Backcountry Intro

Posted on by KT

Working at my desk, I catch my mind drifting off to fluffy, marshmallow-laden landscapes. Often it’s Plattekill I envision, the closest good powder skiing for us in northern NJ. For me, nothing closer comes close.

But over the last couple years, like others here, I’m driving further to find snow. In early February, winter storm “Kade” brought me to Smuggs. My most recent excursion was deep into northern VT, touring the backcountry near Jay Peak, for the first time.

Last week was winter break for schools in NJ. I’m a teacher and this was my best window for adventure. The last few years featured great trips to British Columbia with good snow and a tight crew.

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Tagged: Earning Turns, VT10 Comments