The Earning Turns Blog

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, Powder20 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

Bolton Valley: Vermont’s ATV Indy

Posted on by Sam

Thanks to some strategic scheduling, I found myself in northern Vermont with some free time on Friday. After talking with Harvey and checking the Indy Pass resort list, I loaded up my car early and made the short trip to Bolton Valley.

As I approached, I started getting excited. It’s the kind of mountain road that feels like it will lead you to a promised land. Bolton reveals itself slowly; a few miles up the access road, you’ll pass the quaint Timberline Lodge. I continued on to the base lodge a few minutes further up.

Rolling in to the main base area, I saw other early-bird AT skiers. Bolton has a friendly uphill policy, and quite a few locals take advantage of it for early morning workouts.

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Tagged: Bolton Valley, Earning Turns, Indy Pass, VT9 Comments