Magic MLK Weekend 2021

MLK weekend seems to be the point where the season really takes off at Magic. This year was no different. The snow report measured 7-10″ on Saturday and we had at least that much at our house not too far away. Unfortunately, it was mank, but great for base-building. Still, the “hordes” came out for a chance at a face shot. That wasn’t happening on Saturday.

I know my assignment is to give more than a trip report and to try to capture the “essence” of the area. Magic is a place that normally has more essence than most, but this season is far from normal. I will say that the skiers have been thankful for the work the staff has done and they complied with Magic’s operating rules. If somebody let their mask slip off their nose, a staff member was quick to politely ask that they correct it.

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Come On, Vermont!

Vermont is in a unique position. Largely rural — and without a major metropolitan area within the state’s borders — Vermont has avoided the levels of infection from the pandemic that have affected other states in the Northeast, and the rest of the country.

Middlebury Snow Bowl
Middlebury Snow Bowl

While infection rates in Vermont aren’t really that different than many of the more rural areas of New York, because Vermont doesn’t have those dense urban areas, the statewide rate for infection has been much lower than other states. (For example at the time of this writing, Chittenden County infection rates are equal to or above those in the neighboring NY counties just across the lake.)

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Indy Pass adds Jay Peak

Jay Peak logoIn what might be the biggest pass news of the preseason, the Indy Pass has announced the addition of Jay Peak to its lineup for the 2020/21 season.  This is huge for Indy skiers as Jay — a powder and tree skier’s paradise — is, or was, probably the most notable unaffiliated mountain in the northeast.

The blockbuster announcement was broken moments ago in an exclusive, by the industry’s fastest growing podcast, the Storm Skiing Journal. In addition, SSJ will be airing a podcast with Jay Peak’s GM, Steve Wright, later this afternoon.

Now entering its second season, Indy has posted some explosive growth of its own.

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