Opening Day Planned for Thurs. Dec. 31

The snow guns were fired up last night and are currently blasting away. We have a window of cold weather that should last until Wednesday morning. The plan is to blow as much snow as possible through Wednesday morning, then groom on Wednesday night, and open for the season on Thursday, Dec. 31.

We've had a few false alarms on a date for Opening Day so far this season, and I won't blame you if you think we're like the boy who cried wolf. But, we really do seem to have slipped into a decent cold pattern that should stay around for a while. Even though we'll get a slight warm up on Wednesday, it should be brief and not too warm.

We plan to have Bear Run and Mighty Mite open on Thursday. Lifts will run from 8:30am - 8pm. Tickets will be just $49 adult and $39 youth/college/senior. Night skiing will be $19 for all ages starting at 4pm. The NYE Fireworks will start at 8:30pm.

We still have holiday week events happening this week including the NYE Fireworks and NYE Dinner. Call 802-434-6822 for NYE dinner reservations.

To keep everyone on the same page regarding hours for the weekend, we've created an actual page that lists out everything you need to know.
Be sure to keep an eye on the snow report for the latest details.

Opening Day Postponed

We are sorry to say that we will not be able to open this weekend. On Wednesday we were hopeful that the snow we made over the weekend would hold up. But, as you can see in the photo at the bottom of this post that was taken on Friday afternoon, the snow did not fare well in the nearly 70 degree weather and rain.

This leaves us once again waiting for temps cold enough to allow us to make snow. We do see some cooling starting on Sunday evening. We'll get back at it and fire the guns up as soon as we can.  Check the snow report for the latest updates on when we'll be able to open.

The Tavern will still be open on Friday at 5pm and each day this weekend starting at 11am. BV Sports and Guest Services will be open 8am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Deli will be open 7:30am - 8pm each day this weekend. The Sports Center will be open 10am - 8pm Saturday and Sunday.

We are still going to have most of our scheduled holiday week events including the NYE Fireworks and NYE Dinner. Call 802-434-6822 for reservations.

Day by Day

These unseasonably warm temperatures are really overstaying their welcome. Snowmaking has been shut down for the past several days because it has not been cold enough. The forecast for the next week shows some windows where temps will drop into the snowmaking zone, but most of those time periods are followed by a few days with temperatures above freezing. Our snowmakers will continue to make snow at every reasonable opportunity. However, at this point we are not able to guarantee an Opening Day. We are going to have to take a more day-by-day approach and plan to announce a date for Opening Day as soon as we are confident we can actually open on a specific day.

Keep checking the snow report for the latest updates.

In the meantime, you can still head up the mountain to pick up your pass, get your season long lease equipment, drop your board off for a tune or even grab a beer in the James Moore Tavern on Friday 12/18 or take a dip in the pool starting on Saturday.

Dinner and Drinks at The James Moore Tavern on Friday, Dec. 18

The James Moore Tavern will be open on Friday, Dec. 18. Mingle with your friends, grab a bite to eat and have a beer. Blue Fox will set the mood with live music. The menu will be limited but the conversations with your ski buddies will be lively. Doors will open at 5pm with dinner service until 9pm; open later for drinks. This is a one day only event. After Friday the Tavern will be closed until Bolton opens for skiing and riding.

Sports Center Opening on Saturday, Dec. 19

The Sports Center will be opening on Saturday, Dec. 19. This will include the pool, hot tub, sauna and games for the kids. Season pass holders and hotel guests will enjoy complimentary admission as usual. Daily use is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 7-17 and free for 6 and under. Daily hours will be 10am - 6pm from Saturday until Bolton Valley opens for skiing and riding.

Pass and Lease Pick Up Schedule

BV Sports will continue to be open for pass printing and lease pick up through Sunday, 12/20. Hours are 9am - 4pm through Thursday; 2 - 7pm on Friday, 11am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday. Once the season starts, we'll be open for season pass and lease pick up every day that we are open for skiing and riding.

Postponing Opening Day to Dec. 19

They say good things come to those who wait. (I'm not sure who coined that phrase, but it's safe to say they were not a skier.) Keep that in mind though as you hear this next piece of news. We have decided to postpone Opening Day until Saturday, December 19. Our snowmakers have been doing the best they can, but cannot compete with the 40+ degree temperatures Mother Nature has been throwing at us over the past several weeks. The forecast for the next few days and into the weekend looks warm as well.

Our guys will get out there at every opportunity with the goal of getting the mountain open on Saturday, December 19. Check the snow report to stay up to date.

Pass and Lease Pick Up This Weekend

In the meantime BV Sports will continue to be open for pass printing and lease pick up from now through December 18. Check out the complete schedule. We've also added in a bonus off-site pass printing date this Saturday, December 12 at Alpine Shop. We'll be there from 10am - 5pm. Once the season starts, we'll be open for season pass and lease pick up every day that we are open for skiing and riding.

Powder Passes

Ski Five days for less than the price of three. Powder Passes are just $199 for adults and $149 for youths, college students and seniors. Hurry, the Powder Pass will not be on sale after December 13.

Smooth Sailing

We sure could have used some colder weather this week. As I'm looking out the window right now it's raining...again. I know it's only November 13th but I'm impatient. It's time for some winter weather, I want snow! Thankfully, things should turn over to some favorable flakes tonight, before we see "above average" temperatures again next week.

For those that haven't seen our exciting paving upgrades video, let me fill you in. The state improved upon last year's work they did on Route 2 and increased that paving back to Jonesville. In addition to the smoother ride on Route 2, we did some serious work on those lovely potholes just before the circle and the circle itself at BV. Check out the video below and see for yourself.

We are excited to announce that once again we will be offering several Cyber Monday specials. Starting at 12am on Monday, November 30, our Cyber Monday specials will go live for 24 hours. We will have $20 early season lift tickets, discounted Ski Bum Passes and more up for grabs. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to save or surprise someone with a great gift for the holidays.

First Snowfall and More

As most of you probably know, Vermont and much of Northern New England received their first storm of the year over the weekend. The lingering foliage and frosted peaks combined for some beautiful views of the valley. Come up and see for yourself while enjoying the final weekend at Bailey's. This Friday and Saturday will be the final days of operation at Bailey's Restaurant. As always the deli will be open for breakfast and lunch.

While snow is still on your mind, don't miss out on our $29 All Access Lift Ticket Sale on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During this special 24 hour online sale, tickets will be just $29. If you plan on being at the mountain all winter, why not get paid for it also? Bolton Valley is hosting a job fair this Friday, October 23, from 10am-3pm in our Main Base Lodge. Stop by and meet the hiring managers for the various openings.

Navigating October

I hope you are as excited for the upcoming season as I am. The month of October always brings with it an interesting mix of emotions for me. As much as I would love to pause time and enjoy the beautiful scenery that comes with the fall foliage, I would just as soon time travel to December and ski season. Until then I'll continue to daydream of hot chocolate, waffles, Power days and rewarding myself after a long day with a beverage in the James Moore Tavern. As they say, patience is a virtue.

If you're worried you missed out on foliage this year, think again. It is just beginning to peak at Bolton Valley, plus Bailey's Restaurant is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Take advantage of our Foliage Lodging Specials and come stay in the heart of the changing seasons. Want to catch first chair on opening day? Pick up your pass ahead of time, we are printing passes in the Burlington area throughout the month of October. Come see us at one of these convenient locations and skip a stop at guest services so you can head straight to the lift.

Off-Site Season Pass Printing and Sale Dates:

Fri. Oct. 16: UVM Davis Center in Burlington. 10am - 3pm

Sat. Oct. 17: Alpine Shop in South Burlington. 10am - 5pm

Sun. Oct. 18: Ski Rack in Burlington. 11am - 4pm

Mon. Oct. 19: UVM Davis Center in Burlington. 10am - 3pm

Sat. Oct. 31: Ski Rack in Burlington. 10am - 6pm

Seasons Change

It's a beautiful time of the year around Bolton Valley.  When the awkward temperatures mean sweatshirt weather in the morning and nearly succumbing to heat stroke by early afternoon.  Looking around at some of the fall foliage beginning to appear throughout the trees you can feel something is coming....WINTER!

Photo taken 9/17

As much as I enjoy this peaceful time of the year here at Bolton, we are all anxiously awaiting the return of all you skiers and riders.  So when your mind begins to drift off, daydreaming about that epic powder day last season in Devils Playground.  Just know we're here, waiting.


Don't forget the season pass deadline is just a few days away.  Set yourself up for the season with a Bolton Valley All Access Season Pass.  Passes are currently selling at a discounted rate, but after Monday, September 21, those rates will increase.  Get your pass today.

Hop Jam Weekend

Welcome to Hop Jam Weekend.
We trust you are just as excited as we are for this weekend. The Hop Jam line up of beers and bands looks tremendous and the weather forecast is simply stunning with partly sunny skies and highs in the 70s. This has all the right ingredients for a spectacular event. Enjoy.

Weekend Event Schedule

Friday - Mash Bash: The Hop Jam Pre-Party
The Mash Bash will be held at the James Moore Tavern and there will be beers from 15 breweries at the event. Doors open at 5pm, dinner will be served until 9pm and the Tavern will stay open until 2am with a DJ spinning tunes to give you time to socialize and try out a few more beers.

Saturday Morning - 5K Trail Run
Jump into the Bolton Valley 5K to benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. This 5K trail run will be on Bolton Valley's Nordic trails and all the proceeds benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.
•    7 - 8am: registration at the Nordic Center for $30
•    9am: 5K race start

Saturday – Hop Jam
Hop Jam doors open at 11am for BIP ticket holders and noon for general admission. The event runs until 10pm.

Sunday Morning - Hangover Brunch
Fuel up at the Hangover Brunch on Sunday Morning. The Hangover Brunch will be held in the James Moore Tavern from 8-11am.

Closing Time

So, once again we find ourselves here. 

But, that "here" is an ambiguous location, one that can mean any number of places for any number of people. Maybe it's closing weekend on your last runs of the winter. Maybe it was the rental shop where you tried on your first pair of ski boots and winced in agony as they vacuum sealed around your foot. Maybe it was Devil's Playground with your youngest daughter for another round of steep, adrenaline-pumping euphoria on the deepest day of the season. Maybe it was alone by the fire in the Tavern as you enjoyed a drink or three during a warm and well-deserved vacation. Maybe it was all of these places. Or somewhere else entirely.

Regardless of where "here" is for you, it's special. It's a unique moment of realization when everything fades away and all that's left is a sense of being. Of respite. Of comfort. It's what living in the moment really means, and it's something we strive to provide here at the resort every day. We set out this fall to make you feel at home. With any luck, by the end of the spring, we succeeded.

Hopefully you've found yourself this winter. And hopefully you continue to do so in the coming years. Thanks for reading, watching, clicking and sharing this season. Enjoy the final day on the slopes and we'll see you in December.

~ Mike

Click Here To Read Today's Snow Report

This Is It

Welcome to closing weekend! $19 night skiing tickets starting at 4pm, $10 off the rack rate when you purchase tickets in person at the resort and even more savings found buy ordering tickets online!

That's a bittersweet statement for oh so many of us. Despite the warming temperatures, more frequent sunshine, rotting snow and impending summer, few of us are truly prepared to hang up our boots and jackets for another eight months. But, that's precisely why we must.

If winter came every day, we wouldn't appreciate it, yearn for it and feel at home in it nearly as much as we do now. And, while I'm sure everyone reading this is just as happy to slide downhill on snow as I am, I think we can all agree it's time for a little warm weather. Regardless, it was a fun year filled with memories.

What Determines a Wind Hold?

In the winter, we get weather. Obviously, we all know this. We operate in Mother Nature's element, battling against her tantrums occasionally and it goes without saying that sometimes, Mother Nature wins.

So, what has to happen for a lift to go on wind hold?

The answer isn't as simple as you might think.

The two primary factors in a wind hold are speed and direction. People don't always think of the latter, but it's arguably more a more important consideration than speed. Wind direction is important because that's what makes the chairs swing side-to-side. We don't want wind to be coming in across the line (perpendicular to the cable itself). That's the situation we want to avoid when its windy and why the lifts go on hold in the first place. If the speed and direction of the wind come together to create a situation where the chairs are swaying too much, that's when a lift gets put on hold.

Speed is still important, as gusts of 40+ are capable of shutting any lift down, but direction is the linchpin so-to-speak. The wind could be blowing 30+ at the top of the mountain, but if it's directly up or down the lift line (in your face or at your back when you're riding up), there's a good chance the lift will still run. If it's coming at an angle across the line versus directly across it, there's a better chance lift mechanics will be able to get the lift running at a speed that minimizes chairs swinging. That's also why we sometimes run chairlifts at slower speeds on windy days.

Additionally, different wind directions affect each lift differently. Think of each lift as its own individual entity. We don't put the whole mountain on wind hold at once. Instead, our lift mechanics will check each lift throughout the day and assess it as an isolated situation from the rest of the mountain. If that needs to be put on wind hold, so be it, but it's not a sweeping declaration. That's why Wilderness and Timberline may be on hold one day while Vista and Snowflake can still operate. It's all about the direction the wind is coming in, combined with the speed of the gusts and how that affects each individual lift.

When a lift does get put on hold, it's not a white flag for the day. Our mechanics monitor the wind speeds and direction every 15 minutes while a lift is on wind hold, while also reading forecasts and weather stations to see what weather is coming in over the next few hours. It's a tedious but essential job to keep checking every lift all day, but that's why we're thankful to have the lift mechanics we do. Give those guys a high five next time you see them.

They're fighting the battle against Mother Nature and they, quite literally, are what keep our lifts running.

~Mike

Five Signs That March Is Finally Here

You know, sometimes winter can get a little dark and dingy. For most of the ski season, it gets dark before 4pm, the sun doesn't come up until after 7am, Mother Nature hurls ice and wind at us and Ullr buries life in deep snow. After six months or so, it's enough to give anyone cabin fever. But, then March comes calling and brings with it the best month of skiing all season. 

Why is March so good? Well, Daylight Savings keeps the lights on later, the snow gods give us a truckload of powder, temperatures rise and the snow softens up. Who doesn't love a little mashed potato, goggle-tanning, no jacket skiing under bluebird skies? So, don't forget to set your clocks ahead this weekend. We'll be waiting for you on the sunny side.

1. Sun - What is this mysterious glowing ball in the sky, and where has it been all our lives? Because March is the start of spring, it means the Earth is moving through its elliptical revolution around the sun and we're getting closer to summer. That means we get more sunlight than the rest of the season. With the cloud cover we typically get here in New England, the sun coming out in March is a pretty great excuse to punch out of work and do outside things again. And it sure makes the everything look purdy.
2. Snow - Don't kid yourself. There's still at least 3 more weeks of winter coming our way. March has historically been our snowiest month of the season. Last year we got 7 feet of snow from the end of February through the end of March, so don't get too anxious to trade your fat skis for four wheelers just yet.
3. Wacky Outfits - When it's warm, people dress down. And when you dress down in ski gear, it means trading facemasks and hand warmers for jerseys, retro snow suits and wigs. And it's 100 percent awesome. If you start seeing your favorite TV show characters flying by you and it looks like iParty just exploded in the base area, you know it's time for spring skiing.
4. Events - What else goes great with warm weather and longer days? More events! We go absolutely stir crazy with events in the spring. Backcountry festivals, demo days, banked slalom courses, pond skimming and parties every weekend. This is the most fun time of the year to come skiing, no matter what the conditions might be.
5. Night Skiing Gets More Fun - When DST returns, it stays light out later than usual. We already run night skiing four nights a week, but what's cool about it in the spring is that it's still light outside at 7pm. Ski Patrol only ropes off trails when it's too dark that it becomes dangerous, so that means that in late March, you could be skiing Cobrass, Vermont 200 or even Preacher at 7pm as the sun goes down. There's a reason we have the best sunset skiing this side of the Rockies.

Enjoy the spring conditions! 

~Mike

4 Tips For Dealing With Flat Light

With all the snow we've been getting recently, you may have found it a little more difficult to see where you're going. Whether it's big fluffy snowflakes blocking your line of sight or some low-hanging overcast clouds, we see plenty of days with "flat light" in the Northeast. Here are some tips for enjoying yourself during those grey days.

1. Wear brighter lenses - Most goggle manufacturers make a flat-light specific lens. A rose or yellow lens will help accentuate the natural definition and contrast there is in front of you, which will help you discern what's coming up next.
2. Find Contrast - Since flat light is created by the sun shining into fog-clouds, the snow reflects that light back into the fog again, creating poor visibility. The solution? Ski something that's not wide open and groomed. This will all but eliminate your vision problems because there will be more points of reference for your eyes to pick out. When it's super flat - trees and bumps are the place to go. They provide excellent contrast so your eyes don't have to work as hard to make out what you're skiing over.
3. Get low - Lowering your stance on skis or a board will lower your center of gravity. This will allow you to better absorb any unforeseen obstacles that you may come across in the grayness ahead of you and keep you from getting bucked.
4. Slow down - This one's pretty simple. If it's harder to see where you're going, ski a little slower. The snow isn't going anywhere if you ratchet back to 80% effort, and you'll stay safer with more time to react to what's in front of you.

Now, get out there and enjoy all the snow! Ski safe and have fun.

Uphill Travel Safety

Photo Courtesy Catamount Trail Association

So, it's been going off lately. Ya know, 'cause it snowed a little bit up here. Photo above was taken last weekend during our Uphill Demo Day and yes, it's really that deep out there. It was awesome to see so many people come out and learn about uphill skiing, so in light of that, here are a few extra safety tips to remember whether you're a newbie or on your 100th tour. Stay safe and have fun!

1. Always be aware of grooming operations - This one should be pretty self-explanatory, but sometimes people don't realize that even though the mountain may be closed during off-hours, there's still operations going on. We groom all night long here at BV, and that means you're likely to come across a groomer if you're hiking our uphill route in the dark.
2. Stay off trails that are currently being groomed - If you're getting strapped in and see groomer lights on the trail in front of you, stop and wait for him to finish his work before heading up the hill. Likewise, if you're about to head back down a trail and you see a groomer on it, wait for him to pass by and then proceed with caution. Groomers always have the right of way, so please respect the work they're doing to get the mountain ready for morning.
3. If you see a groomer, yield - If you start down a trail and happen to encounter a groomer, stop on the far side of the trail and wait for him to pass if he is traveling uphill. If he is traveling down hill, move to the far side of the trail and slowly pass the groomer. Be sure to make eye contact with the pilot before you ski past and stay far away from the groomer. Do not cut back in front of the groomer at any time during your downhill run. These machines are heavy and fast and, trust me, you wouldn't want to tangle with one.
4. Wear bright colored ski gear if possible - If you've got bright colored or reflective gear, wear it. That will make it easier for groomers to see you and for your friends to keep track of you as well.
5. Ski in groups - Pick a line and everyone stick to it. Think of it as your own little wolf pack. Skiing closer together will not only make it easier to keep track of each other on the way down, but it will help our grooming staff as well. It's much easier to see four people skiing together than spread out individually all over the trail.
6. Be smart. Be respectful - Don't be that person who cuts off a groomer on your way back down the hill. Don't ski right behind a tiller to get fresh corduroy. Remember, it's dark when we groom, so our pilots can't always see you if you're too close. Keep your distance, respect them and everyone will have a good night. The uphill policy has been fun this season, so let's make sure we're all on the same page so it can continue in future years as well.

For updated news, weather & conditions in our Nordic and Backcountry trails, view our Nordic Snow Report, which is updated twice daily.

Storm Of The Century

This photo makes me laugh.

Ever seen Stephen King's "Storm of the Century"? Without getting too far into it, the story is centered on a small island town in Maine that is about to be hit with a colossal winter storm. Long story short, they all go out and buy tons of food, lose power for a night, wait out a few feet of new snow and eventually shovel and plow their way back to a normal routine.

Over the last 2 days, I think that's what most people in New England were expecting (or hoping) out of Winter Storm Juno. Now, if you happen to be reading this from Nantucket or other parts of southern New England, you definitely got hit the hardest. But the storm tracked East of its original path, leaving majority of our region including our little mountain, with a lovely coating of white, but certainly not the apocalyptic amounts we were promised on the news.

That's why the above photo gives me a chuckle. Can you imagine trying to dig your way out of that?

But, wait Mike. Hold on. Isn't that a bad thing? Bolton is a ski resort - why are you ok with getting less snow than predicted?

More volume doesn't always equal more fun.

It's not about how much snow, but rather what kind of snow. It's the quality of what's coming down from the sky that we really care about.

Our original forecasts last week showed up to a foot of heavy wet snow, and we were excited for a few reasons. It helps build up our base for spring, which means you can ski more trails later into the season. It also puts a nice sticky coating on everything, allowing us to open more terrain earlier than usual without worrying about wind scouring it all away. But, it's also heavier, harder to shovel and plow, and high in water content, which means it can rot out easier. If there are any painters out there, think of heavy wet snow as your primer. It covers and sticks to the surfaces but that's not what you want your finished product to look like, right?

Juno didn't drop a foot of heavy wet. Instead, it left us with about 4-7" of light fluffy fairy dust. Out west they call this "Champagne Powder" because it's the best of the best. What's do great about dry light snow? Well, that's the kind of snow you see people shredding in ski movies and postcard photos. Light dry powder is what makes skiing and riding feel effortless and floaty. You can just charge right through it and not feel a thing. Sticking with our paint example, this kind of snow is our final coat. It's the high gloss finish that looks great and makes things really pop. You get the most enjoyment out of this kind of snow.

So, why are we alright with missing out on Juno's knockout punch? Because the snow we got is better than the snow we thought we were getting. Better snow = more fun.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some secret stashes to visit.

Ups and Downs - No, Wait - All Ups

Sometimes, life throws us a curve ball and we have to adjust to a less than ideal situation. And, sometimes it tosses knuckleball instead of the curve. Good luck hitting that one. You just have to roll with it, try to follow along as best you can and swing away.

And sometimes life says, "Oh hey guys! Want some new snow? Cool! Here's a foot. And how 'bout a few days of bluebird skies? You got it. Wait, you want positive temperatures too? Ah, ok why not!"

This week has been one of the latter.

If you haven't been paying attention since last weekend, let me catch you up real quick. More than a FOOT of fresh has fallen since last Sunday and whatever days it wasn't snowing, we've had deep blue skies and sunshine you see on postcards. I'm running out of ways to say that it's been absolutely awesome up here this week, and I don't anticipate that changing at all in the next 72 hours. We plan on more than 60 trails open off all 6 lifts and all 3 mountain faces. No shortage of places to find yourself. Come visit for some soft floaty turns, creamy cord and tight tree runs.

Remember to share your photos on social media using #FoundAtBV for a chance to win free stuff!

Weather:

We're through the latest cold snap and the arctic air we've become accustomed to is moving out for the weekend. It should actually be quite comfortable up here - no facemask or hand warmers required! On Friday, snow squalls will push through the area with the chance for some accumulation. Experts say maybe 1-4", but we all know what squalls can do sometimes. Let's hope for more. Saturday will be cold and sunny to start the day but gradually warm up through the evening before giving way to temps in the 30's and cloudy skies on Sunday.

Events:

Friday: Late Night at Bolton Valley & Justice VT in the James Moore Tavern

Saturday: Bolton After Dark & The John Daly Trio

Sunday: Bonus $19 Night Skiing 

January is Learn To Ski & Ride Month!

Having trouble coming up with reasons to leave your Netflix nest in your living room over the past few days? Wondering why you live in a state where it's below 40 degrees for 6 months out of the year? I'll bet you wish there was something you could do to enjoy this frosty weather instead of lamenting it for a whole season.

Answer: How about learning to ski or snowboard?

January is Learn to Ski & Ride month across the nation, but here in Vermont we do it particularly well. We boast some of the best and most qualified instructors in the nation, along with excellent terrain for designated learning areas. You won't find any 13,000 ft elevation or 2,700 ft vertical drops here. The Green Mountains tend to be more rolling and lend themselves better to first-timers than other resorts in larger mountain ranges.

Here's the deal: Most days in January, we're offering special beginner-only learn-to packages through our ski & ride school. Just sign up here, choose your date and get a group lesson, lift ticket and 1-day rental package for just $29. Yes, you read that right. Less than 30 bucks gets you fully set up for a day on the slopes. Come try it out, let our professional instructors show you the ropes and even if it's not for you, there's a bar and a hot tub just steps from the slopes. Gotta end the day on a good note, right?

If you do have a great time, which I'm confident you will, come back for more group or private lessons from our crew to really advance your skills quickly. The best way to learn is really through a few lessons and after that, you'll be shredding the gnar like a pro!

So, if you're sick of staying inside all winter, boot up and hit the slopes with us. Bring a friend or three and you might just get addicted to a new hobby. There’s no better time to learn than January.

Layer Up, It's January

Photo taken 1/2/15

So, January is back. Welcome to 2015. It's snowing and that's a good thing. It's also kinda chilly, and that's normal.

Now, we're skiers & riders, and we live in Vermont. We embrace many different kinds of weather that some people would call "extreme'. We know our sport involves snow, sleet, wind, ice and yet we boot up each morning, throw on whatever clothing the day dictates and get out on the slopes to have a little (sometimes a LOT) of fun.

It's kind of unique actually - we're totally dependent on the weather to enjoy ourselves, yet, no matter what the weather is doing, we don't care. We adapt. We dress appropriately. We shred anyway. Keep that in mind.

Skies are partly sunny now, but here's how things look over the next few days, according to the experts:

Definitely double puffy weather.

I'd say, on average, I spend about 7 months out of the year wondering why I have so much gear, 3 months getting way too excited to buy even more stuff as the season approaches, and 2 months being really glad I have it all. This month is one of the latter.

January is a month where I'm glad I bought that 800 fill puffy jacket. I'm glad I have 4 different Under Armour options for super cold weather. I'm glad I sprung for the goose down Gordini mitts, and I'm glad I have a facemask. Most of it may sit on a shelf or hangar 7 months out of the year, but do you know why I have it all?

So I can snowboard anyway, any day.

Adapt. Layer up. Shred. Repeat. It's time to hit the mountain.