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Vermont Ski Museum: Collect, Preserve, Celebrate

Editor — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:51:01 +0000

True to its motto to “Collect, Preserve, and Celebrate”, the Vermont Ski Museum is a fascinating treasure trove of memorabilia relating to the history of skiing in Vermont. Located in the Village of Stowe’s old Town Hall, which was built in 1818 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Vermont Ski Museum started its collection in 2002. Thanks to generous donations from the skiing community, the collection has grown to more than 5,200 catalogued items, many of which date back to the late 19th century.

The museum’s impressive collection is divided into seven main categories:

Ski Equipment
Ski Clothing
Mechanical Equipment
Vermont Ski Area/Ski Vermont Items
10th Mountain Division
Fine Art
Library and Archival Materials

The category with the largest collection is Ski Equipment, while Mechanical Equipment is the smallest in number, but displays products that have had an enormous impact on the sport of snow skiing over the years. Included in this collection is snow-making equipment, ski-lifts, communication equipment and innovative race timing devices, such as the first electronic eye that made use of motion to start and stop timing.

In recognition of the essential role they played in the history of Vermont skiing, in November 2003 the museum inducted more than 250 members of the 10th Mountain Division into the Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame. The collection in this category includes WWII rations, medals, climbing equipment and more. The Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made their mark in the history of skiing. Candidates are considered within three categories – Pioneers, Athletes and Special Contributors – and are chosen by a Committee elected by the Board of Directors.

At one time or another, there have been more than 130 ski areas in Vermont, about 110 of which have been closed, but not forgotten, as the museum has been working on documenting these areas and the role they played in the history of skiing in this area. The Library and Archives category represents a large portion of the museum’s inventory, with more than 550 books, 75 postcards, 350 magazines, 50 instructional booklets, and 200 pamphlets that are related to ski areas in Vermont. Additionally the archives have interesting film footage and original photography.

Exhibits change from time to time to keep things fresh and interesting, so be sure to drop by and see what’s new at the Vermont Ski Museum whenever you hit the slopes in this popular winter sport area.

North America

Editor — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:24:33 +0000

North America offers snow skiing enthusiasts some superb venues to indulge in their favorite winter sport. With its extreme northern location, Canada‘s ski resorts generally boast consistently good snow, with long skiing seasons giving plenty of opportunity to enjoy the rugged beauty of this country where back country skiing is very popular. Canada is generally divided into four primary regions, being Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, each with its own charm and each of them well worth exploring.

The sheer size of the United States of America, with its varied terrain, offers diverse holiday destinations and activities. That snow skiing ranks among the most popular family-oriented holiday activities in the USA should come as no surprise, considering the stunning snow skiing destinations available in a number of states, including California, Colorado, Montana, Vermont, Washington, Utah and Wyoming. If you haven’t yet tried your hand at this exciting winter sport, check out the North American resorts on SnowSkiing.com and make your booking now.

Resorts by Location:

Canada
USA

USA

Editor — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:06:02 +0000

Snow sports, such as snowboarding and snow skiing, has a huge following in the United States of America, with many enthusiasts greeting each new winter season with eager anticipation. There are numerous snow sport destinations to choose from throughout the United States, and into neighboring Canada, with something to suit everyone regardless of experience levels and how limited the vacation budget may be. Use our comprehensive ski resort directory to browse snow skiing resorts in the United States of America, and if you have not yet discovered the thrill of exploring a snow-covered mountain, maybe now’s the time to find out what attracts thousands of holiday makers to these ski resorts each year.

USA Resorts:

Skiing Museums

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Skiing was not a vacation sport till a hundred years ago. Till the mid nineteenth century it was an age old method of transportation in winter in the snow covered regions of north Europe and Asia. Today many vacation resorts have a museum as a shrine to skiing heritage. Next time you are on skiing vacation and a snowstorm keeps you off the slopes, you should check out the local museum and learn about the history of skiing.

Stowe was the birthplace of skiing in America and the Vermont Ski Museum there is housed in the Old Town Hall built in 1818. It records the hundred year history of skiing in Vermont with a large collection of Vermont skiing memorabilia and historical artifacts. The next time you are on a skiing vacation in Colorado take time to visit the Colorado Ski Museum / Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame at the Vail Transportation Center that has wonderful historical artifacts from Colorado’s rich skiing and snowboard heritage. The New England Ski Museum in Franconia NH is one of four USSA-recognized ski museums in the United States and the only one in the East. It exhibits of skiing memorabilia change yearly.

Many ski vacation resorts in Europe have excellent ski or Alpine museums worth visiting when you are not skiing. Austria boasts of several fine ones at St. Anton, Kitzbuhel and in Murzzuschlag, on the way to Graz, where there is a truly fine display of early skiing regalia. Zermatt in Switzerland has a charming Alpine Museum with an important display of early mostly home-built skis and poles. Lausanne is the site of the splendid world-class Olympic Museum where a fair amount of space is devoted to skiing. Albertville was the host city for the 1992 Winter Games and the old city hall exhibits a fine tribute to Olympic, local and French skiing. The Musee Dauphinois in Grenoble has one of the best collections of ski regalia in the world. Briancon to the southeast of Grenoble is delightful, ancient, hillside walled city with a ski museum and ski hall of fame.

Vermont

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Take a vacation in Vermont, the birthplace of skiing in America! Over a century ago, Norwegians who had settled in Stowe used skis to get around in winter on the impassable roads. Stowe, which is home to the highest mountain in the state, Mt Mansfield, was the venue of the first ski race held in 1934. Today with nearly 300 inches of fresh snow each winter, Vermont is the most popular ski vacation area in the east. The heights may not match the Rockies, but the mountains and glades of Vermont have a charm and ambience all of their own.

Glade skiing at Vermont resorts is some of the best in the country, with majestic mountainous terrain and plentiful snow. Many Vermont ski vacation resorts offer guided tours and lessons for the glades. Vermont has something for beginners, experts and everthing in between, as it offers every sort of terrain. Snowboarders and free riders will always find something new on each vacation as more super pipes, parks, half pipes and rails are added every year. Learner’s parks have small rollers, spines, rails and mini pipes while experts will revel in the big hips and tables.

Vermont winter vacation resorts are family friendly with many freebies for kids. The Vermont 5th Grade Passport gives fifth graders free skiing or riding three times each at participating Vermont Alpine and Nordic ski areas. Most resorts are the perfect place for children to make new friends, learn a new skill or improve an existing skill. Most offer full and half-day lessons as well as alternative activities during the day and off-slope activities for teens in the evening.

Killington is the region’s largest resort and offers everything you could want on a winter vacation. There are now seven distinct peaks to explore and each offers a specific type of terrain for a particular level of skier. Experts flock to Bear Mountain, Skye Peak and The Canyon. Intermediates love Needle’s Eye and Snowdon and the novice area is at Snowshed. Now neighboring Pico is also accessible and has added more areas to conquer.

Vermont Resorts:

Ascutney Mountain

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Ascutney Mountain Resort was closed in the Fall of 2010

Ascutney Mountain Resort has a reputation for being one of the most popular family ski destinations in Vermont. It is also a great four-seasons resort offering the best available for both families and adults all year round. A mid-sized ski resort, it is very popular during the winter vacation period.

The resort is situated at a base elevation of 720 ft, but this does not mean it is short on snow. In addition to 175 inches of annual snowfall, Ascutney has a 95% snow-making capability. This means you can always expect great snow – regardless of how unreliable the weather may be. Ascutney’s summit elevation is 2520 ft and there is a 1800 ft vertical drop to enjoy.

The trails on Ascutney’s slopes are well-designed and converge on one spot at the base, which means that no-one is likely to get lost along the way. There are 56 trails which are graded 30% beginner, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced. The variety of trails and terrain ensure that everyone is catered for – from the meekest beginner to the most daring advanced skier. They are accessed by six different ski lifts, and snowboarders can have their pick of trails with the skiers, or they can enjoy the terrain park which is complete with a great halfpipe. Cross-country skiers will find 32 kilometers of trail ready to be ridden. You may want to try your hand at snow tubing, which is easy to do and loads of fun.

In summer there are plenty of activities to enjoy such as hiking, horseback riding, golfing, swimming, tennis, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, road biking and hang gliding. If you’re not the sporting type, you can always visit the many museums and galleries in Ascutney. Regardless of the season, you will always find great food at the resort. Brown’s Tavern, the Harvest Inn and Biscotti’s Cafe are also popular choices.

There’s plenty of great lodging available, both right at the resort and in nearby surrounding areas. The resort offers lessons, children’s and women’s programs, child care and equipment rental. Book your stay at Ascutney Mountain Resort now and secure your spot at this great holiday destination.

Bolton Valley

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

One of the most well-groomed and serviced four-season resorts on private land, Bolton Valley Resort has a lot to offer its visitors. To start with, the resort – the only one of its kind on private land in New England – is situated on 6000 acres of land. Only 165 acres are actually used for skiing which means that this stunning wilderness area caters to more than just winter fun.

Bolton Valley Resort is surrounded by Vermont’s Green Mountains. It has 64 ski trails which are accessible by six different ski lifts. These trails are rated: 27% beginner, 48% intermediate, 22% advanced and 3% expert. Clearly the variety of trails caters to every skill level – from easy beginner slopes right through to death-defying expert runs. The trails are groomed seven days a week to ensure that guests are able to enjoy the best ride possible. In addition to the these trails, there is 105 kilometers of both groomed and ungroomed cross-country skiing to be found, a 300 foot halfpipe, a terrain park and a great ski shop where you can rent or buy the gear you need. Though the resort boasts so many great features, it is usually uncrowded and you seldom have to wait in line for lifts.

Bolton is situated at an elevation of 1525 ft and enjoys a vertical drop of 1704 ft from a 3150 ft summit elevation. The mountain receives about 300 inches of annual snowfall which is combined with a 60% snow-making capability to ensure that the slopes are always at their best. Add to this brilliant views, friendly and helpful staff and a variety of lessons and programs to help you improve your skills and you’ll find that Bolton is a top-notch resort. The resort also has great amenitities. These include ski-in/ski-out lodging, great dining options and a variety of other sporting options. In winter these may include Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and tele-skiing. In summer, activities take the form of group functions or personal challenges. They may include abseiling, wall climbing, zip-lining, guided wilderness excursions, canoeing, and a great number of other challenging obstacles. You’ll also find a massive sports centre not far from the resort where you can enjoy all sorts of sporting activities.

Bolton Valley Resort is open for winter activities between November and April each year. Book now to make sure that you don’t miss out on this great four-season resort destination!

Bromley Mountain

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Founded in 1936, Bromley Mountain is one of the oldest ski areas in the United States. It is situated in the Green Mountain National Forest just east of Manchester, and has great facilities for both skiing and snowboarding. Bromley was one of the first resorts to use the concepts of ski lifts, ski area design, day care and trail grooming. This great skiing pioneer is still very much at the forefront of snow-sport technology and it is continually updated to ensure the very best service.

Bromley is situated at an elevation of 1950 ft. The 1334 ft vertical drop plunges down from a 3284 ft summit elevation. The resorts 43 trails are spread out over a 163 acre area and cater to all levels of skier. 33% of the trails are graded beginner, 37% are intermediate and 30% are advanced trails. The trail starts can be accessed by means of ski lift and there are ten lifts available to render this service. All the trails enjoy southern exposure, have stunning views and converge back at the base. Snowboarders usually enjoy the terrain park complete with half pipe.

For those with families, there are plenty of organised lessons and programs available. The resort offers child-care facilities for younger children and there are programs for women which are very popular. Off the slopes you can enjoy a variety of great dining options including Bob’s Diner, Candeleros, Johnny Seesaw’s, the Marsh Tavern and Mulligans. Other winter activities include ice-skating, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, shopping, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

If you happen to be in the area during the warmer months you can still enjoy the Bromley experience. Activities are fun-filled and enjoyable. You will find alpine slides, zip lines, climbing walls, chairlift rides, space bikes, bungee trampoline, bumper boats, water rides, go-carts and miniature golf.

So try Bromley Mountain to enjoy the ultimate holiday resort experience. Book now to make sure that you don’t miss out!

Burke Mountain

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Just a two-hour drive from Montreal you’ll find the legendary skiing resort known as Burke Mountain. A great resort that offers both meandering forest trails and steep white glades, Burke Mountain has a family-friendly atmosphere and an unpretentious style.

With a summit elevation of 3267 ft and a vertical drop of 2000 ft, Burke Mountain has plenty of space for top-notch trails. You’ll find all 45 of the resort’s trails spread out in an area that measures roughly 250 acres in size. The trails are serviced by four well-positioned lifts and queues are seldom heard of. They cater mainly to intermediate-level skiers with 25% of trails being designated for beginners, 45% for intermediate skiers and 30% for more advanced skiers.

In addition to these trails, you’ll find three great terrain parks – The Gap, the Dashney Mile Terrain Park and Carter Country. The various terrain parks features different sizes and types of obstacles and so cater for various levels accordingly. If you’re a cross-country fanatic, you’ll find that the resort has 65 kilometres of great cross-country trails available.

When it comes to meal times, Burke maintains its reputation for great service in the form of the Tamarack Grill – a great all-rounder offering everything from fine wine to grub with a local twist. There is also plenty of comfortable lodging available both in and around the resort.

If you’re visiting during the summer months, you’ll find that Burke offers golf, mountain biking, hiking and a variety of water sports. It also plays host to a number of annual festivals which will definitely keep you entertained. So visit Burke Mountain on your next trip to Vermont and make the most out of your holiday here.

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Cochran

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Cochran Ski Area in Richmond Vermont is renowned as a family ski area with low prices and excellent instruction. A nonprofit ski area, Cochran hosts a variety of skiing and snowboarding programs, particularly aimed at children. Cochran Ski Area also has a great junior race team. So, if you want to learn to ski or brush up on your skills, Cochran is the destination for you.

Opened by the Cochran family in 1961 with just a single tow rope, it was originally intended for their children and friends to ski on the snowy slopes. But Cochran Ski Area soon expanded with more lifts and extra slopes, and now skiers and snowboarders can explore some 30 acres by means of 8 trails. With a summit elevation of 1000 feet and a vertical of 500 feet, Cochran Ski Area has something for individuals of all ability levels. The terrain is divided as follows: 22% beginner, 56% intermediate and 22% advanced, the longest run measuring 2600 feet. There are 4 lifts at Cochran to carry you up into this snowy world of adventure. As Cochran Ski Area has improved, its main goal has remained to offer affordable skiing and snowboarding, as well as race training and lessons. Cochran’s methods have assisted many skiers, whether beginners or race champions, to glide down the glistening slopes with confidence. Friendly qualified instructors guide people of all ages through all the steps to help you realise your full potential. Equipment rental is available for those who do not have their own skis and accessories.

Accommodation is not available on the mountain and facilities are limited, however, it is possible to find lodging in nearby towns. Occasionally during the summer months Cochran Ski Area has special events such as mountain bike races. Visit their website to find out exactly what’s on the program.

No matter your skiing or snowboarding ability, Cochran Ski Area will take you to new heights.