No Lift Needed

03/06/2024

Don’t miss this years Wild Corn Backcountry Shindig!!!

https://www.skireg.com/wildcorn

02/28/2024

With the weather taking a turn towards unfriendly Spring temps, don't forget that No Lift Needed has information on uphill access at resorts all across the nation. The snow remains at the ski resorts long after it leaves the backcountry. Skinning in shorts and T-shirts is great exercise! Don't forget to check with your local resort's uphill policies before you go!

All ski resort uphill policies can be found here:
https://noliftneeded.com/uphill_policy_new_england.html #

02/24/2024

Very sad news out of Stowe this week. Sidecountry/slackcountry can be just as dangerous as the backcountry. Know what you are getting into before you adventure out in the backcountry.

Noliftneeded.com

02/16/2024

Check out the Granite Backcountry Film Festival on Saturday Feb, 24th in Bethel, ME. Always a great time and a great way to help out GBA and the glading community in NH and Maine!!

02/06/2024

Always make sure to check your resorts policies and know what uphill routes are open before heading out. Whaleback is not the only mountain having issues. Know before you go at noliftneeded.com

https://www.noliftneeded.com/uphill_policy_new_england.html

🏔️ Attention Uphill Community 🏔️

We love our Uphillers here at Whaleback, but safety comes first! Our uphill policy is designed to keep everyone safe while maximizing your adventure. 🚀

Lately, we've noticed a few too-close-for-comfort moments with snowmaking equipment and groomers. 🚧 Remember, mixing it up with high-voltage wires, high-pressure hoses, or the groomers is a no-go – it's seriously risky business!

We wish to remind you that the privilege of uphill access is something we eagerly support, yet it is contingent upon adherence to established guidelines to ensure everyone's safety. Uphill access is not a right but a shared responsibility, and we are determined to uphold it without imposing restrictions.

Before you hit the slopes, please read our full policy right here: https://www.whaleback.com/new-page-1-1

Quick hits:

No uphill or downhill on trails when grooming or snowmaking gear is out.

Bougainvillea and Spout are off-limits downhill from close till 6 AM to prep for race training. 🏁

Uphill travelers using our trails when the mountain is not open are doing so at their own risk. There are no ski patrol or rescue services available at these times.

Thanks for playing it safe and respecting the vibe. Together, we keep the good times rolling and the slopes welcoming! 🏂⛷️

01/07/2024

Ridgeline Outdoor Collective telling it like it is. Most areas don’t have a solid base in the northeast currently. Be careful out there and fun!!

What is that white stuff falling from the sky!? As we know everyone is excited for snow to return, remember this is what BMF lot looks like as of today. Don’t let the excitement of this new fallen fool you, we’re back to base building. Get out and enjoy the snow, just be careful where you go!

01/06/2024

With all this snow coming to the Northeast tonight into tomorrow and little to no base in most areas your best bet for getting first tracks Sunday might be to skin your local mountain/resort. Know before you go. Check out your local resorts uphill policy on our website. We have evaluated well over 300 resorts across the US.

Amazingly, every resort reviewed in Vermont and New Hampshire had an uphill policy whether they offered uphill access or not. The only other state to meet this target is Nevada.

12/28/2023

Get your GBA membership and registration in for the 2024 Mt Washington Auto Road skin on Jan 27th!! This is always a great event!! Don’t miss out.

Who’s down to get up the Mt. Washington Auto Road on Jan. 27?? OTTO early registration for GBA members opens TOMORROW, 12/29 at 5 PM! We'll send members an email at that time with details. There’s still a chance to snag a GBA membership on renew yours before early reg opens. Non-members can sign up starting at 12:01 AM on New Year’s Day.

PLEASE NOTE: We won’t be processing memberships over the weekend, so if you want the early OTTO access, you need to renew or sign up as a member before 5 PM tomorrow. Thank you!! // // 📸 Joe Viger Photography

https://granitebackcountryalliance.org/otto

12/27/2023

We have updated No Lift Needed's website Uphill Skinning Policies for over 350+ resorts throughout North America. You can find info on if a resort allows uphill skinning at all, hours allowed, potential price and a link to each resorts uphill policy to determine uphill routes open and much more. With all this awful weather throughout many regions of the US there is no better time than now to keep your legs fresh through uphill access at your local resort. Visit noliftneeded.com for more details: https://noliftneeded.com/

Please leave us a comment or shoot us an email ([email protected]) to let us know your thoughts. We are always trying to improve our site and provide as much information as possible.

12/18/2023

All this bad weather throughout the country has us dreaming of days on the skin track and in the backcountry. Hopefully we get a reset and quick. Let’s see some early season stoke pictures from this year so far. Think snow!!

12/14/2023

Here is the first hand video of the slide from this past weekend in Airplane Gully. Scary stuff but we think this is important for all to see how quickly things can go wrong in avalanche areas. Thank you Dominic for sharing this. We are all thinking of you and a speedy recovery!!!

12/12/2023

https://youtu.be/fF7U50DJ8yo?si=WTpWKEjpkJDCsMWD

Is this the future of skiing?

12/12/2023

Here is the Mount Washington Avalanche Centers initial report as well as a video of the incident in Airplane Gully from this past Saturday. Warning the video may not be for all, definitely a scary incident. MWAC general advisor was right on for Saturday and this incident could have been avoided. Our thoughts go out to the injured for a quick and speedy recovery. Be safe out there all!!

MWAC post avalanche report:

https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/airplane-gully-great-gulf-wilderness-avalanche-accident-12-09-2023/?fbclid=IwAR20lpM41f1lGZchnL9oIqjpoUDZhsEJC2GCfMcmW-9d7ggqMquF6dLH9iU_aem_AYGrLGIadJJrQrTHygWXyZf65Zs0ni4tY5ZvBxMCF3EgufcVKnrj-O5qBrl93f4Q7as

Video from the incident:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0ujv9iuauO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Airplane Gully, Great Gulf Wilderness Avalanche Accident, 12-09-2023 December 9, 2023 At roughly 11:30am on Saturday, December 9, 2023, a backcountry skier in Airplane Gully in the Great Gulf Wilderness triggered an avalanche which caught and carried them. During the fall, they sustained injuries, r...

12/11/2023

It may still be early season on the east coast but there is still a serious danger of avalanches when adventuring into avalanche terrain. Our thoughts go out to the injured. Be safe out there, be prepared and don’t be afraid to turn around if conditions and signs of avalanche danger are present.

A friend of the injured man and another skier provided aid to him while a National Guard helicopter made its way to the scene.

12/09/2023

Be careful skinning at your local mountain. Always double check with the resort on the appropriate uphill policies and trails that can be used. Luckily this incident at Stowe had a happy ending but things could have turned out much different.

We have an urgent request to all uphill skiers at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Please observe all signage and stay away from the winch cat groomers. This morning grooming operations had to be put on hold because some skiers actually skied over the active winch cat cable on their glory run down. Yes, you read that right.

Please understand that we’re not just asking this out of respect for the resort’s right to get the mountain ready for their paying guests (though that alone is a valid reason). No, this is a pressing safety issue. Winch cats are extremely dangerous because their cable is under incredibly high tension. If that thing were to break in your vicinity, it would kill you in a second. It’s also a horrible clothesline injury waiting to happen. Think about it: the resort saw uphill skiers in their winch cat grooming area and their response was to shut down the whole operation – THAT’S how dangerous it is.

PLEASE be respectful and stay on the designated trails and away from grooming operations. And please pass this message along to anyone even thinking about skinning the mountain.

11/26/2023

Granite Backcountry crushing the pre season prep!! Can’t wait to get out there!

02/28/2022

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist statewide. You can trigger large, wide, and potentially deadly avalanches. A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect. Get the full forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche

Avalanches that you can trigger are largest near and above treeline, but it is even easier to trigger avalanches in sheltered areas where the slab is not as thick. Don't underestimate steep gullies and other steep terrain features below treelines. Small avalanches in the trees can have big consequences.

The photo below is from the northerly-facing slope of the Battleship east of Ophir Pass. This avalanche likely ran on February 23. It is not every day you can trigger an avalanche like this, but today is one of those days. (Photo Credit - Bryan Jarrett)

02/24/2022

Be careful if you are heading into the backcountry after this storm. There will be lots of hidden objects under the snow.

01/25/2022

Looking to get started in the backcountry or for a group to tour with? Check out some of these upcoming tours by Southern Vermont Trails Association!!

We finally have snow on the ground so we can roll out some of our winter programs.
For January 24th-30th we have these programs planned.
Head on over to www.sovta.org/events for more info
Thursday January 27th
Kids Winter Adventure Program. 11:30am-2:30pm
Every week we take the children of the Dover School out on snowshoes to learn about the natural resources we have in our area. If you have children that are interested in participating please message us.
Horace Hill Evening Tour 6:00pm-8:00pm
We will be having our first headlamp tour this Thursday evening from 6-8pm at Horace Hill. We will be leaving from the fire pit behind OMT and will return to OMT for some after tour libations.
OMT is located at 183 Vermont Rte 100, West Dover, VT 05356.
Saturday January 29th 10am-2pm
Dover Town Forest Hosted Tour
This we will be hosting our first tour, we will cover topics that will allow you to have a safe and fun time when touring. This week’s topic is: Tools for efficient travel on the skin track and best practices for setting a skin track.
We would also like to take the chance to thank the Lintilhac Family for their generous support, without whom most of these programs would not have been possible. They are truly a family that cares about Vermont, its communities and Recreation in this wonderful state we call home. Without people like them, other families, foundations and private individuals we would not be able to provide so many great recreational opportunities.
Thank You to all

01/19/2022

Even low amounts of snow can amount to an avalanche and an injury. A lot of injuries recently in the backcountry in the east, more specifically the Mt Mansfield Smugglers notch area.

Be careful out there. Still plenty of objects hidden under the snow and as you can see from the pictures below, potential avalanche conditions in the east do exist outside of Tuckerman Ravine.

11/23/2021

Ski The Whites getting after it in Left Gully!! Way to go!!

11/12/2021

A great read with some helpful tips while in the backcountry. “Hell yes or no way?”

Heading into the winter is a good time for professionals and recreators to re-evaluate their decision-making tactics. At the Wyoming Snow and Avalanche Workshop last month, speakers considered whether the larger backcountry community assimilates too much danger in its daily practices.

10/03/2021

09/30/2021

Dearly Beloved, It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Mt. Eustis Ski Hill glade project in Littleton, NH for this weekend and perhaps for the foreseeable future. Sadly, Littleton's lawyers were not able to recommend the glade project due to liability exposure against the town, such a cool community project stopped in its tracks! // So this Saturday, join us at for Round 2! Sign up for the 10/2 glade day and apres at the link in bio.

04/15/2021

Thinking about heading up Mount Washington, here’s some of what you can expect. Watch out for potential hidden hazards below the new snow and avalanche danger could be high. Know before you go. Stay safe out there.

04/07/2021

If you are headed in to GoS, please consider helping out.

Volunteers needed!!

One of the rescue caches is now short one rescue litter following last weekends rescue. If you are headed up to Gulf of Slides before melt out, please DM us if you can help drag/slide it up. Two people using the ropes on the corners makes dragging the 30 pound litter and hypowrap only a bit more of a workout.

A busy season with reduced patrol help due to COVID makes it challenging to get everything done. Please help if you can. Could be a tag team effort!

04/06/2021

Long Sliding Falls – Weekend Incidents April 5, 2021/in Accident Summary, News /by Chris WuTuckerman Ravine, 04/02/21 The current snowpack at mid and upper elevations in the Presidential Range presents widespread hazards of long sliding falls. These hazards are a result of warm weather and rain fo...

03/09/2021

Know what you may be getting into if you decide to head in and around Tuckerman Ravine this week.

02/25/2021

Wow, be careful out there.