SkiSixtyforSixty (2024)

03/02/2023

Today was our last day skiing in St Anton. It is not for the faint at heart. It is steep and even their greens and blues can challenge. If that is what you like and then add lots of snow over 24 hours and you have a skiers dream. Off to Munich to explore...

31/01/2023

Another Jim Garvey organized ski trip success! In St Anton! So much to ski here. L**h today, Rendl yesterday. More skiing to come especially if Wed into Thurs snow predictions hold true. Hoping for a trip to Innesbrook too. One week of skiing to be followed by a couple of days in Munich. ❤️⛷️

19/08/2019

A few pics that end the story back to the hotel.

19/08/2019

#60!!!!!!! Mount Hutt Ski Field. Wow what a day! I woke up ready to conquer the world! As you will see from the pics there were opportunities...some I took, other I "chose wisely" on. As I started the trek up the 18km climb (some of these pictures should need no explanation) I decided to make a stop at one of the lookouts about 6kms up. The flora against the backdrop of snowy mountains was so striking as was the pics from the top where a mountain range faces the plains of Cantebury. New Zealand does not disappoint on the dramatic scenery. At 6kms I was doing well. By 14kms I was leaning into to steering wheel and praying for dear life. They received 30cms of snow yesterday and the last 4kms were icy. But once I parked, here was another mountain my expert skiing friends would have loved the top bowls. "Ski at your own risk" signs and really narrow catwalks deterred me from conquering the biggest double blacks...ok with that. Plenty of great skiing available on and off piste. When I was done, as discussed with the mountain I would donate my boots. Sweet, less lbs to carry home! The trip back to the hotel was quite uneventful after the 18km ride back down except for this pic i share with of a flock of sheep being herded from one pasture to another. It was fantastic! Herded by tractor and a car lol.
I walked into my room and there with the cheese was a lovely card from the hotel manager and staff.
I leave you to the pictures and hope you have enjoyed my pictures and journey as much as i have.
On to the next goal....

18/08/2019

Wow! This hotel is not kidding...they are as excited about my completing this as I am. This cheese plate was in my fridge from the hotel!

18/08/2019

#59! Porters Ski Area. This gem was recommended by the concierge yesterday. Boy it did not disappoint! Once I got to Arthur's Pass a little anxiety set in (the chains sign was fully illuminated) after the mountains received 25cms of snow overnight. The "chain warden" stops you, assesses your car and then either directs you to chains bay or let's you pass with some winter driving advice. I was not cocky, i listened to his advice and was waved through in the SUV i rented (pic of cars is waiting for warden inspection). Never got to the base of the ski area as they had a mandated SUV stop and shuttle from there about halfway. Ok with me because despite all advice the guys in SUV behind me called me a "gutter hugger" (in a nice way) knowing this was my first vehicular climb on ice! But ince I made it to the base the vehicular challenges were far behind me! A snow bowl of freshies! Into the rental shop for skis where a lovely young man named Michael from Quebec fitted my boots into skis. We chatted about how friendly the New Zealanders are and agreed they beat the Canadians hands down...once on the slopes I pushed myself to overcome my big apprehension of skiing from the top of the bowl alone! I did it! It did take me some time to get down...and I did it more than once! This privately owned ski area did not have ski pins but the attendant at the gift shop made sure I got free stickers for #59! I also saw the rare Kea bird but never managed to get a pic...they are quick. When I got back to the hotel the manager congratulated me on completing #59. He says they are looking forward to tomorrow....me too!

16/08/2019

#58 Cadrona Ski Resort . Just about 24 km from Wanaka and another 12 km of switchbacks/hairpin turns and road twists on gravel you reach the base of the mountain. Very active ski and snowboarding school that is very multi cultural and seems to cater to a Jspanese and Korean visitor base....right down to a noodle shop. Instructors are multi lingual. It is a big snowboarder attraction with multiple terrain parks. Still plenty of on piste and off piste for skiers. A good variety of long and short runs too. I think it is because it was a Friday, the lift lines were quite long...even the singles line had a wait. The wind was blowing and drifts created some fun snow to play in. The Crown Range is expecting 10 cm tonight. Hopefully the winds will die down. Ski areas here never lack for scenery or opportunity to hike beyond lifts and cut your own trail.
They have a clock tower like my home mountain Okemo. And like Okemo they blow mounds of snow for the 2 massive halfpipe. A fun place that caters to snowboarders but is on top of them for using safety and etiquette on the mountain.

15/08/2019

#57 Treblecone - now this was a trip! Not just the beauty of the car ride or ride up and down the mountain, nor the views from the mountain but this one for a strong skier is not to be missed! In fact as I skied Saddle Basin I could almost hear Jim Garvey a whooping and hollering at the vast off piste choices, steeps, "viewage", and chutes/nature made half pipes! (He was not there but he would love it!)
This is not for the faint at heart....starting with the drive up of 7 km of dirt road with narrows and hairpin turns. While there are groomed trails the joy is off piste. I rented from the mountain and Hans made sure I was in a ski I could enjoy pushing through not even their best conditions. He did not steer me wrong.
If you need to hone your steeps and deeps, if they get the snowfalls they are expecting in September, get on a plane. You won't be disappointed. True to form, here too you SKI. No fancy restaurant or bar and...no ski pins!
Pics follow my travel and skiing from leaving Wanaka to returning. Enjoy!

13/08/2019

#56 Coronet Peak outside of Queenstown. Sun shining and wind howling. No trees to block some of the wind. Small but fun mountain where even the difficult trails are short enough anyone can get down them. Despite some wind swept spots on the runs, the conditions were good with fresh snow having fallen during the night. Views and terrain very different from The Remarkables. Great family mountain.

12/08/2019

#55 Skied The Remarkables" today...in full sunlight! It was spectacular! Not a large ski area but definitely some challenging skiing if you desire it. You are above trees AND clouds! If you are brave enough to walk up the head wall there are coulouirs to challenge the best....watch the rocks as you ski! If the wind kicks up and it starts to snow they say the visibility is bad some make human chains to help each other down. The pics don't do it justice.
If you are looking for the resort experience you have to go in to town. The ride to the base is full of switchbacks....and drops. No adult bar or sit down restaurant....you are there to SKI!

31/07/2019

Stay tuned. On Aug 12th some new ski adventures coming to this page from New Zealand!

14/04/2019

#54! Crystal Mountain South side of Mount Rainier in Washington State. Great mountain! The ride from Seattle was not entertaining until route 410. The views were spectacular and I even saw a herd of elk! The row of cars heading to the mountain confused me because the forecast was all rain. But....as you started the climb up the mountain road it was SNOWING buckets! Hooray! I loved this mountain despite the fog at the top. Unfortunately you could not see Rainier's summit and aside from a few catwalks that I only disliked because I did not know the mountain it was amazing! There were groomed trails with 3 inches of fresh powder. The staff are super friendly and, while I chose to pass on food and apres-ski beer, to ski longer, i am certain they would not disappoint. Gondola and well connected lifts give you access to all types of terrain. I would love to ski this one on a bluebird day...i bet the views are awesome from the lifts. Hope you all get a chance to ski this gem!
PS. If you want to stay overnight in your camper they have plug ins for $40 per night in parking lot B!

07/03/2019

So the finale of this fabulous goal of skiing sixty new ski areas by the time I am sixty will culminate in New Zealand in August 2019.i will be posting my list of ski areas shortly. If you are interested in joining this experience once posted let me know.

03/03/2019

Today, on my third attempt to get there, I skied Bellayre! It is known for it's new gondola. About a 1 1/2 hour ride from Tarrytown NY it is a nice ride into the Catskills once off 87.
It is a well played out mountain that has done a great job of moving people on the mountain by having a mid mountain lodge and significant parking available. Adequate lift options at the mid station prevent clogging at the base for the gondola. There is a run for everyone including those looking for a double black diamond. These are their steepest and if there is a lot of snow then the skill level would need to be there. Today was a bit scrappy unfortunately.
It feels a bit layed out like a snakes and ladders game as you leave the top which can make a run a fun and long ride down.
Its lodges are due for some updates but rumor has it there are plans. At the end of the day pop into the copper lounge for a beverage by the fireplace.
With all the choice with a bit more snow I will definitely make a point to go back. Enjoy!

02/03/2019

Today I skied the oldest ski area in New York state (per their web site). It is a small mountain in Warwick NY that attracts people from as far away as Long Island and parts of New Jersey where traveling 1 and 1/2hours seems reasonable. Mount Peter is a cute mountain that has added to it's old fashioned local ski hill lodge a creperie and a pub. It is perfect for new young and older skiers looking to learn to adapt to varying terrain on each run. Short steeps with 4 inches of fresh wet snow today made the runs fun. There is an active ski school with on site rentals. I enjoyed my 1/2 day ticket, making repeat runs down the same runs to feel the time there was worth it. The tickets are expensive but not surprising given its location. If you are local and like to get out even for some evening skiing then buy a season pass now! Really inexpensive when you compare to a 1/2 day ticket.....you only have to ski 4 times there in a season.
There is snow making throughout the mountain but with last night's storm the conditions were fantastic. Enjoy!

17/02/2019

What an amazing day! Great fun! Scenic trip, no lines good snow, bluebird sky, and great ski bud. Thanks Crystel Newbound for making this addition a great day!. Dartmouth ski way in Lyne NH is not big but spectacular in many ways. The terrain is dramatic and the pitch is fun! While another family mountain that keeps to its dry roots, a press ski option is nicely advertised. A secret of no lift lines or over-populated trails on Presidents weekend it was a pleasure to ski. A race event closed an an awesome trail against the cliffs reminding me of a movie The Other Side of the Mountain". Ski it...you will like it too!

16/02/2019

Today I drove scenic rout 100 in VT to scenic route 125 to Hancok Vt to ski Middlebury Snow Bowl. Known for attracting the college kids, college competitive racing was going on the the steepest run "Allen". The competitors were impressive. While not a resort area and mostly frequented by locals, you are not far from Killington or Okemo. The mountain has great pitch and they groom one side and left the backside ungroomed after snow last night. It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend a ski there. If you have kids that need a little more challenge it is perfect for that. Enjoy!

11/02/2019

This past Thursday I participated in a Hospital Fundraiser held at Plattekill Mountain in NYS. Despite the rains of the night before and the 61 degree weather we skied in, the pitch of the mountain was challenging in the spring like conditions. This mountain will challenge all skiers with its steep terrain. Definitely a return trip when there is fresh snow...tree skiing must be great there too.

18/03/2018

Today I drove from Vermont to Queensbury NY to a locals mountain. This was so reminiscent of my young years skiing Vorlage and Camp Fortune and Edelweiss in Quebec Canada. The lift are older and slow but the friendliness of the staff make you happy to be visiting their exclusive skier mountain. It was a bluebird sky with temperatures in the 20s Fahrenheit. The wind gust were sharp and cold andd as you rode the lift through the snowmaking your face stung. I could only be encouraged that though they recently received a few feet of snow from the last few nor'easters they plan on extending their season by blowing snow. Impressive.
There is a rental shop and ski school and the terrain is perfect for the beginner and intermediate skier. Some runs were closed. Had this winter been bountiful in snow then these would have be open. While the number of runs were limited what was open was well groomed. There was abundant corduroy even st 10:30 in the morning. You can but a 4 hour pass if you want a short day...I thought that was a brilliant attraction.
Once your day is done the Easy Slope pours a beer and light meal for a reasonable price. A great family value with some goods skiing!

27/03/2017

A view of one of he hairpin turns to get you to Norquay. A steep locals mountain with conditions today fit for racing. When the snow falls the steeps/deeps are not for the faint of heart.

26/02/2017

Last day of skiing. Headed to Nakiska today. Conditions were nice with 3 inches of fresh snow. Snow was falling so visibility sometimes dicey. Enjoyed the ride and the mountain. Indulged when I got back by buying replacement cowboy boots to my 20+ year old boots I got in Colorado that the shoemaker can no longer repair. Perfect souvenir! Miss my family who left this morning. 4 mountains this trip toward my goal!

25/02/2017

A great day at Lake Louise skiing with team Gaffney who joined me on this trip! Fab weather and conditions. More picks to come. Stay tuned

23/02/2017

Hello from Banff Alberta Canada. Beautiful day of skiing on fab snow on piste and off piste at Sunshine Village. Highly recommend! US dollar goes a long way here these days. Staying in Banff at newest hotel in Banff, the Moose Lodge, also a big thumbs up. Enjoy some pics.

28/01/2017

Well the time to return has come! In Geneva posting this wonderful end of trip event hosted by the owners of Champs Fleuris Hotel at their farm in the mountain of Morzine. You ski to an outside raquelette lunch with wine and homemade pear brandy! Three generations of family proprietorship! This is a location to add to your ski wish list....Just go after January. They like us on the East Coast are having unpredictable starts to their season!

25/01/2017

Morzine - Avoriaz! Enjoying old friends new friends and speaking French! The snow is not abundant yet the skiing is great. How can you not love being in the Alps! Pics here and more to come.

25/04/2016

When at Whistler eat at Araxi! Wonderful meal. Last day of skiing before taking the red eye home

23/04/2016

Another fun leg burn day....or Bern day? Politics are conversation here....God save the Queen...

22/04/2016

After nearly 40 years I finally made it to Whistler. While you can only ski the top 2/3 of Blackcomb there is still only joy being here. I will definitely be back to ski the vast amount of terrain both offer likely next year on a one week vacation to ski more Canadian ski areas.

26/03/2016

A bluebird sky for skiing the summit at Tignes and about 1/3 of Val D'Isere. With only 2 days carved up what I could another visit in the future may be warranted...

25/03/2016

Here I am in Tignes! Today snowfall and low visibility. Promise for sunshine tomorrow. Plan to ski Val D'Isere as well as more of Tignes tomorrow.

SkiSixtyforSixty

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