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About Alena S

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Originally a native of Colorado, Alena has been living in Boston since 2006. A lover of the outdoors and an active lifestyle, you'll usually find Alena skiing, hiking and camping all over the map. Her passion for adventure and travel began with backpacking trips through the Colorado wilderness as a child and has since taken her all over North America and Europe. She hopes to embark on more journeys across the globe in the near future.

Blog posts written by Alena S

Northeast Ski Report 1/03/08

January 3rd, 2008 by alena s

Although temperatures in the Northeast may seam unbearable today, they are expected to rise just in time for the weekend. Check out this week’s ski report to help you plan for the upcoming weekend. Just click on the name of the resort to see the current forecast and snow conditions for your favorite mountains.

New Hampshire Ski Areas
Attitash- 71 trails open, 8 lifts open this weekend, packed powder
Waterville Valley- 47 trails open, 5 lifts, powder/packed powder
Ragged Mountain- 24 trails open, 3 lifts, powder/packed powder
Gunstock Mountain- 6 lifts open, packed powder
Pats Peak- 22 trails, 9 lifts, powder/packed powder, 8 inches new snow
Whaleback- Problem with chairlift, mountain closed until further notice

Vermont Ski Areas
Jay Peak- 74 trails open, 8 lifts, 8 inches new snow in 48 hours
Bolton Valley- 50 trails open, 4 lifts, powder/packed powder
Ascutney Mountain- 50 trails open, 4 lifts, powder/packed powder
Mad River Glen- 45 trails open, 4 lifts, powder/packed powder

Maine Ski Areas
Shawnee Peak- 37 trails open, 4 lifts
Saddleback Maine-55 trails open, 3 lifts, powder/packed powder
New York Ski Areas
Gore Mountain- 71 trails, 7 lifts, powder/packed powder
Windham Mountain- 40 trails, 5 lifts, packed powder/groomed

Massachusetts Ski Areas
Wachusett Mountain- 20 trails open, 8 lifts, packed powder/groomed
Ski Butternut- 21 trails open, 9 lifts open for weekend, packed powder/groomed

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Mad River Glen’s Single Chairlift

January 2nd, 2008 by alena s

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Mad River Glen
Photo uploaded by Go Card USA

With the emergence of the six person chairlift it may seam odd that a ski area would spend money to replace a single chair with yet another single chair. However, this is just what Mad River Glen has done. The single chair lift found at the resort is nationally the only one of its kind still operating and still in its original location. As the chair became old and worn Mad River Glen decided to preserve and restore its historic icon. The ski area partnered with the Preservation Trust of Vermont and the Stark Mountain Foundation and raised over $1.35 million. On opening day, December 6th, the revamped single chair once again began carrying skiers up the mountain.

Although the lift is up and running Mad River Glen still has way to go before they meet their $1.54 million goal. If you would like to help Mad River Glen achieve this goal, check out their website.

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Northeast Ski Report 12/27

December 27th, 2007 by alena s

Ready to try out the new equipment you received for the holidays? Check out this week’s ski report to help you plan for the upcoming weekend. Just click on the name of the resort to see the current forecast and snow conditions for your favorite mountains.

New Hampshire Ski Areas
Attitash- 69 trails open, 10lifts open this weekend, packed powder/groomed
Waterville Valley- 43 trails open, 10 lifts, packed powder/groomed
Ragged Mountain- 17 trails open, 1 lift
Gunstock Mountain- 6 lifts open, groomed
Pats Peak- 22 trails, 9 lifts, loose packed powder
Whaleback- Jib Port open 9am-4pm

Vermont Ski Areas
Jay Peak- 70 trails open, 8 lifts
Bolton Valley- 59 trails open, 6 lifts, packed powder
Ascutney Mountain- 21 trails open, 4 lifts, packed powder
Mad River Glen- 45 trails open, 5 lifts, packed powder/groomed

Maine Ski Areas
Shawnee Peak- 22 trails open, 4 lifts
Saddleback Maine-43 trails open, 4 lifts, packed powder
New York Ski Areas
Gore Mountain- 36 trails, 9 lifts, groomed
Windham Mountain- 30 trails, 10 lifts, packed powder

Massachusetts Ski Areas
Wachusett Mountain- 21 trails open, 8 lifts, groomed
Ski Butternut- 21 trails open, 9 lifts, groomed

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Northeast Ski Report 12/20

December 20th, 2007 by alena s

Check out this week’s ski report to help you plan for the upcoming holiday weekend. Just click on the name of the resort to see the current forecast and snow conditions for your favorite mountains.

New Hampshire Ski Areas
Attitash- 63 trails open, 7 lifts open this weekend, powder/packed powder, 9 inches new snow in past 24 hours
Waterville Valley- 45 trails open, 5 lifts, powder/packed powder, 7 inches in past 24 hours
Ragged Mountain- 17 trails open, 1 lift, powder/packed powder, 5 inches in past 24 hours
Gunstock Mountain- 5 lifts open, 8 inches new snow in 24 hours
Pats Peak- 22 trails, 4 lifts, powder/packed powder, 6 inches new snow
Whaleback-Plan to open December 21st

Vermont Ski Areas
Jay Peak- 75 trails open, 8 lifts, powder, 7 inches new snow in 24 hours
Bolton Valley- 59 trails open, 6 lifts, powder, 3 inches new snow in 24 hours
Ascutney Mountain- 48 trails open, 4 lifts, powder, 8 inches new snow
Mad River Glen- 45 trails open, 4 lifts, powder/packed powder

Maine Ski Areas
Shawnee Peak- 22 trails open, 4 lifts
Saddleback Maine-36 trails open, 3 lifts, powder/packed powder

New York Ski Areas
Gore Mountain- 51 trails, 9 lifts, powder/packed powder
Windham Mountain- 36 trails, 5 lifts, packed powder/groomed

Massachusetts Ski Areas
Wachusett Mountain- 16 trails open, 7 lifts, packed powder/groomed
Ski Butternut-20 trails open, 3 lifts, packed powder/groomed

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Skiing Green

December 12th, 2007 by alena s

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Photo uploaded by bluedharma

While riding up the chairlift you’re most likely mapping out your route down the mountain or checking out the view. Thoughts about the energy required to power that chairlift or the amount of water needed to feed the snow machines most likely never enter your mind. Fortunately, the ski resorts are continuously considering how such factors will effect the environment. From wind-powered chairlifts to recycling old uniforms, more and more ski resorts are beginning to use eco-friendly practices. Below you’ll find some green-initiatives already in use by the skiing community.

Sharing Warmth Around the Globe (SWAG)
The National Ski Area Association created SWAG in order to donate old ski resort uniforms to those in need throughout the the world.

Conserving Water Used for Snowmaking
Ski areas such as Pats Peak have created snow reservoirs to use for snowmaking instead of using lake or stream water. Wachusett Mountain has also installed a more efficient, low energy snowmaking system.

Eco-Friendly Chair Lifts
Numerous ski areas are beginning to use renewable energy such as wind, hydro-electric, solar, and methane to power lifts. Others are installing more energy efficient motors and lighting as well as using lift towers that don’t require paint. Shawnee Peak hopes to offset 100% of their energy use by purchasing wind power.

Environmental Education
Through their Naturalist Program, Mad River Glen hopes to inspire young people to become involved with environmental conservation. The program offers year-round recreational activities as well as a naturalist summer camp for kids.

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Northeast Ski Report 12/6

December 6th, 2007 by alena s

This weeks weather has brought fresh snow and newly opened trails to the Northeast ski areas. Check out this week’s ski report to help you plan for the upcoming weekend. Just click on the name of the resort to see the current forecast and snow conditions for your favorite mountains.

New Hampshire Ski Areas
Attitash- 23 trails anticipated to open for this weekend, 5 lifts, powder/packed powder, 12 inches new snow in past 24 hours
Waterville Valley- 22 trails open, 4 lifts, powder/packed powder
Ragged Mountain- opening 12/7
Gunstock Mountain- opening 12/7
Pats Peak- 12 trails, 2 lifts, powder/packed powder, 8 inches new snow
Whaleback- Jib Harbor open Saturdays 12 pm-5 pm

Vermont Ski Areas
Jay Peak- 60 trails open, 4 lifts, powder, 16 inches new snow in 48 hours
Bolton Valley- 33 trails open, 3 lifts, powder, 29 inches new snow in 24 hours
Ascutney Mountain- 4 trails open, 2 lifts, powder, 11 inches new snow
Mad River Glen- Opening 12/6
Maine Ski Areas
Shawnee Peak- opening 12/8
Saddleback Maine- opening 12/15

New York Ski Areas
Gore Mountain- 15 trails, 2 lifts, packed powder
Windham Mountain- 10 trails, 3 lifts, machine groomed

Massachusetts Ski Areas
Wachusett Mountain- 9 trails, 4 lifts, machine groomed
Ski Butternut- opening 12/7, 11 trails to be opening

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Holiday Gifts for Skiers and Snowboarders

November 28th, 2007 by alena s

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Photo uploaded by Justin Russell

Not quite sure what to get that skier or snowboarder on your list this holiday season? Or do they already have every piece of equipment imaginable? Take a look at some unique ideas sure to please any ski fanatic.

Ski Helmet with Built in Audio
The built-in audio in the helmets allow for endless use of MP3 players and cellphones while skiing, not to mention they will keep your loved ones safe on the mountain.

Warren Miller’s Off the Grid DVD
The latest film presented by Warren Miller Entertainment takes viewers to some of the steepest mountains and most extreme terrain yet. This gift will be sure to entertain any skier or boarder for the year to come.

Hotronic Boot Warmer
This foot warmer is sure to keep anyone’s feet cozy throughout the ski day. The battery powered device attaches easily to any boot or shoe and can be adjusted to four different temperature settings.

Powder Passport
What’s better to give to a skier or snowboarder than a day of skiing? This pass allows them to choose from 16 different mountains in the Northeast throughout the upcoming season without any restrictions. Cards can be purchased in 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 day increments.

Wheeled Double Ski and Snowboard Bag
This Bag can hold up to two snowboards or a snowboard and two pairs of skis. The two boot compartments can be removed and used as a day pack. Plus, the wheels are perfect for the destination skier.

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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Opening Dates for Northeast Ski Areas

November 20th, 2007 by alena s

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Photo uploaded by wka

Time to sharpen those skis and snowboards! One by one ski areas are beginning to open in the Northeast. Below is a list of the ski areas that have already opened and the anticipated opening date for those that have not.

New Hampshire Ski Areas
Attitash- OPEN
Waterville Valley- OPEN
Ragged Mountain- 12/1
Gunstock Mountain- 12/7
Pats Peak- 12/1
Whaleback- Jib Harbor Open Saturdays 12pm-5pm

Vermont Ski Areas
Jay Peak- OPEN (over 15 trails open!)
Bolton Valley- Undetermined
Ascutney Mountain- Undetermined
Mad River Glen- As soon as possible after Thanksgiving

Maine Ski Areas
Shawnee Peak- Mid December
Saddleback Maine- 12/15

New York Ski Areas
Gore Mountain- 11/23
Windham Mountain- 11/22

Massachusetts Ski Areas
Wachusett Mountain- 11/23
Ski Butternut- 1st weekend in December

Planning a trip to Northeast ski resorts? Choose from 16 different mountains at one low price with the Powder Passport.

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