2020-21: The Winter for Small Ski Areas
Many ski areas averted disaster during the 2019-20 season, as core holidays and vacation weeks occurred before governments imposed seemingly instant shut down orders at the end of the winter. However, as 2020 continued, it became clear that devastating COVID-19 restrictions would not be going away before the start of the next ski season.
As ski areas conducted routine maintenance, New England governors implemented and amended restrictions on a seemingly daily basis, leaving operators and customers unsure of what, when, where, and how they could conduct mountain recreation. Since many note that outdoor recreation is one of the best ways to maintain health, there is hope that governments will not shutter ski areas again. However, with most New England residents either directly or indirectly restricted from leaving their home state, skiers may not be able to go to their traditional home mountains. Instead, many skiers may be embarking on a journey of discovering smaller ski areas closer to home.
Every state in New England has one or more ski areas with a vertical drop of less than a thousand feet that tend to have smaller crowds, lower prices, and less red tape, while still offering a product on par or better than some mega-resorts to the north.
Connecticut residents have four small ski areas to choose from, ranging from Powder Ridge in the center of the state to Mohawk Mountain in the northwest corner.
Powder Ridge and Mt. Southington provide runs that are similar in length, pitch, and vertical drop to what thousands of early season skiers lap on the North Ridge of Killington each fall. Both areas have double and triple chairlifts, snowmaking, and night skiing. On the other hand, Mohawk Mountain and Ski Sundown are significantly larger than the North Ridge complex, with Sundown featuring the advanced Gunbarrel slope that captures the attention of mogul skiers throughout the region.
Salomon Shift
The new S/LAB SHIFT from Salomon is a binding that soars above the rest in the next generation of freeride capability. Blending the touring efficiency of a pin binding, with the performance heel of an alpine freeride binding! For skiers who like to push the boundaries of the mountain and their skiing, SHIFT to the first ever truly compromise-free binding.
Hitting the shelves in limited quantities this fall the Shift will be available at Fattys! It is a must see for all backcountry enthusiasts.
Ikon, Epic, or Mountain Collective?
Which pass are you going to lock down for next year?! After this crazy start to March, we are discussing our options over here at Fattys. This graphic is for your visual learners!
From Japan!
We received an E-mail from 2 happy customers all the way in Japan- go catch some of that JaPOW for us!
That is Mount Fuji behind them, too cool -they love Fattys!
Audi FIS World Cup at Killington Round 2!
Mark your calendar for the return of the Audi FIS Women’s Ski World Cup to Killington, Vermont on November 25 and 26, 2017. Following the rousing success of its 2016 event, Killington has been chosen to host the races on Thanksgiving weekend through 2018.
Last years video of Mikaela Shiffrin, the heavy favorite on her home turf:
*Schedule subject to change! Check http://www.killington.com/site/to-do/World-Cup/schedule/index.html for official schedule*
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017
Festival Village Open | 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. | K-1 Base Area
*Donate and take a photo with the Simon Pearce World Cup Trophy | 12:00 p.m.-3:00p.m., K-1 Base Area
Free Concert with Troy Ramey | 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. | Festival Village, K-1 Base Area
Athlete Presentation | 5:45 p.m. | Festival Village, K-1 Base Area
Fireworks Show | Immediately following athlete presentation | Festival Village, K-1 Base Area
SHRED Optics athlete signing with Resi Stiegler | 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Killington Sports Route 4, 2326 Rt. 4, Killington, VT 05751
TGR’s Rogue Elements Movie Premier | 7:00 p.m. | Resort Center, Snowshed Base Lodge
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2017
Festival Village Open | 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. | K-1 Base Area
VIP Area Open | 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar, K-1 Base Area
Opening Ceremony Parade Featuring VARA Athletes| 8:45 a.m. | Finish Corral, Base of Superstar Trail
Giant Slalom Run 1 | 10:00 a.m. | Superstar Trail
*Donate and take a photo with the Simon Pearce World Cup Trophy | 10:00 a.m.-12:00p.m., K-1 Base Area
Giant Slalom Run 2 | 1:00 p.m. | Superstar Trail
Award Ceremony | Immediately following race | Finish Corral, Base of Superstar Trail
Free Concert with Dispatch | Immediately following awards, approximately 2:00 p.m. | Festival Village, K-1 Base Area
Apres Party hosted by the Kelly Brush Foundation | 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. | The Pickle Barrel
Warren Miller’s Line of Descent Movie Premier | 7:00 p.m. | Snowshed Base Lodge
Wobbly Barn World Cup Party, public welcome | 8:00 p.m. | Wobbly Barn
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2017
Festival Village Open | 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. | K-1 Base Area
VIP Area Open | 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar, K-1 Base Area
Opening Ceremony Parade Featuring USSA EASTERN Division Athletes | 8:45 a.m. | Finish Corral, Base of Superstar Trail
Slalom Run 1 | 10:00 a.m. | Superstar Trail
*Donate and take a photo with the Simon Pearce World Cup Trophy | 10:00 a.m.-12:00p.m., K-1 Base Area
Slalom Run 2 | 1:00 p.m. | Superstar Trail
Award Ceremony | Immediately following race | Finish Corral, Base of Superstar Trail
*All donations benefit the Love Your Brain Foundation and Vermont Adaptive.
50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE!
We received this letter early preseason this year. Though we would share it with you. Its people like Lang who make us realize why we do it! Thanks Lang!
Nordica: Shedding Light on Customizing Ski Boots
Since its 2004 introduction, Nordica has sold over 1 million pairs of its vaunted SpeedMachine boots. Combining top tier performance with all-day comfort, the SpeedMachine has since become the ‘go to’ boot for expert and advancing skiers who demand everything from their gear.
This year, the SpeedMachine is back, only Nordica has made it lighter, comfier and, ultimately, better than ever.
Line Skis – More Funner!
From The Beginning
Line has been with us for pretty much the whole ride. Started around ’95 Line Skis was a true pioneer for freestyle skiing. Some people thought Jason was crazy for making a ski with an upturned tail… Now look, they all have them. Being the core brand that they are, we have kept Line as one of our flagship, showcase brands throughout time because they have been through the ringer just like us. Read more for ski construction and technology!
Jones -An Ethical Snowboard Company
Jones Snowboards is committed to being an outdoor industry leader in the fight against climate change. Building snowboards will always have an environmental footprint so they strive to minimize this footprint whenever possible by developing new eco-tech and supporting organizations that fight against climate change on the front lines. Jones takes these efforts seriously because they care about how their actions will affect the environment for future generations.
Mt. Baker
Fattys took a trip to the PNW to visit some old friends and explore new territory. The first week of March at Mt. Baker brought us 10ft of light, fluffy snow in 8 days. We were swimming. This video was filmed by Jesse as the crew explored Swift Creek, a day in the backcountry with Patrick, JJ, Brigid, and Chris. Oh yeah can’t forget Bruce & Peter!