The Granite State and Lou: The Resurrection of Tenney Mountain

DCSki Columnist Lou Botta is on a quest to visit every New Hampshire ski area. He recently swung by Tenney Mountain, a classic, old-school ski area that emerged from a ten-year closure better than ever. He describes his trip in this report.

By Lou Botta | February 25, 2024 2 Firsthand Report

Firsthand Report: Back to Liberty

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham first skied together with his late wife at Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort in 1986. It was also the last place he skied with her, in 2015, before a tragic accident took her life. Matthew recently returned to Liberty for the first time since then, and reflects on the experience and his memories.

By Matthew Graham | February 24, 2024 2 Firsthand Report

Going Further Afield: Mount Baldy - LA's Old-School Ski Area Where It's Always 1978

Robbie Allen's search for off-the-beaten-track ski areas has taken him to California's Mount Baldy Resort, located a short drive from Los Angeles. He describes his visit to the old-school resort.

By Robbie Allen | February 23, 2024 4 Further Afield

Blue Mountain, Camelback Resorts Announce New "Peak to Peak" Poconos Pass

Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain and Camelback Resorts have just announced a new season pass product that will provide unlimited skiing across the two areas for the 2024/2025 winter season.

By M. Scott Smith | February 22, 2024 News

Firsthand Report: Liberty Mountain Resort

DCSki's Editor visited Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort on February 21, 2024, finding great snow conditions, sunny skies, and a friendly vibe. He filed this Firsthand Report.

By M. Scott Smith | February 21, 2024 3 Firsthand Report

The Granite State and Lou: Crotched Mountain Resort

Lou Botta continues to make his way across New Hampshire, sampling different ski areas. He describes Crotched Mountain Resort, one of the smaller properties in the Vail Resorts portfolio.

By Lou Botta | January 30, 2024 Firsthand Report

News Briefs: Camelback Celebrates 60 Years; Vail Resorts Meets Energy Efficiency Goal

Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with an event on January 27, 2024; Vail Resorts provides an update on its environmental and social responsibility efforts.

By M. Scott Smith | January 24, 2024 News

Going Further Afield: Gambling on Vegas Skiing at Lee Canyon, Nevada

DCSki Columnist Robbie Allen continues to trek across the country looking for off-the-beaten-track ski areas. His latest find is just outside the glittering lights of Las Vegas: Lee Canyon, the only ski resort in southern Nevada.

By Robbie Allen | January 23, 2024 3 What's New

Interview Series: Ted McDowell, General Manager of Roundtop Mountain Resort

In DCSki's Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. We recently interviewed Ted McDowell, who joined Pennsylvania's Ski Roundtop as General Manager last season.

By M. Scott Smith | January 19, 2024 1 Interview Series

The Skeptical Skier: Convincing a Friend to Try Skiing for the First Time

In this story, we take a look at six barriers of entry for new skiers and snowboarders. If you're trying to convince a friend to try skiing for the first time, understanding -- and being empathetic to -- these reservations will go a long way towards easing their concerns.

By M. Scott Smith | January 15, 2024 7 Feature Story

Going Further Afield: I Snowboarded Alta... Really. (Alta Sierra)

Robbie Allen is forever trying to find ski areas that are off the beaten track. His latest ventures brought him snowboarding to Alta -- but not the snowboarder-banning Alta you might be thinking of. Robbie describes Alta Sierra, a small ski resort in California that bucks the trend of crowds and high lift ticket prices to provide an ideal experience, especially for those new to the sport.

By Robbie Allen | January 10, 2024 Further Afield

The Granite State and Lou: Gunstock Mountain Resort

Lou Botta continues his examination of New Hampshire ski areas with a review of Gunstock Mountain Resort, which he says offers a family vibe, economical lift tickets, and spectacular scenery.

By Lou Botta | January 9, 2024 2 Firsthand Report

Firsthand Report: Early Season Skiing at Vail, Colorado

DCSki's Editor took a gamble by booking an early-December ski trip to Colorado's Vail Resort. In this detailed Firsthand Report, he describes how the gamble paid off, as Vail's open terrain surged during his three-day visit.

By M. Scott Smith | January 7, 2024 8 Firsthand Report

Winter Driving Tips

A potential snowstorm is brewing for later this week, which might bring measurable snow across the Mid-Atlantic region -- perhaps a foot or more in mountain regions. Since the Mid-Atlantic region doesn't experience snowstorms too often, we thought we'd refresh you on some tips for driving safely in the snow, in case you encounter snowy roads in your pursuit of some turns.

By M. Scott Smith | January 2, 2024 5 Feature Story

Avoiding Altitude Sickness when Traveling West

With warmer weather and rain putting a damper on early-season skiing in the Mid-Atlantic, you might find yourself browsing airline web sites in search of cheap fares out west. If your plans take you to higher elevations, it can take awhile for your sea level-calibrated lungs to adapt to the thinner air. We capture some tips on how to avoid altitude sickness.

By M. Scott Smith | December 28, 2023 4 Feature Story

Vail Resorts Appoints New GM of Jack Frost/Big Boulder

Vail Resorts recently announced that Tony Santora will be taking the helm as General Manager of Pennsylvania's Jack Frost and Big Boulder Resorts on January 1, 2024.

By M. Scott Smith | December 26, 2023 News

Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts Set to Open Friday, December 22, 2023

The steady beat of Mid-Atlantic resort openings continues this week as Pennsylvania's Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts plan to kick off their winter season on Friday, December 22, 2023.

By M. Scott Smith | December 21, 2023 News

Laurel Mountain, The Omni Homestead, and Whitetail Resort to Open Saturday, December 23, 2023

Pennsylvania's Laurel Mountain and Whitetail Resorts will both begin their winter season at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, just after Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts open for their season on Friday. Virginia's Omni Homestead Resort will also open its ski slopes on Saturday.

By M. Scott Smith | December 21, 2023 1 News

Additional Resorts Set to Open

More Mid-Atlantic resorts are set to begin their 2023-2024 winter seasons as Seven Springs, Big Boulder, Wisp, and Wintergreen drop the ropes on Friday, December 15, 2023. Canaan Valley Resort will open on Saturday, December 16. Above, Seven Springs begins grooming slopes on December 12 in preparation for its opening. Photo provided by Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

By M. Scott Smith | December 15, 2023 News

Tips for your First Runs of the Season

Skiing is a seasonal sport. Unless you have a private jet and can easily toggle between hemispheres, you probably only hop on your skis or snowboard for a few brief months out of the year, followed by an unpleasantly long stretch away from the snow. So, as we approach the 2023-2024 winter season, your skiing skills might be a bit rusty. We've put together a set of tips to help you prepare for your first runs of the season.

By M. Scott Smith | December 6, 2023 2 Feature Story

To Snow or Not to Snow: Predicting Winter Weather in the Mid-Atlantic

To snow, or not to snow. That is the question. That is the question that haunts Mid-Atlantic skiers and snowboarders as each winter season approaches. Will we have a snowy season? Or at least a cold season, so local ski resorts can dial their snowguns up to 10? DCSki takes a look at some of the ways one might try to predict what kind of winter we have in store.

By M. Scott Smith | December 4, 2023 Feature Story

What's New for 2023: The Omni Homestead Resort

Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia, the historic Omni Homestead Resort recently completed a $150+ million dollar property-wide renovation project.

By M. Scott Smith | December 1, 2023 1 What's New

A Wave of Mid-Atlantic Ski Resorts to Open in Coming Days

The recent stretch of cold temperatures has enabled robust snowmaking across the Mid-Atlantic region, and as a result, a handful of ski resorts across Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia plan to open in the coming days. In North Carolina, two ski areas have already opened for the season. In this story, we provide a look at official opening day plans shared by resorts as of November 29, 2023.

By M. Scott Smith | November 29, 2023 1 News

Cue the Snowguns

The sound of snowguns began ringing out across the Mid-Atlantic region in recent days, as post-Thanksgiving temperatures dipped below freezing. With the nighttime mercury dropping into the 20s in the coming days, the symphony of snowguns should continue as local resorts prepare for their season openings. DCSki provides a gallery of snowmaking photos from across the region and explains how the technology works. Above, snowguns begin to blanket the slopes of Seven Springs Mountain Resort on November 25, 2023.

By M. Scott Smith | November 26, 2023 News

What's New for 2023: Vail Resorts' Pennsylvania Properties

DCSki profiles the latest enhancements at Vail Resorts' eight Pennsylvania ski areas, including Laurel Mountain, Hidden Valley, Seven Springs, Liberty Mountain, Roundtop Mountain, Whitetail, and Jack Frost/Big Boulder Resorts.

By M. Scott Smith | November 24, 2023 2 What's New

What's New for 2023: Camelback Resort

Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort becomes the first ski resort in the nation to incorporate Amazon's Just Walk Out technology in a resort shop.

By M. Scott Smith | November 22, 2023 What's New

What's New for 2023: Blue Mountain Resort

Significant snowmaking enhancements highlight improvements at Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Ski Resort this winter.

By M. Scott Smith | November 17, 2023 What's New

Firsthand Report: Weathering Utah's Record Winter of 2023

Over 900" of snow in one season. That was the record set by some Utah ski areas during the epic 2022-2023 winter season, and DCSki Columnist Jim Kenney was there to experience it, logging 62 ski days in the state at areas including Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Sundance. Jim recaps his season as he personally researched Utah's claim to the greatest snow on Earth.

By Jim Kenney | November 14, 2023 4 Firsthand Report

The Granite State and Lou: Pats Peak

DCSki Columnist Lou Botta is exploring all ski areas in New Hampshire. In this story, he describes Pats Peak, a family-run resort that he describes as exceptionally well run.

By Lou Botta | November 13, 2023 5 Firsthand Report

DCSki Lost Ski Areas

Over the past half century, the total number of ski areas in the United States has fallen significantly. Today, there are 30 major ski resorts operating in the Mid-Atlantic, but there were once over 100. DCSki has captured the history of 113 "lost" ski areas, and readers have chimed in with over 1,500 comments expanding upon the memories. Explore the fascinating history of Mid-Atlantic skiing in DCSki Lost Areas.

By | November 6, 2023 News

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