News and Snow Conditions

Date 9 pm Monday March 15, 2010 - next update by Friday evening at the latest
Trails 

OPEN  Tuesday 9 am to 6 pm - until the snow goes. Please pay $8 trail fee in the Waxing Shed, $15 for two adults.

Base Lodge

CLOSED - possibly reopening on Saturday

News and Comments

The trails will be open for skiing and snowshoeing for the next few days until the snow goes. If you have your own skis you can ski by paying the trail fee in the Waxing Shed. It's possible we will still have skiable snow next weekend and may re-open the Lodge then.

The latest crazy storm brought us three inches of sleet and snow as well as lot's of rain. Our snow pack did not go down but there are wet areas, washouts, and sticks on the trails. The surface is wet snow. It cannot be groomed until it dries out more so we are offering ungroomed trails for anyone who wants to enjoy the last of winter.

To get on the email list for weekly news and conditions simply sign up. Scroll down to below the weather link to read the issues from this season.

Windblown's FaceBook Page has more than 1,000 fans! Get quick updates when the conditions are noteworthy, add a comment or ask a question of other skiers, check out the photos or post your own.

If you who missed it you can view the NH Chronicle video about Windblown on line for a limited time.

New Snow  3" sleet and snow
Base Depth 5" to 18"
Surface Condition wet snow
Total Trails Open 

40 k - no fresh grooming
Tracked  .
Skate Groomed  .        
Snowshoe Trails .
Mountain Trails .
Weather 

 

TUESDAY
SUNNY. NOT AS COOL WITH HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. NORTH
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

WEDNESDAY
SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.

THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE
MID 50S.


 Go to our weather links page
 
Windblown Winter Weekly
Friday March 12, 2010
Volume 10, No.15
 
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
This is not the official End-of-Season email yet but it is most likely that tomorrow will be the last day we are open in the Lodge this season. Rain coming late in the day on Saturday and on Sunday will certainly speed up the demise of our snow pack. If you want one last day of really nice spring skiing here, tomorrow is likely the best choice left. The base is still good, with only a few thin and bare spots just starting to show up, and the surface is a wonderful corn snow though not that fresh white we enjoyed last weekend.
 
Rentals will be available on Saturday but we will not be offering food so bring your own lunch and snacks. We will have hot chocolate, coffee and tea. And always that delicious Windblown well water. All the trails are still open - in fact Al skied down Barrett's Backbone this morning and found good cover there. He will be doing fresh grooming for tomorrow  but be advised that the surface may be fast at 9 am and beginners will have a better time if they start after 10 am when it is softer. Trails fees are reduced to weekday rates ($13 adults, $10 seniors, kids $8) in celebration of the last day in the Lodge.
 
As always, the trails will remain open until the snow is gone. After Saturday you can ski if you don't need rentals by paying the posted trail fee into the box in the Waxing Shed. We will check the parking lot after 6 pm to make sure you are safely off the trails.
 
Hear yee, hear yee! If you left anything here this season, like a hat, gloves, skis, poles, etc., Saturday is the last day to pick it up from our lost and found. If you don't, your belongings will be passed on to others who could use them. We prefer not to mail you what you left behind.
 
Here is my latest photo album: Ultimate Spring Skiing
 
So long as the possibility of a brief rain shower doesn't deter you, the skiing will be quite good tomorrow.
 
Happy Spring,
Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Wednesday October 14, 2009
Volume 10, No. 1
Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
    It's been said "Never say never". Last winter we said it would be our last year running a ski area but here we are preparing for our 38th season. Once we got over the shock of the ice storm, trail recovery and logging continued throughout the winter. Two Saturdays in May with 15 volunteers each day did an immense job of moving brush off the trails. The energy and enthusiasm got us "over the hump". Now we only need one morning of volunteers and the trails will be ready for real snow (not just the teaser expected on Friday). If you are up for spending a few hours in the woods throwing brush, give us a call. We're looking for ten volunteers to show up on Saturday October 31st. No black flies this time, we promise, and if it rains we'll put it off a week.
   
    We're still here because Windblown is still for sale. Central New England Nordic Council is the non-profit organization that is working hard to raise the funds to purchase Windblown and to expand it to include snow making and a venue for training athletes. Their Master Plan is impressive. Check it out at CNENC. We are excited about the prospect of Windblown continuing with skiing and snowshoeing for all.
 
    This winter we'll be doing our usual thing with a few small twists. The trails will be open every day that the conditions permit, as always, but the Lodge will be closed on the Mondays and Tuesdays that aren't holidays or vacation weeks. And we will not be selling food on non-holiday/vacation  weekdays. And lastly, we will not be holding our annual Ski Swap on the first Saturday in December because we don't have used gear to sell. However, we WILL have a Ski Swap for you to bring your used gear to sell on the first Saturday that we are open for skiing. Watch for details.
 
    Unlike most years, the Base Lodge is available to rent during the day or evening for an event in October and November, and as always, in the evening after December 1st. There are several Friday nights still open for Warming Hut reservations ands most weeknights. Here's your chance to spend a winter's night in the woods and still be toasty warm!
 
    The trails are better than ever, the views are more expansive, and the groomers are ready to roll. We would love to see you this winter.
 
    Cheers,
    Al and Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Tuesday November 10, 2009
Volume 10, No. 2
 
Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
    More trail work has been done in the past year than in the previous ten years. Trail work includes removal of damaged unhealthy trees, culvert replacement, re-directing water, leveling of the trail base, and signage. Volunteer help after the December 2008 Ice Storm has gone far beyond the removal of branches and trees from the trails system. The appreciation of what we do has given us an emotional lift to carry out the reconstruction and to run Windblown for another winter. There will be an event this winter to honor all who have volunteered.
 
    All the trails are open and ready to rock. You will be amazed at the openness of the Side Hill Slide area. "Tele" folks will think they've died and gone to heaven, or at least to Colorado. Sun worshippers will smile. Mystics will have the long view.
 
    Our son Andy has learned the art and skill of tree climbing with ropes and a chainsaw to remove broken limbs. He is available for hire and will be giving a demonstration this winter.
 
    You don't have to wait for snow to enjoy Windblown. The Lodge is available to rent for an event. Hikers can take advantage of our shelters for overnight camping. And there are still many Warming Hut nights open in December. We already had a four inch surprise snow storm in October - see attached photo (You may remember the day the Patriots trampled the Titans?). And we have awoken a few other mornings to white dustings. Winter is just around the corner.
 
    Hope to see you soon,
 
    Al and Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Wednesday December 9, 2009
Volume 10, No. 3
Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
Thanks to a very timely snowstorm that whipped through today we will be opening for the season on Friday morning. The snow blew in sideways and packed in densely and deep. Ten inches by best estimates. That is on top of the settled four inch snow fall on Sunday morning. We can hardly ask for a better base to get started on. Al will groom up 15 kilometers for Friday and 20 kilometers for the weekend. Many ungroomed trails will be skiable as well.
 
There's a new twist to our Ski Swap this year. It's all up to you to bring the ski gear to sell. We have a few pairs of skate boots and backcountry boots to sell but no skis this year. There always seem to be people looking to buy used ski equipment so if you have any to pass on, this weekend is the time. Bring it in anytime after 9 am on Friday and take home any gear that doesn't sell by 4 pm on Sunday. Windblown keeps 15% of the selling price.
 
We are thrilled to announce that our food service will be under new and far more creative management this year. Please welcome our lovely next door neighbor Gail to the Windblown Cafe. She is the owner of Short Stop, a take out restaurant in the center of New Ipswich that serves breakfast and lunch all day. She'll be open here on weekends and holidays starting after Christmas or sooner. Until then we recommend stopping at the Short Stop on your way here to pick up a sandwich. It's the small building on the left on Rte. 124 just after the Mobil gas station, across from the New Ipswich Market. We will only be offering hot drinks this weekend so you'll need to bring food one way or another.
 
Please help us get the word out that we are open this winter. There are a lot of crazy rumors out there that couldn't be more inaccurate. "I heard you will be closed this winter" , "I read in the paper that you won't be serving food this year or renting skis" !!! etc. I guess that's what we get for dreaming of skipping town last winter after the ice storm. The truth is, we'll be here running this business all this winter and possibly even more winters to come if no one comes along to buy Windblown, which definitely is for sale - that is not a rumor.
 
The beautiful white scenery sure beats the grays of November. Looks like cold and partly sunny days coming up - perfect for keeping the snow powdery. Come join our celebration of successful recovery and the new look - Saturday marks the one year anniversary of THE Ice Storm. Phew!
 
Here's to the new season,
 
Al and Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Monday December 28, 2009
Volume 10, No. 5
 
Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
First let me welcome all the new subscribers - we're thrilled that so many folks are getting the word that we are still here and open this winter. Thanks everyone for letting your friends know.
 
Our opening weekend was such a high for us - the beautiful snow for starters, but most of all because so many of you came up right away. These past two weeks have passed slowly and impatiently. The big snow storm that hit Boston and southeastern Massachusetts last week pretty much passed us by. Christmas and it's traditional rain has come and gone. We were left with a 2" to 4" crusty base until we picked up two inches of powder today. It's a thin cover but very skiable.
 
We will be open tomorrow, Tuesday, on 12 kilometers, including the fields on the Old Farm Trail. Most of the trails will be rolled flat without tracks set but we do hope to set 2 to 4 kilometers of tracks. Since it's the holiday week we will open up the Lodge 9 am to 5 pm and have rentals available. You will need to bring your lunch but we will have hot drinks. Lessons and our full food service will resume on Saturday, assuming the juicy storm forecasted for New Year's Eve and Day is more white than wet here. With an additional 6" of snow all the trails will be open and groomed this weekend. Think snow and stay tuned . . .
 
Calling all families with youngsters - the Windblown Bill Koch Youth Ski Club is convening for yet another season, the seventeenth season that is! The Bill Koch  Club is for children age 13 or younger and their parents. It's designed to teach young skiers the art of cross-country skiing and to have fun. For more details go to Windblown Bill Koch. Club. The first practice will be this Sunday at 2 pm to 3:30 pm; coached by Lindsey Burkhardt Masterson. Please meet Lindsey upstairs in the Lodge where she will go over details and hand out paperwork. If you have questions before Sunday, call Lindsey at 603-784-5022 or email her at design@cheetahdesignstudio.com.
 
Lastly, if you have a chance to see the Nov/Dec issue of Yankee Magazine, we are thrilled with the article they wrote about us. If you missed it, we posted a copy in the Ski Shop.
 
Welcome 2010 - we're ready. The Jenks boys are more than eager to get out on the trails in the Pisten Bully snowcats so please help us with snow dances for Friday's storm.
 
Cheers,
Irene
 
Windblown Winter Weekly
Thursday January 7, 2010
Volume 10, No. 6
 
Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
It's not hard to find inspiration to write today. I'm just in from my second over-the-mountain ski tour of the week, this time with all three Jenks boys - a rare and treasured event. The skiing is just as awesome as it was on Monday. Still all powder - no melting here this week. Looks like a fantastic weekend to ski. Groomerman Andy has come up with his own rating system - a "1" means if you can only ski Windblown one day this winter, ski on a "1" day. He gives today a "3" which means if you can ski here three days this season, today could be one of your three days. I'll take a whole winter of days like today! This weekend the skiing will be the same or better if we get an inch of snow on Friday - maybe a "2" weekend or even a "1" weekend. The weather forecast is for sunny days both Saturday and Sunday.  
 
I posted a photo album on FaceBook of today's family ski tour and if you missed the photos posted of Monday's beautiful fresh snow, here is the link again. As one skier commented, "It was even better in person", which is so true, but photos do tell a lot.
 
You can read our conditions listed daily on several websites which is good and bad. If that is how you first found us - that is very good but now I recommend saving the link to our Conditions Page on your Bookmarks Bar, at least for the winter season, because it is the only place guaranteed to be accurate and detailed. Other services attempt to be comprehensive but they are rarely 100% correct.
 
Since Windblown is for sale we decided not to re-do our trail map this summer, which is always a major project. This means that our supply of trails maps is limited this year. If you don't have one you are welcome to take one but please hold on to it if you think you'll be returning, or if you're not sure (how could that be?) then please leave it here when you leave, in our recycled maps holder on the Ski Shop counter. Don't worry, if our supply runs out we will improvise some how, but hopefully that won't become necessary. Trail maps are posted out on the trails at every major intersection so not everyone needs one. Thanks for conserving.
 
Not revising the trail maps means that the four new Backcountry/Snowshoe trails are not on the map. Expert skiers and snowshoers will want to add these. We have posted a map with the changes in the Ski shop. The Backcountry trails are a lot of fun to ski if you're a good skier and looking for something new. We groom them with a snowmobile groomer so they're easy to follow. Just look for the red signs. They lead to points of interest like the View Fields, the ponds, and for snowshoers, Stony Top and the top of Barrett Mountain. Al says the backcountry trails are retro! It's like the old days - narrow and ungraded. I posted three photos to show you at the link above to Monday's ski. Uh oh - my favorite secret trails won't be secret anymore.
 
I was amazed last weekend that so many of you read the request for a one dollar bill with your $20 when purchasing $16 trail tickets. It made making change a breeze and speeds up the lines considerably. Thanks.
 
Come enjoy the beauty of winter,
 
Cheers,
Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Friday January 15, 2010
Volume 10, No. 7
Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
For nearly two weeks now we have enjoyed excellent packed powder conditions and the great skiing will continue this weekend. Just yesterday a skier commented, “I’ve been here half a dozen times and today’s conditions are the best ever! Awesome!” I’ve noticed at least four or five season pass holders who have already skied more days than their passes cost. I imagine those of you south and east of here who have lost most of the snow in your yards may be quite skeptical. There are three big reasons why these great conditions have persisted here that are not likely so where you live: 1) Underneath the great powder that we got in that long weekend storm 12 days ago is a 2 to 4 inch bullet proof solid base left from the big storm we enjoyed for opening weekend in mid-December. 2) The temperatures have stayed well below freezing consistently until yesterday – when it just barely reached 32 degrees here briefly. The cold is what has kept it all powder – which it still is this morning. And 3) Al can be spotted almost everyday skiing with a big shovel in his hands to shovel snow from the woods onto any spot in the trail that threatens to become thin. There will be a shovel brigade out there today to make sure the snow cover holds up well until Sunday night when fresh snow is expected.
 
Yesterday the Boston Globe sports section had a very nice article about Windblown and our ice storm woes, which you can read online if you’re interested. There is one point in it I would like to clarify – it’s true that our next-door neighbor, Gail, brings over fresh-baked muffins and homemade cookies, but she also brings delicious soups, veggie chili and a lot’s of sandwich fixings. There is definitely no need to pack a lunch on weekends and holidays here.
 

The folks at CNENC have asked us to pass on the following message:

Many of you have asked what you can do to help keep Windblown open after this winter.  In response to Windblown's uncertain future we have created the Central New England Nordic Council (CNENC); a non-profit organization of Nordic skiers from the Greater Boston and Southern New Hampshire area.  We've developed an extensive plan to preserve Windblown and create a regional center for ski education, recreation, and racing in our region.  As you may know, the Windblown property is now on the market for sale and was recently featured in Yankee Magazine. Without prompt action, we may lose this unique opportunity to develop a first-class facility for ski touring and racing.  Please visit www.nordicnow.org to learn more and make a pledge to support the Central New England Nordic Council's effort to keep Windblown open.  Your pledge of financial support to the non-profit CNENC in any amount demonstrates to other potential funders the desire of this community to preserve and improve this important facility.   We have already received quite a few pledges!
This Saturday at 12:30 pm at Windblown we will be holding an informal informational meeting to discuss the exciting progress of the project--including snowmaking and new John Morton-designed trails, its future directions, and how you can become involved in building a new future for Windblown. 
 
Concern for ice storm woes and the future of Windblown are certainly miniscule in light of the ongoing tragedy in Haiti. We are planning a Night Ski Party on Saturday January 30th to benefit Partners in Health, a group of doctors and six hospitals in Haiti’s central plateau. They were the first doctors on the scene after the earthquake and people needing surgery are being transported to their undamaged hospitals as we speak. All the money collected will go directly to Haiti. We will have a pot-luck dinner in the Lodge starting at 5:30 pm and then skiing by full moon (or headlamps if it’s cloudy). If the snow or weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll have a dance inside. $25 minimum donation per person. If you need rentals, add $15 (also sent to Haiti). We can accommodate the first 50 people to sign up. Please call to reserve a spot.
 
It’s time I send this to your inbox before you make other weekend plans. This is the weekend for those you who haven’t come for fear of cold and wind. Perfect for beginners. Hope you can get away.
 
Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Friday January 22, 2010
Volume 10, No. 8
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
This will be short because it's far too sweet out on the trails today to be inside on a computer. No one in their right mind would come inside on this gorgeous day when the best skiing ever had here is right outside the front door.
 
Powder and packed powder; a deep base; all trails open; fresh grooming by Andy tonight and again on Saturday night; Tele Tom (as in telemark skier) guiding you into the parking spot with your name on it; chili, soup and sandwiches served by Gail; lessons with Michelle and John; sunshine and views and many happy faces. That's what it will be about here tomorrow and Sunday (except cloudy on Sunday). Al says it doesn't get any better than this.
 
Even if you can't make it here this weekend, you can watch scenes of Windblown on TV next week!  Channel 9 WMUR will be broadcasting a story about Windblown on NH Chronicle on Tuesday night at 7:30 pm. Since we don't receive that station on our remote hilltop, we're hoping someone can tape it for us.
 
There is still lot's of room for more night skiers to join us on Saturday January 30th for the Full Moon Ski Tour and Pot-Luck Supper to benefit Haiti. Call us to reserve a spot.
 
We understand that after a day of skiing it's nice to relax in the Lodge with your family and friends but we do need to ask you to please plan to leave at 5 pm. The only way we know that everyone is safely off the trails is when the parking lot is empty. Plus, our day starts very early and after ten or eleven hours of work we need to lock up and so that we can get recharged for the next day.
 
Time to hit the trails,
 
Irene
 
 
Windblown Winter Weekly
Friday January 29, 2010
Volume 10, No. 9
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
The one thing we know for certain is that snow conditions never stay the same for very long. Luckily this year's one-day-long January thaw left us with a base we can work with. The 3" to 8" granular base is enough to make all of our green trails and most of the blue trails skiable. Yesterday we welcomed two inches of fresh powder on top. The high winds last night and today are blowing the powder about in what ever patterns they choose so the surface is variable. In general, we have a surface mix of powder and loose granular. Al will be grooming 12 to 15 kilometers for Saturday and Sunday. We will have rentals and lessons and good food as usual.
 
The weather forecast for the weekend is for two beautiful sunny and cold days with light winds (not the high winds of today thank goodness). The temperature on Saturday will reach 15 and on Sunday around 20. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph both days. Classic winter days.
 
The Haiti Benefit Full Moon Guided Ski Tour is on for Saturday night and still has room for more. Read the details on our conditions page.
 
For all the women out there who enjoy learning and skiing together there will be a Windblown Women's Day on Saturday February 13th. Check it out!
 
Winter is only half over. With any luck we'll see a few more significant snow storms (like the big one headed out to sea south of us tomorrow). The skiing this weekend will be faster than the all-powder conditions we had for most of January. Some folks love it, especially skaters. Others prefer softer and slower conditions. Snowshoeing is always an option. Snowshoers can go places that skiers wouldn't dare, including up to the view of the Boston skyline from Stony Top.
 
I hope you can get out and enjoy the sunshine, the blue sky and the fresh air this weekend.
 
Cheers,
Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Thursday February 4, 2010
Volume 10, No.10
 
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
I'm just in from a wonderful forty-five minute ski. My plan is to give as accurate a report as possible since I have a feeling a lot of you are skeptical. What we have here is lovely powder and packed powder skiing. Our high elevation really makes a difference in the amount of snow we get and especially in how long we keep it. We have not seen the ground here since before the big snow storm on December 10th. Our good base made it through that rain and thaw a week and a half ago. And even though New England is currently experiencing a "snow drought", we've lucked out with two recent light snow events and the cold temperatures to keep it powdery.
 
Here's the scoop. Our base is 3" to 8" deep. Most of that is quite firm and solid so it's not going anywhere anytime soon. The top layer is a soft powder and hard packed powder. In order to preserve the powder and to avoid bringing up dirt, it's best for us to not regroom most of the trails. This means that some of the tracks are not as crisp and deep as you are used to finding here, but they have a nice soft coating of powder snow in them which makes for a quiet, smooth ride. Is it icy you ask? I skied from one end of the trail system to the other and never encountered even one icy patch. I asked one of our season pass holders who has skied here everyday this week what he has found for ice and he could only come up with one place - which you can be sure Al's crew of shovelers will attack tomorrow.
 
We have all the green and blue trails open - that's 28 kilometers. Tomorrow Al and his crew plan to open the upper Open Slope and ZigZags as well as the Turnaround trail and possibly more, for a weekend total of about 30 kilometers. The weather the next three days sounds ideal - mostly sunny and in the 20s. As long as it stays below freezing and there is a breeze, the powder will stick around.
 
Last Saturday we had such a magical time skiing by the full moonlight that we want to offer it again for the next full moon. The skiers who came (and some who didn't) donated a total of $1060 to Partners in Health for the Haiti earthquake relief. Thank you so much. Next time we'll skip the potluck dinner (even though it was a great success) but night skiers are welcome to bring their own supper to eat in the Lodge before we ski. On Saturday February 27th between 7 pm and 10 pm, we'll be open for moonlight skiing. You can go out with a group and a guide or ski on your own. The charge will be weekend part-day rates - $13 for adults and $7 for kids.
 
The local New Ipswich churches are sending a truck load of supplies to Haiti and have a donation box in the Ski Shop until Saturday evening. If you want to bring a donation, they are looking for summer clothing and jackets, supplies like soap and toothpaste, dry foods such as rice and beans, and construction tools like skill saws and generators.
 
One last thing - our supply of trail maps is getting very low. In order to help them last to the end of the season, we have started charging $1 per map that you will get refunded if you return the used map at the end of the day. Trail maps are posted throughout the trail system.
 
It's a good thing it was sunny on ground hog day. We have a lot more skiing to do.
 
Happy trails,
Irene
 
Windblown Winter Weekly
Thursday February 11, 2010
Volume 10, No.11
 
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
Spring is coming! Grooming trails this morning I saw an incredible array of animal tracks in the two inches of fresh snow that fell yesterday. Milder temperatures and empty bellies bring on a lot of night time movement. New England missed the big snow that the mid-atlantic region got, but overall this winter has seen a long stretch of good to superb skiing here. Cold temperatures will keep the snow powdery and grooming will be ongoing for the upcoming vacation week. With a chance of light snow next week and weekend, winter is far from over. It is difficult sliding and enjoying fresh cool air in July, so now is your chance.
 
There's no need to head further north to find great skiing this winter. Our base is still allowing us to ski on 90% of the trails with only an inch or two of new snow in each of the past four snow falls. Irene and I  enjoyed the snow and sun today and took a few photos to share.
 
Hope you can make it up here for this sweet treat on this double holiday weekend.
 
Al
Windblown Winter Weekly
Friday February 19, 2010
Volume 10, No.12
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
Most of you live at lower elevations and closer to the coast. On our hilltop location the northwest wind, limited sunshine, northerly exposure and cooler temperature has a way of keeping snow that you have to see to believe. Tuesday's snowfall of 10" is still here. Some of the tracks become glazed during the day but the night time temperatures and fresh grooming returns it to powder. It will be that way through this weekend. Wonderful snow conditions for both skiing and snowshoeing. Check out photo taken this morning.
 
We are now offering season passes at half price - $65 for adults. If you plan to ski more than four times on weekends, buy a pass and you'll be skiing for free. Season Pass holders can keep track of what they would have paid from today forward on a list in the Ski Shop entranceway. Who ever saves the most (by having a pass) will win two free trail passes for next year!
 
Scott McGovern, a longtime skier at Windblown, has been training here for the past two months for the two day 100 mile Canadian Ski Marathon. He's the guy with a weighted down backpack full of rocks! The marathon was last weekend. He slept overnight on a hay bale in the snow to earn the Coureur des Bois (a gold medal). This was his seventh time enjoying the company of a special breed of cross-country skiers. Congratulations Scott!
 
We are going to run out of trail maps this weekend so we are starting a new system tomorrow. We have posted 38 trail maps at trail junctions (twice as many as previously). If you are more comfortable having a map in your pocket, please download and print out the trail map from our website.
 
Since our conditions are the best for a long ways around we are expecting a busy weekend. If you need to rent skis or snowshoes, we recommend arriving before 10:30 am to be sure to get your size. Our parking lot crew will be out directing you to your parking places - please look for them and follow their directions so that we'll have a parking space for everyone.
 
More snow is forecast for next week. Winter is far from over.
 
Happy trails,
 
Al and Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Friday February 26, 2010
Volume 10, No.13
 
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
Here in New England we have an old saying "If you don't like the weather just wait a minute", or in this case, wait a day. On Wednesday it snowed a whopping 18" here - the biggest snowstorm of the winter. On Thursday it rained more than two inches. And today it's snowing again. Oh and of course the wind has been blowing the whole time. The good news is - we'll have great skiing this weekend! We have a net gain of at least ten inches of new snow this week on top of our good old 5" to 12" base. We have stayed off the new snow completely to let the rain storm come and go and  have a day and a night to dry out. With the fresh powder falling today - up to two inches expected by Saturday, we'll have a wonderful powder and very fine granular mixture on the surface, freshly groomed for skiing and snowshoeing on Saturday and Sunday.
 
Besides the great snow cover and skiing conditions on Saturday we have two special treats for you. Upstairs in the Lodge from 3 pm to 5 or so there will be live acoustic music by Slim Chance, a three piece band playing an "eclectic mix of folk, blues, classic rock, and country" Our Lodge is a wonderful space for listening to live music. The hall will remain open after 5 pm for those of you staying for our second treat - moonlight skiing - and wish to bring your supper to eat here. With any luck, the musicians will keep playing while we dine!
 
Whether or not the full moon peaks out from behind the clouds, we will head out on skis between 7 pm and 10 pm on Saturday night. I do expect the moon will light the snow even with the clouds but you probably will want to bring a headlamp just in case it's too dim. Trail tickets for the night ski are $13 for adults and $8 for kids. There will be a discount if you have a trail ticket from the day. Rentals will be available. You can choose to ski in a group with a guide or on your own. 
 
We feel very lucky to have so much snow but we feel even luckier that last Friday night the big snowcat decided to breakdown next to the garage instead of on top of Barrett Mountain. The right track seized up just as Andy was heading into the garage. A trip to our local maestro mechanic, parts flown in from Nevada, and $4000 later, the cat is back home and ready to roar.
 
There is big news beyond our hilltop to report. The US Nordic Ski team has been accomplishing amazing feats. Before last week, Bill Koch was the only US nordic skier to ever win an Olympic medal. Thanks to him, thousands of skiers have been inspired to compete and finally their years of training has paid off big time. Both team and individual medals have been won, including the first gold ever last night! Very cool.
 
As I write the light snow that has been falling all morning has changed to a moderate snow fall. Like I said, just wait a minute . . .
 
Winter is hanging tough. Here are this week's photos to prove it!
 
Cheers,
Al and Irene
Windblown Winter Weekly
Thursday March 4, 2010
Volume 10, No.14
 
Hi Skiers and Snowshoers,
 
It's a good thing we still have the deepest base of the winter because spring appears to be coming early this year. Saturday and Sunday are both forecasted to be very sunny days with high temperatures in the mid-40s. Spring skiing at it's best. Generally by spring skiing conditions we mean it's fast in the morning, slow in the afternoon, and then by late afternoon the tracks become glazed with a thin layer of ice. The trails are regroomed for the next day so that it starts as loose granular, or possibly by Sunday it may start "corning up". Corn snow is snow that has thawed and refrozen several times and looks like small kernels of corn - a pleasure to ski on.
 
This past week has been quite amazing - it has snowed at least a little almost every day. That's why tomorrow it will still be powdery in most places (it's snowing as I type again). However, once the last of this storm finally moves out to sea, there are no storms in sight for over a week. When you add in lots of mild temperatures it means we could be looking at the last weekend this season with all the trails open. For now though, our great base should be very good everywhere at least until Monday and likely longer. It's time to ski the mountain trails if you haven't yet. Al plans to groom Barrett's Backbone tomorrow (our steepest trail).
 
Many of you have been asking if we plan to sell used rental skis this spring. After much back and forth we have made the final decision not to sell any gear this season. It is possible we will next December depending on several variables. If you want used gear now we recommend heading up to Jackson Ski Touring.
 
Besides warm temperatures, another sign of spring is full daylight well past five o'clock in the evening. We know it's hard to leave the trails and the base lodge when you're having such a nice relaxing time with family and friends. There are two reasons why we need to ask you to leave by 5 pm. We can only be sure that everyone is safely off the trails by seeing that all the cars have left the parking lots. And our work day starts hours before 9 am so we need to go home and rest up for another busy day that starts at dawn the next day. This Saturday we especially ask you to leave by 5 pm because the Lodge is rented out for a private party and we need to clean up quickly. Gail will be closing up the kitchen at 4:30 pm. Thanks in advance.
 
Here are a few photos I took on the day the sun came out this week, Tuesday. And if you didn't see them yet, here are photos taken last weekend.
 
Happy Spring Skiing,
Irene