A Disaster of a Season, or Maybe Not? A Look Back at the 2015/2016 Ski Season in Northern Vermont

By Kris at SkiMaven.com, the Vermont skiing blog

Die-hard skiers were truly tested this winter in Vermont. While snowmaking saved the day for alpine skiing, times were tough for backcountry and cross-country skiing. We just didn't get great storms and if we did get snow it was often followed by melting temperatures or rain.

My husband, the Skimeister, and I do all forms of skiing in different settings (trails in the woods, Nordic centers, alpine ski resorts) , so we were definitely hurting at times. We love variety and this winter we couldn't mix things up as much because the snow didn't pile up consistently. The base of natural snow refused to grow.

Smugglers' Notch on December 11
New Year's Day mini ski tour on very little snow

We did our best to keep our chins up and to get out on the snow no matter what. When you are a skier who lives in Vermont, this is what you do in the winter. You get out there and see what you can find even when things aren't all sunshine and lollipops.

Here's a taste of what we found.

Tiptoeing over the waterbars on backcountry trails in early January
Stowe: Sun and snow on January 6
Powder — albeit without a base on this natural-snow trail — at Sugarbush, January 14

We tried to rearrange our work schedule to capitalize on fresh snow. In many cases we needed to get out on new snow before it disappeared.

We rejoiced in any fluff we found.

Doc Dempsey's at Smugglers' Notch on January 20. Giddy up!
The Bolton Backcountry on January 22. Purdy... but not deep.
From left: Sugarbush Resort; Bolton Valley backcountry trail; Stowe Mountain Cross-Country Center
Ripcord at Sugarbush in early February
Stowe Mountain Cross-Country Center on February 12. Thin but quite skiable.
Bolton backcountry in early March. We stuck to trails that are very well cleared of stumps and things.
YOU GET OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND EVEN WHEN THINGS AREN'T ALL SUNSHINE AND LOLLIPOPS.
Ice skiing at Trapps in early March. It was warmer than 50 degrees. The sap was running.
Corn snow at Sugarbush, March 12
March 18: Stowe powder day!
Easter Day at Smuggs
Earning turns at Bolton Valley with rime-covered trees, March 26

Then — suddenly — it turned to winter at the end of March and into April. Old Man Winter was late, but we were glad to see him!

We wanted to make the most of the fresh snow, so we skinned and skied on closed ski area trails. Why? Because they had a bit of a base underneath the new, soft snow. And we craved more of the un-rushed experience of earning our turns.

Earning powdery turns on March 30 and April 9 at Bolton Valley, after the ski area had closed
Earned turns on April 10 atop Sterling at Smuggs

So was this ski season challenging? Yes, especially for Nordic and backcountry skiing which rely heavily on natural snow.

Was it a disaster? We can't say that. With some dogged determination, and the benefit of snowmaking at the downhill ski resorts, we found ourselves some great turns and beautiful winter days for playing outside.

And next year is bound to be snowier!

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