Powder Hounds Podcast

Episode 61 celebrates an extraordinary 22-year journey to reach the century club. The one and only Erik “The ECloud” Lundquist returns to the podcast to talk about an incredible personal and musical milestone – 100 Phish shows! (And he has the custom Phunky Threads t-shirt to prove it.) Now you may be wondering what the heck Phish the band has to do with skiing in the northeast. Well; stick around, because we're going to tell you. In typical phish fashion, the episode will have 3 games that will take the form of Set 1, Set 2 and an Encore. Expect a few extended jams along the way. Grab a pint of Phish Food, settle in and bask in the wonder of 100 Phish shows – the people, travel, meals, venues, weather, credit card points, and of course musical improvisation at its finest. Read the f'ing book!   Segment Time 0:00: Punch You in the Eye (12.31.23) 4:20: 100 Phish Shows 26:11: Game 1 – 100s of Skiing 31:39: The Lizards (12.31.23) 34:00: Game 2 - Phish Food for Thought 53:58: Tweezer (12.30.24) 55:37: Game 3 - Final Jeff-Pardy 1:01:40: Tweezer Reprise (12.31.24) 1:02:40: Gag (B-roll)   Notes: Total Points: 20 pts (Game 1: 3 pts; Game 2: 7 pts; Game 3: 10 pts) Correction: Oblivion is a trail (blue square) at Waterville Valley, NH; Ovation is a trail (double black diamond-lower and black diamond-headwall and middle) at Killington, VT. Dank Mix Gamehendge (04.16.92)

Did you know that Pico Mountain – a ski area of firsts as the episode details - is one of the oldest and longest continually operated ski areas in Vermont (#5) and in the United States (at most Top 40)? And that Pico's vertical drop is ranked #10 in VT; #17 across New England? And did you know you can ski Pico for $62 on weekdays; $80 on weekend (non-holiday)? And that Pico has a unique collection from the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum on display? Point is, don't sleep on Pico. It's a legit ski area and worth your time. As usual, the episode begins with the lightning round featuring longer operating hours, season long reciprocity, a feel good story, lift update and article covering another local investor group trying to buy a corporate-owned ski area. The next segment features Pico's history and the current day mountain profile, pass affiliations, and lesser known intel. I then share three observations of Pico and three highlights of a recent visit. We wrap with 11 trivia questions highlighting Pico's “a ski area of firsts history.” Ready for a ‘sunset schuss'? Click in, let's go! Segment Times 4:22 - Lightning Round 10:55 - Early History 15:32 - Pico Today 18:11 - Mountain Profile 21:36 – 3 Highlights & 3 Observations 23:26 - Trivia Questions

Ski Patrol the movie celebrates its 35th anniversary in January 12, 2025. If you need a quick reminder about the plot…ski school instructors align with an evil land developer to sabotage the ski patrol and convince the Forest Service to cancel the owner's lease on the ski area. The broader context in ski movie lore, and, as Heather Hansman wrote in Powder Days, “the goofy sex appeal of mainstream ski movies like Ski Patrol, Ski School and Hot Dog, fed into the oversimplified fallacy that ski town lift was all sunny backscratchers, babes in one-pieces, and beating bad guys to the finish line.” A timely chapter to read the other day. The podcast episode starts with the usual plot overview and critical acclaim before a rundown of the characters/actors, followed by 5 rounds of trivia questions! And a surprise [and signature] final Jeff-Pardy question [acknowledging actual Ski Patrol worldwide] awaits at the end. Happy 35th Ski Patrol [the movie]! Segment Times: 3:35 – Lightning Round; Free Skiing! 9:26 – Introduction Ski Patrol the Movie 11:12 – Critical Acclaim: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly 13:16 – Audience Reviews: The Mostly Good, One Bad, No Ugly 16:18 – Characters and Actors Overview 23:50 – Trivia Questions 38:42 – Final 'Jeff-Pardy' Question: A Salute to Actual Ski Patrol

This holiday-inspired episode features the iconic ski train(s) – the past, present and future. Thanks to a love of trains at an early age, this episode was unknowingly decades in the making. While a chunk of the episode focuses on the past, and how the ski train both a} promoted skiing regionally (and ultimately nationally and b} was the foundation of a new winter recreation industry, there is plenty of present day applicability. Trust me, friends! We harness the theme from the story, A Christmas Carol, and run through the ski train story through the three ghosts (of ski trains past, present and future). A quick hitting trivia round - and wonderfully cold 10-day forecast - sends us into the holiday season, with spirits high, for snow, turns and ski train success stories. All aboard Powder Hounds! Segment Time: 4:50: Ski Area News & Terrain Openings 14:14: Discounted Lift Tickets 18:31: Episode Introduction 20:56: Early Ski Trains 23:21: Ski Trains of the Past 37:55: Ski Trains of the Present 49:39: Ski Trains of the Future 52:55: Trivia Questions

The Race to Open – Northeast edition – returns with a new format; brackets by each northeast state! That's right, 48 ski areas are included in this year's Race to Open Northeast Bracket Challenge. It is hard not to get excited about the upcoming season with multiple snow events in October [just don't look at the early November forecast. Yuck!] Still, ski areas across the northeast are testing snow guns, selling discounted lift tickets and lodging, posting opening dates and of course, two even opened! And I thought the only back-to-back champions are the UConn Huskies?! [Nope says Ski Ward, MA]. I also offer my apologies to the two northeast ski areas that opened pretty darn early last year, but whose bubbles burst on inclusion in this year's bracket. As a peace offering, a bonus trivia question is meant to highlight them. Okay Pow Hounds, let's find out which lifts are likely to spin next. Segment Time 3:51: Lightning Round: Regional Ski News 13:35: Race to Open 15:50: RiMaConn/Southern New England Bracket 18:25: Poconos Bracket 21:54: New York Bracket 24:16: Maine Bracket 26:43: Vermont Bracket 29:14: New Hampshire Bracket 31:33: Top 6 32:07: Trivia Question

The 5th Annual Northeast Ski Season Preview episode covers [hopefully] everything you need to maximize the upcoming winter season. We have opening dates, new lifts, terrain expansions, weather predictions, stoke, discount lift ticket promotions and more! Of course, it wouldn't be a Powder Hounds Ski Trivia Podcast without some trivia questions. So I give you the Annual 8, for the 8 states that comprise our northeast region. Oh, and did you know it snowed in the northeast on September 8? Find out which ski area has the edge to open first this season! Have fun, Powder Hounds!  3:46 Introduction 5:27 Last Season 6:55 Stoke 10:12 Season Passes 16:33 Frequency Passes 27:48 Operational Changes of Note 34:59 Weather Predictions 36:41 Early Opening Date Predictions 38:11 Annual 8 Trivia Questions

The 4th Annual Mogul Madness Bracket Challenge episode is a good one – the Toughest Ski Trails of the East! I am joined by Pete Denato, Dave Jagich and Nolan Wheeler, absolute ballers on the slopes. These guys don't just ski fast, they ski steep, deep, and gnarly terrain, while often logging 20 hour day trips just to find the goods in the woods. We talk favorite terrain, trails and ski areas; we touch on the back-to-back Nattys of our [Nolan and my] beloved UConn Huskies; we warm up with a couple old favorite games to wax up the bases for the Sweet 16 ski trail bracket challenge. This year's bracket challenge may also have coined a new meaning for BYOB [or not!]. Of course, it wouldn't be a Powder Hounds Ski Trivia bracket challenge without a few surprise twists and turns along the way. The episode charges hard out of the gate, try to keep up! And stick with it, some audio gold awaits you at the end.  0:40: Welcome 3:50: Sources 4:25: Introductions 13:06: Back-to-Back Nattys – Go UConn! 15:26: Name That Ski Area 18:57: True or False 22:41: Sweet 16 Bracket Challenge: Toughest Trails of the East 51:20: Final Jeff-Pardy 58:09: Last Chair

Catamount Ski Area may be best described as a hidden gem in plain sight. After all, it has been operating since 1939. Its location, among the Taconic Range, perhaps not necessary thought of when planning ski trips. But the ski area delivers with fall lines, headwalls and trails snaking through the trees. It is affordable. Its season pass gives you unlimited access to two other nearby ski areas. The ski school is also 84 years old and the Mountain Cat program may be among the best kept secrets for 3-year-olds learning to ski and snowboard. This episode was inspired by a handful of years skiing Catamount regularly, plus my first born's inaugural winter on sticks. We begin with regional ski news-passes, weather, terrain updates and spring events, pivot to the history of Catamount, continue to the present day mountain profile. A deep dive of recent changes under Jon Schaefer as well as a potential expansion are explored as well as an unanswered question about ski area trail names (Catamount and Stowe have an unusually large amount of trails named after people). Of course, the episode wraps with nine trivia questions for the nine decades of Catamount's existence. Go buy a spring equinox pass to Catamount (and Berkshire East) before it's too late! Segment time: 3:42 – Regional Ski News 7:26 – History of Catamount Ski Area 12:36 – Mountain Profile 15:14 – Recent Changes 18:16 – Episode Inspiration 22:07 – Catamount Trail Names 24:43 – Trivia Questions

While Camelback Resort, celebrating 60-years of operation, may be most well known for its gigantic indoor and outdoor waterparks, it should also get love for being home to the ‘long ski day in PA.' A compliment! On weekends and holidays, lifts start spinning at 7:30am (First Tracks) and stop – 14 hours later – at 9:00pm. While night skiing is not unique at smaller ski areas, the sheer cluster of ski areas (7) within 88 miles of one another that offer night skiing with 100% of terrain open, makes the Poconos special. Also noteworthy, this is the first winter season that Camelback is a parter on the Ikon Pass (along with nearby Blue), offering 7 days without blackout dates for full Ikon; 5 days with holiday blackouts for Ikon base. The usual topics covered include, ski area history, mountain profile, prices while focusing on the benefits of night skiing. The episode wraps-up with an Elite Eight set of trivia questions. I also bring back an old starter segment, regional ski news, including headlines, weather forecasts, open terrain rankings and a notable event. This episode – and all episodes – have a little something for everyone. Happy February, Powder Hounds!  Segment time: 3:55 – Regional Ski News 8:55 – Episode Introduction 9:52 – Camelback History 14:12 – Mountain Profile 17:00 – Benefits of Night Skiing 19:56 – Night Skiing in Poconos 23:33 – Trivia Questions

Hot Dog...The Movie celebrates its 40th Anniversary on January 13, 2024. 40 years! Wow. While the cast, crew and fans have reunited every ten years to celebrate the movie's legacy, I do not know where or when the 40th bash will be. Until those details surface, consider this episode a soft celebration. We kick things off with the briefest of overviews [if you've found this podcast, you've likely watched Hot Dog...The Movie]. For funsies, I read the Rat Pack's IMDB for a little insight on what they did before/after this slopeside cult classic. The majority of the episode is trivia questions, with four categories: locations (green circles), competitions (blue squares), behind the scenes (black diamonds), and random (double black diamonds). A final Jeff-Pardy question closes us out. The movie soundtrack was all the music inspiration one would need, so enjoy the unusually long snippets. Happy 40th Hot Dog! Downhill, anyone?! 4:14: About Hot Dog...The Movie 7:38: Rat Pack IMDBs 13:44: Trivia Category: Locations 17:58: Trivia Category: Competitions 20:50: Trivia Category: Behind the Scenes 26:41: Trivia Category: Random 31:22: Final Jeff-Pardy Question

I kicked off my winter season at Windham Mountain Club in New York. Windham aka “The Club,” for this episode's purposes at least, is undergoing a transformation to a semi-private model and I had to check it out before my Ikon Base Pass is no longer an accepted form of entry. Additionally, I have begun my season in the Catskills each of the past three seasons, so that's a fun little tradition to keep. I really like diners apparently. This episode covers mountain stats, the not-quite-a-trend-but-close shift to semi-private models across ski county, the before and after the October 2023 rebrand and redevelopment announcement, with some ski puns, word play and laughter mixed in. Eight trivia questions bring us home, with an unanswered question, whether a terrain park should be considered a trail on a trail map. Ikon pass or not, ski “the Club” this season, Powder Hounds! 3:23: History of Windham 6:35: Mountain Profile 10:06: Why Windham 14:47: About Windham before October 2023 22:31: About Windham after October 2023 28:58: Trivia Questions

My guest is Sarah Wojcik, the founder and editor All Mountain Mamas, which seeks to share her – and her fella mamas - passion of skiing and snowboarding with families across North America. All Mountain Mamas will celebrate its 10th anniversary in January! [Be on the lookout for 10 free lift tickets, well, maybe] Sarah was previously the Director of Marketing and Communications for Ski Vermont and is currently the Associate Editor of SAM Magazine (Ski Area Management). Sarah talks a super interesting origin story, cutting her teeth ski patrolling in the Poconos, “majoring” in skiing in college, patrolling at Bolton Valley and Sugarbush as well as most sought-after content on All Mountain Mamas, the future of skiing in the northeast, the best deals in northeast skiing [FOURS], comeback kids, best food(s) in VT, a potential petition drive to resurrect a lost stoke-filled magazine and much more. Sarah even throws a curveball trivia question at me! My only regret, is not spending more time at Jay Peak, especially posing an important question; State side or Tram side?! Segment Times: 4:01 - Lightning Round 13:45 - All Mountain Mamas 21:00 - Second Lightning Round 24:06 - Ski Vermont 30:39 - Ski Area Management (SAM) 32:10 - Pop Quiz – Sarah's gem of a trivia question (& rough edit add) 36:16 – State of Skiing 43:01 - Trivia Questions

The 4th Annual Northeast Ski Season Preview episode covers hopefully everything you need to reset the stoke - opening dates, new lifts, terrain expansion, weather predictions, ski swaps, entertainment and discount lift ticket promotions and more! Also, my Race to Open bracket challenge adds a heck of a lot of optimism to the pre-season. Finally, 8 trivia questions were inspired from the 8 states in our re-loaded Northeast Region. Have fun, Powder Hounds!  Segments 5:23 Stage Setting 7:10 Weather Predictions 11:20 Entertainment & Gear 12:25 Passes (northeast applicable) 22:27 Promotional Lift Ticket Deals 24:33 Lift, Base Area and Terrain Expansions 41:26 Opening Dates 42:25 Race to Open Picks 48:52 Trivia Questions 56:49 Close

And then there were three, maybe 2, or possibly just 1…While a few ski areas are still open (Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe and maybe Beartooth Basin), the 2022-2023 winter season has effectively ended. Another record-breaking ski season in the books, with over 64 million+ skier visits according to NSAA. The Northeast also saw increases in season-over-season skier visits. This end of season reflection builds off a holiday shopping idea already engrained in most of our brains. Call it what you will, I call it Smaller Ski Area Saturday, while corny sure, could help smaller ski areas thrive amidst fierce competition (and limited marketing budgets) for customers, unpredictable weather, workforce challenges, and increasing costs. Smaller ski areas tend to be off-the-radar, passionately loved by the local community and ripe with character. We can help them by skiing there more often. And meeting up at a smaller ski area provides a great solution (affordable, not crowded, unique) for Ikon and Epic passholder friends who can finally ski together!? Either way, all the best this off-season, Powder Hounds! :20 - Welcome 4:40 - Episode Intro 5:48 - Smaller Ski Area Saturday 17:20 - Close

As we head into the offseason – beach season for many – it is time to kickoff a mini episode series. Think run times of 15 minutes or so. Main topic only. Light, if any editing. This mini episode features 10 Observations from this past winter season. The 2022-2023 winter season was a rollercoaster, at least on the East. A teaser of an early season start, with a warm and rainy Christmas holiday week, followed by weeks (if not months) of freeze-thaw cycles, until the snow gods pummeled us with feet of snow in March on back to back (to back?) weeks that extended the season into late April. Across ski country USA, record setting snowfall, participation, prices and crowds?! My observations are not at all earth shattering, just solid information you may find helpful to enhance your future winter seasons. Oh yeah, Mammoth Mountain in CA has over 900 inches of snow, so maybe spend your summer vacation skiing in this hemisphere! 1:52 - Intro 3:38 - 10 Observations 15:50 - Close

The 3rd Annual Mogul Madness Bracket Challenge is back! The 10-ski area bracket winner will ALSO serve as the group ski trip location for next winter season (or, at least offer a compelling option!). Four members of the New England Powder Hounds ski family - Kate, Mary, Mike and Tim - join me to talk the PRESENT ski season featuring the Three Valleys in France, PAST ski trips to iconic ski areas and of course, decide the FUTURE (next) group ski trip. Oh, and there's a little twist to the bracket challenge – it is masked – meaning, ski areas will only be revealed when they are eliminated. Objective (ski area stats) and subjective information (signature run; apres ski noteworthy options) will be used to decide the match-ups. Not surprisingly with bracket games, one of our favored ski areas gets an early exit, but then reappears later in the episode! Try to keep up, lots of bouncing around in this 3rd Annual Mogul Madness! 3:54 - Guest Intros – Meet Kate, Mary, Mike & Tim 13:08 – Episode Overview: Past, Present & Future 13:48 – Top 4 Highlights of the Three Valleys, France 18:03 – Game 1: The Past (Name that Ski Area) 22:58 – Game 2: The Present (Three Valleys in 4) 31:57 – Game 3: The Future (Masked Bracket Challenge) 57:20 – Final Jeff-Pardy

As tradition dictates, our March episode has a touch of “Madness” baked into it. I am joined by the instantly likable Matthew Zabransky, an accomplished filmmaker and photographer as well as the creator of MidwestSkiers.com. Matthew will get you fired up for spring skiing, being an ambassador of the sport and encouraging you to visit different ski areas on your next powder seeking travels. We cover a ton of ground; Matthew's love for skiing, the three main zones of Midwest skiing, the critical role of Snow Trails in Mansfield Ohio and medical school residency “roulette”, literal Champagne Powder (not just Steamboat's trademark powder), Thank a Snowmaker Tour; Race to [and stay] Open Bracketology (with a little Trollhaugen inspiration?!), Pursuit of Soul II: Midwest Independence, the health of the Midwest ski industry (spoiler alert, it's healthy!), regional passes and promotions, Midwest ski area noteworthy projects and updates, Midwest ski history, with three completely “maddening” trivia games mixed-in! Make sure to check out Bent Paddle Brewing Company in Duluth, Minnesota, Midwest Ski Areas Association, & MidwestSkiers.com Resort Guide. Bottom-line, include a Midwest stop on your next ski trip! 5:03 - About Matthew Zabransky 9:04 – Ski the Midwest 16:23 - MidwestSkiers.com 24:40 - Terrain Park Summit & Project 28:48 - Thank a Snowmaker Tour 32:18 - Race to Open Bracket Challenge  36:00 - Pursuit of Soul II – Midwest Independence 43:10 - MidwestSkiers.com Resort Guide Map 47:00 - Trivia Game 1: Midwest Ski Area Facts 52:25 – Midwest Ski Area News 1:03:00 – Trivia Game 2: Name That Ski Area 1:12:00 - Midwest Ski History 1:16:45 – Game 3: The Race to Stay Open 1:25:49 - Last Chair

Belleayre Ski Area, one of four ski areas in the Catskills, and one of three Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) operations, is a must stop for a low-key, uncrowded, yet first class experience. I caught Belleayre in late December, before the holiday crunch, when it was one of only a handful of ski areas with almost 100% terrain open (171 acres). And if you plan ahead, an adult lift ticket will only cost you $54 (plus the one-time $5 for the RFID card)! A NYSkiBlog post featured a deep dive on the ski area's history, evolution under ORDA, and recent investments which led to some fun trivia questions. The Tips Up segment recommended the aforementioned NYSkiBlog post (read), an old Catskill Digest podcast conversation on outdoor advocacy (listen) and a homemade GoPro video skiing the mountain from top to bottom (watch). The trivia questions covered ORDA; early ski area history, and of course, trail map trivia! Segments: 2:55 - Tips Up 7:55 - Early History 10:33 - Mountain Profile 13:30 - A Few Observations 15:12 - Trivia Questions

Aspen Extreme, the American drama film inspired by writer-director Patrick Hasburgh's early ski days, turns 30-years-old on January 23, 2023! Apparently 30 is the pearl anniversary?! Released in January 1993, this ski film re-directed the trend of slap stick comedy ski movies of the 1980s and early 1990s. Sure, the story is familiar, two friends head west in search of a better life and lots of distractions get in the way of them achieving their dreams. A well-worn path, for sure, but the amazing ski sequences (frozen waterfall?!), throwback gear and likable characters and familiar settings make the movie a cult classic for many skiers. Fun fact, the movie is viewed annually every November at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen. In 2021, Ski Magazine published a reflective interview with writer-director, in which Patrick Hasburgh shared lesser known facts about the making of the movie. The most profound; he had an entirely different movie in mind! Beware the cutting room floor. Enjoy 30* trivia questions to mark the 30th anniversary! 4:12: About Aspen Extreme 5:07: Critical Acclaim 11:56: Staying Power 14:31: Teaser Riddle Revealed 16:14: Trivia Category #1 – Aspen Extreme 101 23:27: Trivia Category #2 – Numbers 26:08: Trivia Category #3 – Ski Magazines 28:53: Trivia Category #4 – The Powder 8 32:55: Last Chair Sources: Ski Magazine IMDB Rotten Tomatoes TVTrops.org Wikipedia Seattle Times New York Times Los Angles Times *Ok, ok, sticklers; there are 27 questions among the four trivia categories, but buried in the episode are 3 others. Listen again to find them!

Ski season is well underway across the country, with the East finally getting into the fun thanks to a short, 48-hour cold spell window in mid-November. Fifteen ski areas opened before Thanksgiving, the most since 2019 (and two ski areas opened on Turkey Day). Last episode focused on the race to open in the East, reviewing the historical opening dates and projected openings this November and picking a winner. Let's just say, there were some surprises. The Tips Up segment includes (listen rec); a thoughtful conversation on climate policy between Adam Jaber, Out of Bounds and Mario Molina of Protect Our Winters; (watch rec) a short video by Beau Miles to inspire you to be more productive; and similar idea-Procrastinator's Punishment; (read rec) my article published by Ski, reminding folks you can still chase powder at an affordable price in-season. The trivia games gave a nod to Ski's humorous article highlighting scathing comments to their best ski resorts ranking via their reader poll; LL Bean discount ski days like at Black Mountain for the awesome price of $15 per lift ticket; Ski New Hampshire's deep inventory of lift ticket discounts; and the best for last, No Boundaries Pass, the amazingly affordable, multi-mountain lift ticket product you don't know about. Segments: 3:06 - Tips Up 8:32 - Race to Open Closure 13:45 - Trivia Game 1 17:46 - Trivia Game 2 26:58 - Special Episode Preview Sources: New England Ski Journal, No Boundaries, Out of Bounds Media, Semi-rad.com, Ski New Hampshire, Ski Mag, Ski Central.com, NBC, various ski area websites  

Inspired by the Midwest's Race to Open Mayhem, a similar first ski area to open game debuts - The Race to [Second] Place to Face Killington. With ski areas having opened in the Midwest and out West, all eyes turn back East, to a region that has yet to offer lift-served skiing. But with temperatures finally (well, sort of) dipping in the northeast latitudes, the race is on! The Race to Place to Face Killington features a bracket of 16 northeast ski areas, all of which opened in November 2021 (i.e., early for northeast standards). They are seeded in the order in which they opened last year, along with a handful of wildcard ski areas that either also opened in November 2021 or have posted opening dates for November 2022. The intrigue is real. It's a showdown to see who is the likeliest ski area to swoop-in and steal Killington's perennial East Region opening crown. The Tips Up segment features SkiMag's Top 20 of East Resorts, TGR and Indy's new short film, In Pursuit of Soul 2: Midwest Independence and The Storm's recent podcast with Jason Blevins, Colorado Sun. If you're up for a little fun, find a piece of paper and pencil, draw a 16-team bracket and plug-in your picks as we go. “Just some good wholesome fun.” – Matt Z Segments: 2:45: Tips Up 9:09: Race to Open 11:35: Midwest Wins 16:37: West Gets Second; East DNF-y 19:00: Game Overview 28:40: Bracket Picks Other Resources: https://www.midwestskiers.com

The 3rd Annual Northeast Ski Season Preview episode covers opening dates, new lifts, terrain expansion, weather predictions, ski swaps, entertainment, and season pass info & discount lift ticket promotions to reset the stoke. Also, not just one, not two, but at least three northeast ski areas are set to re-open this winter! The trivia questions review northeast ski area stats, shift to seasonal fun and end with fall sports, threading the needle between helpful information and utterly ridiculous. Essentially, ski trivia at its finest, friends. 5:41: Weather Predictions: The Almanacs 10:20: Entertainment & Gear 13:30: Season Passes  27:18: Frequency Passes  35:02: Promotional Lift Ticket Deals  37:22: Lift, Base Area and Terrain Expansions 50:10: Opening Dates 59:02: Trivia Questions

I spent the last 9 weeks in "Endless Summer mode" – waves, sunshine and sand in some surprising places. With hints of fall in the air, I've emerged from the salty deep by slogging through way too many unread, ski-related emails, newsletters and press releases. This episode represents my best guess at the more noteworthy ski-news-of-the-summer-weeks-ish stories and related trivia questions. Topics covered include new season pass partners, a record setting day lift ticket price, a new ski area name, capital projects, terrain expansions, and lost (but found!) ski areas. If you haven't kept up with ski country news and updates over the summer, this episode will help fill you in. Probably. At the very least, happy puffy vest season!

A gem of a ski area in central Vermont changed its name. Formerly Suicide 6, the ski area is now called Saskadena Six, though the nickname S6, still works. I had a memorable day on those slopes back in January, 2022, so what better time to get to know the ski area better than now. The history of S6 is the history of early American, life-served skiing, so history buffs will delight in the twelve decades of coverage…in just SIX minutes (well, plus 24)! As expected, lots of “sixes” scattered throughout the episode. Tips Up suggests learning the impressive facts about the Tour de France, the future of Yellowstone & the National Park System and of course, why the name Saskadena Six (here's a hint – The [a] Connection.) Six trivia questions (of course that amount, right?!) with a mix of historical, prestigious and ridiculously-themed questions await listeners. Enjoy Pow hounds! Tips Up: 3:30 History of S6: 8:40 Trivia Game: 19:00

Bathing suit season has officially arrived and with it, the pursuit of the ultimate summer activity, surfing. For the lucky few in LA, the pursuit of surfing and snowboarding (or skiing) - in the same day - is a thing, it's doable, it's called the California Double. While none of my ski family located on the West Coast has yet to attempt the feat, the strangers who have – and who wrote about it – captured my imagination. Now sure, southern California is a unique geography with waves perfect for surfing and mountain tops high enough for snow within a short drive. But the so-called California Double CAN be done on the East Coast. It just won't be a leisurely morning dip, but a windy, gray and frigid experience (borderline terrifying). Six surf and ski-related trivia questions await. Tips Up covers a Mountain Gazette subscriber's comically yet instructive article entitled, the Etiquette of Nachos Hill (read), HBO's topical 100-Foot Wave documentary (watch) and Bill Simmon's Rewatchables podcast (listen). California Heaven by Jakhoy and Schoolboy Q set the vibe for this just chillin' on the beach listen. Most importantly, cheers to the one and only, California Double!  

The 2021-2022 winter season has come to a close. At least in the East, with the Beast (Killington) having ceased winter operations. (Corny rhyme intended.) While skiing for most is over until late fall, I'm already back at it, talking up ripping turns by offering a different approach to maximize your mountain experience next season. The approach: don't buy a season pass (megapass). Blasphemy to some, sure, but not buying one enhanced my past ski season in countless ways. So, while you are floating care-free in the salty ocean or fresh water lakes or ponds this summer, mull the non-season pass approach. Also in the episode, Tips Up features a staying in [ski] shape article running like Tom Cruise in Top Gun – Maverick & ShowTime, James Cordon, a great summer road trip from Alaska to Argentina podcast by Armchair Explorer, and a video of skiing on a power plant rooftop in Copenhagen. And NSAA unknowingly provides the industry statistics for the trivia questions and answers. All the best this off-season, Powder Hounds!

Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we pull back the curtain on what it takes to run a small, community or nonprofit ski area in the face of large mountain, corporate competition. My guest and long-time ski industry veteran, Jamie Schectman, takes a break from ripping turns in the Italian Alps to talk about an endangered specifies - small ski areas. The good news, financial models that exist to keep them sustainable – nonprofits, general improvement districts (Diamond Peak, NV), co-ops (Mad River Glen, VT), B-Corps (Taos, NM) historic preservation licenses (Old Hickory, NY) and even ski clubs. There are also operational models, such as NSAA's Sustainable Slopes and Stoke Certification (Mount Ashland, OR) to help ski areas achieve the Triple Bottom Line - that their business is good on Profits, for People and for the Planet. For struggling ski areas, Jamie begs them to think outside the box, and for users to become the owners (a few movers and shakers and big donors will help). Storm clouds have been brewing around small ski areas for a while now, but Jamie will tell you there are lots of options to save a ski area – and even bring a few back to life (Saddleback, ME)! Keep an ear out for the Caddyshack and Hot Dog The Movie references!

This guest episode will surely make you want to catch first chair. You will hear from THE authority on lift-served skiing in North America – Peter Landsman. Peter is the Founder & Editor of Liftblog, the go-to resource for news and information about chair lifts, gondolas and trams at ski areas in North America. Peter is also a lift supervisor at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming. We talk about his remarkable quest – of visiting all 480+ lift-served ski areas in the U.S. as well as riding, documenting and photographing every chair lift! All 2,382 of them as of today (sorry Colorado Sun, but you missed one!). Peter gets peppered with rapid-fire questions about his lift passion, skiing past, 22-year epiK and iConic journey, the state of skiing, logistics and current lift installation and replacement projects. And of course, Peter gets a custom-crafted lift-related set of trivia questions he will probably ace. Find out all of that and more, in this "heavy lift" [chair lift pun intended] episode!

The 2nd Annual March Mogul Madness episode takes place in the Green Mountain State of Vermont. My OG, original ski partner in crime, Erik Lundquist, of Good in the Woods Productions, joins me for a long overdue conversation on the greatness that is skiing in Vermont. We wax poetic about our early ski days, college hoops, questionable 90s-era ski gear and awful attire, as we attempt to make inside jokes play well on the podcast (they don't/won't). The 8 ski areas in the year's bracket are Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Mount Snow, Okemo, Stratton, Stowe, and Sugarbush. The trivia games include Vermont Spring Skiing Traditions, and five mostly obscure questions about each ski area. I promise, you will learn a thing or two about Vermont skiing. A Final “Jeff-Pardy” Question awaits Erik as he positions himself for a run at the all-time March Mogul Madness Trivia Points Leader! But first, Erik gets worked a bit; and I definitely owe him a Single Chair or Tram Ale. Which will it be? Find out in this Mogul Madness episode!

This episode features McCauley Mountain, a medium-sized ski area in the Adirondacks that gets pummeled with Lake effect snow. The Tips Up segment features a SkiMag article about lift tickets under $50 (including McCauley!), a conversation about the resurrection of another New York ski are (Hickory) via the Storm Ski Journal and the big announcement from Big Sky..2025-the Final Chapter. McCauley is a must-stop for powder hounds of all abilities, but the glade and bump crowd will be especially happy. Be sure to chat up the lifties, they are super friendly and seem to love their jobs. Like, if there is an award for best lifties, McCauley's crew should get a nomination. Of course, this episode features 9 custom crafted McCauley-specific ski trivia questions for your gaming pleasure. Finally, McCauley is a four-season mountain with a scenic chairlift and mountain biking and hiking trails, some with humorous names. Enjoy!

Happy New Year, friends! We kick-off 2022 with a classic, Cranmore Mountain in the ski capital of New Hampshire, North Conway. A recent “Road Trippin'” adventure across Route 302 inspired this episode, featuring 11 ski area trivia questions as well as the familiar segment Tips Up – read, listen and watch recommendations. Also, new for 2022, all episodes will include an episode-specific crossword puzzle available on Twitter after each episode drops. Wah-HOO! Double the ski trivia game fun in 2022!

First, there was trivia. Then, there was ski trivia. Now, there is holiday-themed ski trivia! There is even Lake Tahoe specific holiday-themed ski trivia. Whoa. This "Holi-daze" trivia bonanza is sure to scratch both holiday and early ski season itches. There is even a game within the game! Just bonkers. A festive holiday spirit can be heard throughout the episode featuring, Christmas trees, Santa shenanigans, reindeer, saints, a sold out adult beverage and a deliciously sounding cookie competition. The abundant holiday spirit is intended to serve as a deposit of good will toward Ullr, the Norse God of winter and skiing, so he is inspired to do his part to make the seasons merry and bright by covering every ski slope with a fluffy white. Let it snow – and happy holidays, friends!

The 2nd Annual Ski Season Preview episode features the Northeast and covers opening dates, terrain expansion, weather predictions, operations, ski swaps and entertainment to set the stoke. Also, our friends at Ski(s) Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont have some solid, pre-season lift ticket promotions - one truly one of a kind - that will surely grab your attention. It's all about the future friends, ski season!

Diamond Peak Ski Resort (Nevada) shines brightly from the northeastern shore of Lake Tahoe. A hidden gem, some say is “overlooked and underrated,” but with abundant glade zones and breathtaking views of “Big Blue” from most trails, translates to must ski. Almost a dozen trivia questions cover the 50+ year history of the ski area, which should explain why Diamond Peak or - Ski Incline - if you're an “OG” – is highly rated across the globe. Bear with the ridiculousness of the ‘Tips Up' segment; what can I say, the spirit(s), tastes and flavors of the season have led to the absence of podcast reason! (Rhyme intended.) And be "shore" (lake pun intended) to catch the relaxing vibes of DP's old slogan..."ski happy," friends!

This solo episode features ‘no beginners allowed' Mount Bohemia, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula, a remote finger of land that extends 80 miles into Lake Superior. Get your preseason stoke via Bohemia TV, hear why COVID may be the best thing to happen to the ski industry (not my words!), and hear how Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody unknowingly speaks to skiers and riders. Nine trivia questions about Mount Bohemia will surely make you want to buy a $99 season pass or day lift ticket (just not on Saturdays). Indeed, Mount Bohemia has extreme backcountry, a haunted valley, and middle earth, sans snowmaking and grooming.

In these dog days of August, imagine running 107 miles, in 90-degree day-time heat, with 12,000 feet of elevation gain and no human beings in sight for hours. Epic adventure or outdoor nightmare? According to Danny Manimbo, just another day of practicing "drive, self-motivation and staying at it." Hear about a secret weapon for trail runners, the importance of chicken parm at marathons and that skiing and riding does exist in North Dakota. The trivia games follow a deep rabbit hole in the badlands, while meandering back to Colorado. Hope to see you on the trail!  Danny's Resolve Fund-raising page: https://www.classy.org/campaign/manimbo-ultramarathon/c345917 Danny's blog: https://www.schellman.com/blog/tough-to-conceive  President Theodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena Speech:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A311CnTjfos 

Many ski areas have become year-round destinations with tons of summer and fall activities to keep passholders and visitors entertained and excited for the next season. That is certainly the case at Yawgoo Valley, Rhode Island, a summer waterpark destination which transforms into a ski, ride, and tubing area when the thermometer drops below freezing. Yawgoo Valley is a great option for kids, families, and novices, night skiers, and rewards season passholders with 3 no restriction days at 13 partner resorts across the country (5 in the Northeast). Sure, their constantly evolving vertical drop may be the source of your next dinner table argument, but wash down those worries with an ice cold ‘Gansett! Happy summer Powder Hounds!

The off-season is in full swing, with trivia questions ranging from winter season pass offerings for 21-22, to transformational capital projects, to a decades closed ski bump on a Vermont farm set to re-open next season. The episode carves out time in the Watsatch, at “Pow Mow” to locals; and Powder Mountain (Utah) for the rest of us. Yes, this multi-round trivia game show covers a lot of ground – just like those 8,000+ acres at Pow Mow! Host Shawman also gets sweet vindication from his salad insult, gives rollerblading a try and dares runners to a sprint Fastest Known Time challenge at sea level. 

While the winter season may have ended, the truism that there is no camping season (camp all year long!) lives on in this mile high episode. Backcountry winter camping expert and battery mate Adam makes a strong case to add winter camping to the next ski trip – or ski trek. Our conversation covers blueprints for building a snowfort, strategies to keep warm in super cold conditions, preparation for remote camping while stringing together some comical tales from the past. Importantly, cafeteria trays do work as sleds in a pinch. Unpack your foldable green camping chair and sit outside to listen to this guide on backcountry camping.

This solo episode begins with a comical recounting of some tough love about salad creations. Listeners will also get a round of “read, listen and watch” recommendations and of course, Ski News of the Week-ish trivia questions. Trivia questions cover a lot of ground including season pass news, extreme winter sports competitions, ski technology, a hearty yard sale and even some college campus shenanigans. It may be spring time but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a trivia-induced good time!

A Powder Hounds Podcast tradition may have been born with the inaugural March Mogul Madness! This bracket-based ski trivia game challenges three old guards from Colorado on their "Rocky[ies]" past, while also celebrating the collective failures of our actual college basketball brackets. Learn about some of the fun spring skiing traditions in the Centennial State, unusual ski area history as well as how to enjoy fireworks safely. The Elite Eight await!

This solo episode begins with a comical recounting of a covert midnight skiing operation in a sleepy neighborhood following a recent Nor’easter. Listeners will also get some “read, listen and watch” recommendations and of course, Ski News of the Week-ish trivia questions! Trivia questions span Coast to Coast with good vibe updates out of Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Utah, & Vermont. And the snow keeps on coming!

This episode will cover the 70-year-ish history of Mount Ascutney in Vermont. Guests Lindsey, Ray and Sean talk learning to ski at Ascutney, the mountain’s bumpy ride as a commercial ski area, its current four season identity and, their wish list as the mountain gradually grows more offerings. Also, three trivia games challenge the guests’ knowledge, with two games specific to Mount Ascutney. And the final trivia question spirals into five over times! And a highly coveted hot sauce awaits the trivia champion.  

With the shine of a New Year still radiating (well, not really), this “sprint” episode launches out of the gate with a little inspiration, an off-piste outdoor challenge and dad humor. The featured topic, the Return of Mountain Gazette, the semi-annual, 11x17 inch print magazine on mountain culture, receives high marks. The latest ski news of the week-ish is delivered in a new, lamed-name-trivia game!

This "(Stuck at) Home for the Holidays"-themed episode makes the best of our limited ability to see family and friends with fun trivia games over cocktails and Zoom. Hear the sounds of host Jeff’s actual family competing in their fourth consecutive week of trivia games, this time, ski specific. To kick-off the New Year's holiday on a high note, a number of honorable mentions and good ski news stories are shared to inspire and turn the page to a fresh, powdery, healthy and fun-filled year. Happy New Year, and all the best in 2021, Powder Hounds!

Ice axes, X-Games, pirate life, skiing every trail on Cranmore Mountain by age 2, and a ride on the 1929 ski train are just a few topics covered…in the introduction! Buckle up for a fast-paced, witty, often humorous discussion with former X-Games Boardercrosser and world class sailing pro, Shannon Dunfey-Ball, of Ski New Hampshire, a nonprofit trade association for ski areas in the Granite State. We talk four season recreation, iconic places in New Hampshire, tasty off mountain Rueben potato skins and of course, preview the upcoming winter season.

This backcountry episode should get you excited for untracked lines hidden in plain sight at a ski area in southern Vermont. Leaders of DHASH, a nonprofit chapter of the Catamount Trail Association, will share the history of the ski area, offer tips for first-time visitors, talk about the grow of backcountry recreation, and reflect on former members of the 10th Mountain Division’s impact on the ski area. Support Dutch Hill by becoming a member of DHASH, signing-up for a work day, making a donation, or getting a friend involved. Also hear about work on Thunderbolt Run at nearby Mount Greylock in Massachusetts. Whether you snowshoe or skin, the trails await!

This episode features an interview with Lori Rowell, Director of Marketing & Sales, Pats Peak, New Hampshire. We talk expanded terrain for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, the Pay One Price (POP) Pass, Sled Pub nachos, Snow White and the Seven Wells, and 58 years of one family ownership! As for ski news, catch-up with the latest ski area openings, Warren Miller Entertainment’s 71st ski film, “Future Retro” and re-purposing gondolas for dining in Telluride. Oh, and hear about the recent discovery of skiing in West Hartford, Connecticut. Good homegrown vibes throughout the pod!

Need a boost of excitement toward the upcoming winter season? Look no further than this episode featuring Jim Shockley, Branding & Equipment Director, at Mohawk Mountain. Jim sets the stoke for skiing and snowboarding in just a few weeks with his optimism, sharp wit, and tireless efforts to ensure not just a winter season, but individualized attention and a better experience for all customers. Learn insider tips on favorite views, discount season passes, best kept secrets, and future trivia question answers on the iconic 70-year old ski area. Hear about the excitement around the renewing with the Indy Pass, joining the Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance and the best chili in Connecticut!

The calendar shows October which means the countdown to ski season is in full swing! With mid-November opening days expected and an Indy Pass already purchased, I will share my approach to getting to partner mountains for what is expected to be the most challenging season ever. Time to up the stoke! Make sure to catch the fall foliage, learn about a new ski area perfectly positioned for the pandemic, listen for two “busta rhymes” and my six-month-old son Jay trying to get in on the conversation. Trivia, listener questions, seasonal beers from Great Falls Brewery and an overview of the northeast Indy Pass ski areas fill the chatter.

It's mid-September and the change in the seasons from summer to fall just means winter is that much closer! This episode’s theme – an Outdoor State of Mind – will feature the airing of grievances, creative ways to embrace the outdoors into the cold months, a resurrected ski area in Maine, and a feature segment about the greatest challenge of our lifetime, protecting our winters. Season pass sales, winter operation updates and good ski news will all be part of this episode – recorded outside on my deck! The chirping birds, barking dogs and garbage truck are nice accent pieces to the episode theme. And for the love of God, “Is the Pano Open?”