The Turn (or: A Year of Famous Internet Skiing)
While these “nickle and dime” storms were fun, nothing could prepare us for what December had up it’s sleeve. With one turn of the jet stream, a hard cold wind came hurtling from Lake Ontario straight for Vermont. With a warm Great Lake, and cold winds from the north, this unrelenting weather pattern brough a band of lake effect snow so powerful it transported an entire mountain from the head of the Mad River, to the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon for a few hours one lucky day. We felt blessed to have the opportunity to experience it, and make turns in it for ourselves.
There really isn’t much to say about VTah Part III. The scenes, the snow and the turns speak for themselves.
Kristin on Fall Line
Kristin on Paradise
Sam on Paradise
Allen on Chute.
Read about the author: Greg
14 Comments
Bill
wrote on July 26th, 2010 at 6:55 pmI was reading in suspense for the first appearance of Christian, great story
Sam
wrote on July 26th, 2010 at 7:21 pmAwesome man! Believe it or not, I was beginning to get burned out, but that was invigorating.
Harvey44
wrote on July 26th, 2010 at 9:15 pmTEO on Goat is still my favorite pic of the year.
IMM, that TR was a “turning point.”
My turns are long over, but I do consider myself an addict.
Sam
wrote on July 26th, 2010 at 10:28 pm“IMM, that TR was a “turning point””
How do you mean Harvey? A turning point for us as a group, for your way of thinking, what? I’m just curious; you’ve been one of our best supporters this year, and I’d like to know what you liked about that one TR so much (so that hopefully we can do it again).
Harvey44
wrote on July 27th, 2010 at 7:36 amThe way I remember it, last November was a downer. After a promising October, the weather wasn’t cooperating. If you look through the Nov 09 Archives on Harvey Road, the whole month is about DREAMS. Long term weather stuff, etc. Then that storm came through. Many hills got NCP. But Mansfield magic delivered just enough for FIS skier/photogs to put up some incredible content. I was dying to post some actual skiing pics and to BE DONE with fantasy. I wanted TEO on Goat on Harvey Road in the worst way. I dropped Greg a note he was was cool with it.
Up and down the east coast there was such a hunger for skiing. Hunger and curiosity generate search. Search delivers new visitors. I’d bet your numbers show that a LOT of new people found FIS.com that weekend. I saw that TR as a coming out party for FIS. Here we are, we will not be denied. Live your dreams. Sorry for the ramble.
Greg
wrote on July 27th, 2010 at 9:21 amTHANK YOU for the ramble. Love it. The numbers say this, I think that, you say another thing still… who knows what the real turning point was if there was one… All I know is that it’s really awesome regardless to see how this stoke fits in with people’s lives and search for the schuss…
Lionel Hutz
wrote on July 27th, 2010 at 10:59 amHarvey,
November was a downer. For sure. October was cold with a few early season snowfalls. However the climate changed in november as the system reloaded. I remember watching this unfold and thinking, just wait…just wait…just wait. The winter pattern simply wasn’t going to support a mild season. It was going to be a blockbuster. That’s why when the data started to come in two weeks before Thanksgiving that the AO and NAO would tank I knew the “turn” was approaching. I was sure of it. And really, from that point on, winter was here.
Personally, I feel immense pride that I was slightly helpful in leading the FIS to some of this snow and thanksgiving was my first success. Most certainly a “turn” in the world of the Hutz.
powhounddd
wrote on July 27th, 2010 at 11:11 amMy turning point was pre-ordering a certain earn-your-turns DVD, which is the flavour for my entire next season…no pass for me. When it snows, go.
K_C
wrote on July 27th, 2010 at 11:25 amWow G, nice writeup! Good to see some of the best photos of the season in one place. I forgot how much fun the season was, thanks for the reminder.
Porter Haney
wrote on July 28th, 2010 at 2:50 pm64 days until October.
Harvey44
wrote on July 29th, 2010 at 4:04 pmYou gotta love a weatherguy who remembers his position on what the NOA was going to do – from nine months ago. FIS has a start of the (blogging) art weather setup. Lionel – you should meet our weather guy Jason sometime. He’s a really good skier, and a good ski forecaster. He did a killer job with his own call on Patti and Selma. I’ll never forget his the title post from Feb 19: Four Day Storm starting Tuesday … Maybe. Keep up the great work guys.
icelanticskier
wrote on August 2nd, 2010 at 9:44 amyowza!
quite an interesting season to say the least, always in a good way. it’s what truly sets skiing the east apart from anywhere else in the world. the east’s high snowy places aren’t a world destination sought after by the masses. it’s ours, all ours, and on the right days,(and there are MANY, SO MANY) inch for inch, foot for foot, it’s as good, or better :) than anywhere else on the planet. why? cuz it’s it is and it’s not supposed to be.
here’s to another amazing season ahead, they always are in one way or another. east side epic year this year perhaps? cmon w/nw winds, cmon!
i’m truly honored to have shared some fine moments up high with the FIS crew.
more this year fer sure.
roger
Butch Chamberlain
wrote on July 27th, 2011 at 9:21 amHi All, just reviewed this once again. Brings ones mind to what may be in store for the future season to come. I did notice one pic that was taken on Mt. Adams. I have hike Adams more times than I can count. It is not a particularly easy mountain to hike. The rock bouldering can be endless, or so it would seem. I can’t imagine it is much better in the winter. It can be a very evil mountain at times, not allowing one to enjoy the pleasures of sliding down it’s slopes(if that is what one would call them.). I did find some fair lines on Camels Hump last season. Not very long, but somewhat amusing little runs, that required short bursts of aggressiveness. Here’s hoping the new season, so close upon us, will delight us even more. Hope the summer for you guys has been terrific. :)
Butch Chamberlain
wrote on July 23rd, 2012 at 9:05 amAgain and again, you guys do it, WOW! IT has been awhile since I had looked into this site. I have been busy for trip up to the Alligash, Me. But seeing all those pics of the last season, renewed my interests to get out this coming season a maybe do a little more. I enjoyed every picture in the review. ( You guys got pretty knarly, with some of the areas you picked :) ).
Ofcourse that is the whole idea. To push the edge. If you are not on the edge then, you are taking up too much space! Keep up this great stuff. You have proven that Vermont, too, has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye. We may not have ol’ George, but we do have some pretty interesting stuff to rumble on. Try it, these guys did. Have a great summer all!