Snow Galleries

March Madness 2007 : The snow just kept on coming in March, extending a fabulous ski season where the base was thick for multiple backcountry tours. We traveled to Canaan 10 weekends from January to March and skied enough that both of us experienced big jumps in our abilities. Long tours, technical tree skiing and big climbs all came to us much more easily as the season marched onward and onward.

March Madness 2007

The snow just kept on coming in March, extending a fabulous ski season ...

Updated: Nov 14, 2007 9:24pm PST

Catch as Catch Can in Canaan, WV (Winter 2008) : Call it La Nina, La Global Warming. Whatever. Winter 2008 in Canaan Valley, WVA was a see-saw of fast storms and quick thaws. Grassy vistas were as common as snowy ones and a good snow base never got the chance to build up. Still, we skied with friends every time the weather allowed and played catchup in early March when a big storm opened the woods for glade skiing, Whitegrass style.

Catch as Catch Can in Canaan, WV (Winter 2008)

Call it La Nina, La Global Warming. Whatever. Winter 2008 in Canaan Va ...

Updated: Mar 11, 2008 6:53am PST

Alta, Utah (2/2008) : Snow luck is one of the best types of luck. Alta, Utah was pounded with a series of storms at the end of January, laying down 91 inches of snow in just a few days at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Thigh deep powder skiing every day. Magnificent winter scenery. Alta at its best.

Alta, Utah (2/2008)

Snow luck is one of the best types of luck. Alta, Utah was pounded wit ...

Updated: Mar 11, 2008 6:29am PST

Jack Frost Surprises : Jack Frost was on Dec. 1st and the snows came on Dec. 5th. Around 18 inches in Canaan and 4 inches in DC. We skied both locations but didn't get to Canaan until the melt was on.

Jack Frost Surprises

Jack Frost was on Dec. 1st and the snows came on Dec. 5th. Around 18 i ...

Updated: Dec 10, 2007 6:52pm PST

Arctic Blast Climax, WV 2007 : An Arctic Clipper followed a Nor'Easter setting up a blizzard that dumped 18 inches of snow in the Canaan Valley in 24 hours. Everyone came out into the blizzard to play in the "ski everywhere" snow conditions. There was a Red Dress Run, backcountry tours and Baldy Steeps. What a weekend!!!

Arctic Blast Climax, WV 2007

An Arctic Clipper followed a Nor'Easter setting up a blizzard that dum ...

Updated: Nov 14, 2007 9:26pm PST

Frozen Canaan Valley, WV 2007 : From mid-January through late February an Arctic blast bore down on the West Virginia highlands creating daily lake effect snows that piled up a deep base of powder snow in the Canaan Valley region. We have been skiing as much of this snow as possible - from federal wilderness, to the ski touring center, to state parks and also to restored mining land near Thomas and Davis, WV, which is reclaiming its once lost beauty. Our favorite ski outings have been with the Canaan Valley Hash House Harriers, where we have been introduced to fabulous unknown places.

Frozen Canaan Valley, WV 2007

From mid-January through late February an Arctic blast bore down on th ...

Updated: Nov 28, 2007 3:00pm PST

Whitegrass, WV 2004-2006 : Whitegrass Touring Center in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia has some of the best eastern terrain accessible by free-heel skis when the snow is on. This gallery is full of scenes from shorter ski tours within and in the immediate vicinity of the Whitegrass maintained trail system.

Whitegrass, WV 2004-2006

Whitegrass Touring Center in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia has so ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2006 1:33pm PST

Backcountry West Virginia : Beyond Whitegrass, the Canaan region offers extensive eastern backcountry skiing options when snow is abundant. From Dolly Sods to the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and into other areas, hundreds of miles of trails, forest roads and woody routes await.

Backcountry West Virginia

Beyond Whitegrass, the Canaan region offers extensive eastern backcoun ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2006 1:30pm PST

Colorado Rockies 1/2006 : Deep snows blanketed the Colorado Rockies in early 2006. In what might be likened to a scouting tour, we checked out some of the best skiing Colorado has to offer. We skied to a backcountry hut in the 10th Mountain Division hut system near Leadville, CO and spent time at Aspen Mountain (lots of steeps, chutes and ungroomed terrain), Steamboat Springs (knee deep powder and endless tree skiing) and Copper Mountain (a great warmup right off I-70). In a stroke of luck for a last-minute trip, the powder was deep everywhere.

Colorado Rockies 1/2006

Deep snows blanketed the Colorado Rockies in early 2006. In what might ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2006 1:27pm PST

Dolly Sods, WV - Big Stonecoal Loop 3/2005 : A favorite long day trip or overnighter involves skiing up to Cabin Mountain, then taking the Big Stonecoal trail into Dolly Sods Wilderness. Completing the loop involves the Dunkenbarger trail and a bushwhack up the Little Stonecoal run drainage to Cabin Mountain. This area is always full of beautiful surprises - and the route-finding can be challenging no matter how many times you've been there.

Dolly Sods, WV - Big Stonecoal Loop 3/2005

A favorite long day trip or overnighter involves skiing up to Cabin Mo ...

Updated: Nov 03, 2005 9:05pm PST

Denali National Park, AK - Ruth Glacier Blizzard 4/2005 : Mark was snowbound for 8 days in Alaska's Denali National Park, spending time in a snow cave and a small mountain hut during a blizzard that dumped 8 feet of fresh snow. Clare, who was originally scheduled to be on the trip, backed out at the last minute due to on-going difficulties related to a broken sacrum. The trip is run each April by the North American Telemark Organization on the Ruth Glacier complex in Denali. The Ruth Amphitheatre must be one of the most spectacular places on the North American continent. It is surrounded by high snow covered mountains, including Mt. Denali, and is accessible only by bush plane or a week or more of technical wilderness travel.

Denali National Park, AK - Ruth Glacier Blizzard 4/2005

Mark was snowbound for 8 days in Alaska's Denali National Park, spendi ...

Updated: Nov 15, 2005 7:20pm PST

Lake Tahoe, CA 2/2005 : Tahoe is a dial-your-own ski trip kinda place. There are 18 downhill areas and countless miles of crosscountry routes and backcountry areas to explore. We've only scratched the surface in a couple trips. Kirkwood is our favorite area for its varied terrain and good vibe.

Lake Tahoe, CA 2/2005

Tahoe is a dial-your-own ski trip kinda place. There are 18 downhill a ...

Updated: Nov 04, 2005 6:46am PST