Vermont Travel Notes

If you can't make it to Vermont this weekend to see the amazing Winter Dew Tour (see my blog entry from yesterday) at Mount Snow, you can watch it on television Saturday afternoon, January 10.

Here comes the confusing part. I thought it was on USA Network Saturday afternoon. (That's the network with Monk and House marathon weekends if you can't remember which one it is).

The Burlington VT Free Press newspaper television section lists it on USA at 4:30 pm. However, when I searched around online, the schedules say it is on NBC Sports. Both networks are owned by NBC so you can check your local listings to see where it actually is. Look for it at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Also, there are some great videos of today's winning runs online at the Alliance of Action Sports website. Amazing displays of skill.

The event runs tomorrow and Sunday so you still have plenty of time to get there. See my blog entry from yesterday for more information.

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus

Photo from the Mount Snow Dew Tour

Man, that was a LOT of snow. It has snowed (with a little sleet mixed in at the middle) for two days almost non stop. Weather forecasters call for a little more this weekend, mostly in the form of flurries so the white stuff is going to stay fresh for a while.

If you have been thinking of heading to Vermont for any kind of snow activity, I can say with complete confidence that now is the time.

Mount Snow Resort in southern VT got 10 inches of snow and Jay Peak in far northern VT got 20 inches.

Speaking of Mount Snow, the Winter Dew Tour, sponsored by Mountain Dew soft drink, is there this weekend. The resort is near West Dover VT, about mid-way between Brattleboro and Bennington.

There are some great freeski slopestyle videos here (in the right hand column) so you can get an idea of what you will see this weekend plus snowboards on the pipe. Spectator admission is free all weekend.

Olympic gold medalist and Vermont native Hannah Teter will be there along with other stars.

It will be cold this weekend - bring your warmest stuff.

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

See the Winter Trails website for information about this rare opportunity to test cross country and snowshoes free.

There are ten ski areas around the state participating in Winter Trails 2009. Most of the Vermont ski areas are holding the event this coming Saturday, January 10 except Bolton Valley which is holding the event January 11. It would be a good idea to contact your selected ski area to confirm the event is still planned. Links to each area are on the Winter Trails website.

Also, note that you have to fill out a Registration & Release Form - there is a link to it on the website.

This is a great way to see some of Vermont's prettiest woods and countryside. It's easy to do and you generally stay warm from exercising. If you have not tried it, now is the time!

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

Weather radar 8:30 pm Tuesday, Jan 6.

In technical meteorological terms, the radar picture above shows a "big honkin' storm" that is bearing down on Vermont ski areas. It starts tonight and goes through Thursday.

When it is all said and done, we will get six to twelve inches of snow according to local meteorologist Roger Hill of Weathering Heights Forecasting. He is consistently the most accurate of weather forecasters in this area.

Roger is also calling for some sleet during the storm: "potentially moderate to significant snowfall northern 2/5ths of state, and 'sleety snow middle part of state...to glazing, icy travel southeastern 1/4 of state' all going back to lighter periods of snow before exiting Thursday."

Check your favorite ski resort's web site for trail reports this Thursday and be ready to jump in the car to head for Vermont. It looks like Saturday should be a very good ski and ride day on fresh snow. Temps will be in the teens this weekend so pack your warmest gear.

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

I know that now might not be the right time of year for this, but I just ran across a great fall foliage video that is enjoyable to look at no matter when you see it.

It is an unusually well done amateur video with good editing and music. Videographer Roger Shealy shot this footage last October during a visit to Burlington and Lake Champlain.

This video will inspire you to visit VT to see the foliage colors even if you have been here to see it previously. They always look great but last year was a spectacular year for color - many more red leaves than I ever remember seeing before and the orange and yellow leaves were extremely bright too. The season started early but remained a long time.

Start saving your $$$ now and plan to travel to VT and see this year's foliage show!

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

Here's an entertaining time burner. The Vermont Ski Areas Association has a game on their website called "Peg Your Friend."

You upload a picture of a friend which is then pasted into an animated character. When the game starts, the character/friend moves around the scenery while you use your mouse and cursor to follow and throw a snowball. The number of hits is recorded.

This will no doubt be the most meaningless thing you have done so far this year but you might win prizes such as Kombi gloves, Darn Tough socks, Eider apparel, Cabot cheese and other stuff in a random daily drawing.

Have fun!

(c) 2009 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn