Page 8 - Dec_13

Backcountry

skiers organize

for access

By evan johnson

IN NOVemBer, the biggest names in an hour, the crowd packed into rows of with that of guys like mendell. country skiing is a historic activity, har-

the ski and snowboard industry—from wooden benches for a long evening of de- mendell has lived in rochester
kening back to the days when farmers,
retailers to resorts—rubbed elbows in bate and discussion. the meeting had all (population 1,139) for 40 years and says hunters, housewives, all used skis to get
the ballrooms at the seaport World trade the feel of the quintessential small town the valleys and hills along scenic Vermont around and keep from sinking into the
Center in Boston. Over the course of four meeting and, indeed, it was. residents route 100 offer unparalleled potential for snow. For him, the good life is looking
days, more than 40,000 guests snatched raised hands to speak and alternately outdoor recreation. last year, he and fel- outside his kitchen window at six in the

up deals on lift tickets and gear and en- grumbled or cheered in response to com- low skiers dan mcKinley and Greg White morning, seeing his skis with the bind-
tered into giveaways for all-expenses-paid ments. a moderator kept the comments started kicking around the idea of a local ings up, and venturing off somewhere to
trips to France, Italy, and lake tahoe.
under a minute in length.
organization that would promote back- find adventure.
meanwhile, three hours north, a the topic at hand was skiing, spe- country skiing access on both public and “I’ve never met anyone that used to

different kind of convention was gather- cifically the off-piste variety.
private lands. the response was positive backcountry ski,” he says. “I know lots of
ing in rochester, Vermont.
the thrill of the undiscovered is a and, before long, the founders realized people who used to alpine ski, I know lots
In the nearly-refurbished Pierce Hall constant allure for skiers in the Northeast public interest included other forms of of people who used to Nordic ski. Where
Community Center, about 150 people and as long as there have been skis; people non-motorized year-round outdoor activi- do they wind up? Back in the wild.”
came out on a thursday night to talk have cut their own tracks on the hillsides ties as well, not only backcountry skiing.
Hall says one of the best things about

about backcountry skiing. they brought and through the woods in search of that the result was the rochester area skiing in Vermont is how accessible it is.
four different kinds of chili, homemade perfect line or secret stash of pristine, un- sports trail alliance, or rasta, a non- the Vermont association of ski travelers
cookies, and kegs of Wolavers Oatmeal touched powder. this relentless pursuit is profit organization now fully diving into trail system is more than 1,800 miles of
stout. there was also a shot-ski.
a mantra rochester resident dean men- the discussion of backcountry trail use maintained trails connecting towns from
Kinley tener, a local mountain biker dell wears on the back of his green base- and access.
Bennington to Newport, snaking its way

and skier attending the forum, compared ball cap: “ski everywhere.”
“there are pockets of backcountry through most of the state. the Catamount
the Boston scene to their own gathering skiing everywhere, however, has skiers that all go to where their little stash- trail system runs the length of Vermont
on a November night, while enjoying a become a hot button issue for both ski- es are,” mendell says. “What I’m trying and has ample resources and clinics avail-
bowl of chili: “those people are all about ers and the owners or managers of the to do is open it up and say we’re all in this able for people looking to explore. skiers
buying the latest and greatest of the new land on which they ski. It’s a discussion together, let’s have some fun.”
can use these trails and others to access

thing,” he said. “and these people are all that produces more questions than an- a Historic activity
their own “secret stashes” or simply get
about buying it three to four years later, swers, blurs the lines that separate pub- around on the trails.
when it hits the secondhand store. Or at lic and private property and blends the While Vermont was the first, and
least I am.”
interests of resorts like Killington, jay, dick Hall, founder of the North ameri- continues to be the only state in the coun-
after meeting and greeting for
stowe, mad river Glen, or sugarbush
can telemark Organization, says back-
try that leases public land to private ski

8 VtSportS.com
December 2013