While it’s officially spring according to the calendar, we’ve still got winter on the brain. So with helmets protecting our brain grapes and an eye on the weather map, we look forward to another weekend in the mountains. Luckily, ma nature is rolling out the white carpet.
In the Pacific Northwest, a storm could drop a foot of fluff on the Cascades and the Northern Sierra. Take advantage of the extra cushioning during Mount Hood’s Suds on the Slopes Festival. Sample enough of the Oregon's finest microbrews, and you may just wind up jumping in a lake–literally–during America’s Pond Skimming Championships. Moving more central, you can save on lodging and spend on après ski at the Sunriver Resort, which has a “stay free, ski free” package that adds up to just $280 for three nights and includes three days of lift tickets at Mount Bachelor.
In the Rockies, while rain may reign at lower elevations, snow should prep the course for Crested Butte Mountain Resort's full immersion telemark weekend, from Friday through Sunday. Practice the art of the downhill genuflect or watch 100 of the nation’s best in the Al Johnson Uphill / Downhill Telemark Race. To the north Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort are expecting a few inches of freshies of their own (there’s a 50-50 chance), while Spring Creek Ranch is offering rates from $87.50 (that’s half off), including lift tickets, breakfast, and a shuttle into town.
Back East, powder hounds will be left wanting, but there's plenty of clear days and deals to be had throughout Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire. And in Tennessee, the skies should be clear and the rainbows active in the trophy stretch of the Watauga River, where you get 20-fish days, heck, 40-fish days at Watauga River Lodge. Casting distance from the river, the Watauga has spanking-new knotty-pine cabins for half the price of those Western gentleman’s fishing lodges. It’s a little taste of what’s next, when we we finally have to bid adieu to the winter wonderland. Enjoy the weekend!
