Connecticut: a land of high taxes, casinos, and dreams of an NHL return. Several attractive destinations are within a three hour drive: New York, Boston, Vermont, and New Hampshire. However, what does home have to offer especially for a winter enthusiast? Winter in the Nutmeg State usually provides more nuisance than enjoyment. Five inches of snow wipes out a month’s supply of bottled water in the supermarkets. Drivers realize that snow tires would have been a good idea. Schools are cancelled for “cold conditions.” Most of all, winter in Connecticut provides a frustrating border to the northern states that provide higher peaks, more snow, and winter charm. Even when it dumps up north, the roads around home may be too icy to drive because that Nor’easter was actually freezing rain for us. Why is it that we have to drive so far through hazardous conditions, when so many others can enjoy what they love right outside their backyards?
The winter of 2010-2011 brought a record-breaking amount of snow that blanketed the state throughout much of January and February. Oddly, many of the storms were southern-based, leaving Vermont and New Hampshire wishing they had a little Yankee Doodle in them. Last winter reminded us that Connecticut still has a lot to offer. All it took was a little white magic… well maybe more than a little.
Apocalypse snow
More than two feet of snow came overnight in early January and complemented the snow we had received in late December. Major roads and neighborhoods remained un-plowed for much of the day as the state tried to do its best. With most local areas in a post-apocalyptic state, we gathered our gear and walked out of our backyard to venture into the unknown.
Hiking for the goods
Connecticut may not have a lot of vertical, but that’s not always needed if the terrain is right. We were surprised to find more open lines than we had imagined in our own neighborhood. As soon as roads showed signs of clearing, we followed our usual routine of packing the car, except this time there was no I-91 North in our future. Instead we began exploring as many local areas as we could think of, including state parks, orchards, apartment complexes, and anything else that had a little pitch.
Endless possibilities
Although the “runs” weren’t long, they had a lot of character. We came across several areas with large boulders scattered in the woods that had open and soft landings.
Abo dropping in
Will getting after it
Throughout the winter we spent several days exploring terrain we had only dreamed of skiing during those hot summer hikes. On a couple of occasions we found ourselves skipping out on a weekend in Vermont to continue our quest at home.
Blue Steel: from the runway to the mountains of CT
Our unique experience showed us that our home has the potential to be as good as anywhere else in the Northeast. Although it was a rare opportunity, it taught us that we don’t have to worry about the next time we can’t drive north. There are plenty of opportunities just waiting to be explored right outside our backyards. So next time we get eight feet of snow, I know exactly where we’ll be. Home.
Could've used a skier crossing sign
Jake dropping possibly one of the biggest hits ever in CT
"I want to ski that, and that, and that one over there, and I can definitely drop that..."