The early season snow has been significant in most spots and the Farmer’s Almanac is giving us a semi-confident thumbs up as we roll into the new ski season.
For some, it’s a time to ponder goals for this winter. Tighter turns? More confidence on bumps or in the trees? Finding ways to clock more vertical?
What if I told you that from my view, every single skier and rider, young or old, newer to the sport or long timer, hard core or casual, should all set the exact same season goal?
They should, and here it is: Find your fun.
For me through my entire now six-decade (gulp!) ski life, that’s always been the case. Even when I was a competitor, I was lucky enough to always understand that at the end of any ski day, if you found fun, you won. And the great news with that goal is this: Fun is right there for the taking every single day you get on snow.
With that, here’s a suggested 2026 season bucket list; things to do and experience on snow this winter to make it great. Best season, or best season ever? Check these out and then check them off to have all the fun.
• Day trip (or more) to a new-to-you hill: There are more than 490 ski areas in America, and close to 70 of them are right here in New England. Chances are there are way more you’ve never visited than those you have. I’m all for a home hill, but shake it up this year and visit a new-to-you spot. Never done a mid-week bluebird day at Wachusett? This is the year. Haven’t heard of Berkshire East? Read up on their fascinating history and head there for a day. If you’re a regular to one New England state, head to another. Variety is exciting, even when you head back to your home hill after.
• Revisit a childhood spot: If you were lucky enough to grow up skiing, you probably have memories of spots from way back when. After all, many of New England’s ski areas – as well as those across the nation – are well over 50 years old. For me, I’m going to revisit Tenney Mountain in New Hampshire where, back in the 1970s, I competed in freestyle competitions and hung out with some great ski pals. Reminiscing pairs well with skiing.
• Make first tracks: I confess to no longer being a first-chair skier most days. But at least a few times each season, make a point of getting first chair. Powder days are obvious, but first tracks are lovely any day. The fresh groomed snow sparkling with the angle of the winter morning sun is delightful, and there’s a kind of morning hush as you glide along. It’s worth an earlier start at least a few times each season.
• Savor all the flavor: I’m not one to scoff at a delicious tuna sandwich with a crock of chili brought from home; basic tastes elevated on a ski day. But oh my goodness are there some delights to dig into out there on the slopes. Do a little research ahead of time and find the “must have” at the hill you’re visiting and indulge. There’s the classic – like the now ubiquitous and still yummy Waffle Cabins out there. And then there’s the one-of-a-kind, like the giant cookies at Pat’s Peak in New Hampshire, the ski-up and order cider doughnuts at Wachusett Ski Area in Massachusetts, the incredible mountaintop menu at Saddleback’s The Nest in Maine, and the Mac Daddy of them all (if you are asking me): Miso Hungry, serving out of this world ramen bowls and more out of an old Tram car at the base of Jay Peak. Slurp up one of those on a snowy day while sitting by the firepit. I challenge you to find a higher level of yum.
• Embrace your Happy Trails: Back when I was teaching, I’d often have skiers stressed out because they didn’t want to progress past greens or blues, or didn’t love steep bumps. I always told them something I truly believe: if you are happy on a certain type of trail, you are an expert on that trail. What I mean is this: There’s no law that says skiing is only fun when you are on edge or pushing past your fears. For some, that brings the joy. But if your joy comes carving down a lovely groomer or sticking to a more moderate part of the mountain, embrace that. Should we push ourselves to do more? Only when we feel the yearning. And if you don’t this season, embrace your expert self and ski the trail that bring you joy. After all: that’s the whole point of this sport.
Season prep a must
At the end of every ski season I clean all my gear and organize it in my travel bags as if I’m ready to hit the road. It saves me from a wild search of my home for those goggles I just know I put some place safe come the new season.
But even with that end of season set up for the coming winter, I need to do some prep work before my season officially begins. Take some time now to ready all that gear – soft and hard – so when the time comes you’re good to go. Here’s my annual plan, one that seems to work well and keep me organized.
* Try on everything: Jackets, pants, base layers, hats, mittens, ski boots and the rest: take time to put each item you plan on using this winter on just for a check through. You’ll know what still fits, what might be worn down and needing replacement, and what feels great. The bonus to this is finding those random $20 in pockets and all those lip sunblock tubes you’ve been searching for all summer. But truly: not much is worse than finding the zipper on your ski pants broke, and you’ve got to be on the hill in 20 minutes. Do a full check through; it’s worth the time.
*Tune your skis: I don’t care if they felt fine last spring, it’s always a good idea to tune your skis up pre-season. Even if you washed them well and stored them in a cool, dry place over the summer (as you should), grime and rust can build, and a nice tune up starts you out at top performance level. Sharp edges and fresh wax make your day all the better.
*Pre-purchase tickets: I never want to live in a world where last moment ski days are not a thing. That said, we live in a ski world that rewards us for early purchases. Even if you don’t hold a season pass or any kind, think ahead to what areas you want to visit this winter and check their websites for early purchase deals.
Great spots to start, besides the resort website itself, are Ski New Hampshire (https://www.skinh.com/) and Ski Vermont (https://skivermont.com/), where you can often find deals.
There are some must-do deals to plan for ahead of time too, like Gunstock Mountain’s Friday night deals (https://www.gunstock.com/) and Cranmore’s Sunday deals (https://cranmore.com/), Think ahead to those unique holidays to find purchase ahead deals as well, like St. Patrick’s Day and even Super Bowl Sunday. While the best way to ski and ride more affordably is purchasing season passes super early, there are still deals to be had. The more forward thinking you are, the more you’ll find.
Here’s one to get you revved up: King Pine Ski Area (https://www.kingpine.com/) rolls back its ticket prices to their first years for one day each season. This year, on Thursday, Dec. 18, you pay just $4 to ski and ride. Now that’s worth planning ahead for.
