Good Times at Burke!

We hit VT to celebrate The Mountain Report's 10th Anniversary and end a fantastic season! The spring skiing came early this year, and we ain't complaining! A Big thanks to the Boston Ski and Sports Club for bringing their crew and celebrating with us.  And a Happy St. Patty's to that little Irishman inside us all!

Surf's Up, Channel Shredders

So, when it comes to watching your favorite show The Mountain Report (don't deny it) we often get a lot of questions. Some of the most recurring are:

1. I don't have Comcast, can I still watch?
2. What channel are you on?
3. When does the show air?
4. Can I have Earle's job?

It's time to answer this queries so that you're not missing anymore valuable viewing time.

1. I don't have Comcast, can I still watch? Of course! Comcast SportsNet New England (our channel) is not the same as Comcast the cable provider. So whether you have Verizon, RCN, DirecTV, satelite, or bunny ears (you might have to check on that one) you'll be able to watch the show.
2. What channel are you on? Have no fear, we've rounded up a handy tool to help you figure that out. Just click this link to determine what channel the show is on your television, and where you can get it in HD!
3. When does the show air? The show is pretty consistently on every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday... but because of our beloved Celtics, sometimes we get bumped. The most sure-fire way to catch every episode? Check our website every week for updated times!
4. Can I have Earle's job? He doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon. But you can live vicariously through him every week!

The Luxury Mountain Getaway: How Romountic!

Nordic Village is like a scene out of a Thomas Kinkade painting... capturing the essence of rural Americana in every snow-covered bridge and soft street lamp. It might evoke some childhood memories of past trips to Jackson, NH... ice skating on the pond at Nordic Falls, swimming in the outdoor heated pool, taking a bird's-eye-view from the balcony of one of their two-story suites.... all of which still remain for your nostalgic pleasure.

But as fond as those old memories are, Nordic Village has more to offer these days than your childhood let on. Up the hill from the hub of activity is a relatively new development for the more mature vacationers... two Victorian-style Chateaus, over 8,000 square feet of comfort and indulgence. Whether you opt to rent them whole, room by room or suite by suite, they house every amenity you could need for the ultimate luxury mountain getaway... from a large wedding to an intimate anniversary.

 After a day skiing on local mountains or skating in Nordic falls, you can retire to your chateau and slip into an enormous jacuzzi tub, curl up by the fire, or cook a romantic meal in your own gourmet kitchen (or a less romantic spaghetti dinner for the production crew!)

But nothing is as sumptuous as the expansive view of the White Mountains from one of the outdoor balconies. Wrapped in nature, sitting in lavishness, what more could you ask for?

Ok, maybe a glass of wine... and someone to do the dishes (cough-Earle-cough)

TMR Takes On the 603- This WeEk!

Tune in to Comcast SportsNet New England this week as TMR takes on the Granite State! See footage from Wildcat, Attitash and Black ... as well as the luxury accomodations of Nordic Village and the delicious dining at The Common Man restaurant!

• Wed. February 8 at 12pm
• Thurs. February 9 at 9:30pm
• Sat. February 11 at 11am
• Sun. February 12 at 12pm

Lovin' the Smuggin'

America's Family Resort. It's not just a tagline, it's a lifestyle. True to the traditional Vermontian-vibe, Smugglers' Notch feels like home... a cozy, picturesque, exceedingly entertaining home.

The Smuggs ambiance is what we affectionately refer to as a "snow globe": you're contained in a winter wonderland with all amenities close at hand. There are homestyle restaurants, hoppin'  apres spots, play zones for the kids... oh, and did we mention AMAZING SKIING?!? It doesn't matter if you're a tot testing out your ski legs or a super shredding master, you'll find your niche on this hill.

Case in point: The Johnson Family. Hugh, his wife and their two young ones are no strangers to the Smuggs' terrain... this is their workplace and their playground, and they are a genuine testament to the resort's family-friendly reputation. As we meandered down the pine-fringed trails with the family, it was evident that this is the kind of mountain that brings people together.

And speaking of bringing people together, karaoke at Bootleggers' Lounge does a fine job of that as well. Just downstairs from Riga-Bello's Italian eatery, this subterranean hotspot is a big draw for the adult crowd. Featuring some great local brews and spirits (and some pretty impressive vocals), this is the perfect spot to end a night on the mountain.

As for the little ones, they can end the night at the FUN ZONE, which is just as fun as it sounds. With inflatable obstacle courses, giant slides, mini golf, arcade games, and the one-and-only Mogul Mouse, even Earle and Kim had a great time!

Another highlight of the Smuggs trip... night snowmobiling through the Notch! You can head out with the Smuggs crew at dusk to catch a new perspective of the landscape. The fun doesn't end when the lifts close... you can still tear up some snow and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Green Mountain State! These folks have it right when they say "Yes, it's that good."

Photo: Smuggs.com

Did Ya Miss It??

For those of you who missed the Tuesday broadcast (or just want more TMR!) we will air again on:

• Saturday Jan. 28 at  11:00am
• Saturday Jan. 28 at 7:30pm
• Sunday Jan. 29 at 2:30pm 

And THIS time with never-before-scene content from Smugglers' Notch Resort! Remember, you can find us on Comcast SportsNet New England (the Celtics Channel!)

Locked, Loaded, and Aimed for GUNSTOCK!

Blundersmoke, Pistol, Recoil, Musket. No, this isn't an episode recap of Sons of Guns... these are trail heads on New Hampshire's own Gunstock Mountain. And these are just 4 of 55 trails across their 227 snowy ski-able acres.


Our host Kim grew up in New Hampshire and has many fond memories of childhood trips to the Gilford resort (cue nostalgic violins)...  but even she was surprised how much the mountain has improved over the past few years. The skiing and riding is great, yes, but Gunstock understands that winter has a lot more to offer. That's why they've implemented a three-lane tubing hill, a stocked terrain park, a trick fall-cushion aptly named the Big Air Bag, and-- get this-- the LONGEST ZIP LINE TOUR IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.!

Sorry for shouting at you. We're just excited.

This thing is INSANE! Imagine flying through the air at speeds of over 60MPH above snow-drizzled tree tops and deep valleys below, where passing skiers look like little ants ripping down the hill on a pair of toothpicks! Now imagine being able to stop mid-line and just take in the view, hanging above the earth at heights of over 100ft.! It's surreal. It's liberating. It makes you want to strap an American flag to your back and sing the National Anthem while flying through the air. (Ok, maybe that's just us).

Bottom line, it's something you need to experience for yourself! Once you see our experience, you'll certainly be booking your own trip to the Granite State!

And while you're awaiting our footage, we have provided this dramatization:

(No copyright infringment intended, Maxwell.)

(Of course, we must also thank our hosts with the mosts, Gunstock Gents Bill and Jonah...you guys rock! Here's to your hospitality...pinkies up!) 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!

In other Gunstock news, we'd like to thank the gang at Cactus Jack's for an incredible night of MexicApres! This is the area's best TexMex spot, with stellar margaritas, delicious fajitas and hotter-than-hellooooo hot sauce. (Kim learned this the hard way.) And while you're munching on wings and enjoying the intimate southwestern ambiance, you can take in the game on one of their many flatscreens, or take on a pal (or wooden statue) in a rousing game of foosball.  That Cactus Jack is no one-trick-pony!

Oh, and we can't forget some big news in the world of accomodations. The area has recently introduced a beautiful new Marriot-owned hotel called TownePlace Suites. The longstanding Fireside Inn was always the go-to for overnight skiers, but the new luxury amenities of Towne-Place are a welcome addition. Peep the pic of our suites!

603 Represent

Updates to follow. You won't want to miss this.... 

Sugarbush Highlights

We've been back in the Bean for a few days, but we can't shake the residual buzz from a great trip to Sugarbush. Several inches of fresh pow and some even fresher Ben and Jerry's ice cream will do that to you. Imagine the tease of having to leave one of your favorite mountains during a snow squall... Snow, snow, everywhere, and not a drop to shred. That's just cruel, Mother Nature.

But positive memories abound. Earle spent the day cruising down the double blacks with legendary skier John Egan.... rated one of the top 48 greatest skiers of our time and the most influential people in the last 35 years, one of the top 50 skiers on the continent and top 7 in the world, by Powder Magazine. Impressive resume. Even more impressive skill.

Kim spent the day playing with the kids at the fitness facility's great rock wall and INSANELY huge bouncy house. Yes, she went down the inflatable slide. Yes, she liked it.

They ended the day at the beautiful Timbers Restaurant for  another delicious meal. It kicked off with a local cheese platter and some Yak (more delicious than the name suggests) and then moved into an entree of steaks, salmon and seafood stew. The cherry on top, quite literally, was a sampling of maple creme brulee, chocolate cake, and some good ol' B&J's vanilla topped with fresh berries. It was hearty, warm-your-soul food, the type you would expect from a rustic slopeside restaurant.

During our trip, we jokingly threw around the tagline "quintessentially Vermont" but, the truth is, that's exactly what the environment and experience was. From the Clay Brook hotel suites to the Sugarbush shops and restaurants to the quaint little country store where we stopped for coffee on the ride home. This was absolutely, unequivocally, quintessentially Vermont. We just can't get enough of ya, Green Mountains. But we'll be back... and we're bringing more snow.

MANNN DOWNNNN!!!

Welp, we made it out of Vermont relatively unscathed..... save one. But don't worry folks, the camera's doing just fine.

(A big shout out to Sugarbush's AMAZING medical staff for taking care of our Kevy Bear. Yardsales happen, after all.)

Your Daily LOL

Um, yes. Thank you to K2 for turning us onto this.

Give Me Some Sugar

We woke up to an incredible sunrise over the mountains of Warren, VT.

Good Morning, Sugarbush. Let's get shredding.

The Great Molaster of 1919

File this under "Useless Factoids Our Director Knows."

The Boston Molasses Disaster, also known as the Great Molasses Flood and the Great Boston Molasses Tragedy, occurred on January 15, 1919, in the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. A large molasses storage tank burst, and a wave of molasses rushed through the streets at an estimated 35 mph (56 km/h), killing 21 and injuring 150.

The event has entered local folklore, and residents claim that on hot summer days, the area still smells of molasses.^[1]

Oh sweet, sweet tragedy.

On The Road Again...

That's right, Season 10 is in full swing. Hosts Earle and Kim, Cameraman Johnny, and Director Kevin make quite the crew as we navigate the good ol' Green Mountain State in search of snowier pastures.

And, man, are we finding them. Mother Nature has been pretty stingy with the flakeage this season, but that's not keeping our favorite mountains from crankin' it out.

First stop, LUDLOWWWWW. Ludlow VT, home to Okemo Mountain.

*Fun Fact #1: In Native American, "Okemo" means an "Old Wooden Ship." Ok, this is a lie. It actually means "All Come Home." Makes more sense...

We got into Ludlow around midnight on Monday and were put up at the beautiful Kettle Brook condos. The interiors were equipped with full kitchens, livingrooms, diningrooms, plush beds and quaint country decor. Welcome to Vermont.

We woke up bright and early to grab a bite at a local spot called Trappers. It was the kind of place where the coffee was strong, the eggs were hot and the walls were lined with rustic artifacts. But the real gem was the beard on one of the 'regulahs' sitting at the bar. Tried to snap a picture but he was on to us.


After that, Earle hit the mountain and Kim took to the Spring House Pool and Fitness Center to check out the amenities. (Did someone say "Maple Sugar Scrub at the Spa?" Yes, Yes they did.) Then we paid a visit to the Snow Stars program, grabbed some lunch at the Jackson Gore food court (mmm, ginormous salad) and got out for a few more runs on some perfectly groomed terrain.  We rounded out the day with some ice skating in the Ice House. Earle was horrible on skates, just horrible.... And by "horrible," we mean we would never admit he actually tore up the ice like Nancy Kerrigan, pre-pole. (Too soon?)

Then it was onto the Apres at the Coleman Brook Tavern. They are renowned for their nearly 700 wine selections, so we were obviously dipping into the vino... and partaking in a smorgasbord of amazing dishes: Bourbon-braised pork belly, crispy calamari tossed in fire-roasted tomatoes, buttery brie with croutons, golden beat salad, meaty sea bass with capers, sesame-encrusted Ahi tuna *salivates* It was the perfect feast after a long day of shredding.... and sugar scrubs.