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Prior to the start of this year’s ski season, which began for many resorts in early December, questions lingered throughout the ski industry concerning just how many people would come to the slopes considering the current environment. From all reports, those questions have been answered emphatically. People want to ski, and they have been packing the resorts while at the same time adhering to strict social distancing guidelines.

With big snow happening on both sides of the US and Canada, conditions look fantastic heading into Christmas week.

Halloween weekend and first days of November will feature forecast tricks and treats. With a leftover hurricane delivering snow to New England and ski areas opening in the west, this time of year is always a treat to build ski season excitement.

Vermont's ski resorts employ about 13,000 people, a quarter of them year-round, and the $1.6 billion industry typically brings in $925 million in direct spending, plus the $675 million resorts spend on vendors according to Ski Vermont. The current pandemic, however, has been anything but typical, and across Vermont, ski resorts are taking different approaches for how to open for the upcoming season.

Two of New England’s premier mountain resorts are ready to open for the season – mountain bike season that is!

As you’re reflecting on another amazing winter, consider all the green you can save by purchasing next year’s pass now. If Vermont is on your list, check out all of the Green Mountain state 2019-20 season pass options.

The season pass landscape has erupted with options. Chief among them for access to worldwide areas are Ikon and Epic passes.

Alterra Mountain Company will invest $181 million across its 14 North American mountain destinations for the upcoming year, including new high-speed lifts at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Winter Park, direct to lift access at Deer Valley Resort, an expansive renovation of the Bobbie Burns lodge at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, and an upgrade of Steamboat’s gondola.

When it comes to action sports, images in magazines, narratives being told and events being shown have largely focused on male competitors. Stratton Mountain was one of the first in the country to offer a female-focused approach to skiing and riding. Now, women like Stratton’s Jessie Diggins and Lindsey Jacobellis are beginning to change the narrative on female participation on an international level.

An on-mountain lunch break is a treat you’ll want to savor on your next ski trip, with easy access from the slopes, mountain views, and maybe even a deck for some springtime goggle-tanning. SnoCountry takes a look at some of the best bets for on-mountain lunch.

Whether you’re in it for first chair or last call, the best way to spend college spring break is on the sunny slopes of your favorite resort. SnoCountry took a look at some of our favorite college spring break destinations. 

It’s been an incredible January for so many ski areas across North America. January will be one to remember with snow-packed storms, keeping soft turn after soft turn.

Mother Nature has brought fresh snow to the mountains for Vermont, which means it's time to start planning your winter getaway. Check out  this sampling of deals that Vermont resorts have put together and book a trip that will make your family and your wallet smile. 

While we love to see the snow fall at our favorite resorts, some drivers might be intimidated when winter weather creates challenging driving conditions. But by taking a few simple precautions and being aware, you can make it to the mountains safely.

Now part of the Alterra Mountain Company and the Ikon Pass, the quaint slopeside village and trails of southern Vermont’s Stratton will soon offer a new lift and restructured trails that benefit every level of skier and rider at the mountain.

That’s right, it’s only November and the Northeast is having one of the best starts to the season in recent memory. If you haven’t already headed for the hills, get your sick day excuses ready and make your way to your nearest mountain.

New England boasts six resorts for Ikon Pass holders, all within five hours of each other. With an easy flight into Boston, you can hit them all in six days. Here’s an inside look at the Northeast’s Ikon adventures.

So you’ve got a friend – or perhaps a significant other –that you’d love to share your passion for the mountains with. You know that if that friend can have as great a time skiing or riding as you do, he or she will be hooked. Having a fun and successful first outing is key to making sure new skiers and riders will keep coming back for more, so SnoCountry.com picked some great destinations for making those learning days just the beginning of many wonderful days on snow.

A sure sign that ski and snowboard season is just around the corner comes when resort promoters, equipment reps and retailers head to big cities across the country for preseason ski and snowboard shows.

Those in the market for 2018-19 season passes at Vermont resorts still have time to save big, thanks to fall deadlines on some of the best deals in the business.