He heads up both alpine and nordic programs at the area. He s concentrating on getting the ranch solvent, looking for conference business, so nordic programs are a little ways down the line, but I d bet we ll see trails there within two years. Well, 5th graders will anyway. A new program allows them to ski at no cost at both XC and alpine areas in the state. There s some paperwork involved, but every child can get three passes to each Ski Vermont area, equal to over 100 days of free fun.
Similar programs exist in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, California, Colorado, and Utah.
Silver Star, B.C, Sun Valley, ID, and Crystal Mountain, MI, plus The Balsams and Bretton Woods in New Hampshire are maybe tops in my book. So it s fun to hear that Apex Mountain Resort, B.C., a smaller place I know only marginally, has good nordic skiing near the slopes. There s tele skiing, both at the mountain and in the backcountry. Apex Mountain rental shop carries XC gear. Writer-friend Andy Dappen says the Sheeprock Lodge isn t in the center of the resort but is still walking distance from lifts.