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Unofficial Networks brought me on as an intern 6 months ago, and what a ride it’s been. I’ve had the chance to share my voice and write about my passion for skiing.

In the spirit of sharing my voice, I thought there would be no better platform for me to share my “Hot Takes” when it comes to the ski/snowboard industry, culture, and lifestyle. So welcome to a reoccurring series called: Hot Laps, Hotter Takes.


I imagine a lot of you reading are pissed off at me based on the title, and that’s a good thing! I’m just a guy who likes to type words on a computer about skiing, so don’t take it too seriously. Also know that I’m fully aware that many of you won’t agree with my takes, so I hope you enjoy making fun of me!

Let’s get into the first installment:

You’re Not A Real Skier If You Don’t Ski The East.

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Just saying “The East” around a skier is sure to bring up a conversation that can go a few different ways:

  1. Extremely positive conversation about The East
  2. Extremely negative conversation about The East
  3. Conversation between two people who have never left the “pristine” slopes of the North American West talk about how they’d never be caught dead skiing The East.

If you find your conversations often resemble #3, this post is for you.

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Tuckerman Ravine, Mount Washington, NH

I’m sure you’ve heard about the “horrible” ice and slick conditions of The East. I’m sure you think that steep, technical, and difficult terrain can’t be found east of the Rockies. The truth is my friends, you are sadly misinformed.

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Powder and Glades At Smugglers Notch, VT. Courtesy: Hugh’s Views

Does The East get less snow and more rain on average than The West? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make The East not worthy of your time on the slopes. Truthfully, The East offers a wide-range of terrain across its mountains.

Smugglers Notch, VT is known for its glades, while Mad River Glen, VT is known for it’s tight and steep trails, and you can even find above tree-line skiing at Sugarloaf, ME. If you think that you won’t find technical terrain in The East, you’re flat-out wrong.

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Sugarloaf’s Snowfields

Let’s dive deeper into the headline that I’m sure a lot of you are still triggered about. All I mean is that skiing The East will turn you into a better skier. Navigating slick conditions on non-optimal snow pack will evolve your skills at an incredible rate.

I went from a straight-up Jerry to an advanced skier (humble brag) after skiing for 5 years in Vermont.

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Courtesy: Mad River Glen

I compare my skiing experience to a famous quote by one of Batman’s greatest enemies Bane. He said, “Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already a man…” In this case, the darkness is East Coast skiing, and the light is that powder stuff all of you are crazy about… I’m molded by East Coast skiing, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Unlike Bane I won’t take those experiences and try to destroy a city, but I will write a blog about it to trigger people online. Somebody once said the pen is mightier than the sword…right?

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Let’s be real… skiing powder is easy! You know what’s not easy? Skiing a narrow tree line on a 35 degree slope with visible rocks, punchy snow, and a rogue ice patch or two. You wanna feel like you have balls while skiing? If yes, then try out The East.

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Cannon Mountain, NH. Courtesy: Franconia Notch

I’m ultimately hoping that this brief rant from the inter-depths of my curious mind will inspire some of you to try skiing in The East for the first time. Take it for what it is, and don’t compare it to the West while you’re skiing.

I think some of you will be pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable The East can be. It will also turn you into a real man or woman on the slopes. That’s what we’re all desperately searching for… right?

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