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Many climatologists and armchair experts have stated that geographically, the only reliable part of the country to run a ski operation 25-50 years from will be at altitudes found only in parts out West. Does this mean it will not snow in New England in 25-50 years? Probably not, but with global warming who the hell knows – it’s late October in New England and 80 degrees outside!

You can rely however, on the sad but simple fact that more mountains will close in New England (and all over the East coast) in the coming years, adding to the approximately 600 ski areas already lost.

A site called the New England Lost Ski Area Project (www.nelsap.org) is a guide to lost ski areas that may be in your backyard and you never even knew it! Here in Rhode Island I can see Yawgoo Valley ski area lit-up at night from my house. I couldn’t imagine that RI could possibly have another mountain, but NELSAP showed me the way to 4 more!

Outside of RI there are far more areas in Massachusetts and Connecticut and of course Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. If publicly accessible, they can serve as a great way to introduce yourself to a backcountry-like experience, with the proper precautions of course.

If you live in New England and are thinking about what to do on a snowy day this coming winter, consider a new adventure in your own backyard!

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Growing up I raced around on BMX bikes – dirt tracks and backyard jumps. We would set up some pretty crazy jumps and there were a few trips to the emergency room. One time we stacked up 4 tires and made my friend’s little brother stand in them. Just the top of his head was peeking out and his eyes would bulge as we sailed overhead. For crying throughout the whole ordeal we gave him a beating – we sucked (sorry Evan).

The next time I picked up biking was years later and I bought a mountain bike. I rode a few into the ground before I got my hands on a Gary Fisher Super Caliber – I loved that bike and respected the abuse it could take. I could never part with it and still have it in storage.

One type of cycling I never got in to was road biking. I think being a gear guy the clothing was an instant turn off. No man (and 99% of women) should be seen in spandex. So when I finally decided to give road biking a shot I went in my regular shorts and after a while, well… my ass hurt.

Enter the Oakley Alloy 2.6 biking shorts which were designed for mountain bikers and show blatant disregard to wind resistance. I have the padding I need and the loose fitting style I like. While these short themselves are discontinued (check the Oakley Vault for left overs), Oakley carries newer models.

I rushed to put these shorts on and went to put my ID, some cash and chapstick in my pockets – only they weren’t pockets but zippered vents. The pockets were lower down on my thighs and could easily be unzipped when riding – smart! I kept the vents closed initially but opened them up halfway through the ride – ahhh.

Something was digging into my side most of the ride and I later discovered it was a tire tool – cool! I certainly don’t need a tire tool in my shorts, but I do like the sentiment. There are loops on the top of the shorts – do I break out the rainbow colored Mork suspenders on my next ride? Under one of those loops is a hidden pocket – just like Bugs Bunny would have. Bugs could always produce something – a carrot, hat, alarm clock, you name it from his invisible pockets.

Posted by: Lawrence