August 16, 2023 - Thank you to all who have already purchased passes for next year…if you haven’t yet, it’s never too early Season Pass. And thank you to landowner Jim Ballentine who shared this trailcam image of a cow moose and calf earlier this summer. The little newborn calf is striding (!) so confidently… by now it is probably almost as tall as its mother.

Youth Programs

Kids, 9 and younger, ski free at all times.

A season pass for ages 10 – 12 is just $25.

Saturday Youth Program registration will open in September. As with last year, there will be morning and afternoon options. Two hours in the morning or 90 minutes in the afternoon.

Toddlers & Tots – Complimentary skiing, rental equipment, including pulks, on non-holiday Tuesday mornings for kids age 5- along with one or two adults, and siblings.

Speed Camp – Tuesday after school (non-holiday) games-based skiing for K-8 kids. (Waiver and participation agreement.)

Behind the scenes and below the (snow) surface.

The rock you don’t see is the best rock of all. This crater, where a troublesome rock used to be, is just one example of the work we are doing this summer.

At this time of the year volunteers are doing most of the trail work. In the case of “the rock” John Higgins who does most of the summer work on the Wave Trail network took on that extra task. Michael Pahl has been working with a team that includes Stan Kaubris, Tim Pfifer, Kevin Donohoe, Craig Billie, Steve Frackleton and Dave Greenslit on bridge maintenance and trail signposts among other things.

Snowmaking!

It will be here before you know it.

Last year’s snowmaking was the pilot year, now we are ready for take-off.

JacksonXC’s HKD snowmaking equipment created a trail and terrain features on the Wentworth Resort Loop. In less than a week of snowmaking we provided a base of snow that served skiers from late December through the end of the season.

While this represented only a small percentage of JacksonXC’s 100 K trail network, almost every skier made use of this snow. It was particularly important for youth programs and instruction, providing instructors and coaches with guaranteed snow options for teaching and helping kids learn new skills.

Now that the supply chain issues are resolved we are planning a much earlier start to snowmaking for this winter; and we anticipate opening terrain as early as mid-December.

Unique Island-XC Ski and Cross Train Offer

JacksonXC Skiers/Readers get First Dibs on a Roller Ski Travel Adventure Taking Place NEXT May

The first full week of May 2024 sees the launch of the inaugural roller ski festival on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba. The event is likely the first ski festival anywhere in the Caribbean.

JacksonXC skiers have the opportunity to pre-register for the event before the available number of slots fill up.

Jackson head groomer Silas Eastman; ski patroller Deanna Eastman; Colby College Head Coach Tracey Cote; and Quarry Roads Trails Chief of Competition Patrick Cote visited the island in May 2023 testing the courses. In addition to the (roller) skiing they made use of hiking and running trails that abound on this small but mountainous island, and enjoyed the hospitality, swimming and snorkeling, and uniquely uncommercial island vacation experience.

There is no official connection between Saba/this event and JacksonXC, but the event organizers appreciated the time and ideas they received from Silas (on site) and Ellen (discussion) and decided to open the reservation window to JacksonXC skiers in advance of the public.

The three-race festival with overall winners determined by cumulative times follows the island’s second annual 10K race on Sunday May 5, and skiers receive free entry to this race. Festival dates also coincide with the start of the island’s low season, so travel and accommodation rates are well below the high-season peaks. Two of the island’s principal hotels, Juliana’s and the Cottage Club, are offering 50 percent off accommodation to race participants while space is available.

The Saba Ski Festival offers a fun transition from snow to summer. On a technical note, the test team reported that Saba’s concrete (and pothole-free) roads are best suited for classic technique. They also reported that these courses favor technique and form over pure strength. What better way to celebrate the end of one season and the start of the next?

Racers will be accompanied by a lead police vehicle and supported by a trailing van. Transport to and from each race is provided, and ski storage will be available at certain times at the top of the designed test road so skiers can combine a practice run with a trail hike.

The event schedule allows participants and non-skiing friends/guestsp to take advantage of everything else Saba has to offer.

Early bird registration through the festival’s official timer’s web site is $65.

Saba is a short ferry ride from Sint Maarten, which is a 4-hour non-stop flight from Boston on weekends (with convenient connections the rest of the week) and by easy connections from Portland and other eastern cities every day. Connections from airport to ferry are easily made by taxi.

Saba is part of the Netherlands but English is the most commonly spoken language and the U.S dollar is the legal tender, so no foreign currency fees are applied to any credit / debit card transactions on the island. A valid passport is required but no visa is needed.

For further information, see the attached flyer or email Chris at sabaskifestival@gmail.com. For more about Saba visit https://www.sabatourism.com/.