Tenting out to get the primary chair of the season is… a alternative. Whereas personally, I could not be satisfied to do such a factor, hats off to the skiers so devoted to getting the very first chair of the season that they will camp out the evening earlier than. Nothing says ‘die-hard’ like freezing your buns off all evening to journey a chairlift. Tenting out for first chair could be a hazardous endeavor with the plain publicity to the weather concerned. Nevertheless, most folk do not think about wildlife to be on the prime of the listing for security issues this time of yr, save for possibly a rogue ermine or too. Clearly, a wildlife encounter was removed from the thoughts of 1 skier as they dozed peacefully subsequent to the RFID gates at Sugarbush a number of nights in the past, in anticipation of opening day. Round 9pm, a crew of very curious black bears determined to poke across the base of the chair, most likely questioning in the event that they too, ought to safe their place in line for opening day. Upon realizing the bears had been there, the skier jumped up and ran in the direction of the lodge, abandoning their skis by the gate. The 2026 POWDER Photograph Annual is right here! Search for a print copy on a newsstand close to you, or click on right here to have a duplicate shipped on to your entrance door.
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When you had been questioning why the bears aren’t hibernating but, a lot of of us within the feedback on Sugarbush’s video had been questioning the identical factor. Fortunately, one sensible cookie knowledgeable of us that “New England bears usually do sort of a much less formal hibernation. Much less lively, however nonetheless keen to ski on the weekends…” The extra , of us. In response to Mass Audubon, black bears have a tendency to truly go into hibernation anyplace between late November and mid-December, which suggests these bears are proper on schedule. When you do see a bear, again away quietly and slowly if the bear hasn’t seen you. If it has, do not run and make your self look as giant as potential by holding your arms, bag, or coat (or skis??) overheard. Sing or converse loudly in a non-threatening voice when you again away. Hopefully, this skier wasn’t too scared to nonetheless get their very properly deserved first chair and these bears discovered a quiet place to hang around for the evening.
