Who would have imagined that all that wonderful snow that fell from the sky right before February vacation would melt away so quickly? Despite that glorious Winter abundance, the warmest February on record quickly dispatched the skier’s delight as the temperature soared into the 60’s.

It seemed to suggest that the 2017 snow season had come to an early end.  

However, in the upper reaches of Vermont, hope springs eternal. Vermont is a very unusual place. If Maine is the state of rugged individualism, Vermont is the state of optimistic idealism. Many of my New Hampshire friends refer to the state as “The People’s Republic of Vermont.”

Vermont is a place where myth and reality blend. Vermonters will swear that the fall foliage is always brighter in Vermont, the cows are more contented In Vermont, the mountains are more majestic, the farms more picturesque, and the quality and variety of the skiing is the best in the world.  

They say the snow is softer in Vermont, that the winds blow more gently and the temperatures are less chilling in Vermont. They even report that the maple sugar is sweeter in Vermont. My personal introduction to Vermont came when I was teaching at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. All my favorite students were Vermonters.   

The cult of snow enthusiasts in the Northeast is not centralized around Vermont without reason. With Mount Snow, Stowe, Stratton, Killington, Jay and Sugarbush Resorts, (to name a few), there is a virtually unlimited amount of exploration for skiers and snowboarders.

If you are looking for snow in spring, look to Vermont’s Jay Peak. Just a few miles from the Canadian border lies the Jay Peak Resort and Water Park.  For the lover of tree skiing, this place rocks. It benefits from “lake effect snow” and lives in the meteorological phenomena known as the ”Jay Cloud.”

If there is snow to be found in the Northeast, you will find it at Jay.  

In recent years, Jay Peak has undergone a major metamorphosis. With the infusion of financial assistance from the obscure Federal program called “EB 5,” an avalanche of cash came down on Jay like a blizzard. With that treasure trove of green stuff, the resort now hosts a bevy of luxury hotels and the Pump House Water Park (a single night for two at the Hotel Jay can cost you up to $428. That price includes a ticket to ski and a pass to the water park, but breakfast is not included).

The Pump House is an indoor water playground of 55,000 square feet. It features four water slides, an “Adventure River Wave Pool” and a “Double Barrel Flow Rider” where can use a boogie board or surf standing up. It also hosts a rock climbing wall, a water basketball court and an activity pool for toddlers. The waterslide “La Chute” is no less that 65 feet of thrill that rockets you through a five-story drop and a loop-de-loop in a less than seven seconds.   

Unfortunately, an aura of shady dealing surfaced in 2014 in the area of fundraising and the allocation of resources that resulted in a rat’s nest of legal trouble and allegations of fraud.  All that tarnish on Jay’s reputation will hopefully be resolved.  

However there is nothing fraudulent about the network of 78 trails that meander down Jay’s 2,000-plus feet of vertical.  Nine lifts service the mountain and its plethora of glades, including the Jay Tram that sends 60 folks to the summit in minutes. The tram is an architectural and engineering miracle and a very pleasant way to travel, especially during frosty temperatures.  

A single day lift ticket will hit your wallet for $80, however you can find a lift ticket on-line at Liftopia for as low as $38.  

If you are seeking bargain lodging that is an unforgettable experience, 

book a room at Grampa Grunts. This unique bit of legendary lodging has been in existence for almost 50 years.  An overnight during the midweek is only $45 and on weekends and holidays it only jumps to $50 per night and includes breakfast. Grampa Grunts is only 8 miles from the mountain in the town if Montgomery Center. To make a reservation at Grampa Grunts simply call 802-326-4572. Of all the many places that my son and I stayed at during our ski trips, Grandpa Grunts was his favorite and most memorable.  

Like Vermonters, I remain optimistic and live in the hope that I will see snow in April.  

—Greg Morell’s Snow Business Column seek to encourage outdoor winter recreation.  You can contact him at Morell.Gregory@gmail.com