Overview

There are a large number of ski areas in the northeast United States, but the snow climate isn't always conducive for good skiing. Where can one find the most abundant natural snowfall in the northeast United States?

After completing this learning activity, you should be able to recognize where snowfall is most abundant in the northeast United States and, if you move there, know where to find natural snow.

Instructions

Utilize the information located in the Scenario and Key Concepts to answer the questions located in this activity. You may refer to your textbook and notes to help you work through the assigned questions if desired. You will have two attempts to complete this activity. The highest grade will automatically be recorded. Once you have submitted your activity for a second time, you will be able to see the correct answers. Discuss with your instructor if you have questions about your answers or feedback.

Activity is due Sunday, by 11:59 p.m. MT

Submission and Assessment Guidelines

You will complete the quiz associated with this scenario within Canvas. For help on how to take a quiz in Canvas, review How do I take a quiz.
This learning activity is worth 8 points toward your final grade.

Scenario

You have graduated from college (congratulations!) and have accepted a position with a company in Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is located in northern Vermont along the shore of Lake Champlain. It is a beautiful place, but where will you ski?

Snowmaking is absolutely critical in the northeast U.S., but you would like to have the occasional powder day, so you are investigating the regional topography and natural snow climatology.

Key Concepts

a. Regional topography

There are four major upland or mountainous regions of northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire: the Tug Hill Plateau near Lake Ontario, the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York, the Green Mountains that run through Vermont, and the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire. The highest point in the region is Mt. Washington (6,288 feet). [You can right click on the images below and select "Save Image As" to save a larger, higher-resolution version to view on your device].

Topographic map of the northeast United States

b. Ski areas

Selected ski areas for this assignment include Snow Ridge on the Tug Hill Plateau; Whiteface and Gore Mountains in the Adirondack Mountains; Jay Peak, Stowe, Sugarbush, Killington, Stratton, and Mount Snow in Vermont; and Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, Attitash, and Wildcat in the White Mountains.

Selected ski areas of the northeast United States

c. Snow climatology

The average annual snowfall for the northeast United States is analyzed below, with the ski resort locations annotated. Snowfall on mountain peaks may be underestimated, but for the most part, this is a reasonable estimate of average snowfall in the region and at the resorts.

Average annual snowfall in the northeast United STates

Citations

Images:

Key Concepts

- Figure 1. Major topographic features of northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire
  - Citation: Maps for Free. (n.d.). Major topographic features of northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
- Figure 2. Selected ski areas of northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire
  - Citation: Maps for Free. (n.d.). Selected ski areas of northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Quiz
- Question 5
  - Images/links for Question 6:
    - Figure 1. Massive piles of manmade snow on Killington's Superstar Trail.
      - Citation: [u/bnsfwarbonet]. (2019, March 5). The wall of man made snow on Superstar in Killington is getting so tall, it's starting to tower over the lift [Online forum post]. Reddit.
    - Figure 2. June skiing on Killington's Superstar Trail.
      - Citation: miker92. (2017, June 5). Killington: Long live the king. NYSkiBlog.
    - Killington Ski Resort
      - Citation: Killington Ski Resort. (2020, December 23). In Wikipedia.
    Links for Question 7:
    Citation: Localsyr.com (2020, January 20). Pennsylvania man killed in Whiteface Mountain skiing accident. Link to article.
  - Link 1
    - Citation: MWAC News. (2020, December 17). ESAW wrap-up and outreach events. Mount Washington Avalanche Center.
  - Working for the Weekend 6: Spring in Tuckerman Ravine
    - Citation: Ski the East. (2014, May 19). Working for the weekend 6: Spring in Tuckerman Ravine [Video]. YouTube.
  - Tuckerman Ravine
    - Citation: Tuckerman Ravine. (2020, December 23). In Wikipedia.