A Vermont Photographer Inspired by Winter

Photos taken by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley in 1902.

If you were asked to describe a snowflake, what would you say?

Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, who lived in Jericho, Vermont, was fascinated by snowflakes. A small collection of his 19th century photographs of snowflakes went on sale last week at the American Antiques Show in New York. Bentley was the first person to capture a snowflake with his camera, and a collection of his groundbreaking images are on permanent exhibition at the Jericho Historical Society's Snowflake Bentley Museum.

Bentley, who died in 1931, discovered that no two snowflakes are alike. He described snowflakes as miracles of beauty and that every crystal was a masterpiece of design. When a snowflake melted, he said, that design was forever lost.

Even though I appreciate the beauty of snow, I've never really thought about it that way. But for the next two months, I'm going to try.

Fresh snowflakes falling in my backyard, a few miles from Bentley's hometown of Jericho.

Vermont Winter Scenes

Lincoln Peak at Sugarbush Resort (photo taken in Waitsfield, Vermont).

Icy branches in Waitsfield, Vermont.

Mount Mansfield (photo taken in Jericho, Vermont).

Lost Ski Area: Snow Valley in Winhall, Vermont

The small but wonderful Snow Valley ski area in Winhall, Vermont operated between 1938 and 1982. The mountain had 15 trails with memorable names like Steeple Chase, Bulldozer, Boomerang, and Misery (a tough trail!).

Growing up in nearby Manchester, I was fortunate enough to spend my childhood skiing at four Vermont mountains - Stratton, Bromley, Magic Mountain, and Snow Valley. When Snow Valley closed, locals and out-of-state visitors mourned the loss of this no-frills, friendly little mountain.

Nearly 30 years later, plans to revitalize Snow Valley as a private ski area are in the works, thanks to a relatively new owner who is trying to bring the mountain back to life. You can read more about the rebirth of Snow Valley on the New England Lost Ski Areas Project's website, which has an extensive history of lost and revitalized ski areas. Visit www.nelsap.org.

A ski map of Snow Valley from the 1940s.
(Courtesy of Eric Maloney and the New England Lost Ski Areas Project).

Merck Forest and Farmland Center

The first time I visited Merck Forest and Farmland Center in Rupert, Vermont was in the early 1980s during an elementary school field trip. I've returned to the 3,100-acre forest over the years, but never in winter.

On Saturday I stopped by and saw quite a few people exploring the grounds on snowshoes and cross-country skis. At least a half-dozen people were walking their dogs, and a few brave souls were hiking into the woods for some winter camping.

Located off Route 315 in southwestern Vermont, Merck Forest was set aside in the 1950s as a foundation by George Merck of the Merck Drug Company. The non-profit organization's mission is to teach and demonstrate the benefits of innovative and sustainable management of forest and farmland.

Maintained through donations, Merck Forest is open year-round and offers hiking, camping, swimming, picnic areas, educational programs, summer camps for kids, and more. Since this is a working farm, you'll also see sheep, chickens and horses. Visit www.merckforest.org.

Winter Glow on Camel's Hump

I never grow tired of this view. The morning sun on Wednesday created an incredible white glow on Vermont's mountain peaks. This photo was taken from my office in Montpelier as soon as I arrived to work. (Here's a photo of the same view taken in late fall.)

The mountain to the right in the top photo is Camel's Hump, which has an elevation of 4,083 feet. While there is no ski resort there, Camel's Hump is a popular hiking destination in the summer and fall.

The hiking trails on Camel's Hump are part of the Long Trail system, a 270-mile footpath that follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains. Constructed between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States and was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail.

Sledding at Casey's Hill in Underhill, Vermont

Casey's Hill is a famous sledding hill in the Pleasant Valley area of Underhill, Vermont. The hill, which sits in the shadow of Mount Mansfield, has been a popular sledding destination for generations. On any given winter weekend, you'll find dozens of kids and families gliding across the snow on toboggans, tubes, and sliders.

Casey's Hill was purchased by the Town of Underhill in 2005 and will remain protected from development thanks to the town, the Jericho Underhill Land Trust and the Vermont Land Trust. It's nice to know that such a special place will never change.

Snowshoeing at Smugglers' Notch

Dave and I spent New Year's Day snowshoeing at Smugglers' Notch in Jeffersonville, Vermont. The resort's Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center includes 34 kilometers of cross-country ski trails plus 24 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe terrain.

Getting outdoors on my snowshoes was a good way to start the year since I'm determined to get more exercise this winter. The trails at Smugglers' Notch offer terrain for all levels, which makes snowshoeing and cross-country skiing here perfect for families, couples and serious outdoor enthusiasts.

First Snowstorm of 2010

It's been snowing in northern Vermont since New Year's Day. More than a foot of snow has fallen at Vermont ski areas, including Bolton Valley, Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Burke Mountain, Killington, Smugglers' Notch, Stratton, and Sugarbush.

The Burlington area received about 32 inches over the weekend, and the snow is still coming down. Burlington's all-time record for a single snowstorm was 29.7 inches, so this storm has set a new record for the city.

Get outside if you can today and enjoy the snow. It's so peaceful and beautiful out there.