When one thinks of skiing in New England places like Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire come to mind

... other than the coast of Maine where there are essentially no ski areas along the coast or within a short drive (30 mins or less) there are no places to take a run downhill or... are there?

Southern New England and the New England Coast are normally far too temperate, warm and wet and relatively flat (in terms of skiable hills) but there are a couple of places worthy of mention. While simple bunny slopes in comparison to their northern New England cousins in Vermont, New Hampshire and far western Maine the first area, closed for the season due to the sale of the property is a 35 minute drive from InterState 95 in Middlefield, CT is Powder Ridge (aka The Ridge). "Where Connecticut Learns to Ski" is a small ski area with a handful of straight trails, a clubhouse/warming hut, cafe, rentals area and a few more points of interest. Powder Ridge previously opened for 46 years has been closed due to the sale of the property but looks to open again in 2008-09. In the 1970s Powder Ridge actually hosted a World Cup ski event where none other than Suzee Chafee skiied and called the ridge her favorite little mountain. Why the ridge? they had snow making and trails just long enough to host slalom events.

See www.powderridgect.com for more information.  2005 Trail Map of "The Ridge".

Traveling farther east... appropriately using Green (lack of snow) one comes to none other than Yawgoo Valley in Rhode Island. Yes Rhode Island. Located just off I-95 and Route 138a Yawgoo is even smaller than Powder Ridge and is nestled in the hills of Southwest Rhode Island. Ideal like the Ridge for snow tubing, young family events, new to skiing and snowboarding Yawgoo has a short Dec-Mar. season but is great and inexpensive (about 20 bucks for a lift ticket) for a quick run down the slopes and an intro to skiing day for the family.


 (Bunny Slope at Yawgoo)  see http://www.yawgoo.com/Ski%20Area.htm for more info.
Both areas offer ski schools (ski wee program) as well as summer activities (i.e. water park) and are well worth a run and at least a stop by if in the area. This is what New England Skiing (is and was) all about.

While the Northern States do offer the best variety, after ski, and conditions these little areas in the south along with Nashoba Valley in the Blue Hills (outside of Boston) offer family fun at family prices and are definitely worth visits.