Prep for 2003

[Newbie]

Thinking about hitting the tuck for the first time it is now mid january. I already have about 10 days under my belt. Any suggestions were i could find some steep terain in prep for my spring trip? I live in the boston area and ski NH and VT mostly. would appreciate any suggestions. PLus any thing you think a newbie should know or prepare for would be great thanks !!!!

[targheehucker]

Chin up at Stowe has "similar" conditions to what you will find at Tucks, yet at one tenth the scale. If you are comfortable going up the Chin with friends and skiing hourglass or profanity, etc... you should be fine technique wise for tucks. The beauty with the bowl is that you can go up as far as your "freak factor" goes then ski down because it gets progressively steeper the farther up you go. Dont think there is any in bounds trail in VT or NH that can compare with the bowl in steepness or scale. Maybe in your pad though - get a board and put it down the stairs in you place, strap a pair of skis on and stand on the board - steep? well 45 degrees is probably the easiest of the pitches youll find at tucks... Just go in late spring and dont be stupid, no worries...

[M@]

I agree with hucker: Tuckerman is a progressive incline with LOTS of ride-out area at the bottom of most lines. Start hiking up and stop when you scared enough. I didn't make it very high my first time, but still had a great time.

Hillman's highway, an excellent tuckerman-area option, is very comparable to stiens run at sugarbush in my opinion. It tends to get bumped up in a similar fashion and is of similar pitch. Biggest difference is the sides are lined with ROCKS more than trees.

M@