The Snow Report: The Story Behind New England’s Oldest Ski Shop
Lahout’s Country Clothing and Ski Shop in Littleton, New Hampshire, is a New England skiing institution. Founded in 1920 as a general store and recreational outfitter, it has spawned a second series of stores in Lincoln, New Hampshire, near Loon Mountain. Under the stewardship of Joe Lahout, who was born in the original building, the company has become an iconic brand in skiing not just in New England but in all of North America. Now, there’s a short documentary on the longtime owner who, at the ripe age of 93, has some tales to tell. Filmed by Stept Productions, the short film takes viewers through Lahout’s time at the store and on his favorite mountain, Cannon.
Joe Lahout & America’s Oldest Ski Shop from lahouts on Vimeo.
Boston Ski and Sports Club has released their 2015-2016 trip schedule, and this one is a doozy. The social sports group has the standard New England spots such as Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Killington, Stowe and Jay Peak on there, but they also have some impressive Canadian trips on the docket. BSSC is organizing outings to Ski Orford, Quebec City, and Montreal this season, plus they have their eyes on the Canadian Rockies with trips to Whistler, Blackcomb, and Revelstoke planned.
BSSC offers day trips from Back Bay, Newton, and Woburn to many New England ski resorts for just $81. That’s cheaper than most lift tickets and they do all the driving.
Over at NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com, the writers note there’s been a pretty slow start to the season across the region even though chairs started turning in mid-October. Chalk it all up to warmer than normal weather patterns. It’s been tough for most mountains to cover their trails with a solid coating of snow this time around. Only Sunday River and Killington have been able to open for consecutive days since mid-October. Taking advantage of a short window of snowmaking weather, Killington and Sunday River are both set to resume skiing on Sunday, November 15. Current 10-day forecasts show minimal good snowmaking opportunities. Bretton Woods, Cranmore, Wildcat, Sugarloaf, Jiminy Peak, Okemo, Smugglers Notch, Stowe, and Sugarbush have all attempted some form of snowmaking at this point in the season.
The New York snowboard group Ice Coast Kills Shit is due out with a new ski film this winter called How Ya Doin? The group’s videos are set in mostly Northeastern locales and are of the amusing variety, filled with pranks and hijinks.
See you on the slopes! Or for now, just the ski shop.
