Last Week's Top 5 Stories: Science of Skiing, Beast of the East, 2 Trip Reports, and the Snowiest Resorts This Winter

In order of most popular, these were our top five posts of the last seven days:

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The Science That Explains Why Skiing is So Enjoyable

turn — Originally invented as a form of transportation, today, skiing is primarily for recreational enjoyment. Credit: freeride.com

When you are first learning to ski, part of the initial instruction typically includes “french fry to go, pizza to slow.” Those pizzas progress into slow turns, then soon you are linking parallel turns. Functionally you realize that turning is used to steer your direction and control your speed. Then, as you advance further, you become enlightened that the rhythm and pressure created from engaging your edges and flexing the length of your skis with the help of gravity is not only super fun but borderlines nirvana.

There is a neurological explanation as to why this is so enjoyable. This is explained by Dr. John Kitchin, a former neurologist, in his video documentary SLOMO. He explains that lateral acceleration stimulates a set of receptors within the inner ear that connects us to the center of the earth. The otolith, which is a piece of calcium, sits on the membrane of the ear. Any change in the relative position of gravity makes it roll. This gives the body a feeling that it is moving relative to the center of the Earth. This creates that feel-good state where your mind and body experience the ultimate in skiing.

To read the full article: The Science That Explains Why Skiing is So Enjoyable

What do you think? Did you really need science to tell you that?! Join the lively discussion on our Facebook page.

Killington Resort, VT, ‘Last One Standing’ With ‘No End in Sight’ for East’s Longest Season

Killington Resort, VT, is now the only US ski resort still open for skiers and riders in the east after Jay Peak Resort, VT, brought its season to a close yesterday.

Killington is currently open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, spinning the Superstar Express Quad until 5:00 pm.

Related: Killington Resort, VT, Shows Employee Appreciation with Free Gas and Food

The ‘Beast of the East’ has now been operating for 184-days, has a 20″ base, and has seen 216″ of fresh snow this season. The Bike Park is scheduled to open Saturday, May 28.

To read the full article: Killington Resort, VT, ‘Last One Standing’ With ‘No End in Sight’ for East’s Longest Season

Sierra Nevada, CA Report: 60 People, 2 Chutes, 5,000-Vertical-Feet, & 7 Doggers

Report from May 14, 2022

On Sunday, we met up with a group of 60 happy humans to hike & ski 2 epic chutes in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

Yes, you read that right: 60 people.

Costumes
Wigs
Dogs
Kids
Elderly
Beers
Sunburns
Big, funny hats

This is an annual tradition that we’d done once before back in 2016, but when we did it back then, it was an absolute white-out, and ever since we’ve wanted to come back and see what this tour actually looks like.

To read the full report: Sierra Nevada, CA Report: 60 People, 2 Chutes, 5,000-Vertical-Feet, & 7 Doggers

Top 9 Snowiest Resorts in North America Winter 2021/22

Winter is gone, spring is here, and summer is not far behind. But for lots of places, spring has felt more like winter than winter ever did, giving poor snowpack a late boost. Places like Tahoe in California reported more snow in April than January, February, and March combined. Maybe winter was just fashionably late?

For the full list: Top 9 Snowiest Resorts in North America Winter 2021/22