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Read our latest blogs posts and useful content to plan your fun day at the mountain.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Downhill Both Ways: Tales from the Vertical Challenge
Blog Series Vol. 1 – January 2024 Welcome to “Downhill Both Ways,” our new monthly behind-the-scenes blog series where we share the real, ridiculous, and often hilarious challenges that come with producing the Vertical Challenge—a free amateur ski and snowboard race...
Downhill Both Ways: Tales from the Vertical Challenge
Blog Series Vol. 1 – January 2024 Welcome to “Downhill Both Ways,” our new monthly behind-the-scenes blog series where we share the real, ridiculous, and often hilarious challenges that come with producing the Vertical Challenge—a free amateur ski and snowboard race...
From The Vertical Challenge to Competitive Ski Racing
The Bermant Family As many of our loyal followers know, the Vertical Challenge operates solely for the benefit of its families and the ski community. It is a place for young skiers to be introduced to racing, for families to enjoy their day at the mountain, and to...
The Purpose of the Vertical Challenge
The Vertical Challenge’s purpose is to provide an inclusive environment for families to engage within the community and try ski/snowboard racing. We operate solely for the benefit of the mountain, our sponsors, and the community. The Clark family is a perfect example...
Expect the Unexpected – VC and NASTAR Championship Blog #3, Robyn Loverro
Our last out of the three racers who qualified for the Vertical Challenge Finals and went to the NASTAR Championship is Robyn Loverro. Robyn raced in the women's skiing category, ages 45-49. Although Robyn has a lifelong relationship with skiing, she stumbled upon the...
Two Medals in the Matter of Days
As previewed in our last blog, three racers made the huge accomplishment of earning spots to compete in both the Vertical Challenge finals and the NASTAR national championship. We heard from Shirley in our last blog (can we link to our last blog here once it's posted)...
3 Racers, 2 Championships, 1 Shared Love for the Sport
This past winter we had some amazing success among three of our racers! Shirley Cheng, Brendan Kelsey, and Robyn Loverro all qualified for both the Vertical Challenge Finals and the NASTAR championship! This deserves some major recognition and we wanted to highlight...
Vertical Challenge 2024 Winter Schedule Reveal Explained
It is so hard to believe it is that time of year again… We are sad summer is coming to a close, and we are wrapping up our fun-filled summer events, but we are very excited to announce our 2023-24 WINTER SCHEDULE! Now we didn’t want to make it too easy this year. We...
Plan the ultimate summer vacation at one of these Vermont ski resorts
We’re well into July now, but don’t let anyone tell you that summer is almost over—you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life! Maybe you’d expect the winter sports enthusiasts at the Vertical Challenge to be champing at the bit to strap on our skis again, and...
Summer 2023 Events are Here!
As the countdown until summer dwindles, our offseason and summer events begin. We began with out-of-season events last year and we loved being involved with competitors, families, and friends all year long. It is a privilege to meet all types of athletes and represent...
How to Know if You Have a Good Ski or Snowboard Instructor
If you’ve just started taking ski or snowboard lessons. We congratulate you on taking a big step towards heightened awareness of your form, sharper skills and better safety practices. At the Vertical Challenge, we witness the evolution of skiers and snowboarders who...
Vertical Challenge 2023 Finals
Families, racers, and crew members of the Vertical Challenge all look forward to one particular weekend of the year - the Finals! The 2023 Vertical Challenge Finals was held on Saturday, April 1st and it was a perfect end to another great season! Throughout the week...
A Nutmeg State Weekend!
Test Your Constitution We hold races this weekend in The Constitution State! Here’s where we’ll be: Saturday: Mount Southington, Connecticut Sunday: Ski Sundown, Connecticut We were originally scheduled to host an event Friday at Nashoba Valley in Massachusetts, but...
10 Benefits of Ski Lessons for Children
Few things in this world are cuter than watching a bundled-up five-year-old glide down the bunny slopes on miniature skis. You might have even seen a few participating in Vertical Challenge races (which are open to all ages and ability levels). Maybe the sight of...
What Do the Best Ski and Snowboard Mountains Need to Be #1?
What makes a ski mountain stand out above the rest? In this blog post, we’ll go over the reasons why some destinations become all-time favorites among winter sports enthusiasts. Some ski and snowboard mountains have become household names even among people who...
The Secret Recipe of These Ski and Snowboard Brands to Reach the Top
Ski and snowboard brands such as Rossignol, K2 Sports and RIDE Snowboards claim a dominant position in the marketplace. Keep reading to learn the formula for success of snowboard and ski brands. Winter sports enthusiasts can be quite discerning. For most of...
7 Tips to Improve Your Ski Racing & Become a Better Skier
Ski racing is the next step for many recreational skiers who have already mastered the basics. If you want to learn how to take your skiing up a notch, beat a personal record, or engage in some healthy competition, read on. Anyone who has ever learned something...
5 Things to Keep in Mind Before Taking Ski Lessons
At the Vertical Challenge, people of all ages and ability levels come together to hit the slopes. That’s the beauty of it! But if you’re a first-timer, we do recommend ski lessons to help you get off on the right foot. Professional skiers make it look so easy....
What Ski and Snowboard Elements Are Necessary for a Good First Experience?
At the Vertical Challenge, first-time ski trippers can have fun both on the slopes and at our festival. To make sure they have the best experience, in this blog post we offer some tips about what should be on their packing list. If you’re getting ready for your first...
VC announces FULL schedule, Revamped website
Today, the Vertical Challenge released its 2023 schedule. The family ski and snowboard tour will visit its largest number of resorts in five years this season. In addition, the VC will showcase the schedule and much more on a revamped ski-vc.com website. “We’re so...
Linda Fontaine: A VC Crew Legend
As many of you know, we have introduced a series this summer called “Meet the Crew Monday” for everyone to get to know our crew members on a more personal level. As the summer comes to a close, we wanted to highlight a very special woman who has dedicated many years...
The Difference A Name Makes
Note: This post contains mentions of mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, you can reach free, live support by calling or texting 988...
You Could Win A Season Pass – Take Our VC Survey
For the second consecutive year, everyone who takes The Vertical Challenge’s annual participant survey will get a chance to win a season pass from one of our host mountains near them! And we have an ADDED BONUS this year – our fabulous partners...
Vacation with the Vertical Challenge
As alluded to in our last blog post, the Vertical Challenge has something brewing for the offseason. Traditionally, the VC solely hosts ski and board winter races, but this off-season you will not have to be deprived of the contagious Vertical Challenge energy! In...
Great Things Happened At The 2022 Finals
If you were able to tag along this year, you already know the Vertical Challenge Finals was a great representation of the year. Unpredictable, yet enjoyable! If you couldn’t attend Finals this year, mark your calendars for next year, April 1st, and keep reading for a...
Cardboard and the VC Finals
You read the title of this post and thought, “What does cardboard have to do with the Vertical Challenge Finals?” Well, it turns out the last VC event before the Finals was . . . a cardboard sled race. When weather forced us to cancel ski and snowboard racing...
Racing Is Off For The Weekend But Join Us Sunday At Berkshire East For Festivities
While we regret to announce the weather has scuttled racing this weekend in the Berkshires, the VC will be going to Berkshire East on Sunday (March 20) to help throw a party! Here’s what you need to know: • VC races are off for Saturday at Berkshire East and...
Coming Up: The VC Finals!
We’re more than two thirds through the Vertical Challenge season, which means you’re officially allowed to start thinking about the Finals! OK, it’s not technically an official policy – you’re actually allowed to think about that glorious day any time. It turns out...
Vertical Challenge Season-Starter Press Release
Press Release VC announces FULL schedule, newly Certified By WBENC For Immediate Release Wednesday, December 29, 2021 The Vertical Challenge Ski and Snowboard Tour today announced its 2022 schedule, welcoming a return to a full slate of events for the upcoming season....
The VC Survey: A Win-Win
This year our Vertical Challenge has a special incentive for our survey takers. You’ll have a chance to win a Season Pass from a resort near you! Everyone who takes our survey can be entered to win one. How it works Just take our audience survey (fewer than...
Congratulations to Everyone!
Like we said in the title of this post, congratulations to all of you! We just concluded a fun season with a marvelous finals. If you remember, and we’re sure you do, at this time last year we weren’t sure it could be done. So first, congratulations to all our racers....
Announcement Regarding The 2021 VC Finals
We are excited to announce that we will be holding our Finals at Jay Peak on Saturday, April 10. The 2021 Vertical Challenge Finals is open to anyone who participated in any VC event this season, as well as those who qualified for the 2020 finals. You may have noticed...
Vertical Challenge Ski & Snowboard Tour Returns Sunday
Press Release SKI/SNOWBOARD TOUR RETURNS SUNDAY AT PATS PEAK For Immediate Release Tuesday, February 2, 2021 ALTON BAY, NH – February 2, 2021 – The Vertical Challenge Presented by Chevrolet tour will begin its 30th season Sunday at Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker, New...
The VC Is Ready To Race In 2021!
We’re gearing up for the 2021 Vertical Challenge season! This will be a season like never before, but we’re committed to making it as fun (and safe) as we possibly can. With that in mind, we’ve put together some information to help you get a feel for how we’ll do...
First Six Events for 2021 Announced
The Vertical Challenge is excited to announce our first event dates for 2021! Here’s the “Super Six!” Saturday, January 23, 2021 – Jiminy Peak, MA Sunday, February 7, 2021 – Pats Peak, NH Saturday, February 20, 2021 – Lost Valley, ME Saturday, March 6, 2021 –...
The Vertical Challenge Delivers For Partners
Most of you know the Vertical Challenge doesn’t charge racers any money to participate in our racing or festival events. You probably also realize we can do that through the support of partners – brands who think the values of the VC audience line up with their own....
Help For A Friend Of The VC
A friend of the Vertical Challenge, Dylan Allwine, needs our help right now. This beautiful soul recently had a diving accident which has left him with some fractured vertebrae. After a successful surgery at Mass General, Dyl is now in a rehabilitation program at...
Vertical Challenge Survey!
We’d love for you to take our survey! When we do a survey, we try to make it fun, like the Vertical Challenge is supposed to be. The census, this is not. So make sure you read all the car choices. Would you recommend the VC to a friend OR an enemy? Wait, don’t...
VC Founder Tansey Set For Record Attempt
April 1, 2020 The Vertical Challenge announced today that tour founder Frank Tansey will try to set a new world record for ski jumping distance next month. Tansey will attempt the feat to raise awareness of the Cynthia’s Challenge charity. “I’ve always been a lot...
No Finals Until 2021
The Finals Cancelled We waited as long as we could to do so, but we have had to cancel the VC Finals scheduled for Jay Peak Resort on March 28. The entire resort will be closed due to concerns over the coronavirus. Jay’s president/GM, Steve Wright, wrote a...
Cynthia’s Challenge: One Of The Best Days of the Year
This weekend, the Vertical Challenge teams up for our biggest fundraiser of the year: Cynthia’s Challenge. Its purpose is to help families dealing with the often overwhelming issues associated with raising a child suffering from a severe disability. We love how...
A Mooving Moniker
Those of you who have attended Vertical Challenge events over the last month, or who have followed us on Facebook, have no doubt noticed a big new addition we’ve made. Our friends at Stonyfield, in addition to sending out samples of their delicious organic yogurt...
Vertical Challenge To Visit Smuggler’s Notch Sunday
Press Release SKI/SNOWBOARD TOUR RETURNS TO SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH For Immediate Release Thursday, January 23, 2020 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH, VT – January 23, 2020 – Vermont families who ski and snowboard will have an opportunity to compete together as the Vertical Challenge...
The Vertical Challenge Official Tour Announcement
Press Release SKI/SNOWBOARD TOUR ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE & SCORING For Immediate Release Thursday, January 2, 2020 ALTON BAY, NH – January 2, 2020 – The Vertical Challenge Presented by Chevrolet tour today announced its season schedule of family ski and snowboard races...
The Vertical Challenge and Make-A-Wish
The Vertical Challenge has always hoped to have a positive impact on the young racers who participate on tour. That impulse stemmed from founder Frank Tansey’s desire to pay forward the guidance he had received from caring adults when he was a young person finding his...
Shredding At The VC This Season
We’re excited to announce the VC has partnered with SHRED DOG. What do they do? Well, they create what their customers tell them is the best kids snow gear on the planet – more waterproof, more breathable, and with more performance features for kids than other brands....
A New Opportunity For VC Racers To Achieve
The Vertical Challenge is about giving skiers of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to enjoy ski and snowboard racing, even if they’ve never done it before. One thing we’ve noticed over the years is that when families come to a VC event once, they enjoy it...
Lessons From 28 Years Of Keeping Sponsors Happy
When you’re a family ski and snowboard tour that relies on sponsors to fund your efforts, your success depends on your ability to help our sponsors achieve their goals. We’d like to share a few observations from our nearly 30 years of signage, sampling, and smiles....
Warming Up a Ski Tour
Warmth might not be what you expect to find on a ski slope. And certainly when one attends a Vertical Challengeevent, one can anticipate encountering outdoor temperatures conducive to the ski and snowboard races the tour facilitates. But while the VC’s...
VC-schedule-release-2018-19
Press ReleaseFREE FAMILY SKI AND SNOWBOARD TOUR ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE For Immediate ReleaseWednesday, December 19, 2018 Contact: Heather CliffordVertical Challenge (603) 875-3100Heather.Clifford@ski-vc.com ALTON BAY, NH – December 19, 2018 – New England skiing and...
