With mountains across New England opening their slopes to eager skiers, snowboarders and snow lovers in the coming weeks—some, like Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, opening as soon as November 16—we’ve turned our attention to the New England winter sport scene. To get you amped for the coming season, we got in touch with some local college kids and recent grads to ask them about their favorite parts of skiing the East. After chatting, it seems that trees always pose an exciting threat to the avid skier. And of course everyone from weekend skiers to season-pass holders loves a warm hot chocolate, a full stomach, and a cozy evening after a long day on the slopes. We hope you’re getting as stoked about the impending ski season as we are.

JULIE STASIUK

Hometown: Merrimac, MA

College attended: University of Vermont

Favorite mountain: Sunday River, ME

What’s your routine during ski season? How much and how often?

I have a ski pass to Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont that I got discounted through being a UVM student, so I go skiing at least once a week every Saturday. The ski pass is 380 for the year, but you can go unlimited number of times.

What’s the craziest thing that you do on a regular basis on the slopes?

The craziest thing I’ve done is skiing in the woods with some friends by hiking off trail and exploring the woods!

What do your friends who aren’t ski bums not understand about you?

People who are not ski bums don’t understand how fun it is after you get over the fear of conquering the mountain!

What’s your favorite mountain in New England to ski, and why?

I love Sunday River in Maine—it’s a big resort with a lot of different slopes, it has a family mountain feel, and the hot chocolate is great to have after a long day’s ski. I also love being in Maine.

What’s your favorite post-ski activity?

I love to play board games and drink hot cocoa after a day’s ski, and maybe watch a movie!

JASMINE MIRRAS

Hometown: Salem, NH

College attended: Lesley University

Favorite mountain: Cannon Mountain, NH

What’s your routine during ski season? How much and how often?

I go skiing as often as I can—with work now, it’s usually every other weekend.

What’s the craziest thing that you do on a regular basis on the slopes?

I can’t answer [that question], ’cause I like the green trails and I ain’t no daredevil!

What do your friends who aren’t ski bums not understand about you?

Friends don’t understand how fun it is and really good exercise too! Most mountains have really pretty views from the top so that’s worth it in itself.

What’s your favorite mountain in New England to ski, and why?

My favorite mountain is Cannon Mountain in Franconia, NH. It has a wide range of difficulty and easiness so it’s good for everyone. Wildcat Mountain in Pinkham Notch, NH, is a close second for the same reason.

What’s your favorite post-ski activity?

And the best post-ski activity is going to a local restaurant for drinks and food. Most people have been skiing all day too, and it doesn’t matter if you’re all sweaty and gross. Everyone is there for a good time and to eat after a day of skiing.

PHIL ROBINSON

Hometown: West Newbury, MA

College attended: University of Rhode Island

Favorite mountain: Franconia Notch, NH

What’s your routine during ski season? How much and how often?

I try to go at least 15 times a year. I usually get to the mountain around 9:30 and ski until close to 4.

What’s the craziest thing that you do on a regular basis on the slopes?

The craziest thing I do on a regular basis on skis is probably seeing how fast I can ski through trees without hitting any.

What do your friends who aren’t ski bums not understand about you?

My friends who don’t ski probably don’t understand why I get excited when the mountains get any amount of snow, or why I enjoy hiking for hours up Mount Washington to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine in the spring.

What’s your favorite mountain in New England to ski, and why?

Franconia Notch in New Hampshire, because I learned to ski there and some of my earliest memories are of learning to pizza and french fry on the bunny slope there.

What’s your favorite post-ski activity?

My favorite post-skiing activity is usually to smoke a joint or drink a few beers.

NATHAN ROSCOE

Hometown: Falmouth, ME

College attended: University of Maine

Favorite mountain: Sugarbush

What’s your routine during ski season? How much and how often?

Going up to a friend’s cabin with a group on the weekends, usually Friday, then waking up early Saturday to hit the slopes.

What’s the craziest thing that you do on a regular basis on the slopes?

Back woods skiing—glades—where there are tons of trees, and I’m skiing in thick forests.

What do your friends who aren’t ski bums not understand about you?

My friends who aren’t ski bums don’t understand how relaxing and refreshing going skiing for the day is. It recharges the batteries. It’s similar to hiking or something, as you get beautiful views of the mountains while also being outside.

What’s your favorite mountain in New England to ski, and why?

My favorite mountain is by far Sugarloaf, with the sole reason being that it creates the best community. I would argue it’s better than anywhere in the country. That is why wherever you are in the world, you will instantly bond with someone who is a Sugarloafer.

Favorite post-ski activity?

Eating a stupid amount of food at a local restaurant and bar, and just lounging in some comfy clothes.

BONUS CONTENT: KILLINGTON RESORT’S MICHAEL JOSEPH

With the ski season approaching, we got in touch with a staff member at Vermont’s Killington Resort to get the inside scoop on living and working slope-side. Michael Joseph is a West Virginia University alumnus whose passion for snowboarding and public relations led him to a full-time position as the communications manager at Killington.

“I’m a snowboarder—but I think any passionate skier or snowboarder should take the opportunity to live, work, and play in a mountain town at some point in their lives. And why wait for retirement when you can make it work in your twenties?

“Ski resorts are huge organizations, so no matter what you studied in school there is likely a fit. And if you’d prefer to spend the bulk of your time on snow instead of in an office, mountain operations jobs like snow-making, snow sports school coaching, or lift operations offer a very unique perspective on how the big machine works.

“Most ski areas have one or more fall job fairs, and if you’re not a picky employee and just want to secure a job at the resort to enable your powder-hounding during the winter, you can usually bring in your resume and walk out with a job or a lead. If you can’t be there in person, absolutely check employment pages of ski areas you frequent or would like to visit—fall is prime hiring season in the industry, so make sure to jump at any opportunities you have before the snow flies and business picks up!”

For those of you wondering what the hell to do after graduation, this might be a viable option to feed your need for snow… or at least get you through that initial post-graduation slump. And like Michael said, there’s no better time to try it out!