Rhode Island's Only Ski Area Has Been Hammered With Snow
Who says that Rhode Island is just about coffee milk and icy cold surf sessions?
Storms have slammed the East Coast, and the smallest state in the union is no exception. Yawgoo Valley Ski Area has gotten pummeled with snow.
The hill has gotten 15” of snow in the past 72 hours. Ticket sales have sold out on some days. The ski area in Exeter, RI opened up for the season in mid-December. Of course, the holidays that shortly followed are some of the busiest, as they are in the rest of the country. But with snow falling in backyards, Yawgoo’s seen an influx of visitors.
"If you see snow in your yard, you start thinking about skiing and snowboarding, so we get a lot of new customers that way. People who take private lessons and are just interested in learning a new sport," Danielle D'Andrea, Operations Manager, told WJAR.
Yawgoo has one of the most affordable learn-to-ride programs I’ve ever seen. For those above the age of 13, $99 will get future riders a rope tow ticket, rope tow instruction, and a use of gear. Lessons will run from 5 to 6 p.m., and riders will be able to ride until 8 p.m. with their lift ticket.
If you’re skeptical of how much fun a hill with 245 vertical drop can be, I get it. The ski area sits just 70’ above sea level. If you acquaint yourself with the Yawgoons, however, you’ll soon see just how much fun it can be. The crew of New England natives features Dylan Gamache, Marcus Rand, and Brian Skorupski. They’ve had snowboarding legends from near and far come visit. Riders like Scott Stevens, Kevin Backstrom, Kas Lemmens, David Djité, Cam Danchak, Paul Danchak, and Cole Navin have all paid a visit to Exeter to see what it’s all about. There are more than 20 of their edits available to watch on YouTube, and few other things will get you more excited to ride.
