Champ lives 2/24

[Evan Perkins]

We skied out from the bike path parking at Colchester Causeway and then across the lake out to Colchester point to where the old open water leads were. Those leads have frozen to orange peel and smooth gray with some nice big pools of Black. we are up off of Providence Island, the first open water we have seen is just a big pool kept open by waterfowl. it's possible the leads off of star farm Beach will also bring folks up into this area as well not sure. Also, possible that these leads may be able to be followed all the way over into New York off of Port Kent if they are completely frozen, but just beginning exploration. If folks have time this afternoon, it's well worth the ski out.

[Michael Connolly]

Looks great! Thanks for the updates, Evan. 

Anyone interested in a ski/skate out there today or tomorrow?

Beginner here and looking for skate buddies for safety. 

Michael Connolly | 802.760.8478

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:26 AM Evan Perkins <evanwpe...@gmail.com> wrote:

We skied out from the bike path parking at Colchester Causeway and then across the lake out to Colchester point to where the old open water leads were. Those leads have frozen to orange peel and smooth gray with some nice big pools of Black. we are up off of Providence Island, the first open water we have seen is just a big pool kept open by waterfowl. it's possible the leads off of star farm Beach will also bring folks up into this area as well not sure. Also, possible that these leads may be able to be followed all the way over into New York off of Port Kent if they are completely frozen, but just beginning exploration. If folks have time this afternoon, it's well worth the ski out.

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[Chi]

It is definitely a ski or snowshoe out to the ice. I am about knee deep in the snow in some of the drifts off the Star farm area.

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[Evan Perkins]

I was able to skate down to the start farm area. As chi said bring skis or snowshoes. Very few ice hazards anywhere 

[Evan Perkins]

Here is my track from today, about 40 miles all told, including skiing out. The only hazards I saw were to open water holes where water fowl were gathered. No unsupportable ice. I hope that the snow over the next 24 hours will blow off because this is a great opportunity for folks to be able to escape across the lake from New York to Vermont on relatively stabil ice with relatively few hazards. The lanes that I was traveling should be visible from a high on Starr Farm Beach, and off of Colchester point from the road. The folks are scouting after the snowsqualls and they see narrow gray lanes, I think it's safe to assume that there's probably some good Skating out there. It would be great to hear some reports tomorrow afternoon.

[Richard Behr]

There's at least one Maine skater considering making the drive to Champlain tomorrow morning!  The forecast for Thursday and Friday look good. 

Kinda depends on what happens with today's snow showers.  

I'll be watching for today's reports.

Grateful, 

Richard Behr 

Richard S. Behr

 

207-441-0678

Specializing in Drift Trips on Maine's 

Premier Smallmouth Bass Rivers

www.threeriversguideservice.biz

22 Trisha Lane

Vassalboro, Maine 04989

 

 

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[Jeff]

Curious where folks are parking and accessing “Starr Farm Beach”

Starr Farm is a seasonal private neighborhood. Are people actually parking at Northgate and using the stairs to get down to the beach and then either ski or snowshoe out to skate-able ice?

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 24, 2026, at 8:13 pm, Evan Perkins <evanwpe...@gmail.com> wrote:



Here is my track from today, about 40 miles all told, including skiing out. The only hazards I saw were to open water holes where water fowl were gathered. No unsupportable ice. I hope that the snow over the next 24 hours will blow off because this is a great opportunity for folks to be able to escape across the lake from New York to Vermont on relatively stabil ice with relatively few hazards. The lanes that I was traveling should be visible from a high on Starr Farm Beach, and off of Colchester point from the road. The folks are scouting after the snowsqualls and they see narrow gray lanes, I think it's safe to assume that there's probably some good Skating out there. It would be great to hear some reports tomorrow afternoon.

<IMG_4622.jpeg>

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 3:07 PM Evan Perkins <evanwpe...@gmail.com> wrote:

I was able to skate down to the start farm area. As chi said bring skis or snowshoes. Very few ice hazards anywhere 

<IMG_4621.jpeg>

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 1:56 PM Chi <typec...@gmail.com> wrote:

It is definitely a ski or snowshoe out to the ice. I am about knee deep in the snow in some of the drifts off the Star farm area.

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 1:23 PM Michael Connolly <michael.x...@gmail.com> wrote:

Looks great! Thanks for the updates, Evan. 

Anyone interested in a ski/skate out there today or tomorrow?

Beginner here and looking for skate buddies for safety. 

Michael Connolly | 802.760.8478

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:26 AM Evan Perkins <evanwpe...@gmail.com> wrote:

We skied out from the bike path parking at Colchester Causeway and then across the lake out to Colchester point to where the old open water leads were. Those leads have frozen to orange peel and smooth gray with some nice big pools of Black. we are up off of Providence Island, the first open water we have seen is just a big pool kept open by waterfowl. it's possible the leads off of star farm Beach will also bring folks up into this area as well not sure. Also, possible that these leads may be able to be followed all the way over into New York off of Port Kent if they are completely frozen, but just beginning exploration. If folks have time this afternoon, it's well worth the ski out.

<IMG_4583.jpeg>

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[Chi]

Park at the Starr Farm Dog Park or the playground park; ski to the first lookout, go down the stairs to the beach (if you're very skilled, you can ski down the second entrance). At the lookout you should be able to see the black ice.

[Jeff]

Thank you, that’s what I assumed but didn’t know if another access had been discovered

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 25, 2026, at 8:43 pm, Chi <typec...@gmail.com> wrote:



Park at the Starr Farm Dog Park or the playground park; ski to the first lookout, go down the stairs to the beach (if you're very skilled, you can ski down the second entrance). At the lookout you should be able to see the black ice.

<413.png>

[JoAnn Berns]

It would be great to get updates on snow in that area... esp those early morning risers... as well as any observations from today.  Thanks!  With appreciation, Jo

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From: vtnordi...@googlegroups.com <vtnordi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Richard Behr <richar...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 9:17 AM
To: Evan Perkins <evanwpe...@gmail.com>
Cc: Chi <typec...@gmail.com>; Michael Connolly <michael.x...@gmail.com>; VTNordicskating <vtnordi...@googlegroups.com>; ADKNordicSkating <adknordi...@googlegroups.com>; NHNordicSkating <nhnordi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [vtnordicskating] Champ lives 2/24

 

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[John Wyman]

Hi all,

Is anyone interested in trying this route to NY and back on Tuesday? 

Regards,

John

(203) 979-2726

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