Ski Resorts Vermont

In Jackson, N.H., Jackson Hole Ski Touring Center director Thom Perkins had his vacation interrupted with news of Irene. He spent Friday morning surveying some 150 kilometers of trails for damage and said they had lost about six or eight bridges of an estimated 75.

'In 40 years, we've been through this before,' McNair wrote. 'In 1973 this area was hit with a storm that did similar damage. Houses were washed away, and bridges didn't hold; it was really bad. For the most part we fared better this time.'

The local resorts have taken on displaced families as their own, providing free lodging at Killington, Mount Snow and Stratton, explains Riehle. Okemo pulled together a concert event within days to benefit the local community, just one example of ski area fundraising efforts across the state.