For those that have never heard of this, believe me, it's true. Well, again, it's true as far as I know because I have heard about it in more than one place. No, I'm now talking about the bra tree. That isn't a legend. That's just something that seems to pop up at just about every mountain. I've seen those many times. No, I'm talking about a legend that folks swear is true, but possibly no one, save a select few, has actually witnessed. Something like the Bigfoot that was mentioned in the first paragraph.

I'm talking about the not-so-known, though absolutely spoken of with a legendary status, secret trail that only real in-the-know locals and employees know about.

"Tim, I don't think you know what you're talking about?"

You could say that and I'm sure that's been true more than once during the time of Ski Rex Media, but I'm telling you here and now, it's a thing.

For example, the very first time I came across a legend of a secret trail was when I was working at Mount Snow in southern Vermont. Now, I'm not going to tell you the name of the secret trail, nor will I describe where it might be. Well, if I'm being honest I don't remember the exact description of where the trailhead is, but I do have a rough idea. But, I'm not going to tell because that wouldn't be the right thing to do. Oh, I can talk about knowing and hearing of these legendary trails that aren't on the map or in plain sight. This isn't Fight Club. However, I will keep the secrets that a local and former employee should.

Now, the legend of the secret trail at my old home mountain was bestowed upon some of us by some liftie friends. They told us all about where to access the trail, what it was like down on the trail, and where it came out. This sparked a whole lot of talk amongst myself and some of the other friends and coworkers that were part of that conversation. Were the lifties just messing with us or were they legit? Well, I can tell you that I never found out first hand, though there were several others that did confirm the existence of the secret trail. 

"Why didn't I confirm that existence of the trail myself?" you ask? Well, according to those that were in the know and claimed to have made the trip down the trail, this trail was a chillout spot for those locals and employees that liked to smoke a little bit, by which I mean something a little different than the cigarettes I was partial to at that time. It was a weed spot that was set aside long before recreational use was legal here in the Green Mountain State. I never really got into smoking herb, so I never really thought about it. I mean, I have never cared if other people smoke, so I probably should've just gone down the trail anyway, but I never did.

So, is this trail just a legend or is it real? Well, I can tell you that I think it's real. Let's just say, again, as to not give it away to those who are not worthy of knowing, while I was working on one of my favorite hobbies that uses a piece of modern technology I came across some evidence of the trail. Is it still actually in use? That I couldn't tell you, but I have seen enough to believe that it was there.

Oddly enough, several years after leaving Mount Snow and while skiing at other hills, I started to hear rumors of secret trails in those places, as well. Again, spoken about almost as if they were something of a legend. I was shocked and surprised because I didn't think this would be a thing as often as it seems to be. But, if one starts to do a little research and gets local folks and employees talking, you find that these trails exist at almost every mountain.

I'd like to stick with saying "Every Mountain" and not "almost every mountain" just like I did in the title, but I have to admit that I can't because I can't prove they exist at all. It's like speaking about Bigfoot, or the Loch Ness Monster & Champ, or the Chupacabra. While there are those that say they all exist, it's never been proven. There are several of those in snow sports that say these secret trails are out there and only those who are in the know can tell a person how to find them. However, as far as I know, there is no proof on the books that these trails are out there.

So, though we are entering a season that is going to be less social than skiing and snowboarding and other snow sports tend to be, this is something for you to think about. If you get to talking to some of the locals or the employees that are there for the winter, you might be able to sneak in a question about their secret trail. They might not tell you about it but watch for that gleam in their eye that tips their hand.

If you are one of those that has firsthand knowledge of these trails, revel in the fact that you know something that others would like to know. That you are the keeper of a legend that extends across the snow sports world. Enjoy keeping your little secret. You never know, it might end up getting you a few drinks purchased by a person that would love to know what you know. 

Photo Credit: Made By Tim Meyer For Ski Rex Media using: https://www.needpix.com/photo/343276/skiing-winter-snow-hills-mountains-trees-cold-sports-blue