Activities

Mount Snow opens its ski season in Dover, Vermont
December 13, 2011

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The temperatures have finally dropped below freezing at Mount Snow.

“It’s been frustrating, that’s for certain,” said David Meeker, director of communications, of the weather conditions.   “There were a lot of nights this past month that were forecasted for good snow-making conditions but they weren’t ever cold enough” he said in the Battleboro Reformer.

Typically, mountains near the Appalachian Trail open either just before or after the American Thanksgiving holiday.  The recent warm spell in and around Dover, however, have made it difficult to make snow without it melting.

Large areas of the east coast were damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in August.  The storm has put extra pressure on the region’s resorts to help maintain the local economy, Meeker told The Reformer, but his resort would not open with a poor product.

On Wednesday, a cold front covered the valley, dumping snow and keeping the temperatures cold enough for the crew at Mount Snow to start making snow, he said.

Thousands of skiers and snowboarders eager for their first run of the season showed up at the opening of Mount Snow’s Blue Bird Express on Saturday.

Even with the setback of not being able to open when they wanted, the staff at Mount Snow is positive this will be one of their best years ever.

If you’re heading south to hit the slopes, be sure to pick up some duty free goods at the border to warm you up in the chalet.

Black Friday shopping in New England? Visit the Duty Free first!
November 14, 2011

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Black Friday is coming up, and that means it’s time to make hay for Canadian shoppers.  For some, the trip is just a swing over the border for a few hours.  For others, it’s a weekend filled with shopping and tourism.

If you’re planning on spending any amount of time over the border, be sure to check in at the Duty Free before you cross.  You’ll save the tax on already discounted goods, and can take advantage your personal exemption.  You’re allowed to exceed your limit for a relatively small state tax.
So long as you consume the balance of the amount your exceeded your exemption by, you won’t have to pay tax when coming back to Canada.

Outlet stores do not always follow outlet mall hours, so it’s a good idea to call any stores you are particularly interested in to make sure they will be open.

New England is covered with shopping malls and outlet stores.  Here are some of the best ones we found:

Kittery Outlets, Maine – Click here for a map of the stores (.pdf)

Kittery’s sandy beaches and stunning ocean views still draw visitors by the thousands. Juxtaposed with the cobblestone streets, quaint pubs, and antique shops of old Kittery are the more than 120 stores of The Kittery Outlets.

See also: Quebec Region Specials –    Atlantic Region Specials

Battenkill and Highridge Outlet Centers – Vermont

The Battenkill and Highridge Outlet Centers are located in Manchester, a destination resort village located in southeastern Vermont. Home to some of Vermont’s most historic lodging and dining establishments Manchester and the surrounding mountains offer the perfect location for your weekend shopping adventure.

Located on Route 7A in beautiful and historic Manchester Center, Vermont, the Battenkill and Highridge Outlet Centers feature upscale designer outlets for the entire family with designer fashions, career wear, sportswear, lingerie, cosmetics, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, electronics… and more.

See also: Quebec Region Specials –    Atlantic Region Specials

Premium Massachusetts Mall Hours

  • Burlington Mall
    75 Middlesex Turnpike
    Burlington, MA 01803

Holiday Shopping - 11/20/2011 12:00pm-6:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/21/2011 -11/23/2011 10:00am-9:00pm
Thanksgiving - 11/24/2011 Mall Closed
Black Friday - 11/25/2011 4:00am-10:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/26/2011 8:00am-10:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/27/2011 10:00am-8:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/28/2011 -12/2/2011 10:00am-9:00pm

See also: Quebec Region Specials –    Atlantic Region Specials

  • Solomon Pond Mall
    601 Donald Lynch Boulevard
    Marlborough, MA 01752

Thanksgiving - 11/24/2011 Mall Closed
Black Friday - 11/25/2011 4:00am-10:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/26/2011 8:00am-10:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/27/2011 10:00am-7:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/28/2011 -12/2/2011 10:00am-9:00pm

See also: Quebec Region Specials –    Atlantic Region Specials

  • Square One Mall
    1201 Broadway
    Saugus, MA 01906

Holiday Shopping - 11/20/2011 11:00am-6:00pm
Thanksgiving - 11/24/2011 Mall Closed
Black Friday - 11/25/2011 4:00am-10:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/26/2011 9:00am-10:00pm
Holiday Shopping - 11/27/2011 10:00am-8:00pm

See also: Quebec Region Specials –    Atlantic Region Specials

See one of the NHL’s fiercest rivalries this week – Montreal vs. Boston
October 27, 2011

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It has been a disappointing start for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.

The first meetings of the season between these clubs will surely be filled with desperation and should amount to very entertaining games. Montreal crushed the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday to win their first game of the season while playing at home.  The Bruins have come around in their last couple outings but still face criticism of suffering a 2010 season championship hangover.

Despite playing respectably this season for Montreal, goaltender Carey Price is having to absorb some of the blame for the team’s recent woes, as some of hockey’s stingiest fans tend to blame their netminder.  However, Price is a world class talent and has shown how well he can play for this team.  He will be called upon again Thursday night as the Habs surely won’t turn to backup Petr Budaj against their arch rivals.

Boston remains one of the deepest teams in the league but they haven’t gotten the same play out of either of their goaltenders this season.  Boston needs to be better up front, with the Habs playing a tough schedule this week.  Tim Thomas should be getting the nod in goal as he looks to regain his Conn Smythe winning form.

Going to the game?  Stop at one of Duty Free Canada’s land border locations and take advantage of your personal exemption, or exceed it so long as it’s consumed on the other side!  Take a look at the specials you’ll find and much more:

- Quebec specials - Atlantic specials -

The Ultimate Round Trip – United States segment
October 20, 2011

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Two South Africans have gone on an extended vacation around the world to take in and share their experience in an online blog. This follows the trend of staying connected with friends and family by way of the internet during long-distance journeys.

Tristan had just finished studies in Town Planning at university. Likewise, Dominique finished postsecondary studies and wanted more. Tristan said, “I feel like there’s so much more fun stuff to do rather than sitting behind a desk all day. So that’s where this trip, and subsequently this blog, come into the frame.”

To say this is a small undertaking would be a gross understatement. “I’m absolutely petrified about traveling around the world,” he said.

However, Tristan says he feels a “true sense of excitement and adventure” and that he will try his best to keep the stories (and photos) coming.

Their most recent updates are updating the Southern US portion of their travels. When you visit their site, you can browse through their tour of Daytona, Orlando, New Orleans, Austin, San Diego and more.

Their trip has amassed

    156 days travelling

    66 271 kilometres travelled

    14 flights

    14 bus trips

    4 4X4 trips

    11 train rides

    5 ferry rides

    3 self-driven car rides

    1 self-driven RV road trip

    40 places visited

    12 countries visited

Visit their website at www.theultimateroundtrip.com for many great pictures and videos describing their travels mapped out below! And you can follow them on Twitter @theURTblog
View Larger Map

Gotham City to host America’s second largest pop culture convention
October 7, 2011

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New York Comic Con is being held Thursday, October 13th through Sunday, October 16th at the Javits Center.

The New York Comic Con is the East Coast’s biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. The show floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television. Panels and autograph sessions give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators and Screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either big or small screens. For more information visit NewYorkComicCon.com.

And with dedicated professional hours, New York Comic Con is a market place, bringing together the major players in the entertainment industry. New York Comic Con is the second largest pop culture convention in America and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City.

There are a ton of great things happening during the convention, each capable of entertaining a huge audience in itself.

One of the most anticipated exhibitors at the convention will be the Cartoon Network and Adult Swim.  Together they’ll host nine panels, two screenings and three autograph signings for fan-favorite series.  See the full lineup for both networks at the Comic Con website.

Drive down and stop at the land border Duty Free location to save tax and duty on goods for a fantastic trip!