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Matthew Graham

Matthew Graham is a skier as well as a hang glider and paraglider pilot, SCUBA diver, cavern diver, equestrian, polo player, sailor, hiker, biker, rock climber, paddler, and skater. He's also yoga teacher and certified personal trainer and has dabbled in just about every other sport, even stunt car driving and bull riding! He has written for the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, USA Weekend Magazine, Hooked on the Outdoors, Richmond Magazine, Chesapeake Life Magazine, Metro Sports, American Fitness, Blue Ridge Outdoors, Recreation News and numerous other outdoor and travel publications.

Matthew has written 36 stories for DCSki since 2002.

Firsthand Report: Back to Liberty

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham first skied together with his late wife at Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort in 1986. It was also the last place he skied with her, in 2015, before a tragic accident took her life. Matthew recently returned to Liberty for the first time since then, and reflects on the experience and his memories.

By Matthew Graham | February 24, 2024 2 Firsthand Report

Back in the Saddle Again: Skiing after a Hip Replacement

After receiving a new hip, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham was worried about how it would affect his ability to ski. He answered this question in a January, 2023 trip to West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Matthew describes his experience in this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | February 18, 2023 2 Feature Story

Avoiding the Lift Lines at Steamboat

After four seasons in a row of skiing at Colorado's Streamboat Springs, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham has cracked the code for avoiding lines. He shares his tips in this report.

By Matthew Graham | February 15, 2022 5 Feature Story

Firsthand Report: Ski the Big 3 in Canada

After many years of talking about skiing in Canada, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham finally made it up to Alberta to check out the snow in the Canadian Rockies. He provides this Firsthand Report describing his visit to the "Big 3" -- Banff Sunshine, Mount Norquay, and Lake Louise.

By Matthew Graham | April 5, 2019 1

Firsthand Report: Three Days in Steamboat

Matthew Graham reports on a trip to Steamboat Springs, where he experienced great friends and great snow, including skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling.

By Matthew Graham | April 2, 2019 1

Firsthand Report: The North Side of Tahoe

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham recently spent three days skiing some lesser-known resorts in the Lake Tahoe region, including Mount Rose, Diamond Peak, and Northstar. He provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | January 9, 2019 3

Firsthand Report: Triple Play in Park City

Park City, Utah is home to three major ski areas: Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, and The Canyons. On a recent trip, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham decided to tackle all three. He provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | March 14, 2015 1

Ten Reasons to Ski at Snowshoe in the Spring

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham reflects on why spring skiing may be better than mid-winter skiing, and provides ten reason why West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort is worth a visit in March.

By Matthew Graham | February 16, 2015 1

Firsthand Report: Loving the Cold at Snowshoe

An early February trip to Snowshoe Mountain Resort delivered sub-zero temperatures and a Winter Wonderland. Matthew Graham provides this Firsthand Report from his recent visit to the West Virginia ski area.

By Matthew Graham | February 17, 2014 2

Firsthand Report: Where's the Powder? Powderhorn!

With a fresh batch of snow each day, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham found the snow conditions at Powderhorn Mountain Resort to be more than acceptable, if a bit tiring on his legs. He provides this Firsthand Report from a recent visit to the Colorado ski area.

By Matthew Graham | February 15, 2014

Firsthand Report: Keystone, the Key to Skiing Fun

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham spent time skiing at what he calls one of the country's most beautiful resorts: Keystone Resort in Colorado. He provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | February 10, 2013 1

Firsthand Report: Snowshoe in the Rain

Can skiing in the pelting rain at Snowshoe be fun? If you're DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham, it sure can be. He describes his recent rainy adventure in this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | January 22, 2013 1

Firsthand Report and Top Five Tips: Snowshoe Mountain Resort

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham recently visited West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort, finding some of the snow that may have been missing this mild winter. Matthew provides five key tips for maximizing your time on the slopes at Snowshoe.

By Matthew Graham | February 5, 2012 3

Firsthand Report: A Bumpy Day at Elk

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham made a trip up to Elk Mountain over Martin Luther King Weekend, where he decided to battle moguls. Find out who won in this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | January 22, 2011 2

Firsthand Report: Massanutten Weekend

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham found ample opportunities for fun during a weekend visit to Massanutten February 20-21, 2010. He found fun on the Virginia resort's popular snow tubing hills, in the indoor water park, on the ski slopes, and listening to live entertainment at night. OK, there might have been one face plant that resulted in a trip to the first aid office, and that probably wasn't fun. But the rest of the weekend was "plain stupid fun."

By Matthew Graham | February 28, 2010 2

Firsthand Report: Return to Seven Springs

After a ten year absence, Matthew Graham returned to Pennsylvania's Seven Springs Resort and discovered a lot has changed. To put Seven Springs through its paces, Matthew and his wife Karen Carra tried out a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) ride, a horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowshoeing, a massage, some fine dining, and - oh yeah, even a few turns on the ski slopes. Matthew provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | March 9, 2009 4

Tips for Avoiding Crowds on Weekends

DCSki's best tip is to ski on weekdays: crowds are often nonexistent, and it's usually less expensive, too. But what if your schedule only allows you to ski on weekends? No worries. DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham provides his "top ten" tips for avoiding weekend crowds at Mid-Atlantic ski areas.

By Matthew Graham | February 18, 2008 6

Firsthand Report: Viva Vail

Last season, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham visited Colorado's Vail Resort. Even though a friend broke her arm on the trip, Matthew describes the trip as one of his best ski trips ever.

By Matthew Graham | February 12, 2008 1

Colorado Quickie: A Firsthand Report

Matthew Graham and Karen Carra took advantage of discounted flights to Denver to make a quick Colorado ski trip, visiting Loveland Ski Area, Copper Mountain, and a frozen lake. Learn about their trip in this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | March 19, 2007 3

Avoiding Weekend Crowds at Wisp and Whitetail: Two Firsthand Reports

Matthew Graham spent the past two weekends on the slopes, first at Wisp and then at Whitetail, and managed to avoid crowds each time. He spills the beans on how to avoid weekend crowds and describes the stellar conditions in this entertaining Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | February 6, 2007 8

Firsthand Report: Stratton Mountain, Vermont

In Matthew Graham's estimate, Stratton Mountain is "so good you'll cry." In March of 2006, Matthew and his wife met up with friends at Vermont's Stratton mountain. During the trip, Matthew ate waffles. Lots of waffles. He describes the waffles and the skiing in this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | February 4, 2007 3

A Little Bit of Vermont in Pennsylvania: A Firsthand Report from Elk Mountain

Single-digit temperatures and gusting winds did not deter Matthew Graham from enjoying a trip to his favorite Pennsylvania resort in late February. Matthew provides a detailed trip report from Elk Mountain.

By Matthew Graham | March 4, 2006 7

Super Days at Massanutten

Knowing that Super Bowl Sunday means Super Uncrowded Ski Slopes, Matthew Graham and his wife headed to the slopes of Massanutten this past Sunday. Matthew provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | February 8, 2006 3

Ups and Downs at Snowshoe: A Firsthand Report

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham has been banned from the Eurobungee at Snowshoe. And only because he's older than 20 years old. He is, however, still allowed to ski the slopes at Snowshoe. Matthew visited Snowshoe this past weekend and describes his adventures on the slopes, in the air, and rotating every which way.

By Matthew Graham | December 12, 2005 10

Wild Wisp Weekend - A Firsthand Report

Matthew Graham and his wife rushed to Maryland's Deep Creek Lake region this past weekend, on the heels of a recent snowstorm. They discovered that there's a lot more to the Deep Creek region than skiing at Wisp alone. In this Firsthand Report, Matthew describes their adventures in dog and horse on-snow locomotion, as well as some winter hiking and, of course, skiing.

By Matthew Graham | March 8, 2005 2

Snow News is Bad News: Lost Opportunities during a Poconos Trip

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham spent the weekend sampling ski resorts in the Poconos, but decided to head home early due to the threat of snow. But the snow didn't arrive as early as forecast, so Matthew missed some opportunities to ski. Even so, he did get to try out Blue Mountain and Montage, and provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | March 2, 2005 8

Oui, Oui - We Ski ... in Canada

With meager amounts of snow in the mid-Atlantic over the holidays, DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham headed north for the holidays. He filed this Firsthand Report on his Canadian ski trip.

By Matthew Graham | January 17, 2005 1

Winter Arrives at Snowshoe

DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham made his first trip of the season to West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort this past weekend, and filed this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | December 13, 2004 13

Snowboarding Hurts!

Matthew Graham, seasoned alpine skier, decided to try snowboarding for the first time recently at Whitetail. In this entertaining story, he recounts the (painful and humbling) experience.

By Matthew Graham | March 6, 2004 5

Firsthand Report: Snowshoe on Superbowl Sunday

Matthew Graham met up with some friends at West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort a week ago, and found some Super Skiing to go with Superbowl Sunday. He provides this Firsthand Report.

By Matthew Graham | February 8, 2004

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