There is a new generation finding out the enjoyment of riding in Lewis Hills, thanks to instruction from their parents.
Justin House was one of the founders of an online site called Lewis Hillbillies, which hasn’t been active for a few years.
The site was created to highlight photos and videos of people who rode the Lewis Hills, but some of those involved got caught up in the hectic lives of raising a family.
House said now that his son Adam is old enough to handle a snowmobile, he wants to teach him the “way of the hills” and other parents, including Jason Reid and Kirk Alexander have been going in with their sons Logan Reid and Kayden Alexander.
While they are the regulars, there are other young people who are going in as well and House likes to see them enjoying the experience he discovered as a young man.
“My generation got out of it for a few years and now, selfishly I guess, I get to get up there again with my kid,” he said.
House said Lewis Hills is both beautiful and fun, but it also can be a dangerous place, so if you’re going there you must respect it.
His message is that if you are going to Lewis Hills, visibility is the main thing and you can only find that on a sunny day because shadows are cast and things like crevices and cliffs are visible.
He won’t go in there on a day that’s grey or if there are snow squalls in the area.
House said some years ago when representatives of SnowGoer magazine came down and did a tour of the Lewis Hills they were amazed at the beauty and scenery, calling it The Rockies of the East Coast.
At 43 years of age, the jumps aren’t as exciting as when he first experienced it, but House said there is still no problem to find virgin powder on the hills.
What the new generation had to say:
Name: Logan Reid
Age: 14 years
Sled: 600 RMK Polaris
What do you think of Lewis Hills?
I like it because it’s so beautiful in the winter. The views are spectacular and it an endless place to play on the snowmobile, a huge playground.
What’s the most difficult part of riding in the Lewis Hills area?
Visibility. When the wind picks up you get some near whiteout conditions. You must pick a clear day with sunny skies.
What’s the most fun part of riding in the Lewis Hills area?
Playing with friends in the deep snow boondocking. You go off the beaten trails and anywhere you want.
Describe what gets your adrenaline going while riding.
It’s when I’m hitting jumps or climbing hills. You must go all out climbing hills, so you don’t slip back.
Can you describe one incident where you did something beyond your comfort level and how the incident ended?
Doing a drop over a crevice overhang for the first time. It ended good as I landed as I was supposed to, thank God.
Name: Kayden Alexander
Age: 13 years
Sled: 500 IQ Polaris
What do you think of Lewis Hills?
Lewis Hills is a cool place, where its fun to play around and a great place to learn things on your snowmobile.
What’s the most difficult part of riding in the Lewis Hills area?
Getting stuck on days with a lot of snow as most times when that happens it takes a while getting your sled out.
What’s the most fun part of riding in the Lewis Hills area?
Hitting big jumps and climbing hills. This came naturally as I started with small jumps, then seen others doing bigger jumps and decided to try and was able to do it.
Describe what gets your adrenaline going while riding.
Going up a hill that was higher and steeper than I thought it was.
Can you describe one incident where you did something beyond your comfort level and how the incident ended?
Going up that steep hill and just being frightened that I wouldn’t make it and maybe tip over when I was going to turn around. It worked out fine as I did make it and surprised myself that I could do it.
Name: Adam House
Age: 13 years
Sled: 600 Summit Sport Bombardier Ski-Doo
What do you think of Lewis Hills?
It’s a very nice spot with lots of snow, really nice views and very scenic.
What’s the most difficult part of riding in the Lewis Hills area?
Making sure of what’s around in the area, from rocks to steep overhangs – you need to know about them.
What’s the most fun part of riding in the Lewis Hills area?
Having fun with my father and my buddies doing jumps and riding around.
Describe what gets your adrenaline going while riding.
The excitement of riding, jumps and drops. That crazy feeling of flying through the air with lots of snow below for a soft landing.
Can you describe one incident where you did something beyond your comfort level and how the incident ended?
One time when I was first learning drops, coming down over a seven foot one was scary, but I’m glad I did it because it helped me improve. It ended well, and I’ve been doing a lot more jumps since.
