Skiing New England!

The Best of the 2008-09 New England Ski Season

Plenty of snow and great ski conditions have made this a winter to remember for skiers and riders in New England. The season isn’t over yet, but we’re getting close. In Vermont, Jay Peak and Killington are still open and will be every day through May 3. Mount Snow is closed, but will re-open this coming weekend. In New Hampshire, Wildcat is the lone survivor with a 6-24 inch base, 39 trails, 3 lifts, $39 tickets and plans to remain open into May. In Maine, Sunday River will operate through April 26, while Sugarloaf plans to go until May 3. This weekend at Sugarloaf, of course, is the annual Reggae Festival, a don’t-miss good time.

I’m closing out a fine ski season as well here at Visit New England this week. It’s been a heckuva lot of good fun and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. Enjoy what remains of winter in the slopes, have a fun summer and fall, and I’ll see you back here when the snow flies next December.

Meantime, here are my selections for the best of this and that for the 2008-09 New England ski season. Enjoy!

Best Double Black Diamond Trail: Avenger, Attitash, Bartlett NH
Circle around to the left off the Flying Bear Quad and gear up for a flight down Avenger. After the initial drop and left turn, take a quick breather to enjoy the massive mountain vista of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. Then tackle the groomed super steeps on skier’s left, or take to the bumps on skier’s right. Or sample the best of both by riding the crest under the lift. Every sweet run nets you a satisfying 1,400 feet of vertical.

Best Black Diamond Trail: Superstar, Killington VT
From the main K-1 Lodge head left and catch the Superstar Express Quad up Skye Peak. Become an instant “superstar” by tackling the big, wide open steeps of Superstar, one of more than 150 trails at the huge Killington resort. Superstar is great fun and sports terrific views of this sprawling mountain, and with quick lift access you can make run after run to your skier’s heart’s delight, each one netting you a well-earned 1,200 feet of solid black diamond vertical.

Best Blue Cruiser Trail: Tote Road, Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley ME
Ride the Super Quad and then the Timberline Chair above the trees to the top of Sugarloaf. Bear left off the chair and drink in the grand high mountain views before scooting past The Octagon and down Tote Road; at 2 1/2 miles it’s the longest and most popular run at The Loaf. On a sunny afternoon a stop part way along at Bullwinkle’s for a burger and brew is a treat. And in the alpenglow at day’s end there’s nothing like a slow cruise on Tote.

Best Green Trail: America, Saddleback, Rangeley ME
Grab the Rangeley Double to mid-mountain and then ski over to the new Kennebago Quad. Hang a right off the chair and head straight for America. You’ll be looking all the way west across Maine’s Longfellow Mountains to the Presidential Range and White Mountains. Glide down easily and enjoy every scenic twist and turn. Connect with Hudson Highway to get back to the base.

Best Glade Run: Blind Ambition, Sunday River, Bethel ME
Blind Ambition is the glade for the recreational skier; challenging, yes, but not double black diamond hard and scary. It’s so much fun you really will want to try it again and again throughout the day. A great place to learn the skills of tree skiing. Find Blind Ambition at Jordan Bowl by going right off the chair. A short distance down Lollapalooza, look right for the entrance into the trees. Have fun!

Best Off-Piste: Wildcat Mountain, Pinkham Notch NH
From the summit of Wildcat Mountain you get the sense that you could reach out and touch Mount Washington, which dominates the scene in front of you. When you’ve had your fill, turn down the green slopes of Polecat. After the first couple of big turns, look for the hidden entrances into the spruce and fir trees on your right. Duck into any one of them and you’re off into the trailless forest. For the next half hour, as you make you way around tree trunks and down ravines, you’ll think you’re skiing far away from the base. Magically, a traverse appears and leads you left and back onto the groomed trail.

Best Bump Run: Bubblecuffer, Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley ME
Bubblecuffer is one of The Loaf’s legendary runs and will challenge you every time with its vertical and variable conditions. Once you drop into the narrow chute you’re committed; there’s no where to go but down. So get your game face on and give it your best, from bump to bump to bump. And when you’re through take a look back up and know you’ve tackled one of the toughest steep trails in New England.

Best Long Run: Great Eastern, Killington VT
Snuggle into the K-1 Express Gondola for a ride to the 4,241-foot summit of Killington Peak. Take a timeout to enjoy the scenery and maybe grab a quick snack at the Peak Lodge. Then shove off on the Great Eastern Trail for a wonderful ride down the mountain. The trail is nearly four miles long and entirely green and easy. It’ll take you a good half hour at least to make the dreamy trip to the Skyeship base. The Skyeship Express Gondola will whisk you back up the mountain.

Best Chairlift: Single Chair, Mad River Glen, Waitsfield VT
There’s no chairlift in the country like the Single Chair at Mad River Glen. Yes, a single chair. The chair is so revered by Vermont skiers and loyalists alike that when it needed replacement several years ago, it was retrofitted and repaired to remain a single chair. No fancy high-speed quads for this ski area. Ride the Single Chair back into time, hop off at the Stark’s Nest atop the peak, and head down for some of the most unique and challenging skiing terrain anywhere. And while the famous Mad River Glen slogan “Ski It If You Can” is quite apropos, even mere mortal skiers can find plenty of fun off the Single Chair.

Best Base Lodge: Mad River Glen, Waitsfield VT
A ski area that calls its base lodge the “Base Box” just has to be cool. That’s Mad River Glen for you, unique to the end. The Base Box isn’t much to look at, but then, you don’t come here for some fancy base lodge and a host of amenities, you come here to ski! The Base Box has all the basics between its old walls and creaky wooden floors: A cafeteria, lockers, ski school and rest rooms, plain and simple. Oh, and General Stark’s Pub, a most excellent après ski hangout.

Best Food: Sliders, Sunday River, Bethel ME
Ski on into Sliders at the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel for the best burger and fries on the planet, or so it seems when you’ve been skiing hard and you’re famished. Yep, the Sliders all natural beef Signature Burger topped with pepper jack cheese, onion rings and orange chipotle A-1 steak sauce is outrageous. Try anything on the menu, it’s all good. The place is convenient too – right off the lower section of Lollapalooza at Jordan Bowl – so there’s no need to make the trek back across the mountain for real good eats.

Best Scenery: Bretton Woods, NH
Bretton Woods is New Hampshire’s largest ski area with 434 acres of trails and glades. It’s an award-winning area for many reasons: snow, weather, grooming, service, food, lodging, lifts and family programs. But my #1 reason for skiing Bretton Woods: the scenery. Catch a sapphire blue sky day at Bretton Woods and you’ll understand. Enjoy great skiing and riding on a wide variety of terrain, and all with a magnificent view of the grand Mount Washington Hotel in the foreground and the sprawling peaks of the Presidential Range beyond.

Best Après Ski (on mountain): The Bag & Kettle, Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley ME
The Bag has been a mountain favorite for as long as this skier can remember (the 70s sometime I think). Belly up to the bar with your friends and order up one of The Bag’s own brews: Try the Pick Pole Pale Ale (my favorite), a Bag Brown Ale, or a Potato Ale. All good, and just $2.50 a pint during après ski hours, with plenty of free popcorn to boot. Stay awhile (most folks just can’t help themselves) for the “boot stomping entertainment” and you might just end up wanting to chow down on a Super Bowl of Mountain Chili (with a baguette, of course). Yum!

Best Après Ski (off mountain): Inn at Long Trail, Killington VT
Situated at the top of Sherburne Pass between Pico Mountain and Killington, The Inn at Long Trail is the best Irish Pub this side of Ireland. Don’t come expecting a Budweiser; they’ll throw you out on your ear. Guinness, Harp and Long Trail Ale (the accepted local brew) are the standards here. Go a little crazy and order a “Vermont Half,” a mix of Long Trail Ale and Guinness. Then kick back and kick it up with the live band and the all-Irish tunes that’ll have you dancing a jig in no time.

Best Drink Deal: Berkshire East, Charlemont MA
Where can you get a beer for a buck? Berkshire East, my thirsty skier friends. Yes, one dollar will buy you a cold can of Schaffer beer in the Crazy Horse Lounge, a warm and cozy spot tucked into a corner upstairs in the base lodge. It’s a fine (and inexpensive) way to wrap up your ski day on the fun trails at the “Beast of the East,” one of New England’s best kept skiing secrets.

Best Ski Town: North Conway, NH
Scenic North Conway is the gateway to the Mountain Washington Valley and four major White Mountains ski resorts: Cranmore, Black Mountain, Attitash and Wildcat. Spend your day schussing down the slopes of any one of them before heading into the bustling village of North Conway and a cornucopia of fine dining, cozy lodging, fun entertainment and mega-shopping opportunities. The town grew up around skiing and outdoor adventure and is full of skiing history. Austrian Hannes Schneider, the “father of American skiing,” emigrated here in the 1930s and began a long and storied career teaching the sport of skiing to thousands, and helping to turn Cranmore and North Conway into a world class skiing destination.

Best Crowd Control: Burke Mountain, East Burke VT
Pick a day, any day, and you won’t find crowds at Burke Mountain. People yes, lift lines no. It’s been that way for the twenty-odd years I’ve been skiing there. Go figure. And this for a mountain with only two major lifts: the Willoughby Quad on the upper mountain and the Sherburne Express on the lower, novice area. Want old time New England skiing with narrow trails snaking through the trees and beautiful scenery of farms and forests stretching out below for miles around? This is the place. And you’ll feel like you have it all to yourself, even on a Saturday.

Best Big Mountain: Wildcat Mountain, Pinkham Notch NH
Other major New England ski areas can boast big vertical drops, but rarely can you capture it all in a single run. That’s what makes Wildcat so different. Every run down Wildcat Mountain nets you more than 2,000 vertical feet of skiing and riding. Make ten runs and you’ll have racked up 20,000 feet, and likely be tired and happy. Stop long enough in your quest for vertical and you might just notice the stunning Mount Washington views in your face. Wow! Take to the green on the long and winding Polecat, enjoy the blue cruising on Catapult, or take the black diamond plunge on Lift Lion. When the skiing is good, the very best big mountain skiing is at Wildcat.

Best Mid-Size Mountain: Black Mountain, Rumford ME
Black Mountain has everything a skier could want in a mid-size mountain: 22 interesting trails, 1,100 feet of vertical, excellent snowmaking capacity and fine grooming. Add the new base lodge, the creaky old double chair, the inexpensive lift tickets ($29) and the friendly staff and you’ve got an unbeatable combination. And the best thing? No crowds. Ever. I “discovered” Black Mountain last season and now make it a regular stop on my New England skiing circuit. You should too.

Best Small Mountain: Powderhouse Hill, South Berwick ME
You can ski and ride the only lift-served area on the New England coast for just $5 anytime. Enjoy both day and night skiing on three trails with one lift and 2,100 inches of vertical drop. There’s also a small lodge with a cranking woodstove and a snack bar. It’s a fun family place with lots of history, proudly owned by the Town of South Berwick and operated and maintained by the Powderhouse Hill Ski Club.

Best Night Skiing: Ski Bousquet, Pittsfield MA
On a late December visit to the Berkshires it poured rain and then turned freezing cold. I figured my plan for night skiing at Bousquet was out of the question. But despite the inclement weather the staff worked their magic with a tremendous job of grooming. Thanks to their great work we enjoyed a wonderful evening on the slopes, taking in all the nighttime trails at least twice before retiring to the Tamarack Lounge for a nightcap. Given the good experience Bousquet earns a well-deserved night skiing nod.

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.

Tuckerman Ravine, New Hampshire

Mount Washington rises to a lofty 6,288 feet in elevation and dominates the scenery of northeastern New Hampshire from every direction for miles around. Capped with glistening snow and ice, “The Rooftop of New England” and its sister peaks of the Presidential Range leave no doubt in winter and spring why they are called the White Mountains.

Eons ago receding glaciers carved out a huge cirque, or ravine, on the mountain’s northeast face, a formation we know today as Tuckerman Ravine. This spectacular 1,000-foot high bowl, flanked by the walls of Boott Spur on the left and Lion Head on the right, is probably one of the most visited natural features in the White Mountain National Forest. In summertime the ravine draws thousands of hikers; some come just for a look around, while others continue on to climb its steep sides en route to the summit of Mount Washington.

Springtime, however, brings another type of visitor: skiers! The geology of Tuckerman Ravine is such that it naturally captures the snow that blows off the heights of the mountain, collecting in massive amounts in the ravine to depths ranging from 50-100 feet. Come April, when the snow pack stabilizes after a winter of storms, skiers arrive to tackle the challenging terrain. And when the lifts stop turning for the season at New England ski areas, the number of Tuckerman skiing enthusiasts grows.

Tuckerman Ravine is accessed by a 3-mile hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the Appalachian Mountain Club base facility at Pinkham Notch, about 20 miles north of North Conway. It’s a wide woods road that winds 2,000 feet upward through the Cutler River drainage. Skiers toting a pack load of gear usually make the trek in about two and a half to three hours.

“There’s tons of snow in Tucks from snowfall after snowfall,” said Michael Walsh, visitor services supervisor at Pinkham Notch for the Appalachian Mountain Club. “It offers skiers a wonderful opportunity to make the hike up, pick a gully and ski, have a good time, then come back and do it again.”

Right now, and usually through the end of April, skiers can hike into the ravine, make a few runs, then ski all the way back down to the base at Route 16 via the John Sherburne Trail. Come May the ski trail melts out and you’ll have to hike both ways.

At the 2.4 mile mark of the hike you’ll come to the Hermit Lake Shelters area, “the only encampment en route,” said Walsh, which is a good thing to note if you want to make a weekend stay of it. There’s also a caretaker cabin where you can (should!) register and get a weather report, and a small store that sells hiker essentials. The U.S. Forest Service stations a snow ranger here as well, and maintains an avalanche bulletin board listing the ski gullies by name and assigning them each a daily rating.

Above, the trail narrows and climbs a series of staircase steps up to the ravine floor and into the large open amphitheater of the ravine and a breathtaking view of a half dozen major gullies and twenty different ski “lines.” “It’s like no other area, a solid bowl of snow,” Walsh said, “steeper and longer than you might expect, about 55 degrees and 1,000 feet of vertical.”

Walsh recommends that first time visitors hike one-third of the way up and take a warm-up run to get used to the area and the snow conditions. From there hike up to the 2/3 mark. Then make for the top of the lip if you choose. The key is to hike up over the terrain that you plan to ski so you can properly observe the terrain.

On the right and left sides of the ravine you’ll often find ladders – steps kicked by previous skiers. When you’ve climbed to your spot, find a flat area to put your skis on, take a good look down your line. What are the snow conditions – is it frozen or soft corn? Look for objective hazards like crevasses, snow slides, and rocks. Then go!

“Avalanche danger is low right now,” said Walsh. “The snow layers are fused, the snow locked into the snow below it.” But come the warmer days of May the snow starts to melt out, and the chance of falling rocks and ice rises significantly. Bottom line: safety is everything. Tuckerman skiers must always be vigilant and constantly assess the weather, terrain, snow, and their own physical abilities and condition. It’s a fact that most skiing accidents happen late in the day when people are tired, so quit before you reach that point.

Help is available if you or someone else needs it. Walsh told me that Forest Service rangers are up there on duty, there’s an AMC caretaker below, and on weekends the Mount Washington Valley ski patrol is on the mountain skiing and providing information, and, of course, search and rescue services.

Prospective skiers should know that the Tuckerman Ravine ski season – for the typical skier anyway –generally lasts through the end of May. Some diehard folks press the issue, however. “I know a group of skiers that come every July 4th, said Walsh. “They make a few runs on whatever snow is left, have a picnic, and celebrate the end of ski season.” I like that!

“Hike safe,” Walsh advises. “Be cognizant of your surroundings, your own physical comfort. Take responsibility for your own actions.” Good plan, a must in Tuckerman Ravine and any backcountry area. Walsh implores Tuckerman visitors to adhere to Leave No Trace principles, the first and maybe most important item being plan and prepare.

For a safe and enjoyable ski outing to the magnificent environs of Tuckerman Ravine, the AMC recommends the following: Get a current weather forecast from the folks most in the know, the Mount Washington Observatory. Then learn about snow conditions and avalanche danger, and get a wealth of other useful info from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center. Know the U.S. Forest Service Hiker Responsibility Code. Finally, check in online with the Appalachian Mountain Club for essential gear lists and lodging information, or call 603-466-2721 (information line) or 603-466-2727 (lodging).

Have fun, ski safe!

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.

Maine: The longest ski season east of the Mississippi

It’s nearly April, the third snowiest month in Maine. What to expect? Hard telling, but I know one thing, there’s still plenty left to Maine’s ski season. March didn’t offer much for snow other than that one big storm early on, but the rest of the winter certainly made up for it. Base depths are deep and holding strong.

This was the last weekend for mid-size mountains like Shawnee Peak, Black Mountain and Big Rock. Mount Abram, however, plans to extend skiing through next Sunday. Most, if not all, of the smaller areas have called it a season.

The big resorts -- Saddleback, Sunday River and Sugarloaf -- are carrying on, making the most of a very good winter and what we all hope will be a fun April on the slopes, with plenty of bright sun overhead and spring snow underski.

“Maine has the longest ski season of any state east of the Mississippi,” said Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association. “Sunday River has opened in October for the past two years, and Sugarloaf was the last to close in 2008 and plans to be the last in 2009.”

It’s been a better than average year already for skiing, Sweetser said, with Maine areas expected to exceed 1.3 million skier visits, a pretty good mark considering last year’s record-breaking 1.4 million skier visits.

“Early season pass sales set records,” Sweetser said. “The small community areas saw record numbers this season, and the big areas are likely to report strong numbers as well.”

“Snow is the primary ingredient” to a successful ski season, says Sweetser. And since we’ve experienced plenty of the white stuff, it helps to partly explain the excellent turnout at the slopes.

The other part of the equation, I believe, is that skiers love their sport, are extremely loyal to it, and will do what they must to pursue their love of skiing, the weak economy be damned. I know it’s not quite that easy, but I’m sure that many folks have scrimped and saved and taken advantage of the wealth of lift ticket and lodging deals offered by Maine ski areas this season to help stretch those precious pocketbook dollars.

Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley claims to be the King of Spring, a well-earned moniker. Come April The Loaf is a prime place to ski with big mountain snow and big mountain skiing and riding, top to bottom, to the very end.

I know. I was just there this past Saturday. Sure, it was the end of March, but I saw what is to come. The current snow report says it all: 123 trails, eight lifts, 55-80 inch base. And fantastic skiing from the very summit of the iconic 4,230-foot peak and the legendary Snowfields to King Pine Bowl to the great trails on the mountain’s center to the western slopes.

We made multiple loops off the Timberline Chair, traversing across the front face of the mountain to tear down the ultra steeps of White Nitro and Powder Keg. We then took on some of the trails always seem a bit too daunting in the icy cold of winter, like Bubblecuffer and Winter’s Way. Several ventures down the wide expanse of Upper Gondola Line, “Gondy” to its friends, were in order, and awesome.

In fact, we could go anywhere and enjoy. Black, blue, green – it was and is all good. My picks: Narrow Gauge is the classic black diamond run; Tote Road the mountain’s longest and most fun cruiser; Timberline the scenic gem high on the western ridge.

With the warm sun and temps in the 50s Sugarloaf is already into spring party mode. The Beach was packed and a DJ blared the tunes from 2 to 5 p.m. Hey, why wait for Reggae Weekend? Speaking of which, the quintessential spring skiing party – Reggae Fest – is a week later than usual this year, April 16-19. Get ready for 11 bands and tons of good fun!

“It’s been great season so far,” said Ethan Austin, Sugarloaf communications manager, commending Mother Nature for bringing the big storms and lots of good snow that boosted skier excitement despite the rough economic times.

It’s more than that, though, Austin recognizes. “Skiing is a lifestyle sport, and Sugarloaf skiers and riders identify themselves as Sugarloafers. And skiing is one of the last things to go, even when you’re pinching pennies.”

Save a few pennies this spring with the Sugarloaf Affair: Show your 2008-09 season pass from any other mountain and ski any day Sunday through Friday in April for just $39. And check out the ski and stay packages, starting at just $49 per person midweek beginning April 5.

“We have no set closing date,” Austin said. “Base depths are really high so we should go into May again this year.” ‘Nuff said… another month of skiing and riding at Sugarloaf. How sweet it is!

Saddleback
Saddleback in Rangeley has had a heckuva season this year, and I’m happy to report I’ve been there on a number of magnificent days to take it all in: the tremendous skiing, the exceptional beauty, and the happy crowds.

According to JoAnne Taylor, Saddleback marketing director, paid visits to the mountain are up 22 percent over a year ago, and season pass sales up 23 percent. And why shouldn’t they be? Lift tickets are a very reasonable $40 for adults every day. And season passes were equally reasonable at $400 if purchased before last October 1, $450 after. Never mind a host of deals that get you and your family on the mountain for as little as $25 a pop.

The new Kennebago quad chair replaced the venerable Kennebago T-bar this season, making the upper mountain much more accessible and letting skiers loose on an amazing variety of advanced terrain.

There’s more good news. Just last week Saddleback announced the coming replacement of the 1962 vintage Rangeley double chair and the installation of a new quad chair in the Magalloway area of the mountain.

Of Saddleback’s success, Maine’s Governor Baldacci said: “"I knew when Warren Cook and the Berry Family joined forces at Saddleback that things would happen, even in these tough economic times, but I did not expect it to happen this quickly."

Kudos folks! Count on more good news from Saddleback in the future. For now, you can still enjoy skiing on 65 trails with five lifts and a super 45-70 inch snow base (never mind the 2,000-foot vertical from a top elevation of over 4,000 feet), at least through mid-April.

Sunday River
Besides a season of tremendous skiing, the big news at Sunday River in Bethel this year was the addition of New England’s first Chondola or combination chairlift and gondola. The $7.2 million Chondola opened for business December 20.

The Chondola is located at South Ridge base area of Sunday River. From there it extends 5,994 feet to North Peak. Using a mix of 6-passenger chairlifts and 8-passenger gondola cabins the new rig allows for an uphill capacity of almost 3,200 persons. With the completion of the Chondola, skiers and riders can now reach the top of North Peak via one lift instead of the two older chairlifts. This cool, new on-mountain transportation system reduces the ride time to just 7 minutes.

Sunday River boasts plenty of skiing and riding across 8 mountain peaks with an abundance of soft spring corn-like snow. Currently, an amazing 130 of 131 trails are open and 12 of 16 lifts are operating, with base depths ranging from 70-75 inches.

The annual Parrot Head Festival, a perennial event favorite, is April 3-5. On Friday and Saturday enjoy a bevy of Jimmy Buffett cover bands, contests, prizes and parties. On Sunday try pond skimming and key lime pie eating, all to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. And while all this crazy fun is going on, out on the slopes the Bust n’ Burn Mogul Challenge will be happening on Saturday and Sunday, where amateur bump skiers go head-to-head for the ‘best and worst in the East’ crown.

The River has plans to remain open until at least mid-April, so you’ve got time for a visit. Check out ski and stay packages from $49 per person.

Mount Abram
Mount Abram in Locke Mills is still skiing on 39 of 44 trails, with fine spring conditions reported. This fun mountain – touted as Maine’s number one family-friendly winter resort - has a wide variety of trails suitable for all abilities and interests and sports 5 lifts and 1,150 feet of vertical. The mountain went way out on the edge this winter by opening up boundary-to-boundary skiing, expanding skiable terrain from 250 acres of trails to 650 acres of trails and glades.

“There is a perception that we are a premier learn-to-ski and family resort. At the same time our outstanding expert terrain is underrated. We’ve got steeps, bumps, cliff drops, and head walls all to challenge serious experts.” said Matt Hancock, owner of Mt. Abram. “This new policy opens all of this amazing terrain to everyone and gives the expert skiers and riders a reason to serious look at what we have to offer.”

There’s only a week left to enjoy Mount Abram and all it has to offer, so do get there if you can. If not, pencil it in for a visit next season. And you’ll certainly be hearing more about Mt. Abram from this skier.

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.

Springtime a great time to ski New Hampshire

The calendar says that springtime has arrived here in New England, with the vernal equinox happening Friday, March 20, sometime around 7 p.m. We now have roughly equal amounts of daytime and nighttime hours, but we know and can rejoice in the fact that daylight hours will continue to increase between now and June, when the summer solstice arrives. Average daily temperatures are on the rise, with temperatures regularly reaching into 40s and 50s and higher. Nights can still be pretty cold, but there shouldn’t be many teens and single digits left to bear.

So, given all this chatter about spring, ski season must be near over, right? The answer is an emphatic no! Count on at least another three weeks and maybe more at some of the large resorts, where skiing could extend into May. It all depends on Mother Nature, of course, and on the skiers. Keep showing up in great enough numbers and the ski areas will continue to run the lifts as long as they can afford to. And why not show up, as some of the best skiing of the season is here right now.

Two weekends running we’ve had bluebird skies over New England, nary a cloud or a breath of wind – perfect weather, really. And with snow conditions to match, anything from loose granular to corn snow to mashed potatoes. Ice, what ice? And what a delight to ski in only a shell over a light fleece, and no hat and no gloves for the most part. Sunburn, not frostbite, can be the problem, finally. And oh those lunches outside on the lodge deck, barbecues cranking out burgers and dogs, icy cold beers being served up, smiles and happy faces all around. Ditto that for après ski time in the bountiful and warm late afternoon sunshine.

Where to go for your spring skiing fun and entertainment? I say: head for the great state of New Hampshire this week. My friends at Ski New Hampshire tell me there is a lot going on right now in the Granite State, where an unusually good snow base, special spring events, discounts on lift tickets, and great values on season passes for next year await skiers and riders.

“Plentiful snowfall and consistent winter weather have made this one of the better winters in recent memory,” says Karl Stone, marketing director for Ski NH. “As a result, all that snow has many areas still skiing and riding on 100 percent of their terrain and a deep base of snow has ensured a classic spring skiing season.”

Stone says that probably the most notorious (and fun!) of New Hampshire spring activities are the pond skimming events. What? Never tried to skim across a pond of icy water on your skis or snowboard without falling in before making it to the other side? Truth be told, me neither, but I think it’s worth a shot. Not up for a good soaking? Then maybe try one of the many other fun and family-oriented events, like on-snow golf tourneys, cardboard box races, live music, ski races, terrain park competitions and more.

Events aside, you can save a few bucks this time of year with discounts on lift tickets, certainly during mid-week and very often on weekends as well, as New Hampshire ski areas look to lure more folks away from cleaning out the garage and the basement and the other mundane household chores of spring.

And speaking of deals, many New Hampshire ski areas now have season passes on sale for next winter season -- buy now in advance and save!

“We hope people keep hitting the slopes this spring well into April and possibly even May thanks to the very deep base of snow we currently have,” said Stone. “The combination of good snow conditions, spring weather, scenery, affordable pricing and special events really create what many consider the most fun part of the season here in New Hampshire,” says Stone. I heartily agree. We’ll be there!

Saturday, March 28:
Cranmore – Mountain Dew Spring Splash Mount Sunapee – Annual T-Shirt Race Ragged Mountain – Spring Fling Granite Gorge – Pond Skim Contest Black Mountain – Annual Spring Splash.

Sunday, March 29:
King Pine – Pond Skimming

Saturday, April 4:
Loon Mountain – Slush Pool Party Mount Sunapee – 11th Annual Slush Cup Wildcat Mountain – Reggae Wet Ditch Skim Contest and BBQ Waterville Valley – Pond Skimming and Slopeside Concert Attitash – Spring Bash Cannon Mountain – Splash Pond & Home Run Derby.

Saturday, April 11:
Loon Mountain – 80s Day Mount Sunapee – Intragalactic Cardboard Sled Race.

New Hampshire Spring Lift Ticket Deals
Wildcat Mountain: Ski for just $9 on Friday, March 27 Crotched Mountain: Night ski from 5-9 p.m. March 18-20 for just $19 Loon Mountain: Buy your lift tix online and save 15 percent Attitash: Ski and ride any Friday in March for just $39 Black Mountain: Ski and ride 2-for-1 on any Friday in March (that’s $29 total for two adults) Mount Sunapee: Buy a full-price adult lift ticket ($40 midweek, $46 weekends) and your child’s ticket is free any day but Saturday through March.

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.

March in Vermont: Time for spring skiing and maple syrup!

It’s the middle of March already, spring is just about here, and yet three quarters of the trails in Vermont – that’s more than 1,000 – are still open and offering tremendous skiing. So says Jen Butson, Public Affairs Director with Ski Vermont, the folks in-the-know about all things related to Vermont skiing.

“There’s more sunshine in March, more snow, and less crowds on the mountains,” said Butson. “And there are affordable deals right now where you can get reduced price lift tickets and 50-75% off lodging rates.”

The warm March sunshine softens up the snow nicely so you get the corn snow and mashed potatoes underfoot, a good match with the bluebird skies over head. And with it staying light later into the evening now après ski activities are more fun, BBQs more prevalent.

“People are becoming more active now with spring. They’re not ready to let go of skiing and riding just yet, Butson said.” No a chance Jen! Vermont skiing rocks and we want more!

Bonus: March is maple sugaring time in Vermont. Maple producers throughout the state are busy collecting sap from the bountiful sugar maple stands and boiling it down to pure maple syrup, Vermont’s signature product. Vermont Maple Open House weekend, the official celebration of the maple season, is March 27-29. Be sure to add a stop at a sugarhouse house to your skiing travel plans for a sweet natural treat!

Snow visitors to Vermont very often fall in love with the mountains, the people, the local businesses, the cuisine, Butson told me. Many become “repeat offenders.” I like that. Probably because I’m of the them – a Vermont “repeat offender.” Winter for sure, and summer too, for it is truly a beautiful place with a diverse variety of recreational activities to offer.

Vermont areas have received an average two feet more snow than usual this winter; more than 20 feet total for the “5th snowiest season on record.” A base depth ranging from 2 to 6 feet means there’s plenty more of this tremendous ski season to go, a season that has been successful despite a down economy thanks to the good snow and lots of enticing deals.

Speaking of deals, there are plenty to be had now through the end of March and on into April that should keep you wanting to come back to Vermont for more as long as the snow lasts. Check them out:

Bromley Mountain in Peru offers Family Fridays, a great deal that lets mom, dad, two kids and one friend ski and ride for just $102. On Tuesdays get a lift ticket and a tasty lunch in the tavern for only $39! Bromley is known as Vermont’s “Sun Mountain,” it being the only mountain in the state with a southern exposure that nets you big time warmth on sunny days. Bromley was voted #1 in North America by SKI Magazine for family programs, and #3 in the East for value. Nice kudos! Have fun on Bromley’s 45 trails (35% easy, 34% intermediate, 31% expert) serviced by 10 lifts. A 1,334 vertical and 175 acres of terrain will keep you happy all day.

Ski Mad River Glen in Waitsfield any day for $39. But wait, buy any 2-day weekend pass and pay only a buck (yes $1) for your next lift ticket on any Monday or Friday. The infamous Mad River Glen moniker “ski it if you can” is for real, but only if you truly want to challenge yourself in the gnarly glades off the heralded single chair. Beyond that, however, there’s plenty of super terrain (a goodly amount groomed now) that’s fun and enjoyable for beginner and intermediate skiers. Mad River sports 45 trails on 120 acres, 5 lifts and a vertical drop exceeding 2,000 feet. 60% of the mountain is easy/intermediate, the remainder a wild experience for skiers and riders seeking some of the most unique mountain terrain in the U.S.

Mount Snow in West Dover is offering Ski & Stay packages with lift tickets and lodging starting at only $72 from now through April 12. This place is huge… ski from four major base areas: Main Mountain, North Face, Carinthia, and Sunbrook. From the 3,600-foot peak fly down the mountain and catch more than 1,700 feet of vertical. Lose yourself on 102 trails and in 12 terrain parks on 508 acres of terrain. Twenty lifts will get you where you and your skis want to go. Mount Snow is skewed heavily to intermediate slopes (73%), with the remainder 14% beginner and 13% expert.

At Ascutney Mountain in Brownsville, buy five lift adult lift tickets for $199 (that’s a hair under $40 per day) and ski any day. Enjoy skiing and riding on 57 trails serviced by 6 lifts. There’s 150 acres of groomed skiable terrain and 50 acres of tree skiing. The top elevation at Ascutney is 2,520 feet, giving way to 1,800 vertical feet of skiing. Trails are 30% novice, 30% advanced and 40% intermediate.

Ski and stay packages at Bolton Valley Resort are $99 per person through March 21. After that they drop to a paltry $79. Whoa! Bolton Valley boasts 64 trails and 6 lifts on 165 skiable acres – 27% novice, 26 % expert, and 47% intermediate. The base elevation of 2,100 feet is the highest in Vermont. The mountain’s 3,150-fott summit lends itself to a 1,704-foot vertical drop.

Celebrate the 50th birthday of Killington with their incredible two-day lift ticket deals: March 21-22 get a 2-day pass for $100; April 18-19 get a 2-day pass for only $50. Wow, that’s my kind of celebrating! These deals are limited to the first 1,958 skiers/riders each weekend. Killington is the largest ski resort in the East with 141 trails on 1,215 acres across 7 mountains serviced by 24 lifts, including a gondola. Just try to ski it all in a weekend… good luck! Especially with the 3,050-foot vertical drop. The trail mix is 28% easy, 33% intermediate, 39% advanced.

Carpool to Magic Mountain in Londonderry on Wednesdays and as many as 7 of you can ski and ride for $80. Gather up at least four friends and/or family members any day midweek and everybody gets a $25 lift ticket.

From now until the end of the season ski the Middlebury Snow Bowl any week day for the half-day rate of $22. Enjoy the 17 trails, 3 lifts and the plenty-good 1,000-foot vertical drop at Middlebury. And forget the crowds… there aren’t any!

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.

Maine Huts & Trails offers backcountry ski tripping with civilized comfort

Imagine a backcountry ski route that stretches 180 miles through the Maine woods from the Mahoosuc Mountains in the western reaches of the state to the vast waters of Moosehead Lake to the north and east; a packed and marked trail with a series of huts spaced at regular intervals -- warm and comfortable outposts where you could spend the night, get a couple of delicious meals, and meet other winter travelers.

Sound like a pipe dream? Not to the dedicated folks at Maine Huts & Trails (MHT), the non-profit organization charged with directing the development of the visionary trail system. In fact, as of this writing MHT has opened more 14 miles of multi-use winter trails and two huts in just a little over a year.

Three miles of trail lead to the Poplar Stream Falls Hut. This is the first hut, which opened to the public in February 2008. It is located on a mountainside above Carrabassett Valley and not too far from Sugarloaf Ski Resort. Most visitors use cross country skis to reach the hut, but many also use snowshoes or simply hike on foot if conditions allow. Cross country skiers of moderate ability who can carry a light pack of overnight gear should do well traveling the route of the Maine Huts & Trails system.

Don’t let the name “hut” fool you, however. The MHT huts are anything but what you might expect. “People who haven’t visited here before are shocked when they arrive,” said hutmaster Casey Alexander. “They don’t know what to expect and are so surprised.” Count me among the pleasantly surprised!

Pop out of your skis and enter the main building, where you are immediately greeted by the friendly hut staff. You’ll then be directed to cavernous dining hall, where hot drinks, soups and sandwiches are available. Rest and relax, eat and enjoy, and mingle with the other day and overnight guests who are equally thrilled to be in this beautiful facility in such a remote location.

When you’ve settled in and have sufficiently warded off the outdoor chill you’ll be shown to one of the three bunkhouses, which have a combination of private and semi-private rooms. The accommodations are simple, adequate and immaculate: Wooden beds with mattresses, fleece blankets (a sleeping bag is recommended in winter), pillows, lights, and hooks to hang your clothes and gear. It’s comfortable and quiet and perfect for a good night’s rest.

What makes the MHT huts unique? Try this: A wood-fired boiler and propane generator back-up produce the radiant floor heat the keeps the main building and bunkhouses toasty warm. A mini-hydro system in combination with a large solar panel provides plenty of electric power. And that translates to not only electric lights but hot water and hot showers for visitors. Yes, believe it!

“We’ve built the tightest, most energy efficient building possible,” said Jamie Corriveau, MHT operations manager. Corriveau provides a fascinating green energy tour of the building each evening after dinner.

Meals are served family-style and are multi-course affairs with soup or salad, a main entrée with side dishes, fresh-baked bread, and a scrumptious dessert, finished off with tea or coffee. Expect an equally hearty plate of food for breakfast to kick start your day in the winter cold. After dinner pull up close to the woodstove or meander upstairs to the quiet library chock full of books and games. Or wander outside and enjoy the starry night sky, and maybe even venture by headlamp to the falls nearby.

In the morning pack up your light rucksack with just the essential gear and ski away for Flagstaff Lake and the second and newest hut in the system, which just opened this January. It is 11 miles away by trail and takes a half day, rewarding skiers with spectacular views of the Little Bigelow Mountain and Flagstaff Lake from a number of vantage points en route. The Flagstaff hut has similar amenities but lies in a different natural setting, just up from the lakefront where there is an incredible vista down the length of the high peaks of the Bigelow Range.

“With the Poplar hut we have a lodge in the woods, but with the addition of the Flagstaff hut we have a real system,” said Dave Herring, MHT executive director. “The Flagstaff hut increases what we can offer and mixes up the ways people can use the trail system.”

By this time next year it’s likely that the MHT ski route will be complete all the way north to The Forks - an additional 21 miles - and will include yet another hut at Grand Stream Falls high above the wild Dead River, thereby completing Phase I of the project.

The Maine Huts & Trail facilities are open nearly year-round so you can enjoy the beauty of the Maine woods and the comfort of the Maine huts in both winter and summer. Check out these comments from the Poplar Stream Falls guest book and a number of happy visitors:

• “First time to visit the hut. Spectacular.”
• “It was everything we expected it to be, and more. We will definitely be back.”
• “Enjoyed the whole experience and look forward to many more visits.”
• “Thanks to all for your determination to build this hut system.”

• Trails: 14 miles of main multi-use trail, 6 miles of side trails
• Season: Year-round
• Trail day use fees: Free
• Gear list for day and overnight users: Please check online
• Maps: Available online
• Grooming: Trails are packed (not groomed and tracked) at least once per week or more as conditions dictate
• Overnight rates: Peak times from $175 per night per person (includes two meals), Off-peak times from $130 per night per person (includes two meals)
• Day visitor amenities: Lunch available; access to toilets, water and dining hall
• Main hut amenities: Meals (dinner and breakfast included), snacks, hot showers, composting toilets, potable water, library
• Bunkhouse amenities: Bunk and foam mattress, pillow, fleece blanket, radiant floor heat, lighting
• Shuttle (to facilitate a hut-to-hut excursion): 207-329-3482 or 207-235-2047
• Information: 877-634-8824 or Maine Huts & Trails

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.

Cross-country ski the unique and scenic trails of Jackson, NH

Strike off from the base lodge of the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation in Jackson, New Hampshire and you and your cross-country skis can explore more than 150 kilometers of trails that wend over fields, across rivers, through deep woods and climb to scenic vistas. The terrain and skiing at Jackson are unique and considered by many to be the finest cross-country skiing experience in New England and maybe the entire United States.

“Cross-country skiing is part of the culture of Jackson village,” said Thom Perkins, executive director of the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, the community based non-profit organization chartered to maintain the trail system in and around Jackson village and to provide an educational and recreational experience. “The place is built around cross-country skiing, with trails that take you places, trails that are a real part of our transportation system.”

Take it easy on the easiest of trails that loop around close to the lodge. Try the Wentworth Resort Course for a 5 km spin through open fields. Explore the sights along the 2 km Jackson Village Trail. Shuffle along the Kissing Bridge Trail and circle back through Nestlenook Farm, another 2 km route.

The Yodel Trail leads up gentle slopes to the Carter Notch Road. Cross the road and take The Wave and Betty Whitney Trail to Black Mountain Ski Area, a 4 km trip one way. Or bear left and head up past the Eagle Mountain House on Eagle Mountain Fields and the Woodchuck Trail, a 5 km circuit.

Cross the Ellis River on the covered bridge (a must-do photo opportunity) and meander upstream for as many miles as your legs and lungs will allow. The Ellis River Trail is the most popular ski trail at Jackson and leads 10 km to the Dana Place Inn, a fine spot to lunch and relax before making the return trek. Be sure to stop in at the Ellis River Cabin and the “Cocoa Cabana” and warm up with a hot chocolate and snack.

Ride the Wildcat Express quad chairlift to the 4,000-foot alpine summit of Wildcat Mountain. Then scurry down the steep backside of the mountain and experience the thrill of skiing in the backcountry. If you catch deep powder in the picturesque birch glade part way down you may very well feel like you’ve landed in Nordic skier’s heaven. Drop down to Route 16 at Dana Place or continue all the way back to Jackson village. An amazing trip for strong intermediate and advance skiers.

The JSTF was founded in 1972 to pull together and organize the many and varied skiing facilities and trail systems in the Jackson area, to create a premier, top-notch, high-level facility. But like most ski industry businesses it hasn’t always been easy. Perkins came on board in 1976 with a three-year plan to fix existing problems and turn the operation around. Successful in that endeavor, he’s been here ever since and still loves it, taking great pride in the area’s ability “to provide a lot of fun for a lot of people.”

“Our trails were built to be fun to ski, built for the enjoyment of the recreational skier, whether skate or classic,” Perkins said. Mission accomplished, as far as I can see, having spent many enjoyable days at Jackson over the years, gliding along on the pretty trails and drinking in the dramatic views of the White Mountains that encircle the village

JSTF continues to grow both its daily public use and season pass holder memberships. “More than 1,400 pass holders this season have voted their confidence in what we do,” Perkins said. “There’s a lot of places to explore out there, and with our high quality grooming, variety of trails and talented staff, we’ve got something we feel no other area can offer.”

Skiers of all abilities will want to take advantage of the professional ski instructors at Jackson. No matter how long you’ve been skiing there’s nothing like a lesson to sharpen your skills and increase your enjoyment of the sport. I’ve been x-c skiing for three decades and thoroughly enjoyed my hour with instructor Peter Theriault, who taught me how to get better kick and glide and how to more easily and safely negotiate downhill stretches of trail. Make a lesson a part of your visit!

And when you do come, make it for a weekend or more. There are at least eighteen outstanding inns, B&B’s and hotels in the picture-postcard village of Jackson, from the warm and historic Eagle Mountain House to the charming and elegant The Wentworth, each able to provide a memorable stay with cozy rooms and fine dining. And they will arrange a ‘ski & stay’ package that fits your budget. You might even consider a ski package that allows you to ski from inn-to-inn, staying in different place around Jackson village each night, and complete with luggage shuttling. What fun!

As for après ski, well, my favorite is the Wildcat Tavern, but I’m also partial to the Shovel Handle Pub at Whitney’s Inn. Ask a friendly local – easy to recognize, just look for folks dressed in snappy Nordic gear - and they’ll surely point you in the right direction for a fun pub and anything else you might need.

• March 3, 10, 17, 24: Tuesday Trekkers – A social snowshoe trek to explore the forest followed by refreshments by the fireplace, 1 p.m., $18
• March 3, 6, 10, 13: East Sliders – An introduction to cross country skiing and winter fitness for people who want to exercise but don’t quite know how to begin, 10:30 a.m., $10
• March 6, 13, 20, 27: Friday Gliders – A fun and instructional social ski with Ski School Director Marianne Borowski and others, includes après ski stretching and refreshments, 1 p.m., $22 
• March 9: Thom’s Amazing Waxing Demo, 9:30 a.m., free

• Base elevation: 230 m
• Summit elevation: 1,219 m
• Elevation difference: 989 m
• Season: December to late March/early April
• Trail fees: Adult day $19, Senior $15, Junior $8, Children free
• Adult ski rentals – Touring package: $16/day, $10/half day; Performance package (classic or skate): $22/day, $14/half day
• Junior ski rentals – Touring package: $10/day, $8/half day
• Total trail system: 154 km, 94 km groomed and double tracked
• Total trails: 68 - 44 percent easiest, 20 percent more difficult, 36 percent most difficult
• Maps: 4-color contour map and guide to skiing in Jackson
• Grooming: Daily grooming with Pisten Bully machines
• Snowshoeing: 15 km designated trails
• Dogs: Allowed on 5 km of designated multi-use trails
• Ski school: Lessons daily, classic or skate, group or private
• Operating hours: Daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Base lodge facilities: Rental shop, lunch/snacks, fireplace, showers and lockers, retail shop, wax room
• Lodging: Plenty of choices in and around Jackson village
• Dining/Après ski: Plenty of choices in and around Jackson village
• Information: 603.383.9355 or Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
• Toll-free: 800.866.3334

The column Skiing New England! by Carey Kish, a skier, outdoor adventurer, and writer based in Bowdoin, Maine, is updated every Tuesday during the skiing season.