Don't get into that let's-just-sit-on-the-couch-and-chow-down-on-chitos-because-there's-no-snow-syndrome. The machine-made white stuff is just perfect for skiing and boarding, as I and a few hundred others discovered at Sunday River yesterday.

These snowboarders were among the several hundred who enjoyed a fine, sunny day on the slopes at Sunday River yesterday
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

The South Ridge high-speed quad was one of five lifts operating yesterday

Speaking of chowing down, a few wags have called this "Oreo skiing" -- meaning brown outside and white in the middle.

Oreo skiing: Brown on the outside and white in the middle

Machine-made snow is great for skiing and boarding

Greg Sweetser, head honcho at the Ski Maine Association, sent out an electronic missive noting that 13 of his member mountains will be open for Christmas vacation week thanks to snowmaking. These range from big mountains to mom-and-pop operations.

For the summary of what's open, go to the Ski Maine website and click on "snow conditions."

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