"Awesome" is an overused adjective that should appear only infrequently in urbane and sophisticated blogs, but it's the only apt description of yesterday's skiing at Sugarloaf/USA. Imagine! A packed powder paradise on April 7!

Riding the Timberline Quad at Sugarloaf/USA yesterday
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I went up to the 'Loaf yesterday with Gene Ehlers, of Cape Elizabeth, and his son Ethan. I met Gene through the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club plus Maine Handicapped Skiing, where we both serve as volunteer instructors.

Ethan, a season pass holder, pronounced conditions to be "fantastic."

Gene Ehlers and his son Ethan pose along the Spillway Crosscut at Sugarloaf/USA yesterday
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It was also an awesome and fantastic day for Jean Luce, a legendary lady who served as a race official and organizer for the Sugarloaf Ski Club for many decades. Yesterday the club dedicated its brand-new competition center to her.

Jean Luce, the legendary lady for whom the Jean Luce Competition Facility is named, poses on the deck yesterday
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The Jean Luce Competition Facility, built by the club in partnership and Sugarloaf/USA, Carrabassett Valley Academy and the town of Carrabassett Valley, houses the race officials and the timing computers. I'm sure Jean wished she'd had something this nice and comfy back when she was officiating on the hill.

Ski Bunny Nancy Ricker announces race info from her comfy perch in the Jean Luce Competition Facility yesterday
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Reflected glory: Ethan and Gene Ehlers pose with Jean Luce yesterday at Sugarloaf/USA
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Jean's also on the board of the Ski Museum of Maine and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2004.

SMOM had quite a turnout for the event. President John Christie, whose history of Sugarloaf will be in bookstores this fall, headed the distinguished board of directors.

Among many other notables present for yesterday's dedication were Betsy Bass, daughter of Sugarloaf pioneer Robert "Bunny" Bass, and Jano Wilkinson, a Carrabassett Valley food writer/maven who's better known as "Mrs. Crusher."

I chatted a bit with notable Nancy Marshall, who's been involved with the mountain and the ski club from way back.

Betsy Bass, John Christie and Jano Wilkinson at yesterday's dedication
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Nancy Marshall, a volunteer with the Sugarloaf Ski Club, helps out at the BBQ refreshment table
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