Noting that the Patriot's Day Nor'easter came down as snow in the mountains, I headed up to Sugarloaf/USA yesterday for one of the best days of season.

My schuss buddy was Gene Ehlers, whom I know from the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club plus Maine Handicapped Skiing. Just before arriving, I caught Sugarloaf communications manager Bill Swain on his cell phone, and we hooked up with him for a couple of hours.

After a warmup run down Tote Road, Bill suggested trying the snowfields, which were totally open thanks to Monday's bonus storm. It had been a couple of years since I'd skied the snowfields and Gene hadn't ever been over there.

The Timberline quad, which accesses the Sugarloaf snowfields, was a very popular lift yesterday
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Gene Ehlers and Bill Swain pose at the top of the Sugarloaf's Timberline lift yesterday just before walking up to the East ("backside") Snowfields
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

So we hiked up a few hundred feet past the radio towers and took a run down High Rigger, the double-diamond perimeter route. It's truly a unique Sugarloaf experience: accessing above-treeline terrain via a chairlift. And there were lots of people joining us for such superb spring conditions.

Looking northeast from about halfway down High Rigger, the double-diamond perimeter route on Sugarloaf's "backside" snowfields
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Bill Swain in action on the Sugarloaf snowfields yesterday
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Bill and Gene pose near the top of the Timberline Trail, a superb intermediate run down Sugarloaf's west summit ridge
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Down in the base lodge, I ran into a couple of friends from the Ski Museum of Maine, Tom Hansen and Greg Sweetser.

Greg, who's also executive director of the Ski Maine Association, noted the day's good turnout bodes well for the 2007-2008 season. It's generally accepted in the ski industry that momentum carries over from one year to the next.

And there's still a bit to go. Sugarloaf schussing will continue through April 29, while sister resort Sunday River, recently extended its season, also to the 29th.

And get this: Sunday the 29th will also be Sunday River's FREE DAY.

Over in New Hampshire, the bullwheels have all stopped turning -- except for Wildcat Mountain, which will also continue through next Sunday.

I think I'll keep my personal momentum going too.

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