My friend Cherie Perkins has been an avid skier since the 1950s, but she never started a season before Thanksgiving -- until yesterday when we went to Sunday River.

Cherie's one of several ski buddies I've met through the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club.

The sun was shining and the snowguns were howling as we hit the open terrain, mainly a cluster of popular trails on Barker Mountain and Locke Mountain.

Cherie Perkins poses at the top of Barker Mountain, with snowguns in the background.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Unloading the Barker Mountain quad at Sunday River yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

The best skiing was off the Locke Mountain triple. The T2-Cascades route has always been a favorite with me.

A small terrain park was set up near the bottom of T2. Lots of activity, but nobody seemed quite ready for "Playground," the latest Warren Miller movie.

Group gets ready to head down Upper Sunday Punch after unloading the Locke Mountain triple chairlift.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Snowboarder joyfully descends Cascades at Sunday River yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Cherie Perkins stops for a break midway down Cascades.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Yesterday's snowmaking activity was concentrated west of Barker, on the Spruce and South Ridge areas. They're obviously preparing for the Thanksgiving long weekend. Planned activities include Sunday River's annual Demo Days on Saturday and Sunday, where skiers and riders can try out the newest gear for a nominal fee. Also scheduled is an open rail jam on Saturday. Click here for details.

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