As the end of the ski year approaches, most mountains hold a barbecue for their season passholders. Sunday River's was yesterday.

Sunday River held a barbecue for its legion of season passholders yesterday, using a roped-off area in front of the White Cap base lodge.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Among the legion of attendees chowing down was Cherie Perkins, who just purchased her 2008-2009 pass -- which includes the balance of this ski year as an early signup bonus.

Season passholder Cherie Perkins chows down on a hot dog at yesterday's Sunday River barbecue.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

While most passholders chowed down on hot dogs and burgers, yesterday's extra special treat was Shock Wave Shrimp, grilled by a team of high muckamucks headed by Sunday River general manager Dana Bullen.

Dana Bullen, Sunday River general manager, headed a team that grilled the Shock Wave Shrimp yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

A plate of Shock Wave Shrimp await hungry season passholders.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Cherie and I drove up with a pair of fellow members of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club: Nancy Negri of Gorham and Peter Durand of Scarborough. Neither are season passholders, so they brown-bagged lunch at Barker Mountain while Cherie and I feasted.

Nancy Negri, Peter Durand and Cherie Perkins pose for the Ski Bum's camera at the top of Lazy River yesterday at Sunday River.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Nancy Negri poses at the top of Grand Rapids yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Despite being neglected for lunch, Nancy and Peter had a wonderful time, and the four of us look forward to kayaking in a few weeks.

By the way, Sunday River plans to remain open until Sunday, April 27. If crowds continue to show up, they might go another week.

The special incentives on early purchase of season passes ends April 30. You can sign up online by visiting the New England Pass website. The pass includes all three New England properties of Boyne Resorts: Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire.

At this point, you're too late for Shock Wave Shrimp, but there's still some great skiing left in this season.

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