Yesterday was Sugarloaf's turn for holding a freebie barbecue for season passholders, and the event was mobbed with skiers, many of whom were hanging up the boards after this weekend.

Riding the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

I drove up with a couple of guys I met through the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club: Avram Hains of Portland and Tony Scilipoti of Cumberland.

Avram Hains of Portland and Tony Scilipoti of Cumberland pause and pose for the Ski Bum's camera at the top of Sugarloaf's Skidder Trail.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

The passholders barbeque attracted hundreds to the Sugarloaf Inn yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Yesterday's superb spring weather brought out hundreds to the barbeque, and the wait in the chow line ran about 35 minutes. One thing you could do to kill the time: renew your Boyne New England Pass for 2008-2009. Special renewal pricing incentives run through April 30.

It's also worth noting that this year's Maine Pass isn't being offered. Next year's season ticket options all include Loon Mountain in Lincoln-North Woodstock, New Hampshire. It's the busiest ski resort in the Granite State.

I ran into a bunch of fellow directors of the Ski Museum of Maine.

Sugarloaf season passholders chow down yesterday, with music too.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

At the barbecue, Sugarloaf management pledged to make every effort to stay open through Sunday, May 4, which is a week after Sunday River's projected closing date.

On the drive back, Avram said he might ski once more this season, but Tony seemed certain that he'd hang up the skis. And the talk revolved mostly around mountain biking.

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