Last weekend was the umpteenth annual Big Chill. For the uninitiated, this is the weekend each year that my UMaine college friends and I dedicate to downhill skiing (and food, beer and general bad behavior (otherwise known as 'fun'). And not necessarily in that order.

Our base of operations for this fine event is Karen and Ralf's house in Lancaster NH. Sleeping arrangements are whatever and wherever you can make them in the house. And with twenty-something people and a mountain of duffle bags and ski gear, finding space can be quite a task. But we make do, although it does get a little gamey in there after a few days. Thank goodness for the hot tub!

The drive up Friday evening along Route 302 was beautiful, with the White Mountains a vivid pink and purple as I passed around North Conway. And as I crested Crawford Notch, the Big Dipper stood brilliantly on its handle, framed by the rugged mountain walls. I arrived to find the Big Chill ski party heating up nicely...

Despite the late night yukking it up with friends, a big pot of coffee and bagels got us off to a good start Saturday morning on our way to Vermont. A quick stop at East Burke Sports ("just to check things out") turned out to be expensive, but worth it. I picked up a new set of backcountry skis for trekking into Baxter State Park in a few weeks (more later...). Then it was up to the mountain.

If you haven't been to Burke Mountain, you need to go. But shhh! Don't tell anyone! It's one of the hidden gems of New England skiing: Steep, narrow, wooded trails; great glades; and no crowds and no lift lines. Ever! I don't know how they do it, but every year they're still open for business. And I hope they continue, so we can continue to make our annual pilgrimage.

It being "Big Chill" weekend, we are usually blessed with bone-chilling sub-zero temps and biting winds, but not this time. It was like spring skiing! We enjoyed very comfortable temps in the high 30s (maybe low 40s), clear blue skies and tremendous trail conditions. And we got one helluva day of good ol' Burke Mountain Vermont skiing in. We cruised Willoughby and Upper Dipper; wound through the woods on Powderhorn and Wilderness; and carved up some all-natural cover on Mountain Marsh and Lower Doug's. All good. And all the while with that terrific view out across the pastoral Vermont landscape to the spectacular notch at Lake Willoughby.

Happy "Big Chill" skiers enjoy spring temps and conditions last weekend at Burke Mtn, Vermont.

Back in Lancaster, a mondo dinner of lasagna, salad, bread and a few beers finished up off a fine day. A nightcap and a good soak in the hot tub and it was lights-out.

The place cleared out (and aired out!) late Sunday morning after Big Breakfast, and we were off to catch an a half-day's turns at Attitash on the way home. Bear Peak was nothing but warm sun and blue sky when we pulled in. And conditions were prime. We flashed our passes and made a go of it on Avenger, Illusion, Wandering Skis, Kachina Falls and many others, 'til we out legs went wobbly.

We slunk home, tired, happy and sunburned... But there was no rest for the weary on this day. It was Super Bowl Sunday. And we know how that turned out!