It's only mid-December but already two big snowstorms have blanketed New England from the coast to the mountains and, as such, the ski season is off to a roaring start.

It's about time Mother Nature. Thank you!

Good for the ski areas and all the dependent businesses. And good for us skiers, of course.

Between storms a friend and I ventured across the N.H. border to Attitash for a fun-filled day of fine early season skiing on Attitash and Bear Peaks. I'd heard a lot about the investments made by the mountains' new owners--Peak Resorts--and wanted to check it out.

Well, nothing like $2.5 million in cutting edge snowmaking technology in the form of big, powerful fan guns to impress the hell out of me.

Krissy Fraser, Resort Communications Manager at Attitash, kindly stepped away from her very busy job to take us out for a grand tour, and explain first hand the changes since Attitash transitioned from ASC to Peak Resorts last summer.

Krissy Fraser, Resort Communications Manager at Attitash, rips it up on Northwest Passage.
Carey Kish photo

With the new fan guns "we can open earlier, stay open longer and offer better skiing conditions," Fraser told me.

All good by the sounds of it.

The new fans guns: pretty impressive to look at and even more so in action making tons of snow fast. Wow!
Carey Kish photo

No complaints here.

There was plenty of terrain open and the skiing was tremendous. And, with continued cooperation from Mother Nature and some assistance from the fan guns, it's only going to get better.

Here's to that!

So, my skiing friends and neighbors, time to load up and head off to Attitash (a quick 1 1/4 hours from Portland) and see for yourself. You'll love it.

Illusion is in fine shape thanks to our new friends the "fan guns!"
Carey Kish photo

ATTITASH

The ski-nny: Equidistant from Portland as Sunday River, Attitash may be on the edge of Maine skier's radar screens, but it shouldn't be. Attitash is a rewarding skier's mountain with a wide variety of terrain on two peaks, never mind the killer White Mountain views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range on a clear day.

Steeps: Tightrope and Ptarmigan will keep you on your edges all the way down on Attitash. Over on Bear Peak there's nothing--nothing!--like the double black experience of Avenger. Come mid-winter try alternating along the ridge from bumps to corduroy under the lift.

Cruisers: Take Northwest Passage from the top of Attitash for a sweet cruise. Wander along on Wandering Skis on Bear Peak for good corduroy fun.

Easy going: Go Inside Out or Far Out on Attitash. You pick.

Aprés-ski: The Red Parka Pub in nearby Glen is the local skiers hangout. With creaky floors, plenty of character, beer served in a mason jar and free popcorn and peanuts, well, what more could you ask for? Doesn't open 'til 3 PM on weekends, so don't leave the slopes too early.

Extra credit: On Bear Peak dip onto the trees and fly through Broken Arrow Glade or disappear off Kachina just about anywhere along the way for fun in the woods.

Shhh!: Let the masses park at Attitash. You'll want to head for the base lodge at Bear Peak just up the road apiece, where parking is easy and the super-fast Flying Bear quad awaits you with many thousands of feet of quick vertical.

Hooray for the red, white and blue!: All of our military veterans will be honored with a special weekend of recognition and free skiing March 8-9, 2008.

Not a bad view from just about anywhere on Attitash and Bear Peak. This is Mount Washington from the top of Morningstar.
Carey Kish photo