OK, I admit it: I'm a recovering ski snob. That's right, up until very recently I skied only the big mountains with the big vertical. No little mountains for this guy. No-sir-ee, nada.

Yep, until this year I had skied only Sunday River, Shawnee Peak, Saddleback and Sugarloaf.

Well folks, all that has changed. But it took the statewide skiing spree of the Maine Peak to Peak Challenge last month to to finally change my ways, to alter my outlook on all of these other very worthy ski areas.

There's a lot of great skiing terrain out there. Sure, the big mountains have plenty, and I, for one, will always love them and ski them and revel in their size and variety.

But the smaller areas are great, too! Off the beaten path. Next to no crowds. Quiet trails. Quality runs at a slower pace. Cheap lift tix.

Nothing wrong with that, wouldn't you say? Damn straight.

Hence my recent visit to Mt. Abram in Locke Mills. Right there off Route 26, I've driven past it forever, intent on getting a few miles further north to Bethel and The River.

Not this time.

Mt. Abram has plenty of great terrain on 44 trails (10 easy, 21 intermediate, 13 difficult).
Carey Kish photo

I pulled right in, happy with Mt. Abram as my destination. It would be good to pay the mountain another visit and to finally ski it in the daylight!

You see, on the Peak to Peak weekend the team arrived after hours and found only the lodge and lounge open for business. So we ate a belly full of good food and grog, and then, to satisfy the criteria of the challenge, we - with permission of the owners, of course - hiked part way up the Dudley Do Right trail and skied happily down, with only the lights of the base lodge to guide us.

The Maine Peak to Peak Challenge team about to ski Mt. Abram in the dark (with permission, of course) last MLK weekend.
Carey Kish photo

This time: A half a foot of fresh powder. A handful of ungroomed trails to play on, plus a fine mix of groomed terrain, enough to suit every whim on each and every run. Ahhh!

Mt. Abram from the base area.
Carey Kish photo

Good choice. No, great choice! And I'll be back, again and again. Promise.

There's plenty of fun cruising to be had on Mt. Abram.
Carey Kish photo

MT. ABRAM, Locke Mills

The ski-nny: For a smallish mountain (1,150 feet of vertical) this place really rocks. No crowds means plenty of vertical, if you can handle it. Yeah, the double chair takes its time, but look around and enjoy the ride and the breather. You'll probably need it after thrashing yourself on the wide variety of terrain. This is a mountain where you can ski it all in a day, and then ski it all again. Go for it, and enjoy!

Steeps: Boris Badenov and Fearless Leader are sure to get you worked up and ready for the challenge of Upper and Lower Rocky's Run, not to be missed and no doubt my favorite of the day. Fly down The Cliff and navigate the lift line on Lower Fractured Fairy Tales for non-stop fun. I somehow missed Zephyr, reputed to yet another killer steep (for another day for sure) but you shouldn't, so a local told me.

Cruisers: Sweeper and Round-A-Bout take you on a long, sweet arc down skier's right. Easy Rider, Snake and Bullwinkle will have you gliding dreamily down the mountain's left side.

Easy going: Ride the Skyline Chair at Westside to take in the scenic and easy runs of Mahoosuc Meadows, Hay Road and Skyline Drive.

Aprés-ski: When you've had your fill of the slopes you won't have to go far to get your fill of good food and drink. Just saunter into the Loose Boots Lounge right there in the base lodge, belly up the bar and call it good. There's plenty of good beer on draft and a full menu of good eats to boot (pardon the pun!). It's a mighty comfy atmosphere for relaxing and mingling with the Abram crowd.

Extra credit: Launch into the trees for some wooded good times on The Zone. Short, gnarly and sweet.

Shhh!: The heck with that... Tell everybody. Mt. Abram is awesome!

Deals: With weekend lift tix at $43 this is a ski bum's paradise. Better yet, ski Sundays for just $39. Do the 2 for 1 thing on Thursdays and Fridays for $26 and you can invest your savings in the Loose Boots Lounge. And whoa! Fridays are Carload Craze Days: Arrive by 11AM and everybody in the car gets in for 59 bucks!

Are you a Mt. Abram regular? What do you like best about the mountain?

Looking down the steeps of Lower Fractured Fairy Tales, Mt. Abram.
Carey Kish photo