A walk along the three-mile Salt Bay Heritage Trail in Damariscotta is always a treat, with windows onto the waters from dense forest along the path providing lovely views and glimpses of wildlife as you travel.

Add a few inches of snow and a nip of winter cold, however, and the place becomes an enchanted escape, be it on foot, x-c skis or snowshoes.

I traveled the route with a lively group from the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club not too long ago, ten hearty souls very much up for a sojourn over new ground, and this circuit around Glidden Point was just the thing.

The Salt Bay Trail starts from Mills Road (Route 215), just off Route 1 in Damariscotta.
Carey Kish photo

The trail hugs the shoreline of scenic Great Salt Bay for a mile and a half.
Carey Kish photo

Bisected by busy Route 1 you'd be hard pressed to know such a hike existed. For years I'd sped right through the area, until one day a bridge over an outlet into Salt Bay caught my eye and registered "trail" in my brain.

A bit of Internet sleuthing unearthed the Damariscotta River Association and miles of wonderful walks in the area, the Salt Bay Trail among them--a true gem that wends east along the edge of Great Salt Bay before turning back west above the Damariscotta River.

We observed bald eagles and a host of shore birds en route.
Carey Kish photo

MOACers trudge through deep woods and soft snow on the Salt Bay Trail.
Carey Kish photo

There would be no horseshoe crabs or otters, cattails or Indian pipes--the stuff of summer--on our winter walk. But we did enjoy several bald eagle sightings, as well as buffleheads and a number of other shore birds afloat in the bay.

The tide was up to the banks at the magnificent shell middens along the Damariscotta River, so to see the more exposed layers you had to slosh through the water. But it was worth it to observe and intellectually grasp one of the largest such shell heaps in the world, just a mere 2,400 years old, some 30 feet deep and many acres across.

Our group enjoyed it all over three-plus glorious hours in the sun of this wintry day. Chatter and laughter and awe and joy carried us along, and much too soon we were back at the trail head on Mills Road (Route 215).

Happy hikers from the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club.
Carey Kish photo

But no matter because a cold pint and a filling meal awaited us in nearby Damariscotta at the King Eider Pub, a most excellent post-hike watering hole. Poking about the pretty main street of town and a visit to Reny's basement put a perfect exclamation point on a fine day outside.

What a day outdoors on the Salt Bay Trail!.
Carey Kish photo

Have you hiked the Salt Bay Trail or other nearby trails of the Damariscotta River Association?

I'd like to step out of the Trail Head box for a moment today to salute Keith Inman of Waterville.

Mr. Inman, you are my true hero!

Why, you ask? What could possibly merit such kudos?

Well, only in Maine I believe would a man assemble a bunch of scrap parts (value: $30) and a couple of wheels purchased at none other than Marden's (value: $13) and then cobble together a home-made snowplow.

A snowplow that would hence be mounted to the front of his...

... '98 Honda Civic sedan!

OK, I think I'm about to pee my pants. (Doubly so, being the proud but plow-less owner of a '98 Honda Civic myself).

Yep, quite the riggin' according to Inman after all the friggin'.

"Two bolts hold it on -- that's it," he said.

Wicked.

Such a unique invention is not without it's problems, though, as you might well imagine.

The plowing goes along pretty well, says Inman, but "I can't hit the snowbank hard, because it could set off the car airbags."

Ok, that's it. Too late. Already peed.

Says his wife Irene: "He is supposed to take it easy, but this gives him something to do."

God love you both. And thank you.

So today, my Dear Trail Headers, we are obliged to tip our red plaid fleece hats to the latest in Maine ingenuity, that ever-present can-do spirit that drives our independent and self-sufficient natures here in the Great State of Maine: Keith Inman and his home-made Honda Civic-mounted snowplow!

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

The Maine Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club is hosting a public discussion forum, “Global Warming – An Update for Maine,” Tuesday evening, December 11th at 7PM at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.

“This is a much greater issue than mere conservation or recreation,” said Jeff Aceto, Meetings and Education Chair for the Maine AMC. “Awareness of mankind's hand on the land is an issue whose importance is more apparent with each day.”

"The Maine AMC hopes to raise awareness of global climate change issues at its Tuesday evening discussion forum in Brunswick.
Carey Kish photo

Paul Kando, a specialist in climate change from Damariscotta, will provide attendees with a unique perspective by applying the global effects of climate change to our immediate environment here in Maine. Elizabeth Ehrenfeld, AMC Board member and former Portland Trails president, will examine at Maine's efforts on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (REGGI) and explain ways that individuals can make a difference.

“Raising awareness of our changing climate is consistent with the AMC’s mission to protect the Northeast's natural resources, and we try to apply a mix of science, activism, and stewardship towards this goal,” said Aceto. “We would expect people to bring an open mind and consider the both the world-wide and local ramifications of the information presented.”

The discussion will be held at the Morrell Room in the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME. Parking is available on street and off of Union Street. A potluck dinner will precede the event at 6 PM. Drinks and plastic ware will be provided and attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item.

See you there!

It's going to be a great ski season, I can just feel it. Can't you? I've only been out there once so far, to the Loaf a couple weeks ago, but it's early yet, and that'll change. You've probably got a few more days in I'm sure.

The only two Maine mountains are open right now are Sugarloaf and Sunday River, but not for long. The storm forecast for tomorrow looks like a wild one, and just what the ski doctor ordered, so to speak. 6-12 inches on the coast and 20 inches to 2 feet in the mountains. Oh yeah. With any luck, more mountains and more trails and terrain will be opening very soon.

Given all this skiing excitement I thought I'd share with you my favorite picks for good fun at Maine's ski areas. I'll call it Trail Head's Ski Guide for lack of anything more creative. It's my unabashedly biased opinion of what's best about each mountain.

But by all means, do chime in and comment and let me (us!) in on what your favorites are for trails, glades, pubs, entertainment and so forth. Anything about a mountain that makes it special to you. That way we can all take better advantage of what each mountain has to offer.

So come on Mother Nature. Snow!

Sugarloaf/USA

The ski-nny: The biggest big mountain skiing in Maine with 2,800 feet of vertical and plenty of terrain to suit all abilities. ASC is out and Boyne is in. And so is increased snowmaking capacity and grooming ability. Bullwinkle's on the mountain will double in size. And a new bus system will help you get around.

Steeps: Narrow Gauge top to bottom is always a fun run. Suck it up and take the plunge down Crib Works for added spice. Take flight down Upper Gondola for some heart-pumping excitement.

Cruisers: Tote Road is still the best cruising run in the state. Watch out for Chicken Pitch!

Easy going: Wide-open Whiffletree is a green crowd pleaser for sure.

Aprés-ski: The Bag & Kettle in the village base area serves up an awesome bowl of chili and makes their own brew. The Rack on the access road is the place to rub elbows with gold medal winners. Get a-quaint-ed with the locals at Longfellow's in Kingfield.

Extra credit: Ride the Timberline chair to the top of the mountain (great for sunsets and a long last run of the day) and add some serious vertical—and scenery—to your ski day.

Shhh!: On Maine Day every Wednesday Maine residents can ski and ride for only $26. Now that’s worth skipping out on work!

Sugarloaf from Oh My Gosh Corner on Route 27, Carrabassett Valley.
Carey Kish photo

Sunday River

The ski-nny: V-a-r-i-e-t-y! Choose from more than a hundred trails across eight mountain peaks. Follow the sun from Whitecap to Jordan Bowl for a full, fun day. The River is also under new ownership, having transitioned with the Loaf from ASC to Boyne, which has already made significant upgrades to the River's expansive snowmaking capabilities.

Steeps: White Heat? Been there, done that. Show off your good stuff on the double fault line of Shock Wave or try to keep it together on Vortex from the top.

Cruisers: American Express and Risky Business are two of the best blue runs around and worth a couple of go-rounds.

Easy going: Lollygag on Lollapalooza or dally along on Dream Maker.

Aprés-ski: It’s the Foggy Goggle at South Ridge Lodge for music and meet-ups; the Sunday River Brew Pub out on Route 2 for a wood fire and pints of local ale; or Sud’s beneath the Old Sudbury Inn for true local flavor and great pizza.

Extra credit: Think you’ve got chutzpah? Dive into the trees on Chutzpah for some serious bark-avoidance practice.

Shhh!: The crowds thin out early on Sundays at the River, a good time catch some elbow room out there.

Cruising great early season snow on Risky Business, Spruce Peak.
Photo courtesy Sunday River

OK now, your turn... You been out skiing yet? What's your own 'inside scoop' on Sugarloaf and Sunday River?

Next time on the Ski Guide: Shawnee Peak in Bridgton.