Yep, I did. And it was quite an enjoyable ride if I do say so myself. You can do the Farmer's Daughter, too. And nineteen other fine ski trails by getting on up to Black Mountain, an absolute gem of a ski area, a little off the beaten path in Rumford.

The Farmer's Daughter trail on Black Mountain in Rumford is quite a ride!
Carey Kish photo

View of Black Mountain slopes from the comfy base lodge.
Carey Kish photo

Think 20 trails and 1,150 feet of vertical won't satisfy you? Think again. This place is FUN!

The runs at Black are not only interesting and pretty, they are impeccably groomed to boot. You can ski them all, then try them again, and again. And I tell you you'll just want more.

That's what I discovered when we visited there on Sunday. And I can't wait to get back.

Black Mountain's twenty trails and 1,150 feet of vertical make for plenty of skiing fun.
Carey Kish photo

Black Mountain serves as yet another reminder that, with so much wonderful and varied skiing terrain available to us in Maine, this skier - and you too I hope - needn't ever (and won't again) be a big ski area snob.

I am now officially an equal opportunity skier: big areas, medium-sized areas, little community areas, it don't matter. They're all awesome, each in their own local way, and are so very much worth experiencing.

Fresh off the triple chair, Fran prepares for another sweet run down Black Mountain.
Carey Kish photo

If you want to go, however, you'd better hurry, as there are just two weekends remaining in Black Mountain's season. Too bad, 'cause the skiing is incredible. Top shelf.

If you go, enjoy! And do let me know how much you liked it...

Wide ranging views of the Oxford Hills from Black Mountain.
Carey Kish photo

Ski guide: Black Mountain, Rumford

The ski-nny: A sweet mountain in a beautiful setting just north of the Androscoggin River outside of Rumford. from the slopes you can look far out over the expansive Oxford Hills. Nice! Expect few lift lines and uncrowded slopes. Yeah, there's just 20 trails, but they're good ones, and you'll enjoy skiing them multiple times.

Steeps: The trail names have changed, so what's on the trail map and what's on the ground don't match up. No matter. Take the triple chair to the top of the mountain and head off to the left for some fun black diamond schussing either under the lift line or skier's right. Halfway down slope mix it up by cutting over to skier's left and down Haymaker and something else(?). Just go. You'll like it.

Cruisers: Again, from the top of the summit triple, bank right and cruise along at will with multiple fun options. At the lift shack atop the T-bar sail down the line itself or just right. All good blues. Go around again and be sure to catch Farmer's Daughter, a beauty of a run on skier's left that'll take you sweeping and around, to pass thru the beginenr area on its way back to the base.

Easy going: The Novice Double and Beginners Lift Handle serve green circle terrain at the base of the mountain on bothe the left and right.

Aprés-ski: Ya don't have to go far... just up one flight of steps in teh base lodge. And there you'll enter the wonderful world of teh Last Run Lounge. Order up a couple of frosty brews, kick your feet up by the filedstone fireplace, and world the skier's world go by outside. Ahhh!

Extra credit: Diddle around some in the terrain park and half pipe. There's the tubing park, too, for extra kiddie-style fun. And, of course, there's 17 km of world class Nordic skiing trails. How 'bout dat I says! You bored? Check yer pulse.

Deals: Every day is a deal at Black Mountain! Lift tix are $25 on weekends, $20 mid-week. No going wrong there. Evah.

A fine apres ski view from warmth of the Last Run Lounge, upstairs in the base lodge.
Carey Kish photo

Yeah, we've bumped the clocks ahead an hour (spring ahead!). And in just one short week we'll plunge head long into spring (March 20th).

Sure, winter is on the wane. So, what's your point?

For skiers, winter doesn't - or shouldn't - end until the last lift at the last open ski area shuts down. Given that, my skiing calendar says we'll be taking runs down the slopes until sometime in early May.

Do we understand each other? I thought so.

OK, you can pull the hiking gear out, the camping goods, the bikes, even the golf clubs. But don't even think about stowing the skis, 'cause we've got aways to go...

Here's what's on tap (Freudian slip? I think not!) for late winter/spring skiing around Maine:

Titcomb Mountain, West Farmington

Titcomb reports 119 inches of snow this season - the best conditions in a decade - with 100% of their alpine (16 trails) and Nordic terrain (16 km) still open. It's 2 for 1 skiing all this weekend, so two can ski for just $24.

Skiing Titcomb during the Peak to Peak Challenge in mid-January.
Carey Kish photo

Big Rock, Mars Hill

It's the Mars Hill Winterfest this weekend, a full slate of good fun. On Saturday there's the Children's Obstacle Course, Kardboard Klassic, Hot Turkey Sandwich Supper, Big Air Contest, Torch Light Parade, Fireworks and an Adult Dance featuring the band Turning Point. Sunday morning is the Big Rock Invitational Youth Race.

In a couple of weeks it's Slush Rush Weekend, March 29-30.

Carey Kish photo

Shawnee Peak, Bridgton

Shawnee Peak winds down its 70th season with a host of good times.

This Saturday WJBQ will broadcast live from the mountain from 11-2. Saturday is also Ski N The Blues day with blues music from 3 pm on, where else, in Blizzard's Pub. Get in on $1000 in prizes the next day for Super Hits Sunday.

Monday is St. Patty's Day. Celebrate on the cheap with the last Carload Craze Days. Get to Shawnee by 11 am and your whole carload of revelers/skiers gets in for $64. It's also the final Monday Night Madness of the season. Ski from 4-9 pm for just $12.

On March 22nd it's the 23rd annual Spring Fling Beach Party. The WHEB Slush Cup happens at 1 pm, followed by the Red Hook Apres Ski Party. On Easter Sunday there's an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.

WBLM will be on hand on March 29th to help celebrate Shawnee Peak's 70th Anniversary. And there'll be a Season Passholder BBQ on March 30th at the mid-station.

Night skiing lights up Shawnee Peak.
Carey Kish photo

Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley

Rock to Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot this Saturday in the King Pine Room. Ski for $35 during the College Weeks, 3/17-21 and 3/24-28. Join in the Easter Costume Parade on 3/23 and maybe win some prizes.

The Big Daddy of all eastern ski parties - Reggae Fest - takes place April 10-13. There ain't nothin' like it. Great skiing, great fun. Ya mon.

Reggae crowds loving Sugarloaf.
Carey Kish photo

Reggae revelers living large.
Carey Kish photo

Sunday River, Bethel

Dance like a Dixie Chicken with Little Feat this Saturday at Whitecap Lodge. Win prizes in the No Bib Jib on March 23rd.

Help raise money to support free programs for adaptive skiers and riders during the 23rd annual Maine Handicapped Skiing Ski-A-Thon March 29th.

Challenge your taste buds at the 18th annual Eat the Heat Chili Cookoff and Firefighters' Race on Sunday, March 30th.

Parrotheads crazies can ski and celebrate with plenty of sun and fun during the 21st Annual Parrot Head - Bust N Burn Festival on April 4-6th.

Parrotheads enjoying a Jimmy Buffett concert. You can pretend and still have fun at the Parrot Head Fest at Sunday River.
Carey Kish photo

Sunday River = awesome conditions, great skiing, big smiles all around... and more to come!
Carey Kish photo

Saddleback, Rangeley

March events at the big mountain include: A St. Patrick's Day family fun day (15th), an Easter Egg Hunt and Costume Parade (23rd) and a Cardboard Box Race (30th) using only cardboard and duct tape (no problem!).

Try Pond Skimming on April 5th, and ski for $25 on Maine Day, April 6th. Get in on the Park Shark Challenge on April 12th and close out a great Saddleback season on April 20th.

Good times and cheap beer at Saddleback!
Carey Kish photo

Check out Ski Maine for more information on these events and others. And don't forget that many of the smaller community areas are still open and offering great skiing.

See you out there... until there's nothing but mud under my skis!

You planning on making the most of the remaining downhill ski season?

It's been a ski season to remember... and it ain't over yet my friends!
Carey Kish photo

This latest storm dropped another foot or more of snow in the mountains, right there where we skiers like it. Trail conditions are reported to be awesome and most areas, if not all, are 100% open. And this crazed skier, for one, plans to get out again this weekend for more fine turns in the white stuff as this 'winter to remember' rolls on.

Yee-hah!

Saddleback was incredible on Sunday. As much as six inches of fresh snow added to already good base, and with that the groomers did their thing. Add in some warm temps (in the 30s), clear blue skies (not a cloud!) and no crowds (it was the end of Maine's school vacation week) and you've got the makings for one heck of a good ski day.

And so it was.

So darn good that Saddleback has earned a return trip this coming weekend. And we might just slip on over to Sugarloaf for some runs there, too. Heck, why not? Life is short. And the good snow ain't gonna last forever (although make no mistake, we've got a good two months of skiing left).

But I digress...

Saddleback!

Gosh, don't you just love that beautiful new lodge (it's not so new anymore I know, but still), the exposed wooden beams and all. And the uber-friendly staffers, from the parking lot to the ticket window to the caf to the lifts to the patrolers. All smiley and happy and helpful. That's the way to run a ski area folks!

Skis on, we scooch on over to the double chair and ride, up, up, up. With each passing lift tower the views get better and better. Mountains, woods, lakes off in the distance, filling the horizon.

Ahead and above, the wintry alpine heights of sprawling 4,000-foot Saddleback Mountain. The peaks we love to hike in the summer season now blanketed in winter white; today a light, fluffy snow that sparkles gem-like in the morning sunlight.

Down Green Weaver we go, right for the T-Bar, and ride to nearly the mountaintop. Fran and I enjoyed run after fine run down the steeps of the upper mountain.

We parted briefly while I ventured over to Muleskinner for a wild run down the narrow chute, complete with drop-offs, stumps, trees, the occasional exposed rock. Fantastic!

Moving across the mountain we skied the cruisers off the chairlift, savoring the views as we glided down each. A late bite of lunch (a PBR and a hot dog) and we were back at it. Meeting up with friends and patrollers Jim and Martha Hughes we finished the day with a guided tour of the sweet trails on the mountain's right side.

All good. Can't wait now for the weekend!

The sprawling, beautiful alpine ridgeline of Saddleback, Rangeley.
Carey Kish photo

Tight Line, formerly Bronco Buster, was in fine shape and deserved a half dozen runs anyway.
Carey Kish photo

SADDLEBACK, Rangeley

The ski-nny: This is a big mountain with big terrain. But it all comes with a small mountain feel that’s friendly and unhurried. Saddleback has the highest base elevation of any ski area in Maine at 2,640 feet. From there the mountain continues to soar to a top elevation of 4,120 feet, providing skiers with 2,000 glorious feet of vertical on which to play over some 60 trails and glades.

Steeps: You want ‘em you got ‘em! Tight Line (the old Bronco Buster) and The Supervisor make for fast flying, while the bumps of Warden’s Worry, Governor and Peachy’s Peril will have you sweating but good.

Cruisers: Green Weaver and Gray Ghosts are classic wide open blues off the Rangeley Double Chair. From the Cupsuptic T-Bar you can access Silver Doctor, Blue Devil and Red Devil; narrow, sweet, twisting runs through the trees. Stop and check out the view out over Saddleback Lake now and then. It just keeps getting better.

Easy going: In and around the base lodge are a myriad of easy trails, fun for all. The Sandy Double and South Branch Quad will get you there.

Aprés-ski: The Swig ‘n Smelt Pub in the base lodge serves up hearty chow and cold brews, fine views and good tunes. But I’m a softy for the Red Onion in downtown Rangeley (old habits die hard, the Onion has been a fav ever since my AT thru-hike years ago) and its great pizza (try the Combo) and draft beers.

Extra credit: From the top of the Kennebago T-Bar traverse across the mountain on Dazzler. In ten minutes time you’ll arrive at the famed Muleskinner, a gnarly double black seemingly on the edge of skier’s heaven. Let loose and enjoy! But beware the trees and stumps and stuff.

Deals: The best lift ticket value in Maine is Saddleback at 40 bucks! Same goes for the season pass at very reasonable $400. Never mind the killer mid-week specials for $25 (Monday is Ladies’ Day, Tuesday is Telemark Day, Wednesday is Men’s Day, Thursday is Senior’s Day) and the monthly Maine Day Sundays, also $25.

The hamburgers were gone by the time we stopped for lunch, but there were still cold cans of PBR (and grilled hot dogs to boot).
Carey Kish photo

The traverse on Dazzler takes you way across the mountain to the challenging double black Muleskinner.
Carey Kish photo

Trail Head about to launch down Muleskinner. One of my Top 10 ski runs of all time!
Carey Kish photo

Getting an afternoon tour of the mountain with patrollers and good friends Jim and Martha Hughes.
Carey Kish photo

What's your Saddleback experience been this winter? Been loving it? Planning to sneak in some more runs there as we head for some awesome spring skiing?

Big news!

After an extraordinary effort over the past few years a big dream in Maine is finally becoming a reality: Maine Huts & Trails will officially open its first remote hut at Poplar Stream Falls in Carrabassett Valley on Saturday.

The Grand Opening of the Poplar Stream Falls Hut in Carrabassett Valley, the first along the proposed 180-mile long Maine Huts & Trails System, is this Saturday, February 16th.
Photo courtesy Maine Huts & Trails

Congratulations to MH&T and all who worked doggedly to make it happen! It wasn't easy but now its here. Best wishes for many more successes ahead.

"The support for this project tremendous. By building a nationally respected ecotourism destination, we hope that we can contribute to the economy in western Maine and be good to the environment at the same time," said Bob Peixotto, Chairman, Maine Huts & Trails.

"The trail, which is free and open to the public, is already becoming an outdoor recreation and environmental education resource for camps and other youth organizations, school groups, and even a nordic ski team. The hut will add a wonderful dimension for overnighters looking for a multi-day backcountry experience."

According to Maine Huts & Trails, "the [Poplar Stream Falls] hut site includes a main building and three small bunkhouses in the immediately adjacent area. The main building features a kitchen, group meeting space, lavatory facilities, and lodging for up to four full time staff."

"The facility will host dinner and breakfast for overnight guests in addition to providing an educational experience through interpretive displays and educational programming. Three separate cabins will provide a combination of private and semi-private sleeping quarters for up to 40 guests. The Poplar Stream Falls hut will be open year-round, and also provides a day-trip destination for visitors seeking a single day non-motorized backcountry experience."

An overnight stay will cost you from $55 to $70, but that ain't bad for warm and cozy backcountry accomodations complete with hot meals and hot showers. Yes, that's right - hot showers!

C'mon along to Poplar Stream Falls. The cross-country skiing is great!
Photo courtesy Maine Huts & Trails

Looking ahead Maine Huts & Trails has their work cut out for them as they work to build a 180-mile long multi-use trail system with 12 huts along the way, extending from the Mahoosuc Mountains to Moosehead Lake.

But what an incredible concept. A pipedream maybe, just a few years ago. And now its a reality on the ground with more to come. Wow! I like that.

I can't wait to get up in there for some good x-c skiing and comfy staying. How about you? You going to put the new Poplar Stream Falls Hut on your to-do list this winter?

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

OK, so I've been AWOL from the blogosphere. A few weeks now.

Figured nobody'd miss me.

You did? Awe shucks. That's nice. You're not just saying that are you?

Anyway, I'm back. Spurred on by my dear friends at MaineToday.com and their gentle inquiry as to my general whereabouts and mental health and that kind of thing. Shannon Bryan writes:

Dear Carey,
Where art thou? I'm fearing the worst. Did too much dehydrated alcohol induce a month-long slumber out in some distant wood? Did the bear (of who-slaps-a-bear fame) finally seek retribution? Hope all is well - and that you'll be back to the blog soon.

Dehydrated alcohol might have been the problem, if it actually existed (still hoping... better living thru chemistry and all that, you know!).

And no, the bear who stuck his nose (literally) into my business and earned a good smack has not yet caught up to me. But I do hear heavy Ursus-like breathing behind me sometimes, causing me to look nervously over my shoulder (when he strikes I hope it will be quick).

Nope. Nothing like that.

Just been busy. You know. Living out of a duffle bag. Loading and unloading gear. Ever on the move. Sleep? What's that? Too much going on, not enough time to blah blah blah on the blog blog.

My bad. Please forgive. I do better, promise.

So here goes. For better or worse, my excuse list...

Snowshoeing with members of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club at The Basin in Phippsburg.
Carey Kish photo

Schussing Sunday River with some new friends.
Carey Kish photo

Braving the cold to ski great snow at Sugarloaf.
Carey Kish photo

Yucking it up on TV.
Carey Kish photo

Snowshoeing through the pretty woods of Bowdoin at sundown.
Carey Kish photo

Taking on the Maine Peak to Peak Challenge 08 - to ski all 17 Maine ski areas in one long weekend - with a team of crazy skiers and riders.
Carey Kish photo

The Challenge kicked off at little Spruce Mountain in Jay at 2pm on Fri, Jan 18.
Carey Kish photo

The team catching first tracks at sunrise at Sunday River, Sat, Jan 19.
Carey Kish photo

At Black Mountain in Rumford under perfect blue skies.
Carey Kish photo

Engaging the staff at Saddleback in a bit of silly behavior. Imagine!
Carey Kish photo

Hobnobbing with a particular Olympic gold medal winner at Sugarloaf.
Carey Kish photo

Sun, Jan 20 at Mt. Jefferson in Lee.
Carey Kish photo

Any questions???
Carey Kish photo

About to set off from the top of Mt. Jefferson.
Carey Kish photo

Under the neon lights and lights of the full moon at Big Rock in Mars Hill way up in Aroostook County. Still Sun, Jan 20.
Carey Kish photo

The team at Lonesome Pine Trails in Fort Kent early on Mon, Jan 21.
Carey Kish photo

Looking out over Fort kent, the St. John River and Canada from Lonesome Pine Trails... in -20F temps!
Carey Kish photo

Five hours and some 300 miles later with one mountain to go at the Camden Snow Bowl.
Carey Kish photo

The team atop Camden Snow Bowl, 4pm on Mon, Jan 21, concluding a successful 17 of 17 mountains!
Carey Kish photo

Evidence of a busy ski weekend. One like no other.
Carey Kish photo

Enjoying wonderful views of Willoughby Notch from Burke Mountain in Vermont.
Carey Kish photo

Hanging out with old people of questionable character. :-)!
Carey Kish photo

Trying to get through a stack of good books.
Carey Kish photo

OK, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

What on Earth have you been up to my Trail Head pals??? Lay it on me. I gots to know...

The day has arrived. The gear is packed. It's time hit the road.

The Ski Maine - Maine Peak to Peak Challenge starts today and rolls across the state for the next 3 1/2 days in an attempt to ski at least one run at each of Maine's 17 ski areas.

The team met up for a final training session last weekend at Sugarloaf to have some fun together and go over final details on just exactly how we're going to pull this thing off.

The planning is now officially over and it's time to ski. And drive. And ski some more. And have one helluva a good time. Promoting skiing across Maine at mountains big, medium and small. To showcase our beautiful state in all its winter beauty. To raise a few bucks for the Ski Museum of Maine.

So it goes...

We're out of here. I'll report to you from the road as best I can from wherever I can find Internet service. I'm sure we'll come up with some good stories and photos as we go. Should be a heckuva an adventure.

Onward...

Remember: You can do your own Maine Peak to Peak Challenge all winter long. What a way to see more of Maine, get some great skiing in, and maybe win a Ski Maine pass for next season!

The Ski Maine - Maine Peak to Peak Challenge Team will ski at least one run at each of Maine's 17 downhill ski areas this weekend.
Carey Kish photo

The Ski Maine - Maine Peak to Peak Challenge Team visited Sugarloaf last weekend for our final training session.
Carey Kish photo

Trail Head yucking it up on the air with Greg Powers of WSKI on RSN.
Carey Kish photo

The Team Captain and that Ski Maine guy at RSN.
Carey Kish photo

Some of the Ski Maine - Maine Peak to Peak Challenge Team mugging it up at the Loaf.
Carey Kish photo

The skiing at the Loaf was awesome despite the recent rains. This is Burnt Mtn. from the top of King Pine Bowl.
Carey Kish photo

Any day the Timberline Chair is operating is a very good day!
Carey Kish photo

The team's best side!
Carey Kish photo

Wonder if The Bag will be a stop on the Maine Peak to Peak Challenge tour? Duh!!!
Carey Kish photo

The hubbub of the holidays is finally over. Time to get on with the real business of winter: Skiing!

And so I says to you: Let the games begin! The Maine Peak to Peak Challenge is on! This first-ever of its kind event in Maine is sponsored and organized by the Ski Maine Association.

That's right, just a short week or so to go before a team of madcap skiers (yes, I'm in there) takes to the road to attempt to ski at least one run at every one of Maine's 17 downhill ski areas over the Martin Luther King Weekend, January 18-21.

Why do such an outlandish thing, you say?

Why not, I say!

Can it be done? Of course. Will it be done? Absolutely. Will it be fun? Unquestionably!

DA PLAN 2 SKI 'EM ALL

The logistics of the event are daunting but do-able: Starting Friday afternoon 1/18 at Spruce Mountain in Jay the Ski Maine team will travel and ski its way west then north then south for nearly a 1,000 miles (carpooling, of course, to be green) to a wild finish on the coast at the Camden Snow Bowl on Monday 1/21.

The Ski Maine - Maine Peak to Peak Challenge Team will ski at least one run at all Maine's 17 downhill ski areas from January 18-21, 2008. Is that nuts or what?!
Carey Kish photo

All told the team will sample 85 of 560 ski trails on Maine's 17 downhill ski mountains. Here's a look at our itinerary:

Friday, January 18th:
* Spruce Mountain, Jay... Maine Peak to Peak Challenge kick-off!
* Lost Valley, Auburn
* Shawnee Peak, Bridgton
* Mount Abram, Locke Mills

Saturday, January 19th:
* Sunday River, Bethel
* Black Mountain, Rumford
* Titcomb Mountain, Farmington
* Saddleback, Rangeley
* Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley

Sunday, January 20th:
* Baker Mountain. Moscow
* Eaton Mountain, Skowhegan
* Hermon Mountain, Hermon
* Mt. Jefferson, Lee
* Big Rock, Mars Hill
* Quoggy Jo, Presque Isle

Monday, January 21st:
* Lonesome Pine Trails, Fort Kent
* Camden Snow Bowl, Camden... Last run!!!

Somewhere along the way we'll get to eat and sleep, I figure, but who knows?! Especially when you're having a complete hoot of a good time, skiing, traveling and yucking it up but good with people as off-kilter as you are!

The Ski Maine - Maine Peak to Peak Challenge Team at an important planning meeting recently at Gritty's in Portland. I'm telling ya, the best adventures seem always to be planned on the back of a bar napkin!
Gritty's photo

DA TEAM

And who would do such a thing? The following crazies:

* Carey Kish (dat be me), Portland downhill skier & Team Captain
* Janet Thurston, Raymond snowboarder
* Anne O'Brien, Cape Elizabeth downhill skier
* Craig Hansen, Gray telemark skier
* Greg Sweetser, Cumberland downhill skier & Ski Maine bigwig
* Heather Atwell, Keene, NH downhill skier
* Bruce Mason, Auburn downhill skier
* Joanne Mason, Auburn downhill skier

Fun and games aside for a moment (is that possible?), there is a message behind all this skiing madness. Says Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association (who, by the way, has come through big time to pull this thing together from idea to reality - thanks Greg!):

"Most skiers are not aware of the varied terrain, trails and character found at the 17 Ski Maine areas in the state. There are 560 trails, 83 lifts, and acres of glades covering our Peaks. Ski Maine wants to challenge skiers and snowboarders to visit as many as they can during the 2007/2008 season. There is so much skiing in Maine that it will take a person all winter to enjoy each of our areas."

SKI MORE MAINE AREAS, MAYBE WIN BIG!

Beyond the January 18-21 statewide event, however, the season-long Maine Peak to Peak Challenge is open to all skiers and riders. It awards skiers based on the number of areas they visit. The more mountains logged by skiers and riders throughout the winter, the bigger the possible prize:

* Ski/Ride all of Maine's 17 member areas and skiers can enter to win a Ski Maine VIP pass and Solo Pack for the 2008/2009 season. The VIP Pass allows the winner to ski any Maine mountain at any time.

* Ski/Ride any 12 Ski Maine member areas and participants will be entered to win a Ski Maine Double Pack for the 2008/2009 season: 2 tickets to each member area.

* Ski/Ride any 6 Ski Maine member areas and participants will be entered to win the Ski Maine Solo Pack for the 2008/2009 season: 1 ticket to each member area.

Participants can track their visits with the Ski Maine Peak to Peak Challenge card, available from Ski Maine online. What a great way to enrich your Maine skiing experience and maybe win some big prizes!

SKI AND DO GOOD

Skiers can also do some extra good by becoming a member of or making a contribution to the Ski Museum of Maine.

"Maine's ski and snowboard industry is built on a rich skiing heritage, now protected and displayed for posterity by the Ski Museum of Maine. The Maine Peak to Peak Challenge, sponsored by the Ski Maine Association, will help further the mission of the museum through supporting pledges gathered throughout the winter," said Sweetser.

So, there you have. The Maine Peak to Peak Challenge for 2008. Woo-hoo!

The team heads to the Loaf this weekend for a "training" session (a few ski runs, followed by some rubbing of the mahogany in The Bag quite likely). Then next week we're off in earnest.

Hope you'll follow along and challenge yourself to skiing more of Maine's outstanding ski areas, too! What do you say???

By the way, after you hit the slopes be sure to post a trip report for the chance to win free lift tickets for more skiing! What a deal!

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

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.

C'mon skiers! Snap out of that turkey-induced slumber, click off the tube, get off the couch and get to the slopes. Ski season is here!

Sugarloaf is open top to bottom!
Carey Kish photo

Last weekend Sugarloaf, with the aid of Mother Nature's own white stuff and some heavy duty snowmaking, offered up nearly top to bottom skiing on Tote Road, Sluice and Lower Winter's Way, off the Super Quad, Double Runner and Spillway West chair lifts.

It was cold and windy but the early season skiers were out in force and it was a blast! Conditions were variable, of course, and I was glad I had my older skis with me so I could just bomb over everything without nary a care. Ahhh, November skiing!

Snow guns pumping out the snow on Boardwalk.
Carey Kish photo

Sun and skiing off the Super Quad on Tote Road
Carey Kish photo

The view from Sluice.
Carey Kish photo

Today, skiers and riders can take it to 9 trails serviced by 4 lifts. Upper Narrow Gauge is open and the Spillway East chair is cranking, too. By the weekend the Loaf plans to open more terrain, including two of my personal favorites, King's Landing and Hayburner.

"A new pumphouse has boosted water pumping capacity for our snowmaking system, said Bill Swain, Sugarloaf's Communications Manager. "And we've added 70 new low-energy snow guns to help us make a greater quantity of snow in less time."

But that's just part of the $4 million in improvements at Sugarloaf that are in the works since the mountain transitioned ownership from ASC to Boyne last August.

Two new state-of-the-art groomers will add extra grooming capacity. Bullwinkle's, that venerable on-mountain watering hole, is more than doubling in size to add seating capacity. The Sugarloaf Hotel is getting a new covered entrance as well as some indoor improvements for guests. The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center is being renovated and expanded, doubling is size and including a skating rink. Finally, it be easier than ever to get around the mountain and its local environs on the Sugarloaf Explorer, a brand spanking new transit system that began operation today.

The move to Boyne ownership has been a very positive one, and going forward things look terrific, says Swain. "We're moving to make Sugarloaf as good as it can be."

Roger that, Bill. That all sounds mighty good to this die-hard Sugarloaf lover.

The only disappointment I can register from my recent visit was that The Bag did not yet have any Pick Pole Pale Ale ready. I was forced to slake my apres ski thirst with a Bag Brown Ale (good). Then I wandered way off trail, amusing myself with a cheap green longneck of Ballantine and the picto-puzzle in the bottle cap (I solved it). Hey, what can I say?! Growing up was never high on my to-do list, sorry. (Bag big-wigs promised me that the Pick Pole will be flowing very soon. Bless you.).

Have you hit the slopes yet this ski season? Where?

It's a question I've pondered for awhile now. An idea that has percolated in my brain ski season after ski season.

Hmmm...

Would it actually be possible to criss-cross the state and get in at least one run at every ski area, all 17 of them (who knew?), from Sunday River in Bethel to Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley; from Lonesome Pines in Fort Kent to the Camden Snow Bowl?

Dunno.

It sounds like an exciting challenge, wouldn't you say? Bordering on the insane, perhaps, but exciting nonetheless. It's certainly worth a try. And it's finally going to happen this winter. Which, by the way, appears to be officially open for downhill skiing as of this coming weekend.

You see, earlier this year I pitched the idea to Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association, Maine's ski industry umbrella organization that does the heavy lifting of promoting skiing throughout the state. Such a big project was going to need a sponsor, and Ski Maine was the logical place to turn.

Sweetser, eyes wide and internal gears turning hard, bought right into the concept--a grand tour of Maine's ski mountains--and has since been working hard to assemble all the pieces to make it happen.

At least one run at all 17 downhill ski areas, big, medium and small. Nearly 1,000 miles of driving (there's going to be a team of us crazy skiers, so we'll be carpooling to keep it "green"), seeing the sights of Maine in winter time. All in one mid-January weekend (guaranteed frigid, you just know it).

There's still plenty of work to do to connect the dots and pull it all together. I'll keep you posted on the details as they get finalized.

It's going to be one heckuva fun time, and I can't wait to get cranking and carve some turns...

What do you think? Can we do it?

Time's a wasting on season passes. The deals, such that they are, are coming to a close.

What to do?

It's time to decide on a season pass. What's it gonna be?
Carey Kish photo

We've been spoiled now for what, three years at least. But no more. Our great and powerful benefactor, the American Skiing Company, is kaput. Gone. Over. Done with.

No more all-season skiing at six New England resorts for $349 or $369 or even $399.

Nope. The party's over. Just when the going was getting so good, too.

Gone are the days of six mountains for $399!
Carey Kish photo

I don't know about you, but I was really getting to enjoy Attitash, especially the enormous amount of vertical you could get in in such a short amount of time on Bear Peak.

And those long weekend trips to Killington and Pico. Oh, the madness of the Big K, all that fine skiing amid the crowds of funny-speaking New Yorkers.

And quaint and creaky Pico, its long and winding trails, steep and challenging. And empty. The awesome Giant Killer lives!

Never mind skiing Sunday River and The Loaf at will, in any conditions. A run here, a beer there. It didn't matter. You had a pass. You skiied when it was good, you hung out in The Bag when it wasn't.

Can I just buy a season pass to The Bag?
Carey Kish photo

That kind of living was all new to this skier, not ever having been able to really afford those super-high-priced season passes of not too long ago.

Everything has changed now, though. So I ask again: What to do?

Stop your whining, you say.

I know, you're probably right.

But damn, it hurts losing such a good deal that allowed for so much skiing over such a variety of terrain and mountains for so little.

Made it easier to drop more cash in the mountain pubs, too. The Foggy Goggle, The Bag (the Cathedral of On-Mountain Beerage), Theo's, the Windowbreaker, the Long Trail Inn, Suds, Sunday River Brew Pub...

But I digress.

{sigh} {and more whining here}

It's time to get on the stick and buy a pass for the coming season. Or not.

If you've got a place to hang your hat at a particular mountain then maybe it's a no-brainer for you. Not so much for me and many other low-budget ski-types.

You're in the same boat too you say?

Well, let's take a look-see together on what's available for pass deals...

* Sunday River and Sugarloaf - The Maine Pass: For $799 (Gold Pass) you can get unlimited skiing at Maine's two premier mountains. For $499 (Silver Pass) you can ski all season less 12 blackout dates. The Silver is the closest deal to what we've been used too, except of course, it's $100 more and it's minus four other mountains. But who's counting??? Pass deals are available through October 15th.

* Saddleback - Unlimited skiing for $450. Not a bad deal for a big mountain that's really getting it's act together with a modern base lodge and new trails and equipment.

* Wildcat - Ski big vertical in the shadow of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range for $669 (price available until October 15th).

* Bretton Woods - Enjoy a mondo amount of excellent cruiser trails with awesome views for $749. Includes 2 free passes to Cannon to boot.

* Cannon Mountain - Bigtime challenging mountain skiing in at Franconia Notch for $630.

* Attitash/Bear Peak - Get the Granite Pass valid every day at Attitash and Crotched (a bump in southern NH) for $699. Or try the Classic Pass for $599 good only at Attitash with blackout dates. Attitash and Bear Peak combine for some of the best skiing in NH.

* Loon Mountain - Get three mountains in one, the most of any ski pass deal this season, with the Threedom Pass. Includes Loon, Waterville Valley and Cranmore.. All for $799. Or $699 with a handful of blackout days at Loon. Probably the best deal out there right now.

* Ski Maine Association - The Quad Pack gets you 59 vouchers to ski areas all across Maine, 4 each to the big popular areas. All for $550. Also a very good deal. Especially if you want to spread yourself out some, do some traveling and visit a host of new places.

So there you have it folks. Ski pass deals as they stand for the coming year. Not quite what we're used to, but hey, what can you do?!

I'm leaning hard on the Maine Pass, but it's time to quit leaning, decide and buy.

Speaking of, what will YOU do? You gonna buy a pass? Which one? Or will you just do day tix and travel about? Or maybe do more snowshoeing and cross- country skiing instead, and less downhill?

So what's it gonna be my skier pals? Pass or no pass?
Carey Kish photo

It's about time!

Kudos to Jim Calafone, owner of the long-neglected Big Moose Mountain resort and 6,500 surrounding acres just north of Greenville for his proposal to finally make something of the place.

The backside of Big Moose Mountain from atop the ridge on Little Moose Mountain. There's big development plans for the Greenville resort in the news today. What do you think?
Carey Kish photo

I've always thought--and I know I'm not alone on this--that Big Moose has had tremendous recreational and economic development potential, so it's exciting to see someone stepping forward with a plan.

Califone's plans include upgrades to the ski area lifts, base lodge and hotel, all of which have sat wastefully dormant for some time. Two-hundred condos are also on tap, as well as an 18-hole golf course, two hotels and conference centers, single-family homes and a train station.

You go Jim! This is great news!

"We are confident that the eventual plan will be a sound and environmentally sensitive approach for future growth," said Tom Farmer, a planner with DeWan and Associates of Yarmouth.

Good. Hard to argue with that.

Such a sound and compact package of balanced development ought to easily garner good local support and navigate the LURC process just fine.

Greenville's town manager John Simko called the proposal a "tremendous benefit" for the region.

Ditto that.

Of course, this good news comes just as the revised Plum Creek plan is due for review later this fall.

How Plum Creek will effect Califone's plans for Big Moose is anybody's guess. The two would appear to be very complementary in my view. But then, I'm a Plum Creek advocate.

What are your thoughts on this Big Moose news? And what about Plum Creek? Are the two proposals together too much? Or just right?

It's been a wild April weather-wise, hasn't it? Especially so if you're a downhill skier.

Who would've thought we'd get a couple of big dumps of snow nearly-back-to-back, giving us the best spring skiing conditions in years. Sugarloaf claims nearly 8 feet of snow since April 1st, Wildcat more than 6 feet.

Yee-hah!

But despite the mass quantities of snow and outstanding skiing and riding, sadly the end of the season is near, and only four mountains in Maine and New Hampshire remain open: Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Wildcat and Sunapee.

So, you'd better come and get it! ASAP like.

The Loaf has pushed back its closing date another week and will remain open through Sunday, April 29th. And bonus! The Backside and Snowfields are wide open and ready to thrash you but good.

Sunday River plans to stay open thru April 29th as well, concluding with a FREE ski day.

Wildcat plans a 4/22 closing date (according to their website anyway), so if you want to ski the beast get there this weekend.

Mount Sunapee also plans to shut down this coming Sunday.

If you've already stowed the boards for the year, then, well, what the heck is wrong with you? Ski now!!! You've got all summer to hike and paddle.

Reggae '07 as much fun as ever!

If you were at Sugarloaf last weekend for the umpteenth annual Reggae Festival then you know what I'm talking about. The skiing was tremendous, the music excellent, the crowds a hoot.

All good.

Several beers into apres ski at The Beach, among the swaying throngs jamming with the band, a friend commented to me, big grin on his face, that "every weekend should be Reggae Weekend!"

Brilliant! Of course! That's it! Live as if every day, every weekend was ReggaeFest!

Outdoors. Fun. Friends.

And so it was written...

See you in the sun out there on the slopes, my fine Trail Head friends!

Why, of course, it's...

REGGAE WEEKEND!!

So, you'd better get you and your ski goods up to the Loaf for a final blowout on the slopes!

Tomorrow looks like the day to ski with any chance of sunshine. After that, all bets are off. Sunday afternoon into Monday look downright ugly.

Guess that's the plan then.

I'll meet you at the Super Quad at 10. We'll ski for a few hours, have a brew on the deck at Bullwinkle's, ski for awhile longer, then retire to The Beach for some tall, cold, frosty ones, along with a few thousand happy skier-party types for an afternoon of reggae music.

Ya mon.

Life is good...

Skiers: Looking for a great last minute idea for a fun St. Patrick's Day weekend?

I've got just the ticket for you!

Book yourself a cozy stay at the Inn at Long Trail, a wonderfully warm and comfortable place with incredible food and the best Irish pub this side of Dublin.

The inn sits right atop Sherburne Pass in in Killington, Vermont, which just so happens to be smack in the middle between the ski resorts of Killington and Pico Peak (both on the ASC passholder list, for now anyway).

The lovely and well-situated Inn at Long Trail atop Sherburne Pass, Killington VT.
Photo by Carey Kish

How 'bout that... great skiing at two convenient mountains, mega old-style comfy digs, outstanding gourmet meals, creaky floors and a stone fireplace, and McGrath's Irish Pub, with all Irish music, all the time.

Revels Glen belts out the Irish tunes (Alice? Alice? Who the ___ is Alice?) in McGrath's Irish Pub tucked inside the Inn at Long Trail.
Photo by Carey Kish

And on St. Patty's Day you and your friends can belly up the to bar and order up a fine Irish pint or two, a Guinness, Smithwick's or Harp. Mix it up and get a half and half (1/2 Guinness, 1/2 Harp). Better yet try a Vermont half: 1/2 Guinness, 1/2 Long Trail Ale.

Oooooh! Ahhhhh! Yum!

But for God's sake, don't come looking for a British beer, or a Bud or something screwy like that. You're guaranteed a snarl from behind the bar. And likely to get tossed out in the snow to boot.

Be advised, OK?!

Saturday, rise early and get yourself to Killington before the crowds. Shoot for 8AM latest. You'll want to park at K-1 or Snowshed for the best access to the mountain's trails and lifts.

Jump on the K-1 gondola for a sweet ride to Killington Peak at 4,000 feet. Head for the North Ridge Triple and catch some fine cruising before the throngs arrive. Rime, Reason, East Fall and Ridge Run--all good. Double 'em up just for yucks.

It's always great skiing first thing in the AM off the North Ridge Triple chair, Killington.
Photo by Carey Kish

Bump over to the Canyon Quad next for the demanding steeps on Double Dipper, Downdraft, Cascade. That'll get you working up a good sweat.

It's Superstar next, so put on a good show for the masses down at K-1 Lodge! And don't miss Ovation and Skye Lark.

Killington base from the Superstar trail. A Killington regular told us there were probably more than 20,000 skiers on the mountain on March 3rd.
Photo by Carey Kish

Skip lunch (it's over-rated and takes away from good skiing time) and take on the blues at Skye Peak, and the fun trails off the South Ridge Triple, by far the strangest lift line I've ever seen! Check it out and then tell me about it!

Da Maine skee group on the slopes of Killington a couple of weekends ago.
Photo courtesy Nancy Meier

Killington skiers in hot retro-colored outfits... must be friends of Pete!
Photo by Carey Kish

Bear Mountain will likely complete your pummeling for the day. Battle the Outer Limits, Wildfire and the the dicey Devil's Fiddle and your quads will say: "Beer me, please."

Listen and obey!

That's where McGrath's Irish Pub comes in... Guinness cures all, I tells ya. No doubt the place will be rocking for the big green holiday.

Handy tip: Order two beers at a time. The fine pouring of good Irish beer takes time, sometimes too much. You'll see.

After a killer dinner and mondo breakfast, pack up and drive a couple minutes across the way to Pico Peak.

Pico is like skiing used to be. Fortunately, here, it still is. Long, narrow, wooded, interesting trails make skiing here pure delight.

Grab the Golden Express chair and at the top, go left down to the Summit Express Quad. Settle in here because this is where the skiing is at, my friends.

Riding the upper lift in a snowstorm on Pico Peak.
Photo by Carey Kish

Cruise on Forty-Niner. Swoosh down KA, then sunset '71 and Pike. Runs through Birch Glades and then Birch Woods are a hoot.

And then, before you lose your nerve, tackle the Giant Killer, the long, ungroomed, bumpy, rocky, nasty, but oh so much fun trail on skier's left just down from the summit lift station.

Looking down the challenging steeps of Giant Killer, Pico Peak.
Photo by Carey Kish

Finish off with with more cruising and short steeps from the Little Pico Triple, Outpost Double and Knomes Knoll Triple.

Voila! A tremendous weekend of skiing and Irish hospitality!

Can't make it for St. Patty's, no problem. It's worth the trip anytime.

Have fun! And Erin Go Bragh!

Come one, come all!

Bring a stick of wood, marshmallows, some hot dogs, a comfy chair for setting.

The Great American Skiing Company Fire Sale is on!

Wanna buy a ski area?

Sure thing. ASC has got one for you.

If you can pony up a cool $100 million or so.

Wanna get an inexpensive season pass for next year that includes skiing at six ski areas around New England?

Tough luck. No dice. Uh uh.

Survey says: "Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnhh" {sound of loud buzzer here}

Yep, we skiers are getting sold down the river. Or thrown into the fire. Call it what you will.

Because this big ASC sell-off, which started with Heavenly and then Steamboat, before moving closer to home and consuming Mount Snow and Attitash, Killington and Pico, is here.

Home to Maine.

Sunday River and Sugarloaf are apparently on the chopping block.

All-for-One Pass?

Try All-for-Nothing.

While ASC seeks to "maximize the value of these assets," nowhere do they happen to mention their other assets: We the skiers!

Yes ASC, maybe you've forgotten about us, eh? The folks who bit big time on your great season pass deal every year for three years running now. We who have filled your coffers up front each season. And then spent gobs more every time we visited an ASC resort, on food and drink, lodging and whatnot.

I see a lot of dollar signs and financial mumbo-jumbo written about your big sell-off, but nary a mention of the skier, which, mistakenly, I thought you'd consider your most important asset.

So, what will you leave us next year?

Not much it appears.

Thanks.

Perhaps it has come time to make a change in my asset portfolio. A new set of cross-country skis, maybe a set of backcountry skis, too.

And begin to skip the lifts and lines and crowded trails, the expense and the travel.

Yep, I can divest too. And just might.

Say it ain't so!

Ahh, but it is.

At little out-of-the-way Baker Mountain, which rises up out of the Kennebec River Valley just north of sleepy Bingham.

I've passed by the mountain countless times in summer on the way to The Forks for rafting and kayaking. It's right off a curve in the highway--the grassy slopes, the T-bar line and the old shed that must serve as the base lodge.

Honestly, I didn't know it operated anymore. I figured it was simply a relic of the past. But no... "Baker Mountain has been the place to be during winter vacations and weekends since 1937."

Yep, little Baker is alive and well and apparently quite happy selling lift tickets for the pint-size price of $6 for all the family skiing fun you could want.

Maybe without the flashy amenities and variety and vertical of the big slopes, but with a ton of charm and neighborliness I'll bet.

And that right there is enough to warrant a look-see.

Wish now that I hadn't thrown out my old straight Rossi boards and that classic pile of ski duds. Figure they'd probably fit right in at Baker...

Have any of you ol' time schussers ever graced the slopes of Baker Mountain?

Away a week ago in the milder climes of Texas I missed the initial skiing bonanza provided us by the Valentine's Day blizzard. I knew you all would be out there and I was some jealous.

But I finally made up the lost ground...

Saturday my good buddy Pete and I faced down a day of brutal winds to carve up the slopes of Sunday River but good.

Sunday River's Spruce Peak was looking good with the big snow.
All photos by Carey Kish

Most all of the double steeps, bereft of snow due to the wind, were a sheet of ice and thus closed. So, much to Pete's relief (he's getting a bit on in age) we were not able to make the double fault line of Shock Wave our first run.

Instead we cranked it up on Jibe, upper Obsession and Monday Mourning--a fine start to the day.

T-2 (still my favorite trail on the mountain) on the right side was fun as always. And next, Right Stuff provided the best snow and overall best run of the day.

I heard folks complaining about the ice, but it was really only the first few turns of the steeper runs. And even at that, you just had to dig the edge in a little more and you were fine.

Risky Business at Sunday River was in fine shape last Saturday.

American Express and Risky Business were in terrific shape and easily worth a number of runs each.

We finished off the day over on Aurora and Jordan with Northern Lights and Airglow (I made a detour down Black Hole which thrashed me good but was fun anyway) and a long sunny cruiser down Lollapalooza.

All good. Damn cold, but all good.

Apres ski thirst led us to the Sunday River Brew Pub, where we joined up with my friend EW and her Puzzle Mountain hiking crew and enjoyed a couple of pints and bowls of chili.

And, bonus! The very lovely Bailey Girls paid us a visit! Now that's my kind of apres ski, I tells ya.

The Bailey Girls entertained us at the Sunday River Brew Pub. And yes, you're right, I don't remember their names!

Sunday: Slept in. Made coffee. Jumped in the car (ski gear was still in there from the day before. Guess I could've made it even easier by sleeping in my ski clothes... Hmmm.) and dashed off to Attitash.

Well, technically I skipped Attitash and went straight to its sister mountain, Bear Peak.

And there, with the help of the Flying Bear Express Super Quad, I logged some 15,000 feet of vertical in just a couple of hours. Under beautiful blue skies and NO WIND. And killer views of the Presidential Range.

Mount Washington and the Presidential Range from the top of Bear Peak at Attitash.

Avenger is the best trail on Bear Peak, and you get a good look at it from the lift on the way up. Double black, varied and relentless, it was a hoot. The right edge, then the ridge between the edge and the bumps, then under the lift through crud and ice and rocks. Three straight blasts down Avenger and I thought I might be through for the day.

Looking at the double black Avenger from the Flying Bear quad, Bear Peak, Attitash.

But I couldn't leave without hitting Illusion, the long westerly cruise of Wandering Skis (including a brief dip in Broken Arrow Glade) and the challenging chute of Kachina Falls. Just below, Kachina's right edge was a treat, but demanded tight turns to avoid launching into the trees.

And so it went, and I nearly lost track of time. Now that's a good day on the skis.

Best snow of the day: Skier's left on Trillium, where I found untouched, glorious corduroy at 2 in the afternoon ( I went back for a second helping!).

Completely satisfied, I knocked off at 3PM, ostensibly the exact hour that the Red Parka Pub opens up down valley in Glen. Karma perhaps? One must wonder.

A couple of Long Trails served up in a mason jar, and an embarrassing amount of peanuts and popcorn later and the day was done. I put the car on auto-pilot and slept most of the drive home (hey, the Honda knows it's way).

How's the big snow been treating you?

For the last three seasons we skiers have had a pretty damn good deal going with the American Skiing Company and their All-For-One Pass.

I've had the Bronze Pass, and for a very affordable something under $400, and the option to ski not only Sugarloaf and Sunday River here in Maine, but Attitash in NH, and Killington, Pico and Mount Snow in Vermont, it's been unbeatable.

Killington and Pico have become an annual adventure. Killington, the sprawling mega-resort with almost (but not quite!) more black and blue trails than you can ski in a weekend. And Pico, the quaint, unassuming mountain next door, with surprisingly big vertical and adorable narrow, wooded trails.

And Attitash, my new favorite. As close to Portland as Sunday River for me. Parking at Bear Peak is a snap and with the great quad and awesome steeps you can get 10-12,000 feet of vertical in before lunch no problem. I like that.

But now there's a slight wrinkle in all this good skiing.

If you're a season pass holder you probably already got your "Dear Valued Pass Holder" letter from ASC.

Kinda gave me that "Dear John" feeling right off the bat, if you know what I mean. You too, eh?

Anyway, the scoop is this:

ASC is selling (or already has sold) Attitash and Mount Snow to a concern named Peak Resorts. And now Killington and Pico are on the block and going to SP Land Company LLC.

Great.

Now what?

Alas, ASC wants to "reassure you [and me] that during this transition period our resorts will remain focused on providing you with the terrific experience you have come to expect."

Thanks folks, I feel so reassured.

Not.

Since I know something about "marketing speak" let me take a stab at interpreting: "Get your cheap skiing in at our six resorts while you can 'cause next year you're gonna be s--t out of luck."

About right, you say?

Thought so.

Well, it was good while it lasted. Maybe ASC will cobble together some kind of pass deal with their former resorts for next season, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I am going to hold onto my wallet, however.

You've gotta give the Wilburs of Clinton an "A" for effort. For their love of skiing and their creativity in bringing the slopes closer to home.

The Wilburs "have turned their backyard into a ski terrain park complete with ski and snowboard jumps, a rope tow powered by a motorcycle, and a homemade groomer."

Okay, so it's not a black diamond trail. Or even a blue square. But it sure looks like good fun!

And besides, who else among us can claim a backyard ski park? Where you can step out your back door and take a few turns with your kids. And have free hot chocolate waiting for you in the kitchen when it's time to warm up.

And no lift lines!

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!

Wonder if Rob and Liz would mind if we stopped by for a couple of runs? And maybe a little aprés ski to boot...

When I left Portland last Friday afternoon bound for some Vermont skiing, not a flake was to be seen. Despite the steel gray skies and damp chill in the air, the predicted storm lingered offshore somewhere.

Up Route 26 to Bethel. Still nothing. Across Route 2 to Gorham NH. Nada.

Hmmm.

The day's last light cast a glow over the lower flanks of the Prezzies, their peaks shrouded in clouds, as the Honda--loaded to the gills with skis, snowshoes, clothes, food and beer--chugged up the big hill to Jefferson.

Down the other side, past Santa's Village and Six Gun City, and on into Lancaster and...

SNOW!

A flake here, another there. Woo-hoo! The storm had followed me!

By the time I cruised the length of the main drag and made the familiar turn onto Railroad St. and into the yard of my pals' house, the snow was falling steadily.

Over the next hour, as my friends from afar trickled into the yard, the gentle snow wafted down.

And continue it did, throughout our night of revelry--our Nth "Big Chill" reunion of UMaine college friends--until six glorious inches lay atop the cars in the morning light.

Six inches of powder snow on the car--finally!
All photos by Carey Kish

Pots of coffee disappeared, stacks of sandwiches got made, warm clothes were donned and ski racks geared up. Off into the morning sun and cold we went, across the state line to Vermont and New England's best kept skiing secret--Burke Mountain.

Burke Mountain has a surprising 2,000 feet of vertical.

The upper mountain was a winter wonderland after the storm.

My Burke ski pals: Petey, Ralfy, Dave and Patty.

Fresh, fluffy powder blanketed the ungroomed slopes as we licked our lips and clicked into our skis. The new Sherburne Express quad chair whisked us up the lower beginner slopes, and after a short ski to the mid-Burke base we were again headed to the summit on the old familiar quad.

The mountain was a winter wonderland, the trees coated with white. Skiers hushed down beneath us, no scraping on any ice to be heard.

And from the top, again and again and again, we skied the narrow, wooded and winding trails that characterize Burke: Powderhorn and Wilderness, Big Dipper and Deer Run, Willoughby and Bears Den.

No trip to Burke would be complete without a swoop down the steeps and bumps of Doug's Drop, so we did (well, Ralfy and I did anyway--the others pooped out!). Fabulous.

And the crowds on this Saturday? Well, there weren't any. Never are. I don't know why and I don't care. I only know the place continues to draw enough people to operate every year and that's what matters.

The new owners have sunk some bucks into lodge renovations and the new quad, and have cut some fine new glades. Things look good. Bravo and thanks.

Ralfy showing off in the terrain park.

Looking out over fields and forests toward the impressive notch of Lake Willoughby.

One of the best kept secrets in New England skiing (shhh!!!)

A fine, full day's skiing under our belts, we retired to The Pub in the Sherburne Lodge for a couple pints while lounging on leather couches and chairs.

A big family-style dinner of lasagna, salad and garlic bread awaited us at Big Chill Central back in Lancaster, so we hit the road to rejoin our non-skiing friends.

Yet another fun evening followed, with a Maine-UNH hockey game on the tube, a wide variety of cocktails poured and consumed, and multiple trips to and from the hot tub made.

Sleep came easy. And after a big breakfast Sunday morning and more lazing about with these--some of my very best friends in the world--we were road-bound, already with plans for next summer ("Big Deck" and something about a wedding) and next winter's get-together.

Plenty o' lasagna for the hungry Big Chill crowd.

Dinnah with the Big Chill gang.

Big Chill R&Ring in the hot tub. Ahhh!

I hope that your weekend was just as much fun. How was the skiing over this way? Good snow?

Have you ever checked out Burke Mountain and its fun downhill and x-c skiing? If not, give it a try. It's a nice change from our home mountains and the scenery is awesome.

Is it any wonder that so many skiers, myself included, simply love Lange?

Oh, and their ski boots aren't bad either...

I'm still unpacking duffle bags from the long weekend of skiing and reveling, so please forgive for not getting around to this sooner.

It was another fun New Year's at Sugarloaf, for sure!

Despite the lack of natural snow Sugarloaf has done a masterful job of snowmaking and getting trails open. By Sunday some 25 trails were open and conditions were excellent.

The sun was out and helped mitigate a chill wind, and we happily schussed multiple runs on Whiffletree, Narrow Gauge, Hayburner, King's Landing, Tote and goodness knows what else.

Fun skiing ruled the day and we carried on until late afternoon when wobbly legs could take no more. And the clarion call of The Bag could be ignored no longer.

Comfortably ensconced in The Bag the lovely Sue served us up cold Pick Pole Pale Ales ($2.50 happy hour prices) as we watched the end of the Patriots game that included a madcap touchdown pass by none other than old-timer Vinnie Testaverde. Awesome.

A mondo pasta dinner at Hotel du Phil in Stratton followed. Then we were back to the mountain to check out the fun activities in the King Pine Room, packed with kids and parents having a boatload of fun making messes and playing games. What a fabulous way to entertain the youngsters on New Years Eve!

Nearing 9:30PM the crowd poured out onto the Landing in front of the base lodge for a fabulous fireworks display that lit up the night. Kudos to the pyro-guys for a great show!

There was plenty going on for the big night for those with the energy to pull it off, with bands at the Widowmaker, The Bag and down the access road at The Rack.

Our group chose to get closer to our home-away-from-home base and so rang in 2007 at the Stratton Plaza amongst a most eclectic and happy crowd of revelers.

New Years Day arrived with plenty of freezing rain and horrible road conditions. So, rather than ski, we instead chose to lounge about reading the paper, slurping down pots of coffee, watching marathon episodes of the Deadliest Catch on cable and then proceeding on to one bowl game after another. Oh, and we figured in a big homecooked breakfast too. All good.

A slow and easy drive home down scenic Route 27 late in the afternoon concluded the big weekend.

Thanks to the good folks to Sugarloaf for the fine skiing and entertainment. My New Year's resolution: More of Mother Nature's white stuff for you!

So there you have it. Happy New Year all. May it be everything your heart desires...

Tell us about your New Years celebrations, your resolutions, your outdoors plans. Whatcha got in mind?

Skis and boards on the Beach at Sugarloaf.

Cruising down Whiffletree.

Riding Double Runner into the bright sun.

Despite the holiday weekend, the line at the Super Quad moved along pretty well.

Afternoon view from the top of the Super Quad.

Gotta love the view of Bigelow Mountain from the base lodge area.

The Widowmaker was geared up bigtime for the night's festivities.

The King Pine Room held a wonderful event of fun and games for kids early on New Years Eve.

Fireworks on the Landing on New Year's Eve.

Happy 2007 everyone!

It's become quite a tradition for this skier, it has. New Year's at the Loaf!

You too, you say? Awesome.

Sometimes it's great skiing, sometimes not so good. But always there's a ton of fun people about and lots going on, so it's always a hoot.

Winter may not have put on much of a face down this way at the coast as of yet, but up in the rarified air of Carrabassett Valley and The Mountain, it's plenty cold and white, i.e. there's skiing to be done on that thar snow!

So it's time to load up the essential goods: ski gear, warm clothes, dancing shoes, beer glove, party hat, teef. And my fleece blankie and a couple good books for the occasional down time.

Yep, Sugarloaf and New Years. A great combo. I'll ski to that!

Of course I promise to wipe down my skis after each day of skiing so they don't rust ever again! (That's the plan anyway...).

And you my skimeister friends? Where's you a'goin fer the big weekend? Maybe see you in The Bag for a cold one to ring in '07?

Whatever you do, wherever you go for the weekend, please, please, please do it safely. See you in 2007...

Photo courtesy Sugarloaf/USA
Cruising down the corduroy on Tote Road.

Photo courtesy Sugarloaf/USA
It's a white, white world from the upper part of the mountain.

Photo courtesy Sugarloaf/USA
Looking like winter for sure on Sluice.

As I remember the old fable, all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty back together again after he'd tumbled off the wall.

Poor Humpty.

But not me and my poor skis, I tell you.

Leave the skis atop the car to rust horribly as well as tear out an edge and what can you do to make 'em right again?

Not much you say?

Wrong answer Chucky.

You take your skis to the awesome ski pros at Arlberg in Scarborough and they perform miracles.

That's right.

I picked up my precious Salomon's on Saturday and was told in no uncertain terms by the crew there that I owed Cyrus ("Cyrus the Virus" they call him) a six-pack of beer for the incredible job he did repairing my abused boards.

And how true!

The edges are razor sharp again and you can't even tell where the edge was busted out. And the bottoms are smooth and shiny like a baby's.

Thanks fellas. I'll be down soon with that beer.

By the way, I never did get out on the slopes this weekend. But I heard from a mostly reliable source blasting down the access road away from the River that conditions were only so-so.

Did you give skiing a try this weekend?

That's right. I just don't have it anymore. No edge.

And I need help.

But you all knew that already.

Then what the heck am I talking about?

My skis. My beautiful, beat-up Salomon X-Screams.

After five fun winters of heavy duty ski abuse, er, I mean use, it looks like they may be close to retirement.

Took 'em to the boys at Arlberg yesterday and...

A hush filled the store as the clerk looked them over. Then he began to shake his head.

You'll remember I'd just left them on the roof rack for more than a week.

I knew the rust was going to be a problem, but I didn't anticipate anything more.

Then...

"You see this?" the guy says.

Uh, no. What?

Crap. I'd blown out an edge in the center of the ski. My turning edge. Bad spot.

More heads shaking (a crowd had gathered by now examining my poorly maintained skis).

I apologized for my blatant abuse. First for the rust, then the edge.

How could I do this to a pair of skis? What kind of a cretin am I? I deserve to be tied to a lift tower naked in January and have skiers jeer at me as they ride overhead.

But no such punishment was meted out to me.

Instead the Arlbergers treated me with great kindness, promising to grind the edges and repair the blown edge.

But I'd be on borrowed time, they assured me.

Ching, chings echoed in my head. It would be new skis for me, sooner than I'd hoped.

So, that's where you all come in.

I don't buy downhill skis very often (clearly!) and I could use your advice.

I'm looking for an all-mountain ski, stiff, good for carving quick turns on the steeps. Something for an advanced skier who likes to go just about everywhere (but I still suck on the bumps).

Got any ideas? What's your favorite ski and why? What do recommend for me and my next pair of downhill boards?

Want to know what happens when you leave your skis on the roof rack for a whole week of rain and mist and cold?

Uh, duh.

They rust!

Note to the guys at Arlberg in Scarborough: I'll be down later this week for a full tune up.

Got to get 'em in shape for all this good snow...

Guess the boards will be needing a tune up, eh?

The ski season is officially under way here in Maine. At Sunday River and Sugarloaf thus far at least.

And that brings great happiness to this skier. You too, I trust.

In an effort to assuage my guilt over a long weekend of holiday sloth that included much too much consumption of turkey and anything else food-related within arm's reach, and much too little physical activity of any kind (popping the tops of beer cans doesn't count I guess)...

... I made my way up to Sunday River yesterday to put the first notch in this year's season pass. And was very pleased with the results.

The Barker base lodge was open and with it the Super Quad and Locke Mountain Triple were operating.

A good size crowd was there enjoying the warm and sunny temps (upper 50s), both on the deck and on the slopes.

For top to bottom skiing we linked up either Upper Sunday Punch or Ecstasy to Monday Mourning or Cascades. All runs finished down the lower end of Monday Mourning.

Conditions were great considering the mild weather and rains we've had. And it was just plain good to be out.

Kudos to the snowmaking crew for doing a terrific job of getting a decent amount of skiable terrain opened quickly.

There's plenty of winter ahead of us and we can only hope that Mother Nature will cooperate and add her fair share of natural snow to the man-made stuff.

But given yesterday's offering at Sunday River, I'm pretty hopeful.

Did you get out on your boards this weekend? At Sunday River or Sugarloaf? How was it?

Sunday River's Barker Base was alive and well with skiers and snow yesterday.

It's going to take a bit more snow before we can start bombing down the bumps on Agony (beneath the Super Quad).

Sun and snow from the top of Monday Mourning.

Skiers cruising by on Upper Sunday Punch.

Hmmm... is that the Sunday River Brew Pub I see from here?

With all the family-visiting, turkey and stuffing, beer and football going on this long weekend, one can be forgiven for being a little distracted.

Or just downright sleepy, depending on your own own personal tryptophan level.

But when you snap out of your turkey torpor, remember that the Downeast Ski Club Ski Sale Sale is going on Saturday from 8 to 5 at the Portland Expo.

There'll be plenty of poking around and bargain hunting to be done. And you may just come away with a couple of good deals on skis and accessories.

Remember too that both Sunday River and Sugarloaf are open for the holiday weekend. There isn't a great deal of snow or trails open yet, but won't it feel good to get out and take a few turns?

You bet. See you on the lift!

You got ski plans this weekend???

...SUGARLOAF USA OPENS!

And The Bag, too, of course!

There's been reports of 6-8" of snow up at the mountain, so things are looking pretty wintery indeed.

I am so ready...

You?

The Mountain from Oh My Gosh Corner last Sunday morning. Hear there's as much as 8" of snow up there now...

Yep. It showed up in my mailbox over the weekend. And is right here in my grubby hands.

I know it's still only September and the weather is awesome and the colors have yet to change and all that.

But I just can't help thinking now about winter and snow and the ski season ahead.

The time's gonna go quick. And there's plans to make, skis to be tuned, warm clothes to be dug out.

And then the snow will fall, the groomers will groom, the lifties will lift and we skiers, well, we'll jump with joy, hop on the chair, and ache all the way to the top of the mountain for those first glorious turns down the slopes...

What? You ain't got yer ASC Season Pass yet?

Better get on it. The Bronze Pass is still a huge bargain at $395. ASC says the deadline is October 10th. Why tempt fate and lose out?

I know it hurts to spend precious cash in early May for skiing six or more months from now, but you've gotta do it.

And today's the day. The deadline. To buy your ASC All For One Season Pass.

According to ASC, you may be able to purchase season passes after today, but it'll be at a higher price and quantities will be limited.

So, suck up the financial pain now, pull out that credit card, go to the All For One Pass website, and get it done. Now. Today.

Come ski season, you'll be very, very happy you did. Especially if we are blessed with a big snow year. We're owed that much at least after this winter's marginal performance.

I just clicked "submit" and am officially $365 (bronze pass) poorer.

Hey buddy, can you spare a buck for a PBR pounder??

Yep, sure looks like it.

Both Sunday River and Sugarloaf are scheduled to close after this weekend. The Loaf closes Sunday, while the River will be free skiing for all on Monday, Patriot's Day.

So, if you're going to get a few more turns in before hanging up the skis, this is the weekend to do it.

The forecast is pretty decent, so it looks like a good weekend to get outdoors regardless (duh!).

Now, about last weekend and Reggae Fest...

I missed the not-so-great skiing on Saturday (I was attending the MATC annual meeting down in Farmington), but I did get up there in time to catch some fun music and mix with the mass of humanity on The Beach. And maybe throw back a mucho expensive beer or two.

Sunday was the day: Perfect blue skies, mega sun and soft snow. Real snow! (The 14 inches the prior Wednesday was a real gift from the ski gods!).

Timberline chair was running and we skied trails that hadn't been open all season that I'm aware of, like Cinder Hoe and Upper Binder. Awesome! Timberline trail was worth skiing over and over.

Narrow Gauge, King's, Hayburner, all good. Very good.

And with a little midafternoon break in the sun for a cold one at Bullwinkle's, all was well with the world.

And even more so, when we ducked into The Bag to toast the end of the day with a Pick Pole Pale Ale and a superbowl of mountain chili. I mean, is the chili in The Bag the best in the world, or what? Yum!

The doctor says no more skiing for me this season due to a bum knee that I've been pounding the pee out of all winter long on hikes and skiing.

So I hope that you all can get out there and take a few turns for me this weekend and finish up the ski season (which hasn't been all that bad to be honest) with a flare.

Until next season...

The mountain, crowds and reggae music. Must be April!

Reggae crowds on The Beach.

The snow on the upper mountain, especially the Timberline chair, was awesome!

The Bag chili could be the best on Earth.

Trail Head say Reggae Fest '06 good fun.

Sorry Colleen, but I just couldn't resist!

Saturday I attended the MATC annual meeting in Farmington, a packed day of fun trail talk. Wouldn't you know it, but the morning session ended before noon, and we had to dine on eggs for lunch in the cafeteria. No kidding.

In the afternoon I headed further north to catch Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf, where I found plenty of good music, big crowds and unlimited cold beer. But no eggs.

The skiing on Sunday was the best of the entire season. REAL snow blanketed the entire mountain and, under brilliant blue skies, made for outstanding top-to-bottom skiing.

And what did I eat for lunch (besides a beer at Bullwinkle's)? A hard-boiled egg. Really!

So you see, between Colleen and me, it was a truly egg-citing, egg-centric, egg-ceptional weekend!

And yours?

Spring is certainly here (it's blue and sunny and 62F out right now... why am I inside??). Prime time for hiking and paddling and all sorts of outdoor fun.

And that includes downhill skiing.

Don't let the non-winter get you down. Our New England mountains still have snow, albeit mostly man-made. But the skiing is good. Quite good actually. So don't pack away the boards just yet.

I was over at Cannon Mountain last Saturday for the first time in years. Even though the mountain was a little less than 2/3 open, what was available was great. A few of the upper steeps that we came to ski were closed, but we still enjoyed some good terrain.

Upper Ravine was loads of fun with its wide, sweeping turns. Vista Way (which may or may not have been open--can't remember) had some beautiful snow on it (or so I'm told). And the front five trails--those that face Franconia Notch--such as Avalanche, Zoomer and Rocket, were a complete blast.

Post apres-ski, we stopped in at the New England Ski Museum and poked around the Hannes Schneider exhibit and came away chock full of NE ski trivia. If you haven't been, it's definitely worth a visit.

Saturday evening, sixteen of us (most of the others had been out hiking in the area) packed into the Shapleigh Bunkhouse at the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch.

The bunkhouse is inexpensive and includes a killer all-you-can-eat (that's AYCE for you ravenous AT thru-hikers out there) breakfast (at the lodge). There's hot showers, a kitchenette, living room and best yet--the bunks come complete with cozy flannel sheets, blankets and pillows. Now that's some kind of camping out now, isn't it?!

The main lodge is beautfully appointed with high ceilings and exposed beams and a comfy sitting area with a big fireplace. It was a nice place to hang out and relax, read and chat.

Sunday's mission was to sleep in, take in the big breakfast (yum!) and head for Wildcat Mountain at Pinkham Notch and the $20 noon-to-4 ski special (every Sunday afternoon--what a deal!).

And so we did.

With the Wildcat Express chair shooting us up the mountain from base to summit in 6 minutes, it wasn't long before we had gotten in many thousands od vertical feet of excellent skiing (each run nets you 2,100 feet).

Whew!

To slow things down a bit, and to add some spice to the day, we slid off piste into the woods along Pole Cat and found some excellent out-of-bounds skiing through the trees and down narrow chutes. Totally legit, by the way. You just need to be careful.

I took a number of good diggers, including a yard-saler down an icy wall, but it was fun nonetheless.

A long traverse led us back to civilized skiing where we grabbed a few more runs and called it good. What a day! And all within sight (off and on) of Mount Washington. Love it.

Cannon was 63% open, according to "Bill" in the parking lot, which still made for plenty of good skiing.

The Tram was closed for the season, but the Peabody Express made quick work of getting us up the mountain.

The upper mountain was shrouded in fog most of the morning.

On Vista Way, peering through the clouds towrds the Franconia Range.

Skiing the "front five" trails as they are known. Echo Lake below.

The New England Ski Museum, located at the base of Cannon, was awesome!

The new AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch was beautiful, if not a little high brow.

Us poor ski bums stayed in the comfy AMC Shapleigh Bunkhouse across from the center.

On the way to Wildcat, I was bummed that Story Land was closed.

There's nothing like Wildcat Sunday afternoons... noon to 4 for $20.

The Wildcat Express zips you to the top in six minutes! You can get lots of vertical in in a day at that rate!

The bulk of Mount Washington was in and out of view all day from the slopes of Wildcat.

Skiing out of bounds (legit) on the north slope of Wildcat was very exciting.

I'm outta here this weekend and headed once again for the White Mountains.

This time to the cozy confines of the Shapleigh bunkhouse at the new AMC Highland Center atop Crawford Notch.

I've not yet visited the new facility, much less stay there (although I've certainly enjoyed the AMC huts over the years), so this should be a real treat.

A comfy bunk, heat, showers, a common room and a hearty beeakfast to boot. And a big main lodge to relax in. All for a darn reasonable price.

That's the indoor adventure.

Outdoors, the plan for some of us (there's going to be sixteen MOACers total--thanks Andi for making the arrangements!) is to ski Cannon Mountain at the head of Franconia Notch on Saturday, then ski Wildcat at Pinkham Notch on Sunday. Others will be off hiking and exploring about the Crawford Notch area.

Should be loads of good fun.

What are you up to this weekend?

All For One Pass. Ski More. Pay Less.

So says the mail I got from ASC yesterday.

Uh, not by my calculations, folks.

Looks like my Bronze pass will be going up for the third season in a row. From $299 to $349 and now to $365.

And I'm not sure I appreciate the cutely tagged "Time sensitive renewal information for current passholders" on the envelope. "Pass quantities reduced. Act by May 2."

Buy by May 2 or face a $100 increase or the possibility of not getting one at all.

Sounds a bit threatening.

An interesting marketing tack after a winter that never really happened.

Yes, the skiing's being pretty good considering what the mountains have had to work with.

But I'd have thought next season's deal might be sweetened some.

Instead, I get "buy now or else."

Funny thing is they know I'm gonna buy. And you too.

So, in another five years is it going to creep up to $500 or $750 for a pass?

Note to ASC: We love you guys, you run a good shop, but please give us a break and hold the line on the pass prices for awhile. And we'll reward you with plenty of sold passes and skier days and dollars spent at the mountains. Deal?

That pretty much sums up last weekend's adventure to the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Our group of six questionably sane individuals with a serious fun addiction skied Killington on Saturday. The mountain was crowded with New York-speaking peoples, but had excellent snow conditions underfoot, made even better by the steady snowfall of light, fluffy flakes throughout the day. My favorite runs: Ovation, Skyeburst and Superstar.

On Sunday we made for the fun trails of Pico and its old lifts and woodsy trails. Pico is a trip back in time and provided a wonderful day of skiing under perfect blue skies. Winding through the trees with great views, Upper KA and Forty-Niner rocked. But Birch Glades and its soft, ungroomed powder was the run of the weekend! And, of course, required multiple runs. Upper Giant Killer was closed, but we may (or may not) have slid through the trees and poached a couple of quiet, glorious runs down it.

We based our skiing fun out of the most excellent and cozy Inn at the Long Trail, perched right at the crest of Sherburne Pass on US Route 4 and smack between the two mountains.

We enjoyed the full meal package of hearty breakfasts and gourmet dinners (the special tuna steak in Jack Daniels sauce may have been one of the best meals of my life). Great entertainment by Revel's Glen was had in the all-Irish-all-the-time McGrath's Pub, where the Guinness, Harp, and Long Trail Ale was pouring well throughout our stay. We did our best to help diminish the stocks. Relaxing often by the fireplace and in the hot tub was also a big part of the drill.

Life is tough sometimes, ain't it.

Thanks Murray and Patti for the fine accomodations! You rock!

And thanks to our skee groupies: Nancy, Janice, Sandie, Scott and Gerard.

Thanks, of course, to Killington and Pico for the great skiing. It's worth a visit for sure, especially if you've got an ASC pass.

Da skee group atop Killington last Saturday.

Riding Killington's North Ridge Triple to fine skiing.

Heading down the Skyeburst trail.

Outside the Inn at Long Trail in a snowstorm.

Scott enjoys a pint of Long Trail in McGrath's Pub at ILT.

Owner Murray McGrath pours a fine pint of Guinness.

The fireplace at the Inn is a fine place to relax with a good book and a cocktail.

Pico is like real old time skiing.

Skiing the Upper KA trail on Pico.

Unidentified skiers looking back up Giant Killer at Pico.

There's still good skiing out there in our New England mountains. Better get out there, though, as it may not last...

The duffle's loaded and the skis are on top of the car.

Must be Friday, eh?

Off to Vermont later today for a weekend of mad skiing at Killington and Pico.

The summit gondola at Killington.

One of nearly two hundred trails at monstrous Killington.

Unless, of course, that Killington has by now seceded from tax-heavy Vermont and joined up with neighboring Live Free of Die New Hampshire.

In which case, I'll then be in New Hampshire in the middle of Vermont. Or something like that. Whatever.

Regardless, our group will be making the most of this annual foray west to the Green Mountains. Killington has several hundred tremendous trails to explore, including some intense double blacks. Pico is an old-time skiers dream with a quaint base lodge and miles of woodsy twisting and turning trails.

Our group will base camp at the Inn at the Long Trail, tough duty for sure. No doubt owner Murray McGrath will ply us with a few delicious pints of of Harp and Guinness. And the place will rock with fine Irish music.

A fine resting spot and watering hole in Killington VT, or maybe it's NH?.

McGrath's Irish Pub at ILT. 'Nuff said.

Hope you all have a good weekend on the slopes and trails!

Attitash, just across the way in tax-free New Hampshire, is fast becoming a favorite 'local' ski hangout of mine.

The drive over from Portland is equivalent to Sunday River. Parking at the Bear Peak base is easy. The trails are scenic and interesting and well tended. And the apres-ski choices on the way back through North Conway are pretty good.

Maybe, after umpteen years of racing headlong to the River for weekend day trips, I've simply needed a change. And seeing as how Attitash is an ASC resort and thus season-pass friendly, hey, why not.

Don't misunderstand me, you River fiends. I still like it there. But an occasional twist in the routine is a good thing. If it's a full-on weekend thing, however, you'll still find me at the Loaf. That much hasn't changed, and may not.

Anyway, Attitash put on a fine day of skiing yesterday. A few inches of fresh snow had been groomed up well and made for some good carving. Except for possibly Kachina Falls which was a sheet of ice by the time we hit it.

Avenger, Illusion, Myth Maker were outstanding. Northwest Passage, Ptarmigan and Wilfred's Gawm too.

The day's downside proved to be the biting winds. With temps in the low teens and north winds gusting to well over 20mph, straight across the Presidential Range into our faces, it was ice cold-on-the-face skiing. Toes didn't fare too well either. And photography wasn't a big priority.

But we kept at it and had run after enjoyable run.

What wasn't enjoyable was the incessant pass and ticket checking at the lift line. On one hand I can understand because all lifts at Attitash are base lifts, so new people are getting into line all day right off the street, so to speak.

But once you've been zapped by the lift attendant and their funky little hand-held machine and are now cruising through the line for the nth time, how about giving it a rest? I figure it has something to do with capturing marketing information, but jeez. Note to ASC: This practice is annoying as all get out. And not just to me. Toss that around at your next marketing meeting.

Meanwhile, back in happyland... A stop at the Red Parka for a Mason jar of Long Trail Ale and some popcorn, followed by a steak in town rounded out yet another good day on the slopes.

OK, maybe it hasn't been the best winter for skiing, meteorologically-speaking.

If you've been out there, you know it hasn't been that bad.

But still, numbers are down to date.

Ski area marketing gurus will tell you that it takes snow in the dooryard to get a lot of people out to the slopes. And that hasn't happened much this winter.

Yet.

You've gotta remember that March is the snowiest month of the year in Maine's mountains. April is second.

So don't give up hope. The best is yet to come.

And besides, a little March and April sun on the slopes will be nice.

In the meantime, get on out there. Because the skiing really is pretty good, all things considered.

By the way, I feel bad for the poor folks out west in Flagstaff and the Arizona Snow Bowl, a fantastic place to ski that I last visited a few years back. From the top lift at about 11,000 feet you can see right down into the Grand Canyon. Now that rocks, eh?!

Anyway, northern Arizona has only seen 20 inches of snow this season and the Snow Bowl has yet to open. That's after a record 460 inches last year.

At least here in Maine we're skiing...

What is it?

Inquiring minds want to know.

And so does ski expert Bob Mentzinger.

To date, we've got the Back Side at Sugarloaf, Squaw Mountain, and Sunday River's White Heat, Spruce Cliffs and Shock Wave.

OK. Good start.

You?

C'mon all you crazy downhillers, add your vote for the most challenging ski run in Maine.

I've added mine (aka "Digger").

The Back Side of the Snowfields at the Loaf gets my vote.

Yes, it's that time again.

The Big Chill.

And it appears Mother Nature's gonna come through with the appropriate weather.

The Big Chill is my annual weekend of skiing in Vermont and hot tubbing in New Hampshire with a large and rather unruly contingent of my most excellent college friends.

Time for extra large doses of food and fun. A continous laugh track to recharge the spirits. Practical jokes. Teef and clown noses. A cigar or two.

The skis are on top of the car. Duffles in the trunk. The big lasagna is ready to be plucked from the fridge. The cooler is sufficiently stocked with life sustaining beverages. The cats are fed and watered and soon to be free to tear apart the house to their heart's content (please just leave me a little unshredded toilet paper!).

Nothing more to do but hit the road. Yes, hit the road. My favorite thing to do.

Hope your weekend is a fun one too.

Let's compare notes on Monday.

Unless, of course, the big snow storm strands us an extra day in ski country. It could happen. Got to plan for the worst you know.

Later...

If you've been hanging back avoiding the ski slopes recently because of the unseasonable weather, you've been missing out.

The skiing, at Sugarloaf where I've been anyway, and other Maine areas as I've been told by friends, have some pretty fine conditions.

Certainly there aren't as many open trails as there should be at this time of year, and coverage is pretty thin in places, but beyond that I've found the skiing to be just fine.

Last Saturday the predicted sunny skies and warm temps brought out a Reggae Weekend-size crowd. Lines were long at the Super Quad, Whiffletree, King Pine and Spillway throughout the day.

But the lines were primarily due to the high summit winds that kept Spillway East from operating at all, and Timberline as well.

King Pine had its intermittent moments in the morning. But we managed to get some excellent runs in on Haulback, where skier's right was a paradise with 6-8 inches of soft snow the entire run down.

Sensing an impending mechanical failure or outright lift closure, however, we bolted down the pebbly Stub's Glade, raking our ski bottoms but good. Hey, what's another $35 for a tune-up.

We spent the rest of the early afternoon riding the No. 3 T-Bar and making as many runs as we could off that. All good.

After a brief beer break at Bullwinkle's and a quick late lunch at the base in King Pine Room, we finished up with a few more post-full belly runs down Tote Road. And then retired to The Bag for $2.50 microbrews and more red-faced, knee-slapping laughter with friends than I think any of us had experienced in quite awhile. I just love that!

Saturday night was pizza and PBRs at the ever-entertaining Stratton Plaza Hotel, always a cultural feast of locals and music. But no Canadian ballet on this night (that was Friday night and I heard tell from others that it was a lot of fun!). Chateau Phil again provided some comfy accomodations thankfully within stumbing distance from the Plaza.

On Sunday, Sugarloaf was a different mountain. The crowds had evaporated and lines were non-existent. The winds had died so we immediately made for the upper mountain and made many fun runs off Timberline, with outstanding views of Mount Washington and Mount Katahdin, both backlit with a beautiful orange alpine glow.

Tote and Sluice were fun too. But no doubt the best runs of the day were on the steeps of Upper Gondy which had a surprising styrofoam surface that held a terrrific edge. Skier's right down to the old mid-station was killer, then the far left edge underneath to the cross cut. Awesome!

Satisfied but hungry, we settled in for Superbowls of mountain chili and an ale at The Bag before making for the highway home.

Good skiing. Damn good. Throw a little more snow at us and it's going to be an OK season for sure. And we've yet to hit February.

Top of Haulback at King Pine Bowl. Skier's right was awesome!

High winds on Saturday closed many lifts and made for long lines at the Super Quad. Oh well, it was a quality, not quantity day!

High winds kept most of the upper mountain off limits on Saturday.

Bullwinkle?

Well disquised lunch time beverages.

Riding the old No. 3 T-bar up next to Narrow Gauge.

Sun and crowds at the base lodge.

The ever-entertaining Plaza Hotel in Stratton.

No lines at Spillway on Sunday.

4,000' Mount Abraham from the top of Timberline chair.

Sunday's best run: Upper Gondy.

Late afternoon light high on Spillway chair.

Attitash/Bear Peak across the border in tax-free New Hampshire was on this past Sunday's ski docket.

A fine, fine choice.

For once (in my experience anyway) Attitash had better trail conditions than Bear Peak and we spent most of our time there. Wilfred's Gawm provided the best the best run of the day (Thanks Wilfred, whoever you are. And by the way, what's a "gawm"?), with Tightrope a close second, and Ptarmigan third.

Conditions overall were excellent with grippy snow that allowed for plenty of high speed fun well into the afternoon when the ice won out and the knees wore out (and the Red Parka began calling our names).

FYI: Parking at Bear Peak is easy and I find the lodge there to be much less of a crowded nightmare than back down the road at Attitash, so it's my usual choice.

A fun day of terrific skiing behind us, we packed up and headed down the way a piece to Glen and the world famous Red Parka Pub for popcorn, peanuts and a cold Long Trail Ale (in a mason jar no less). Ahhh.

Further on, the car automatically veered into the parking lot of Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale. I was powerless to stop it. Clearly I must have trained the Honda well.

Once inside, what a surprise it was to meet the new official Walmart, er, I mean Ragged Mountain greeters, John and Bob, MOACers from Maine!

The poor boys apparently had broken down (bad alternator) that morning (around 9am) right there in the parking lot of Ragged and had been unable to catch up with their climbing partners, despite borrowing a car from Bob at the store. The day was a wash, so the pair washed away some of their climbing woes at the pub across the driveway and then headed back to harass, er greet, customers entering the store, while passing the time waiting for their climbing partners to show back up (they'd rented gear at Ragged).

Are you following all this?

Me neither.

Suffice it to say that John and Bob were still hanging out inside Ragged when we left a few minutes before closing time (about 5:45pm). I offered them a ride home to Maine, but they declined, confident their friends would arrive soon.

As we pulled away, we waved a sad goodbye. And I noticed their big packs leaning up aganist the building. Sure hope they didn't have to camp out. But at least they'd be prepared.

Isn't climbing fun guys???

Hope your ski-hike-whatever weekend was fun too? Where did you go?

Attitash/Bear Peak, New Hampshire, an ASC resort.

Lots and lots of great skiing just 1 1/2 hours from Portland.

Bear Peak from the base lodge.

Taking off down the Kachina Falls trail.

Views of the Whites, snowmaking on Avenger.

Majestic Mount Washington from the top of Attitash.

Beer in a mason jar, only at the Red Parka.

Gearheads beware... Ragged rocks!!

Unofficial Ragged Mountain greeters: John and Bob from Maine (and Ragged's own Bob in the middle)

Climbers John and Bob getting their only vertical of the day!

A mid-afternoon beer with your burger at Bullwinkle's is one thing, but skiing drunk?

Clearly not a smart idea.

Unless, apparently, you're star downhill skier Bode Miller.

"Bode Miller knows he puts his life at risk when he skis drunk, but the outspoken Olympic favorite admits he may try the dangerous activity again."

Jeez.

Bode, my good man, did you really tell the CBS 60 Minutes correspondent, "Talk about a hard challenge right there. ... If you ever tried to ski when you´re wasted, it´s not easy."

Yeah, I'll bet.

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea bud.

I mean, you being an Olympic athlete and all. And just about to gear up again for a shot at more medals in Torino next month.

I wish you well at the Games, but please don't attack the gates with a snooter on.

And when you get home, please let me know when you're in your car on the road. Because I don't think I want to be.

Happy New Year!

OK, so I'm a few days late in saying so. Please forgive.

But you know how it goes. It takes some time to shake off the long holiday weekend and all the fun and friends and chips-and-dip and football games and skiing...

Skiing?

Yes! Skiing. At the Loaf.

I mean, where else would one spend New Years?

Conditions on the mountain were pretty grim on Saturday after the heavy rain and then freezing temps, so our group skipped out and got right down to the New Years Eve party-type festivities, which amounted to watching the NY Giants beat up nicely on the Oakland Raiders, while filling our faces with everything within arm's reach.

Then it was on to the big gala at the Stratton Plaza Hotel in beautiful downtown Stratton for a rather interesting cultural affair of DJ music, mirror balls, champagne, egg salad sandwiches, beer and hearty midnight smooches from a number of unknown local women. Now that's the holiday spirit!

That said, it was a fun, if somewhat low-key NYE. Bring on '06.

And we did, on the slopes.

Sunday at the Loaf was cold and windy, but conditions were pretty good. And despite a late start we managed to make our rounds on the hill hitting most of the good stuff that was open. Popcorn and Pick Poles at the Bag followed (duh!).

Monday was even better after a night's snowfall and some added snowmaking. The sun was out and the temps were milder. And we got in some really good turns on Narrow Gauge (best of the day in my book), Skidder, Hayburner, Haulback and many others. All good.

The Honda Civic was tired (so was I) so we were on the road even though the sun was still up over the mountain. We nodded and smiled as we passed Oh My Gosh Corner. Be seeing you again real soon, we will...

Looking over to Bigelow from Timberline Trail.

Rest stop on Hayburner.

MaineToday.com's own Dan, and Kevin on the Super Quad.

Skis on the Beach as we head for the Bag.

Burnt Mountain from Haulback at King Pine Bowl.

Riding up the Spillway Chair.

Upper Gondy Line in the shadow of the big mountain. To open soon I hope!

Snow guns roaring on Upper Spillway.

True happiness is a season pass.

The mountain.

Da loaf iz good...

What did you do for the big New Years weekend???

You gotta love how the ski areas creatively manage their weather reports. Don't get me wrong now, 'cause we love you guys. But one has to admire your ability to massage the message sometimes.

Take today at the Loaf, for example. The boxed in weather report reads "Todays Weather: Showers and drizzle, rain possible this afternoon." Pretty accurate description I'll bet.

But just below that, in Today's Update, and with more room to maneuver, a much rosier picture: "Snow conditions are spring-like here at Sugarloaf right now, with soft, edge-able snow all over the mountain." And further... "The rest of our terrain is nice and soft and just waiting for you to carve it up."

You guys kill me! Did you write this while slurping down a few Pick Pole Pale Ales in The Bag?

Let me interpret: It's raining cats and dogs up here. The snow is goopy slush. You'd better wear a raincoat. Be prepared for fog thick enough to cut with a knife. And, oh by the way, there's only three trails open.

No matter, we love you guys anyway. And we're coming up there for New Year's
regardless of the weather forecast. So shove over a stool or two there at The Bag. And put another batch of popcorn in the popper. We're on our way. Soggy confetti, hats, horns and all.

We may get some turns in. We may not. But we'll have fun dammit. Just in case, though, I'm bringing a book and my cribbage board...

The weather may be total crap along the coast right now, but up in the mountains it's a different story.

The folks at Sunday River report 5-6" already with more on the way. Sugarloaf reports 5" right now, with a total of 13" predicted.

So fear not all you ski bums. It may be raincoats today, but it's gonna be ski parkas tomorrow!

Ladies and gentlemen I do believe the ski season has arrived in earnest. Let the games begin!

One minute last Friday afternoon I'm happily walking along Preble Street heading for my center of the universe, my oft times raison d'etre, Bleacher's, and a draft and a late lunch (early dinner?).

Happy because everyone in my office has bailed out early because of the storm. Ecstatic because, yes, it is still snowing to beat the band. Snowing that awesome fluffy snow that makes for killer skiing.

The next minute my feet go out from under me and my arms are flailing wildly in the air. And then, wham! I take a mondo digger on the sidewalk, smashing my right knee into the pavement.

The same right knee I whacked hard while descending Bald Mountain in Camden a week ago. And the same knee I will need for skiing on Saturday.

Not good.

I hobble to Bleacher's, take my seat at the bar and consider my condition (and the beer and food menu, of course). And over the course of the next several hours I tilt back a couple of pints of liquid medication. The throbbing in knee decreases dramatically.

Go figure.

It isn't until I spin around and hop off the stool to leave that the pain reappears. Clearly further care is needed. I stop at Hannaford for a six on the way home.

For medicinal purposes.

Sunday River is on the docket for Saturday morning. Morning being a relative term, it's 10ish before all the gear is rummaged up (first time out is always hell) and tossed in and on top of the car.

I swear a season pass makes you lazy (lazier?).

A crack of noon start. The sun is out and the snow looks fine on the lift up from South Ridge Lodge. We burn down Right Stuff. Awesome. Ride the Locke Triple for runs down T-2 (best snow on the mountain), Sunday Punch, Monday Mourning.

Bum knee? I ain't got no stinkin' bum knee. Well, maybe I do, but I'm not gonna let it bother me today. I may hobble into work Monday, but I'm skiing today. Dammit.

It's Barker Lodge for an obscenely expensive, but very tasty, burger and fries. Two bites, maybe three. No more burger. A Redhook ESB helps wash down the fries. The singer at the bar strikes up his guitar and belts out some some Jimmy Buffett tunes. I am transported to Margaritaville.

Out of the tropical trance and back to the slopes. American Express and Risky Business off the Spruce Peak chair. Nice. Very nice. Ditto. More runs off the Super Quad. A cold finish in the steely gray of late afternoon on T-2.

It's Liam's on the access road for apres-ski. Never been. Inside we find a $2 Rolling Rock, some weird though strangely riveting but ultimately stupid reality show on the tube, and a nice cadre of locals.

On to the Old Sudbury Inn in Bethel village and a descent to the basement bowels of Sud's Pub, THE place to go before all the other swanky stuff invaded the area. And still my favorite. Stone walls, no windows, real old-style pub warmth, 29 beers on tap, outstanding pizza, fun locals.

So good I swear the gates of heaven might be right next door.

Overcome with that awesome apres-ski R&R feeling we settle into our chairs. Gwen, our lovely waitress, takes care of our every need. We depart satisfied and happy. The weekend has come full circle. Happy hour, ski, more happy. Bum knee and all.

Life is hard.


Bright sun at the top of Right Stuff.

Cruising Lazy River.

Late afternoon shadow on Monday Mourning.

Late afternoon sun over the Presidentials.

Thumbs up for good skiing.

Note to Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association:

Don't worry, we'll be there.

High gas prices won't keep us away.

Promise.

If we have to eat PBJs and macaroni and cheese all week long to save gas money, we'll do it. But come the weekend, we're skiing. We're coming, en masse. Fear not.

We want to ski. We will ski. High gas prices be damned.

Maybe, Greg, you could kindly arrange for some beer specials at the mountains for us. You know, as kind of a bonus for our unwavering commitment. Be awfully nice of you, dontcha think?

$1 pints???

Skiing in October?

It can happen. And this was the year for it.

While I was off hiking last weekend, my friend NP and a few of her pals hit the slopes at Wildcat Mountain at Pinkham Notch, NH to take advantage of the awesome early season snow dump.

The group enjoyed a day of top to bottom skiing in great conditions. A real treat!

The view of the Presidentials across the way wasn't bad either.

Wildcat won't open again until late November, but Bretton Woods is scheduled to open a week from now on 11/11. Other NH ski areas will follow suit in later weeks.

Here in Maine, Sunday River is scheduled to open on 11/11 also. Sugarloaf will open the following weekend.

Mother Nature could change these opening dates, so stay tuned.

And in the meantime, get those skis tuned and gather up the ski gear. It's almost time...

Happiness is skiing in October!

All photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans.

Haulback. Widowmaker. Narrow Gauge. Upper Gondola Line. Kings Landing. Tote Road.

Can't you just see yourself adorning your house with a replica of a Sugarloaf trail sign?

I sure can. Especially given my taste for the "Early American Dorm Room" style of home decorating.

Seriously, buy one for the ski house, the den, the garage, the kid's bedroom.

I love it!

Says the Sugarloaf website: Sugarloaf Ski Shop is producing replicas of many of our most popular trail signs. The signs are plastic with vinyl lettering, measure 48" wide by 8.5" high, and cost $29.95 each.

Real Sugarloafers need their own trail sign. Order yours today!

And in just 18 short days...

... if you're willing to hike a ways to get to it!

And here's the proof from Chauvin Guide Service of North Conway NH.

Conditions on the Big Rock look pretty gnarly, but damn good fun!

Um, well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news for any of you skiers out there who procrastinated about buying a season pass this year, but...

The ASC Silver and Bronze passes--the ones most affordable to the PBR-pounding, I-eat-free-popcorn-for-dinner, don't-have-a-lot-of-cash types that I hang with--are unfortunately no longer available.

Yep, the best you can do now is the Gold pass for a cool $1300.

Yeah, right. Like that's gonna happen.

Do you know how many PBRs you could buy for that?

Tell me Big Drip. I'll bet you know...

Yup, I have it right here in my grubby paws.

The envelope. Blue and white. Addressed to me.

Inside, a plastic card with my photo on it.

Yes!

My 2005/06 Season Ski Pass!

Woo-hooooooooooo!

The leaves will fall, the winds will blow, the skies will turn gray, the air will get cold, and then...

It will SNOW!

And after that, well, anybody with one of these plastic cards will figure it out from there.

Tick, tick, tick...

Ok, ready? 1, 2, 3... {Submit}

It's done! But ouch!

I just purchased my 2006 All For One ASC Ski Pass. It hurts the wallet right now but it had to be done. I wasn't going to wait for the May 7th deadline to come and go and take a chance that either the price would go up or the deal would disappear altogether.

No way, Jose.

I just got too much good skiing in this year for my $349. And I saw a few too many friends suffer high daily ticket prices because they didn't pony up for a pass in time.

So suffer a little credit card shock now, but be very happy later.

Say the folks at ASC: The All for One Pass continues to be the very best deal in Eastern skiing, and the all new 2005-06 pass is better than ever. If you buy your pass by May 7, you can again ski all season long at your choice of 6 of New England 's largest ski resorts, and there is NO PRICE INCREASE.

So get on it now if you're going to do it.

Well, you may or may not know that MOACers tend to be a rather frugal bunch, doing trips on the cheap wherever and whenever possible. We're also a very close and friendly bunch too.

And both of these points are well illustrated in the photo below by my friend Gerard Hickey, where a group of us on an early March ski trip to Killington figured out how to maximize our savings on accomodations.

Ah, togetherness! It's a wonderful thing!

As of today I can find only four Maine and New Hampshire ski areas still open: Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Wildcat and Bretton Woods. I'm pretty sure all are scheduled to close by this Sunday, April 24th, although Sunday River will re-open for their annual "ski free" day on May 1st.

So get on out there now, 'cause it's going fast. And rain is predicted for the weekend.

I was up at Sunday River on Monday and enjoyed 70-degree temps and fabulous skiing, even managing to poach a few closed trails. That may be it for me, though, unless I can get up to Tuckerman's for a day sometime in May.

What about you? Done with skiing for the season?

It was, of course, the 17th annual Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf this past weekend. It was good. It's always good. The skiing was outstanding, the music awesome, the crowds were big and happy, and the beer was, well, you know, beer.

Saturday afternoon on The Beach.

View of the mountain from The Beach.

Crowds enjoying the music on The Beach.

Earning my beads...

Happy Reggae revelers...

"I just love Reggae Weekend!"

Reggae love...

Until next April...

Damn, that's a lot of skiing!

Congrats to Paul Schipper on his incredible streak of skiing 3,903 consecutive days at Sugarloaf over a period of twenty years. It's feat that may even land him a coveted spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Wow! No wonder Sugarloaf is naming a section of Narrow Gauge Trail after him, to be called "Schipper's Streak". Perhaps they should consider something a little bigger, like Schipperloaf maybe. Hmmm.

Now, I've successfully gotten out of bed every day for the last 1,247 consecutive days. Is that any kind of record? Hello, Guinness?

S is for the summit Snowfields! Friends and I hiked up to the top on Saturday, clicked in, took a breath and let loose. And for a half glorious hour we dodged rocks and stumps and krummolz, thrashed over bumps and down steep pitches of wonderful styrofoam snow, on the way down the backside to the runout. As if that weren't enough, we ducked onto Rip Saw and finished the job of beating the pulp out of ourselves. It was undoubtedly the best run of the weekend!

U is for Unbelievable weather! Two days of beautiful sun, clear blue skies and little or no wind. Maine spring skiing at its finest. How lucky do you feel when you're riding the lift up the big mountain on a day like this and, with a glance to the left you see the snowy shape of our beloved Mount Katahdin, and to the right, Mount Washington and the high peaks of the Presidential Range.

G is for Great snow! You know it can't get a whole lot better when your 3:00 PM run down Narrow Gauge is just as good as your 9:00 AM run was. The snow just got better and better and better. It's been awhile since I've experienced anything like it. This will be the best spring skiing is years.

A is for Ale, Pick Pole Pale Ale, that delicious elixir of the Gods and all-around good-for-what-ails-you beer, served with a smile in the the best apres-ski place on the planet Earth--The Bag.

R is for the unusual and even bizaRRe terms and stories I heard over the weekend, and which I will leave "as is": "Canadian ballet", "monoboob", "tube Scotch" and "pot Jiffy Pop". 'Nuff said. Oh, and R is also for Reggae Fest which is happening in just 18 short days. Ya mon!

L is for Life is good. It really is, and on ski days like this, weekends like this, being outdoors having fun with friends, well, we are some kind of fortunate for all that we have. My eyes are sure open.

O is for the big "O", that feeling of pure ecstasy when you point 'em off the crosscut and launch down the steeps of Upper Gondy or White Nitro, and make turn after satisfying turn, so good that, despite the burn in your legs, you just keep going at it harder.

A is is for Ale, Pick Pole Pale Ale! No, I'm not repeating myself here. I'm just having another one, thank you.

F is for Friends! Damn good ones. Lots of them. And I was very happy to share the slopes with them this weekend. We had loads of fun and more than our share of belly laughs, some good heart-to-heart talks, and a few big hugs that only close friends can share.

The Loaf from Oh-My-Gosh Corner late yesterday.

Apres-ski in The Bag with The Joker. (By the way, S is also for "sunburn!")

You know you're having a good winter when you get a chance to ski out west twice in one season. In Vermont, that is. (Hey, that's west... of Maine!).

So what is the skinny on skiing out west (ok, I'll give up on the 'west' thing now)?

Vermont's famed Killington and Pico: Damn good.

Killington is huge and the terrain is incredible. And what of the famous Killington crowds that we've all heard about? Not bad at all. Really.

We pulled in early (key!) on a Saturday morning two weeks ago, and got a parking spot just a few rows down from the main K-1 Lodge. We hopped the gondola (which had a funny, but vaguely familiar odor inside when we got in. Hmmm...) and rode directly to the 4000' summit of Killington.

You can't ride the gondola if you ain't gotcher teef in!

We spent the next couple of hours making almost-fresh tracks on super black and blue trails off the North Ridge Triple and Canyon Quad. Double Dipper was fun, as was Rime, while Conclusion's bumps beat me up good.

When the crowds caught up to us (and I'm not kidding--they weren't bad anywhere all day, and this was a very crowded Saturday) we made off for Snowdon Mountain and then Ramshead Mountain. All good stuff.

We chowed down a quick lunch back at K-1. I got a good chuckle listening in to the odd mix of New York and Boston accents around me. In that crowd I fully expected at least some kind of reaction from the New York Yankees ball cap I was wearing, but no one cared.

After lunch we had our longest lift line wait of the day--11 minutes to get back on the K-1 Gondola. And with bellies full of PBJs, cookies and chips we screamed down the double-black steeps of Superstar and then a wild flight down Ovation. Woo-hoo!! Tremendous! Superstar demanded a second look before we headed further on to Bear Mountain.

Killington's K-1 Lodge with the Superstar trail in the background.

Outer Limits is reputed to be the steepest lift-service trail in the East. Ok, so? Just kidding. It's steep alright and had just enough strategically placed afternoon ice patches to make for a please-God-don't-let-me-fall, but fun run.

The famed Outer Limits trail.

Just to say we'd been across the entire mountain (and we had never expected to do that) we visited Sunrise Mountain. Don't bother. Unless you enjoy views of condos, and ski trails that seem as if they are going uphill.

We doubled up on some of our favorite runs to get back to the lodge before taking off for Great Ski Day, Phase II: Happy hour!

We passed many a pub and restaurant on the way down the access road. And for good reason: There's no apres-ski pub in the area like the Inn at Long Trail at the top of Sherburne Pass on Route 4.

Home away from home: The Inn at Long Trail.

The Inn at Long Trail is tucked right underneath Deer Leap Mountain, and one wall of the bar is actually a granite face of the mountain. Inside, McGrath's is a REAL Irish Pub (as I was to find out later), and one that I frequented during my 1995 thru-hike of the Long Trail from Massachusetts to Canada.

Revels Glen was entertaining the crowd with traditional Irish music as we ordered up a round of Long Trail Ales and relaxed into that fine, apres-ski, good-all-over feeling and recapped an excellent day on the slopes.

Considering a second beer, I noticed that the barkeep was pouring an awfully fine pint of Guinness that afternoon, but the Harp looked enticing too. What to do? Order a mix of the two, a Black & Tan. So I did. And the bartender said...

"We don't serve that kind of beer here." A bit stunned, I quickly determined this to mean: "We don't serve no stinkin' English beer here, you butthead."

Ooops. I had made a major mistake apparently.

A Black & Tan is a mixture of Guinness and the English beer Bass Ale. A big no-no to an Irishman. Thankfully, a more experienced Irish bar-goer was right behind me and observed the whole, unsavory affair. He came to my rescue and whispered, "Half & Half. Get a Half & Half."

Ok.

"I'll have a Half & Half, please."

And that's all it took. Whew! And like George Constanza and the Soup Nazi, I took my beer and stepped aside. No bread.

It was barely an hour after lasagna, salad, bread and dessert back at the condo that the coma set in. Zzzzzzzz...

We hit nearby Pico Peak early on Sunday morning.

Pico is not a resort like Killington. It's quaint with a capital Q. Old-style skiing at an old-style mountain. The floors in the lodge creak, the lifts groan, and we loved all of it! The place reminds me of a big Shawnee Peak.

But don't be misled. This is a big mountain with plenty of challenging terrain. And we went right after it.

It took two lifts to get to the summit (nearly 4000') before we could blast down Upper Pike, a straight-shot cruiser down the center of the hill. Then a couple of us figured we'd better take on the very gnarly looking double-black Giant Killer before we thought about it too much.

We slipped through a narrow opening in the trees out to the edge. And then plunged down the steep, narrow, bumped-up headwall. The slope was relentless and we both got thrashed about pretty good, but we made it and it was a hoot.

It was all fantastic cruising after the Giant Killer: K.A., Forty Niner, Bronco, Sidewinder, A-Slope, B-Slope and many other fun trails.

We were happy and beat by noon. It was just starting to snow, and having heard the forecast for a big storm, we beat feet out of there.

What a weekend: Half and half on Killington and Pico, and a Half and Half of Guinness and Harp. Not too shabby.

Last Friday's big snowstorm caught up to me before I could get out of Dodge, so decided to skip my original Sugarloaf weekend ski plan, and avoid the messy, white-knuckle drive to get there. Instead, I frustratingly waited out the storm at home all through Saturday.

Finally, on Sunday a group of us got an early start and blasted up to Sunday River to find out what Mother Nature had left on the slopes.

The answer: Tons and tons of snow!

Now, on a normal day I would have launched into it with a big "yee-hah." But on this day, a very difficult personal matter weighed heavily on my mind, and that, combined with the heavy, wet, chopped-up snow made it difficult for me to get into anything resembling a decent rhythm. In other words, I uncharacteristically flailed about. Horribly.

I had hoped that a few runs would push me into my usual "fun mode" and help to dispel the devils that were racing through my head, but I couldn't make it happen. I quit the slopes a little after noon, and holed up in the lodge to wait for my ski pals, who were all having a considerably better day.

Now, I know that there are bound to be a few bumps on this emotional road, but this was a truly joyless day, and I hope to goodness that they are few.

Today is a new day, thankfully, but damn, I sure could use a big hug...

Okay, okay. Enough already. I've had all the the-snow-was-awesome-
where-the-hell-were-you? e-mails that I need, thank you very much.

While you all were out on the slopes this weekend, tearing it up on the best snow of the season, I was home yucking it up with the flu. You know how much I like staying home on a weekend. Well, tack on a nice fever, headache, runny nose and all that good stuff, and you're talking some kind of fun.

Fabulous!!!

Tons of snow!

Ungroomed trails to play on!

Fun stuff!

Awesome.

...in hog heaven!

That's it. Rub it in. You people make me, well, damn jealous!

Hey, at least my house is clean now. And my bills got paid. And I organized my kitchen utensils. I did manage to get up and about enough to do that. And to look out the window at the fresh snow and the blue sky...

Damn. You just wait!

Check out today's Sugarloaf snow report! Need I say more?

Wherever you're skiing in Maine (or New England, for that matter) this weekend, it's likely to be one to remember after this big storm.

Have fun!

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!

Sugarloaf a week ago. Sunday River this past weekend. It's high ski season and all is good with the world. Well, in Maine anyway.

It was cooooooold up at the Loaf! The thermometer at the Widow's Walk in Stratton, where I was staying with a group of friends, recorded -35F. Ouch! Fortunately, we were all pretty warm and snug inside with the fireplace going and the electric blankets turned way up. Four out of five cars even started. Not bad.

Trail conditions on the mountain were excellent, for what was open anyway. Sugarloaf could sure use a few more good dumps of snow. On the crosscut from the top of the Spillway chairlift all the way over to Widowmaker at King Pine Bowl, that wasn't a single open trail, which really surprised me. I don't know that I've ever seen that happen in late January.

But no matter. The skiing was good and everybody was into it. And luckily, there was little or no wind, so we were pretty comfortable. And the brown ale and mountain chili was as good as ever in The Bag, topping off a fine day.

Hunkering down at the Widow's Walk was a real treat (thanks Nancy, for arranging everything). Jerry and Mary, the innkeepers, are great folks and make you feel right at home, with the dog and the cats and all. I was sad to learn, though, that they will no longer will be taking in AT thru-hikers during hiking season. AT hikers are a transient bunch for sure, and they've come to realize it's just a bit too much to keep up with.

On Sunday morning the TV weather reports blurted out ominous warnings about a snowstorm soon to be raging across southern Maine that would rival the "Storm of the Century." "Don't drive." "Stay where you are." "Keep the women and children indoors." (Well, maybe not that last thing). Geez. How bad could it be? But I bought into it. Instead of skiing I decided on a quick hike, then I would "brave" the drive home.

So I tested out my new MSR snowshoes on a short 2-mile jaunt along the AT from Route 27 to the Stratton Brook Pond Rd. The shoes have a funky harness system that works okay over the boot top, but not so well around the heel of the shoe. They stayed on for my walk, but I'll have to do some tinkering before I head out on the next big trip.

It was a beautiful day for a woods walk...bright sun, blue sky, temps in the 20s. You'd never have guessed that a crazy snowstorm was raging a few miles to the south. Turns out that the drive back to Portland that afternoon wasn't bad at all. Too much hype, dammit.

I was a true slothy season pass skier this past Sunday. Slept through my alarm. Missed a wake up call from a friend. No biggie. I cooked a nice breakfast and hit the road sometime after 9. Ahhh... There was virtually no skier traffic at that hour, so it was open road! WBLM (the 70s at 7) blared on the radio and coffee charged through my system. No complaints here. I was taking my first run at fine hour of 11AM. You got a problem with that? Not me.

I tried to catch up with my ski friends the entire afternoon, to no avail. Tempest chair, Barker triple, Barker quad. Spruce. Nobody. A quick stop into North Peak Lodge. Still nobody. Aurora, Oz, Jordan. Nada.

The skiing was fantastic. And skiing solo does have some upsides. There were no decisions to make, so I could just go wherever. I like that, although I did miss my pals. I did get to meet some cool people, too: An art therapist from Portland, a UNUM insurance rep from Chattanooga with the sweetest Tennessee accent, a wildman banker from Boston. It was fun.

I should have known. When all else fails, where will my friends be? At the Sunday River Brew Pub. Good to know there's some things you can always count on.

Skiers have odd ways of communicating, don't they?!

This coming weekend... Burke Mountain, Vermont. Oh yeah!

For me, downhill skiing is a passion that has pretty much crowded out all other winter activities. I can't seem to get out enough. I didn't grow up skiing, though, so I'm envious of my friends who've been skiing since about the age of 5 and make it look so easy (that's you Sandie and Craig!). Naturally, I'm forever trying to improve my skiing so I can keep up with these clowns, er, friends... To ski a tighter line, carve a sweeter turn, take those bumps with, well, just make it down the damn bumps!

Better skiing doesn't just happen, however. You've got to work at it, for sure. But it's fun, and worth it when more of the mountain becomes your own.

Check out these 5 Secrets of Great Skiers and find out how to really make it happen:

1. Hang out with better skiers. This is soooo true! A few years back, after 10 years of skiing, I had definitely plateaued. I could ski most or all of Sunday River or Sugarloaf, but often struggled on the steeper, harder stuff. But then I hooked up with Shaun and Lori, a couple of really (I mean really) good skiers, who skied everything, everywhere, anytime, in the trees and out. In a single season, my skiing ability--and my enjoyment--took a quantum leap forward. And I've never looked back. Tag along with good skiers, watch them, follow behind and learn. It'll make a huge difference.

2. Don't be cheap when it comes to gear. You know you're skiing on old equipment when: You're in the lift line and people are looking down at your straight, narrow skis and chuckling and pointing at you. Ok, fine. Or, at Park City, you look up outside the mountain's ski shop and there's a set of skis just like yours, mounted to the wall as a decoration! I get it. I retired my beloved Rossignol's soon after and bought some cool, new Salomon shapes. They're awesome and totally worth the big price tag. Whoa! Now I get to laugh and point fingers at others with their old, crappy skis. Hah!

3. Ski all day and in many different conditions. If you're following #1, it's likely that you'll be doing this anyway. Bumps, trees, crud, whatever. Good skiers that I know ski it all, all day. They live to get as much skiing in as possible, no matter the weather or the conditions, and like to be the last one into The Bag in the afternoon. Makes the beer tastes better or something like that. Besides, could anything be better than riding the last chair to the top of Sugarloaf and watching the setting sun turn the Bigelows and the Crocker Mountains pink and orange as you set off down an empty trail for that last glorious run.

4. Buy and study the latest ski movies at home. There's nothing like a Warren Miller movie to get you all pumped up for skiing! The mountains are spectacular, the runs incredible, and you can certainly learn a thing or two about technique by watching the best skiers in the world.

5. Stay in shape in the off season. I love to hike and backpack and mountain bike throughout the spring, summer and fall, which keeps the legs in decent shape. And paddling helps keep the arms in reasonably good condition. Beer helps too. I'm not sure exactly sure how, but it does. I just know it.

Let's see... Big snowstorm last Thursday night. Four to six inches. The weather guy says the roads should be clear by morning, so no problem driving to work on Friday.

Well, even with the best intentions, some plans can go astray. A big dump of snow, a ski buddy with the day off and a thus-far underutilized season's pass... I never made it to work.

Traffic on the road was mid-week light. The coffee was kicking in. Music blaring. An occasional glance through the sun roof at the skis on the rack brought forth a very big smile. You just have to love stealing away unexpectedly for a day on the slopes!

Wide open trail on "T-2"

Sunday River was wide open for us. A good number of other skiers had the same idea, but the place was still empty. No full contact skiing today.

All morning we cruised over beautiful new snow. T-2, Sunday Punch, Cascades at Barker. American Express and Risky Business at Spruce. Back and forth, up and down, again and again.

Lunch at North Peak Lodge. A sandwich and a pre-apres-ski beverage at the new Peak Easy Bar. Warm sun streamed in the big windows. Noontime. Could be working right now. Nah!

The afternoon turned cold and windy. On Aurora Peak the good snow cover was disappearing fast. A patch of ice here, a mound of snow there. A bit of flailing about on dull edges, but no matter, it was still good fun.

On to Jordan Bowl and multiple bone-chilling lift rides. The view across to Mount Washington and the Presidentials from the lift shack was stunning. There was little time to enjoy it, though, with the arctic winds blowing in our faces.

A couple more runs for posterity, and we make our way back across the long mountain and down to the base lodge. Four o'clock. Could still be working. Not today.

We head for home, but, as if by divine intervention, my car makes a sudden right turn into the Matterhorn Ski Bar. Apres-ski time has arrived. Hot wings and cold brew. Just rewards for a hard day at, uh, um... work. Yeah, that's it.

You just never know what kind of cool stuff you're gonna get for Christmas!

Modeling my new Head Sock, a Christmas gift from my girlfriend.

Perfect for skiing!

Whoa! I just heard from a friend that there's going to be skiing on the Cog Railway this winter. And yes, it's true! The Mt. Washington Cog Railway Ski Train is now operating and carrying skiers up the mountain, where they'll have access to 2 intermediate and 2 beginner ski runs. Awesome! Gotta go...

Maine's ski areas are going full tilt with snowmaking operations right now and their hard work is paying big skier benefits. Sunday River and Sugarloaf are open, with other ski areas soon to follow.

I was up at Sunday River again the other day, and in just one week they have more than doubled the number of top-to-bottom runs that are open. (I don't pay much attention to the number of trail "sections" open. It's the number of full-length trails that I care about). The skiing was excellent, with great cover and soft bumps to play on. And they're well on their way to opening up a lot more terrain real soon. My 'Loaf friends have returned from the mountain with reports of terrific conditions up there too.

Things are looking pretty good for all of us who want to get out there and burn up that season's pass!

It seems as though everybody I talked to on the lifts at Sunday River yesterday had already been out skiing four or five times this year. One wild-eyed skier claimed fifteen days so far! Even with the recent spell of rains, conditions have been pretty good apparently, and many die hard skiers and riders are off to a good start.

I'm a little late getting out of the gate this season, as are my friends. But we made the most of it, skiing every open trail we could find. Sunday Punch, Ecstasy, Cascades, American Express, Risky Business and Lazy River all provided several runs each of good snow cover and fine skiing. The trails were busy, though, and we experienced a few near collisions. It tends to happen when there's lots of skiers and not a lot of open terrain.

But as we enjoyed a little apres-ski and a cold Shipyard in the Foggy Goggle, we could see all the snow guns going full blast out on the slopes. With that and some cooperation from Mother Nature, plenty more terrain should be opening up in the next few weeks.

The weather forecast for the next few days is calling for snow in the mountains of western and northern Maine. Say it ain't so! Sugarloaf is already making snow and plans to open for the season on 11/19. Sunday River is gearing up too, and may open as early as 11/12. That's only one short week away, but who's counting?!

Geez, suddenly I'm thinking that I've just got to buy some new skis...

Registration information for Shawnee Peak's "Racing with the Moon" corporate night ski racing series just arrived today.

I've participated on a team of friends for five of the last six years and have had a great time. It forces you to get outside and get some exercise during the week, something that can often be pretty hard to do during the dead of winter. And it doesn't require that you know how to race, believe me! We've all taken our share of diggers on the course, whacking ourselves on the marker poles, skidding out of the course on an icy turn, yelling expletives as we fly semi-out-of-control.

But it's so much fun! Just take your two official runs down the slalom course, flail away at will, and then the rest of the night is free skiing for fun under the lights. Finish off the evening with your teammates at Blizzard's lounge with a cold beverage and hot wings, while race results are announced and prizes awarded. What could be better?

My American Skiing Company Season Pass finally arrived in the mail today! I opted for the Bronze Pass, the least expensive deal at $349 (it's gone up a little since to $379), with only 14 blackout days. That should work out to be plenty of skiing (Wait: Did I just say plenty of skiing? Is it is ever possible to have too much skiing?!).

You wouldn't know it with all the great fall weather we've been having, but in just a few short weeks it's very likely that we'll be bombing down the slopes through the white stuff. Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Attitash... here we come.
Can't wait!

Have you bought your pass yet?