New England
 By Heather Burke 
Spring ski traditions
are as deep and diverse as snow coverage come March. I still remember
dressing up for skiing costume parades as a kid every Easter (that was
three decades ago), it was all about winning the coveted season’s
pass. Then there was the adolescent thrill of constructing sleds out
of cardboard boxes, and watching my brothers careen down the slopes in
our corrugated concoctions. College years, memories are admittedly
foggy – but pond skimming, deck parties and muddy parking lot
barbeques come to mind.
Spring skiing to me is the best; it’s not just about a winter’s worth of snow finally softening under your boards. It’s about the arrival of sunshine and visible smiles; you can actually recognize faces that were hidden under helmets, hats, neck warmers and goggles all winter. Spring skiing is social – no one is cold or cranky, or clogging up the hot cocoa machine. The dress code loosens as the corduroy goes from bulletproof to carve-able corn. And ski resorts roll out the festivities to keep you thinking snow, versus launching your kayak or firing up your lawn mower. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen. Here are some seasoned spring ski traditions you should check out, instead of breaking out your bike (you will have months to cycle – only a few more weeks to slide). Reggae music and spring skiing is a sultry slopeside combo. Sugarloaf, Sugarbush, Mount Snow and Ascutney all have their own version of the Jamaican-inspired party come spring. Mount Snow will hold its 10th annual Budweiser Reggaefest March 25-26, which coincides (hopefully not literally) with the Dummy Downhill. That same weekend, Ascutney hosts their 7th Red Stripe Reggae Spring Fling with live bands, on-snow limbo, an authentic Jamaican barbecue, and a snowbar for libations. Sugarbush is planning a Reggae celebration for April 1, no April-fooling. The ‘Bush combines island music with Pond-Skimming, previous years’ contestants include folks dressed in chicken suits and Mickey Mouse attempting to ski across the ice water. The ‘Bush’s Dummy contest, dubbed “Mutha Hucka and Hesh Sesh” is April 2. The mother of on-snow Reggae parties is Sugarloaf, now in year 18. This year’s perennial sell-out is April 6-9 at the Loaf. Seasoned Loafers will tell you that Reggae attendees don’t click into bindings until eleven. All weekend, the bars and the base lodge “Beach” are throbbing with dancers in dreadlocks, but the mountain is still quite white. Big bumps are a sure sign of spring and sister resorts Killington and Sunday River each have their time-honored bump-offs. Sunday River’s Bust n’Burn mogul competition is March 31-April 2, with the Parrothead festival of island music and margarita tasting going on to keep spectators amused. Killington’s 26th annual Bear Mountain Mogul showdown takes place that same weekend on Outer Limits. Crash dummies and cardboard contraptions are indicators of melting base-depths and skiers’ brains going to mush after a full season. Cannon has The Race of The Crash Test Dummies on March 18. Jiminy Peak’s Cardboard Box Derby is March 25, same day as their Bikini Slalom. Loon’s Cardboard Classic is March 26. Attitash host the Red Parka Regatta on March 31, where teams create ramshackle rigs to slide down the hill. Sunapee will host its 15th annual Intragalactic Cardboard Sled Race April 8. Mount Snow’s 8th Dummy Downhill is April 9. Okemo has a locals’ favorite Dummy Huck ‘n Chuck Big Air contest on April 8-9. And what better captures spring mania on the slopes than pond skimming? Look for brain-numb skiers and riders trying to cross a chilly expanse of slushy snowmaking effluent at these locations: Wachussett, March 18; Burke, Cranmore, Mount Sunapee, and Pats Peak, March 25; Jay Peak and Mount Snow, April 8; Waterville Valley, April 9; and Killington’s 25th annual pond skim is April 22. When the weather turns some skiers thoughts to golf, Attitash lures them to the slopes for their On Snow golf tourney March 25. Foursomes are encouraged to wear goofy golf attire, and play Attitash’s 9-holer on snow. Stowe’s Spring Summit Celebration is so big it comprises four weekends in a series. March 25-26 is Stowe’s venerable Ski Patrol Bump Contest; April 1-2 is the big daddy of spring traditions - The Sugar Slalom, in its 65th year. April 8-9 is Stowe’s Halfpipe Jammy, with culminating barbeques and bands. And April 16 is Stowe’s finale with Easter Sunrise Service atop the Gondola. Killington celebrates a decade of their Sunshine Daydream this year on April 15. This skiers’ tribute to the Grateful Dead is one day that tie-dye is not a fashion faux pas on the slopes. Spring events continue well past other New England resorts at The Big-K (or should I say, King of Spring?) with the classic May 1st slalom, now in year 45. Maine sister resort Sunday River celebrates May Day with free skiing on May 1. The snow-less months will be here soon enough. Hit the slopes while you can, work on your t-neck tan and telltale raccoon eyes, party with your ski buddies (and make new ones) at these wacky winter-ending events. Enjoy the warm tradition of spring skiing. |