Written By Heather Burke  Yes,
it’s been a quite a winter. We have had more than our share of below
zero temperatures, shoveling snow, and fabulous skiing. Do you think I
am going to say – time to put away the skis and get ready for the next
season? Not a chance. Winter is far from over my friends.March has arrived, my favorite month to ski. And with rising temperatures, longer sunny days and softening snow come lower prices. If you have not been skiing this winter, it is time to come out of hibernation and take advantage of deep base depths and discounts in snow country. Here is one great Spring Pass to five of the East’s best ski areas to celebrate. American Skiing Company has the most ski resorts in New England - you probably knew that. But did you know they have the best deal of all this spring? Their Spring Season Pass is $199 for unlimited use at all of their resorts. That’s Killington/Pico and Mount Snow/Haystack in Vermont, Attitash in New Hampshire, Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine. These major ski areas are easily reached from Lowell and offer all the big mountain skiing you can squeeze in on this one great pass. Lift tickets typically cost $49-64 a  day
at these resorts, so this special pass deal pays for itself in 4 days.
And the pass is good until the last of their eastern resorts closes
for the season (likely to be Killington in late June or early July).Killington is the “King of Spring” and they have been stockpiling snow on the “Superstar Glacier” for months now. Combine the tremendous manmade snow with over 20 feet of natural snow and Killington skiers have plenty of turns left. Having skied the huge whales of snow at Killington in late February, I predict that the majority of the 200 trails will be open through April. To further entice you, this largest ski area in New England pulls out a roster of wacky activities come springtime including the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge on Outer Limit’s huge bumps. Killington has a plethora of beds to rest your head including a slopeside Grand Resort Hotel, and some of the best après ski spots in snow country along the animated access road.  Attitash,
just above North Conway, is a family friendly resort with two
connected ski mountains. Our family spent last weekend here. We loved
staying slopeside at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel. We could wake up
and walk to the slopes, board the first Flying Bear chair, ski the two
diverse peaks – Bear and Attitash, and then head back to the condo
whenever we’d had enough. The kids loved the halfpipe at Attitash and the Hotel’s outdoor heated pool with views of skiers on Bear Peak. I loved the spectacular views of Mount Washington from the slopes. For the non-skier, North Conway’s scads of outlets shops and restaurants are just down the street from Attitash. Sunday River has Maine’s most extensive terrain, with eight interconnected mountain peaks, speedy lifts and exceptional snowmaking. This resort generally stays open until early May, and has two slopeside hotels, the Summit and the Jordan Grand at either end of the vast skiable acreage. Pond skimming and the annual Bust n’ Burn mogul competition on their legendary White Heat trail are annual spring skiing rituals you might want to check out at The River.  Sugarloaf
is a spring favorite for many. It’s one big white snow cone of a
mountain. In March and early April, the sun hits this majestic peak,
softens the snow and shines on its inhabitants. The northern location
makes The Loaf a bit of a haul to get to, but once you arrive you
don’t want to leave this Maine oasis. Sugarloafers are the friendliest batch of skiers you will find in New England. You will fit right in with the natives if you take part in the summit skiing and the lively après ski with entertainment in the self-contained resort village. There is plenty of slopeside lodging from a Grand Summit Hotel to loads of slopeside condominiums in all shapes and sizes around the comfy resort. Kids enjoy seeing Sugarloaf’s mascots Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear, while advanced skiers and riders love skiing the open snowfields on the summit. Sugarloaf is a happening spot in April with a giant Reggae Fest Weekend followed by Easter festivities including a costume parade and egg hunt for the kids. You should consider taking the kids skiing during April vacation this year, instead of fleeing to Florida. This $199 pass is cheaper than airfare, and the snow is sure to be good. Kids love spring skiing, when they can shed their neck gators and face masks, forego the hand warmers and take less hot cocoa breaks. Grown ups love spring, when they can break out the shades, catch some rays, and save some dough on the best snow of the season. All of these ski resorts have slopeside hotels, Grand Summits, which are very similar and well laid-out for a family weekend or a mid-week getaway. Kids like the independence of being able to walk to the pool, the convenience store and the game room. The hotels at each resort are offering lodging only packages to coincide with the season pass deal. The hotels have ski storage, casual restaurants and bars, plus a fitness room, heated pool and hot tubs to soak your muscles at day’s end. You can park your car (or have the valet do it) and forget about it till check out. Units of up to three-bedrooms with kitchens are available. The snowy 2002-03 ski season is anything but over. It is history in the making, and this deal of 672 trails and 99 lifts for $199 is worth taking advantage of. You can purchase the All East $199 season pass on-line at www.ascseasonpass.com or at any of the five resorts listed. Killington can be reached at 1-800-897-6665 or check out www.killington.com Mount Snow can be reached at 1-800-245-SNOW or www.mountsnow.com Attitash/Bear Peak can be reached at 1-888-554-1900 or www.attitash.com Sunday River can be reached at 1-800-543-2SKI or www.sundayriver.com Sugarloaf can be reached at 1-800-THE-LOAF or www.sugarloaf.com |
