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Maine Sunday Telegram - SKIING
 
February 2007
"The Power of the Trail
Map"
February 25, 2007
 Every
ski area has one, most get a new one every year. It fits in the palm
of your hand – and it can make the difference between a well-planned
day – or getting in over your head, lost, or missing the best bets.
Guesses? It’s a trail map. The only thing more important than
picking up a ski area trail map – is knowing how to read it.
Many skiers never consult the printed trail layout, and even fewer
study the map in advance. Admittedly, pulling out the multi-fold
paper on the lift is a challenge, grasping the corners of the
creased page with cumbersome gloves while it flaps in the wind. But
there is much to be learned from the printed piece.
My husband is the ultimate trail map-reader. He studies trail maps
well in advance of every new ski destination. In the case of
visiting a European or western ski resort, he eagerly pours over the
map weeks prior. For a smaller eastern resort, acquiring the trail
map the night prior suffices. Here are some tips I have learned from
my map-reader.
At first glance, the trail map shows you were to park, buy tickets,
and other essential, but not assumable, information. Trail maps
should list hours of operation - so you can plan your arrival just
before the lifts open, and catch that first coveted chair.
Look at the mountain’s orientation; the majority of ski areas have a
north face. Plan your day to follow the sun – a critical component
to a fine ski day. Start on eastern facing slopes where the sun
first hits. Staying in the sun’s path throughout the day, you will
have the strongest daylight (even in dim December), ending your day
on the western facing runs – which were in dreaded flat light in the
morning – but become brilliant in the afternoon.
Sun exposure is key, but there are many other factors to planning
your ski day. If it snowed overnight (first - do a dance for joy),
determine which way the wind is blowing to find the bounty. A
grooming report, usually available at the ticket window, informs you
of where the cats laid out the corduroy and what trails received
fresh snowmaking – places you will want to head early.
Proper trail map reading can also glean which trails are most
popular. Skiers tend to follow the most direct paths of vertical to
the base, typically under the lift line (show offs), and to the far
left or far right trails that wrap around the mountain. Look for the
‘tweener trails and those that veer off part way down, these hidden
gems are worth sniffing out.
Skiers also congregate on the high-speed, high-capacity lifts. So
ride these lifts early and ski the popular routes when the area
first opens. By taking a few laps on frequently busy lifts before
the masses arrive, you rack up your vertical and by mid-morning you
are content to move to less trafficked lifts, even if they are not
detachable, simply to get away from clusters.
Assuming you perused your map the night prior, and got an early
start to your day, you will be ready for lunch before the lethargic
late-riser. Having located your lunch spot in advance (and set a
time to meet with your party), you can break when they first start
serving – get better service, seating and fresh grub while the
majority of the day’s skiers are all out on the slopes (10:30-12
tends to be peak skier traffic time). You will be heading back out
on the near-deserted hill at noon when the lemmings are filling the
lodge looking for chairs and cheeseburgers.
It is wise to pick a few mellow cruising trails to shake off the
post-lunch coma. Then you can head for the western facing trails,
which should be feeling full sun at this point. The trail map will
not tell you, but I will, the best snow is found on the trail edges
and in the glades at this point in the day. Again, keep the wind
direction in mind – for that stash of fresh windblown.
To end your day, take a pass or two on ego-pleasing trails. For one
thing, the snow conditions on a lesser pitch holds up better after
hours of ski turns. Steep precipices get “skied off” by afternoon
and should be checked off your list by now – unless you enjoy that
scratchy sound of metal edge on ice.
You will feel more confident about a finishing run on a less
challenging trail, when your muscles are approaching noodle stage.
The self-esteem boost will linger until you ski again and is far
preferable to ending with an ego-crushing crash that haunts you till
your next turns.
Having previewed your trail map, you know when the chairlifts close
– so you plan your final run that returns you to the base where you
parked, or at the après ski establishment if tales and a toddy are
on your itinerary. If all this sounds too calculating, skip the map
and follow the crowd. Just be sure to enjoy yourself on the snow.
"Teach kids to ski for a
lifetime"
February 18, 2007
It’s February vacation week and the slopes are carpeted in white. Is
this the week you are going to introduce your kids to skiing? Or is
it time to stop whining about Maine winters and learn the skill of
sliding downhill yourself?
Those that had the luxury of growing up skiing are spared the
anxiety of approaching this mountainous sport. The longer you wait
to learn to ski or snowboard, the harder it gets. The good news is
that adults can become proficient enough after several lessons to
enjoy the slopes. Giving your kids the alpine advantage of starting
young, however, can mean a shorter learning curve and lifetime of
downhill fun.
Here are some tips on how to make learning to ski or snowboard a bit
more manageable.
First, “surf” before you ski. Go on line and check out the ski areas
in best proximity to you. From
SkiMaine.com
you can link to Maine ski areas where you will find basic info from
lift operation times, to conditions, prices and learn to ski
programs.
Sugarloaf and Mt. Abram’s sites even have helpful hints and a
section on what to wear for brand new skiers and riders.
You can start your children skiing as early as age 3, but things
really click around 5 or 6 when your little skier is stronger
physically and emotionally. Overeager parents (like myself) that
start their toddlers at 1 ½ or 2 should be satisfied with a photo,
and a snowball festival in mini-ski equipment. By age 7 or 8, no
need to wait any longer, your kids are prime for skiing or
snowboarding.
 Children’s
ski programs offered at Maine ski areas are worth the price of
admission. You aren’t just paying for instruction, you are getting
the school atmosphere of peers plus a professional, instead of
amateur hour with mom and dad coaxing little Johnny to stand up (or
worse, stop crying). At Sugarloaf, you get the bonus of furry
mascots Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear – instant kid pleasers.
Sugarloaf and
Sunday River
have paired with
Nickelodeon select weeks, so your kids can see SpongeBob and
Dora the Explorer on the slopes.
Once you have decided where to take the family, prepare your kids
mentally and physically for skiing. Take the kids to
SnowMonsters.com, an interactive cartoon site sponsored by the
National Ski Area Association with safety tips disguised as fun.
Most importantly, explain to your child that mom and dad will be
dropping them off at ski school. When you bring your little skier to
camp, sign the necessary forms, say goodbye and go skiing yourself –
spare everyone drawn-out dramatic departures.
If possible, get your child suited up in their boots and ski
clothing before hitting the slopes for a “fun trial run” – to make
sure everything fits and provide some familiarity with all this
alien attire before the big day. All these baby steps can make a big
difference when you hit the slopes.
Downhill lesson deals:
Shawnee Peak
has a clever campaign to encourage anyone age 8 or older to learn
the sport, called “3-2-1 Snow Fun.” You purchase 3 days of ski or
snowboard lessons to use anytime, rental equipment is included
(prices range from $179-$299), and at the end of your learning
curve, you receive a Shawnee Peak pass for the remainder of the
season. Now that’s incentive to pay attention in class.
If you are 13 or older and have never skied before, you can get one
free learn to ski or snowboard lesson at Sugarloaf or Sunday River
with the Mobil Ski-3 Pass, fill up at a Mobil station 3 times for
the coupon. You need to register three days in advance for a spot in
these popular clinics, and you need to be outfitted with rental
equipment – which can be done at the resort. Be sure to call ahead
and give yourself enough time that morning for registration and
suiting up in your gear, an hour before the lesson should suffice.
Saddleback
and Mt. Abram
also offer daily lesson programs for children and adults, and all of
these Maine resorts have onsite daycare for parents with tots too
tiny to turn just yet. You can reserve daycare by the day, half day
or just an hour – depending on how much skiing you want to do and
your budget.
Fall line forewarnings:
When you are signing up yourself (or your child) for lessons, be
honest about ability level. Overestimating experience could put you
in over your head, as the instructor assumes you have the key skills
to ride the lift and self-arrest as you head down the slippery
slope. Or you could make fall line foes in the first lesson by
holding up their valuable time while the instructor has to teach you
the basics.
Keep your expectations grounded. It’s a lifetime sport, not usually
mastered in a day. But proper instruction, good physical fitness and
a good attitude create the right foundation.
Final note: for those starting snowboarding, a pillow strapped to
your behind may look silly, but could save your assets.
And I have told a few friends who don’t catch on to skiing or
snowboarding right out of the gates – you can always excel at après
ski. This post-ski activity includes hot tubs, tall tales, and warm
beverages by the fire. Call it your reward for trying snow sports.
"What draws skiers
downhill?"
February 11, 2007
 What is it about skiing that makes you
want to go out in the freezing cold, bundled in layer upon layer of
gear, and send yourself sliding down the side of a mountain? Is there
some magnetic attraction to the mountains in winter? What causes
skiers and snowboarders to stuff a garage full of gear into their car
each weekend?
That’s the very question I posed to Maine skiers and snowboarders
recently. Here are a few responses.
“I snowboard because it is better than sitting on the couch playing
video games. That’s what most of my friends do on weekends,” said Adam
Nile of Poland, Maine. “They are like wannabe gansters with their
games, but they are missing out on the real action.” Nile said the
best part of skiing is going off jumps and he spends most of his time
on the features in the terrain parks. “I can do a 720 (two full
rotations in the air). I don’t like the rails though, you can really
hurt yourself when you fall on those metal rails, and that’s no fun.”
 A glance at Valancy Harlow’s Sugarloaf license plate proves she loves
skiing. “I love being outdoors and I like to go fast, and feel the
breeze in my hair,” said Harlow of Saco. “Driving in your car with the
windows open, you just don’t get the same sensation as you do whipping
down the mountain.”
For many, skiing is an alternative winter activity. Rodney Westleigh
of Auburn said he is snowboarding this winter instead of snowmobiling.
“There hasn’t been a lot of natural snow for decent snowmobiling, so I
decided to come snowboarding. They make plenty of snow at the ski
areas.”
J.P. Monnin, of Marblehead, Mass., said he skis because he can’t golf.
“I own a place at Sunday River and I love to golf, and ski when I
can’t golf.”
Pete Williamson, of Falmouth, was golfing in early January when it was
so warm but prefers skiing in winter months. “Golfing mid-winter was
just weird. I like the outdoors and skiing is a great winter
activity.” Williamson said he has been impressed with the snowmaking
efforts this season. “Sunday River is the best at putting out snow.
They have done a really good job this winter.”
Steve Maher, of Turner, skis because its one thing he can do with his
two sons, ages 10 and 15. “My boys love to ski and so they drag me out
here. It’s part of the bigger plan. There aren’t many other sports we
can do together.”
Maher says when he started skiing six years ago he was afraid of going
to the top of the mountain. “I was afraid of heights, and would go
into arrhythmia over riding the chairlift. I have gotten over that
fear through breathing techniques and help from my boys, and its just
great now that I can go to the top of all eight peaks at Sunday
River,” said Maher. “I feel really good about that. It’s good to be
able to accomplish something like that at 50, and to share the
experience with your kids.”
 For me, skiing is a lifestyle. I was fortunate to be raised surrounded
by skiing so it is an intrinsically family sport to me. The fact that
generations of my family have been skiing before me makes me want to
carry on this alpine activity with my kids, and eventually theirs –
call it parallel perpetuity.
I enjoy heading to the mountains with my husband and kids. There is a
sense of excitement, as you never know what the conditions and weather
will be. There is a bond as we brave the elements together and bag our
runs.
And there is an endorphin boost I get from both the social and
physical engagement of skiing. Check out any après ski bar and you
will sense that wave of winter energy. I also find skiers and
snowboarders to be really interesting and outgoing people. So many
folks overcome physical limitations, and financial restrictions, just
for the sake of heading down a snow covered slope.
Valancy Harlow said, “I don’t even mind lift lines, I can always find
someone to talk to. Skiers are very social, unlike other sport like
tennis where people just aren’t as friendly.” Harlow has been a
Sugarloafer since 1982, “I met my husband at Sugarloaf, he was my ski
instructor. Eventually we got married at the Chapel at Sugarloaf. The
sign as you arrive reads ‘Welcome to Carrabassett Valley. From here
your life will never be the same.’ Sure enough, that turned out to be
true for me.”
"Speed dating on the
slopes"
February 4, 2007
The Pats aren’t playing in today’s big
game. Maybe you should channel your frustration into planning some
fall line fun. Valentine’s day is coming and ski resorts have some
rather amorous events to consider. If you need to find a downhill
date, speed-dating has come to the slopes. If you already have a date,
but need a romantic setting, special ski and stay packages can be
found in Maine ski county.
Speed dating is a popular trend in cosmopolitan areas for singles with
limited time to look for love (typically a speed date is 8 minutes per
candidate to see if there is a connection). Taken to the slopes, the
alpine adaptation is ideal since chairlift rides are about
6-10-minutes. And you already share a passion for snow sports with the
person seated next to you.
In the ski area speed-date scenario, there is no ditching your date
before your time is up, you can’t bail off the chair. I suppose if
mid-way along in your romance-seeking ride you fail to find your
mountain match, you have a view of the slopes below to check out who
might make your next chair pairing based on skiing skill.
Sunday River
hosted their own version of the chairlift dating called “Singles on
the Double,” yesterday on the South Ridge Chair #7, followed by an
après ski party at the Foggy Goggle where couples could reconnect with
any chairlift date worth pursuing.
If you missed Sunday River’s chair-dating challenge,
Black Mountain in
New Hampshire has their own Valentine version planned for next
Saturday, Feb. 10, from 2-4pm. Black is even offering free skiing to
ladies from 12:30-4pm that day, to assure the dating selection isn’t
disproportionately male (often the case in ski country). Contestants
looking for that cupid connection must pre-register in the Lostbo Pub,
then get in the lift line and say “single.” The rule for this mountain
matchmaking is that you have to ride the chair with someone you have
never met.
At Black’s après ski party, a prize will be awarded for the best “Pick
up line.” The winner who delivers the best downhill date line receives
an overnight stay for two at the Snowflake Inn in Jackson, with
chocolates, roses and sparkling wine. So if your little black book has
been failing you lately, you might try this new trend of on-snow
speed-dating.
If you already have a significant skier or snowboarder in your life, a
romantic retreat in Maine’s ski country could be the ticket this
month.
Bethel is on the map as one of the country’s best ski towns, having
received that accolade from national ski and travel publications. My
guess is most Maine skiers just zoom by on the way to Sunday River.
Valentine’s might be the time to detour into this seemingly subdued,
but apparently seductive skiers’ settlement. A short walk from
“downtown,” the
Bethel Hill
Bed & Breakfast has a “Valentine’s ski and romance package” which
includes two nights lodging in a room with a Jacuzzi tub, a bottle of
wine on arrival, a $75 dinner voucher, and two tickets each day to
Sunday River for $550.
 Sugarloaf
is a pretty sweet ski village, if you are looking to whisk someone
away. Since Valentine’s Day is midweek, you can take advantage of an
$85 per person ski and stay package at the Grand Summit. You will get
the “white carpet” treatment on the slopes, a magnificent mountain
setting, the rest is up to you.
Camden is a charming seaside town all year round. In winter, you can
take your date to
Camden Snow
Bowl and stay at a lovely inn, many of these picturesque
properties offer free ski tickets to the sea view ski area.
 Shawnee
Peak is open for night skiing on Valentine’s Day, and will have
special horse drawn sleigh rides available from 5-9pm to couples for
$20. So you can take a break from turning down the mountain, cuddle up
and let the Clydesdales pull you through the snow-covered woods to a
bonfire for hot cocoa.
If fear of chairlift heights is an issue
(you might be surprised by the number of people with this phobia),
propose a more grounded day of cross-country skiing through the Maine
countryside. What could be more charming and disarming than gliding
together through the frosted trees on skinny skis, and we finally have
enough snow to do so. Even snowshoeing is a potential date activity,
and a sure sign of a “healthy” relationship.
February is the most popular month for proposals. I can speak from
personal experience that the ski slopes create a serendipitous, scenic
spot for a successful proposal. If you and your date already share a
love of skiing or snowboarding, that’s a good start.
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