Spring skiing in Maine
Maine Sunday Telegram Column by Heather Burke March 2010

There are those in Maine that complain about our long winters. I have little sympathy for them; this is the Northeastern most state after all. You should expect snow, cold weather, and frankly you should ski.

I have even less understanding of those Maine skiers that hang up their boards as soon as the calendar turns to spring. Late March and early April are typically the best time to ski. Base depths at major ski resorts like Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Saddleback are still three feet deep, despite last weekend’s temperatures along the coast climbing into the 70’s. I know it is hard to conceive, but the majority of trails are open and well covered in the mountains.

There are so many reasons to extend your ski season. The days are longer, light is vastly improved from those dark (read: flat light) days of December. Gone is the fear of frost bite that prevails in frigid January and February. If you endured the cold harsh climate of mid winter on the slopes, you deserve to ski now in the warm sunlight on the softening snow. It’s like the grand finale, your just dessert.

We are fortunate to have three ski resorts that keep their lifts spinning, and they’re groomers working, well into April. As the sun shines on the slopes, the festivities at The Loaf, The River, and The Back are heating up too, in an effort to lure you up to the mountains. Still so many Mainers are reaching for their bikes, boats and golf clubs, deserting their beloved downhill sport too soon.

For those like me that find winter just flies by, I say ignore the calendar and the crocus in your garden and go skiing while you still can. Your bike will still be there, the yard work will wait, the snow won’t. Just remember to wear sunscreen, so you get a goggle tan – not a gaper burn. Also protect your eyes from the refractive glare of sun on snow with sunglasses or goggles. Here are some fun events coming up in Maine ski country you won’t want to miss.

Next Saturday at Saddleback is the Seventh Annual Pond Skimming Contest. On Sunday, Saddleback will host Easter Summit Service at 9:30am with Reverend Peter Panagore (of the First Radio Parish Church of America). An Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the Saddleback Base Lodge at 11:30am and a Costume Parade kicks off at 1pm. Easter Sunday also happens to be a Maine Day at Saddleback so lift tickets are only $35 for Maine Residents.

Sunday River celebrates Easter all weekend long starting with an all mountain Family Scavenger Hunt on Saturday. On Sunday, catch the chondola at 6:30am for Easter Sunrise Service atop North Peak at 7am, followed by first tracks or a ride down, your choice. An Easter Egg Hunt takes place slopeside at South Ridge at 9am. And the Easter Bunny will make an appearance at 9:15am. The only question is whether Eddy the Yeti, Sunday River’s elusive abominable snowman, will come out for the festivities. The shy beast has been showing up for more events lately.

Sugarloaf’s Sunrise Service is super early at the SuperQuad, load the lift Easter Sunday at 5:40am for the on mountain service. But can you put a price tag on watching the sunrise on the mountain? Actually no, it’s free - no lift ticket required for the ride, the service or your one ski run, you do have to ski – as there is no downloading on the chairlift. A special Breakfast will be served at Bullwinkle’s following the service. The Easter Bunny will be at Sugarloaf’s Base Lodge 8:30-9:30am. The always animated Spring Costume Parade will take place throughout Sugarloaf Village to the Beach at noon, with awards for best costumes in numerous categories. Amos the Moose, Blueberry Bear and Pierre the Logger will surely be in attendance.

The weekend of April 10-11, the spring skiing parties continues with Saddleback’s Third Annual Park Shark Challenge, a slopestyle terrain park competition to the cheers and jeers of the snow loving sun worshipping crowds.

Sunday River will host the 22nd Annual Bust n’ Burn mogul competition on April 10-11. This weekend also brings out Jimmy Buffet fans for the Parrot Head Festival; picture live bands playing island music all day outside by the slopes, burgers on the grill, and margaritas in the blender. The White Cap Lodge serves as Parrot Head headquarters, and prime viewing for the big splash event on Sunday - Pond Skimming at 11am.

The biggest on snow event of the Maine season is Reggaefest at Sugarloaf, taking place April 15-18. This big music event is now in its 22nd year; just like sister resort Sunday River’s Bust n Burn. Interesting to note, many of the Reggaefest concert goers do not don skis, leaving the slopes far less crowded than Sugarloaf’s Beach area.

Beyond that, Sunday River will host their traditional Ski Mania day on April 19, with free skiing and riding. Sugarloaf’s last official event on the ski season calendar is the Season Pass Holders Barbeque on Sunday April 25.

For the last two seasons, Sugarloaf was the last resort open in the East, May 3 and May 5 in 2008. Sugarloaf’s sights are on early May again to clinch that last open title and seal Maine’s reputation of the longest ski season east of the Rockies (with Sunday River opening in October). Both Sunday River and Sugarloaf plan to keep skiing and riding for another month, as long as snow and demand hold up. That’s where we skiers and riders must do our part by showing up. I hope to see you on the slopes.

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