By Dave Sartwell
Outdoors
Dave Sartwell
March is usually one of the best months of the year to ski, with more snow on average falling this month than any other.
Given the amount that has already fallen, it is hard to imagine that more is coming. But if history is any judge, get ready. This has been a banner year for New England with most mountains accumulating base amounts that should, barring torrential rain, sustain skiing well into April.
It is also a time of the year when many mountains are offering special events and bargains to get folks out onto the slopes. Here is just a sampling.
Sugarloaf: With up to a five-foot base, Sugarloaf is ready for spring. They groom about 80 trails each night so that skiers can enjoy the corduroy each morning. Frozen granular is the typical surface this time of year augmented by whatever has fallen the night before. For example, on Sunday they had a fresh dusting of a couple of inches that made for a nice surface on Monday, with all trails and lifts open.
The 20th Annual Reggae Festival is the highlight of the spring from April 10-13. They always bring in the biggest bands to rock away the weekend.
Loon: the mountain has will be open for skiing until April 21. With over a foot of new snow so far this month and seven feet since Feb. 1, Loon is extending its season. Don't miss the Cardboard Box Race set for March 30. Go to their web site for details on entering. It is a blast as folks from around New England. using only cardboard and tape, construct ski crafts that defy description.
Sunapee: has recorded the fifth snowiest year in its history and will extend their season to at least April 13. On Easter weekend, the mountain will host the IZSTYLE Winter Tour that features the Reverb Eco Village, all-natural and organic food sampling, the band Audio Journal on Saturday night, and Crocs will give you a $15 coupon toward a lift ticket if you bring in your old crocs to be recycled into new shoes for people in need around the world.
Vermont: This time of year the sugarhouses all over Vermont are steaming sap into a liquid gold called maple syrup. The Seventh Annual Vermont Maple House Weekend will be held at sugarhouses all over the state on March 28-30, where you can watch the syrup being made and sample some of the sweet product. Vermont leads the nation in the production of maple syrup with about 450,000 gallons a year.
Jay Peak: The mountain has received about 30 feet of snow so far this year and it looks from the weather report that they will be getting a drop later this week. They will be running their pond skimming on April 19 and have not yet announced when they will end the season.
Stowe: In one of its best snow seasons in a while, Mt. Mansfield has received 332 inches of the white stuff so far. It got a foot last week and is expecting a storm through this week as well. The surface is packed powder to loose granular depending on the temperature.
Smugglers Notch: This area has been named by Ski Magazine as the No. 1 spot for Family Programs for nine years in a row. In competition with much larger venues, this resort continues to thrive with outstanding programming for family and service. Join them for Brian Kidd Day on March 22 for big air on the halfpipe.
Okemo: All 117 trails and 14 lifts are open with base depths up to 41/2 feet deep. The snow surface tends to be loose granular on trails that have been groomed each night. The annual Slush Cup will be held on April 5. Skiers and boarders will try to skim over the 80-foot pool of slush at the bottom of the mountain.
Check your favorite mountain for conditions, deals and ending dates. Get out of your house and enjoy the best spring skiing we have had in a long time.
