Okay, so winter 2011-12 will go down in New England ski history as anything but the perfect ski season, reminded me of 1978-79. Low natural snow and record warm temps made it tough for skiers. But sometimes you just have to keep the faith, right Red Sox and Pats fans?! If you quit, cop out, blame the snow gods and just stop going, you are definitely not going to get that epic ski day. Not every ski day is perfect, but you have to put yourself out there to get the goods. The snow is not going to seek you out, you have to chase it. My last day of the ski season April 19, #39, was the best.

Mind you, it was in Austria, a big trip I had been anticipating all season long. We had a few days of skiing in the clouds in conditions my husband Greg calls CSS (code for" Can't See Stuff) in the otherwise spectacular Alps of the Tirol and Arlberg, but when the sun came out and sparkled on a fresh coating of 20 centimeters of light fluffy snow - we got our reward. We skied St Anton, Lech/Zurs, Solden, Obergurgl /Hochgurgl , which are all sensational when the sun and snow align. The Austrians invented many of the best ski traditions we know, think Hannes Schneider’s ski school, Doppelmayr lifts, schnapps, and après ski dancing. Austrians were intrepid skiers, and still are, with some of the most modern lifts and amazing terrain in the world.

Skiing is weather roulette, but those who keep an eye to the forecast and seize the day, find the diamond dust on the slopes some mornings, the perfect untouched cord, and even the untracked new powder. One day last week in Solden, everyone slept in due to clouds in town, but we boarded the first gondola to get above the clouds and skied in brilliant blue sunshine and 10 centimeters of fresh snow.

I am reminded of my second best day in 6 inches of powder at Loon in January. First tracks at Sunday River and skiing Casablanca glades at Saddleback are a close third and fourth. I hope your ski season had its rewards. There is still skiing at Jay Peak and Killington this weekend, could be your best ski day yet, but only if you go.

Austria Photos by Greg Burke, Obergurgl (top) and Solden, taken this week.

Spring is back, after a brief return to winter last week for skiers still craving more carving. After Sugarloaf wraps today, Killington and Jay Peak will be the only two still spinning their lifts. This is good news for Vermont since Gov. Shumlin declared skiing and snowboarding as their official winter sport this March, like New Hampshire did in 1998.

Sugarloaf may reopen next weekend, conditions permitting, but the forecast is far from wintry. While Jay Peak has gotten more natural snow recently, it looks like the Beast of the East wants to regain their status as earliest to open and last to close in the East. Of course, Boyne Resorts, of Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Loon, also want to boast the longest ski season amongst their sister resorts.

You may remember that the Big K opened on Oct. 29, just minutes before Sunday River (a gracious gesture from The River after Killington’s struggles post Hurricane Irene). Stay tuned, Earth Day is next Sunday, April 22, and whether skiing continues beyond that in the East depends on how much earth (in the form of brown ground and grass) pops up on the slopes.

I am skiing in Austria, a trip I booked back in January, when New England snow was pathetic, and the Arlberg & Tyrol region got dumped on with over 30 feet of snow. It is melting here quickly too, but the skiing on the Solden glaciers is superb, where the US Ski Team trains. More on that later, as I am between wifi hot spots, ski runs, and après ski gluehwein.
St Anton Austria photo by Greg Burke

How funny that it snowed Halloween, rained on Christmas, and snowed again on Easter in the mountains of New England - albeit just a flurry. Ski resort operators probably do not see the humor in Mother Nature's mercurial games. Hey, there are snow flurries in the forecast this week too, so the "funny" weather continues. Ha, ha. Ski season is not over, lifts are still turning at a few ski areas and there will be skiing next weekend, and perhaps even beyond.

Wildcat is closed this week, with plans to reopen next weekend April 14-15. Meanwhile, New Hampshire's Loon wraps its ski season tomorrow.

Saddleback will reopen Friday for the weekend with their Flyin' Hawaiian Party planned for Saturday, April 14. This is a crazy event where snowmobilers simultaneously launch off terrain park jumps while skiers and riders are hitting adjacent features - creating quite an air show spectacle. Saddleback's last ski day is likely Sunday. Last winter, Saddleback received 276 inches of snow and stayed open through May 1, this season thus far they have received just 128.

Sunday River is open daily this week and next weekend. Sunday April 15 is their last day of the season which will be free, honoring their Ski Mainia tradition. Last year at this time, Sunday River had all their trails open and kept skiing until Easter which was April 24.

Sugarloaf is open daily with snow flurries forecasted for this week and the biggest party of the season set for next weekend, the 24th annual Reggaefest. Last season, Sugarloaf stretched their ski and ride season to May 9.

Sugarloaf, Jay Peak, and Killington all vow to keep skiing through April, as long as conditions permit. The last ski resort standing gets big bragging rights, which Sugarloaf - self proclaimed "King of Spring" usually bags, so stay tuned and keep skiing while you can.

Photos by Greg Burke, Sunday River and Sugarloaf

If you are not required to attend the family ham dinner this Sunday, may I suggest Easter skiing? Seriously, some of my best days skiing with my kids have been Easter Sunday, starting by dragging them out of bed for sunrise service, then spotting the bunny out on the ski slopes where the kids are rewarded for their early wake up with candy and colored eggs filled with prizes.

Sugarloaf is special on Easter Sunday, starting at 5:40am boarding the Superquad (in the dark) for Sunrise Service. Watching the sunrise over the mountains is spiritual, regardless of your denomination. The ski down to Easter breakfast is beautiful. The Easter Bunny will be at the Loaf with his local furry friends Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear. During the day, Sugarloaf will also host a Spring Costume Parade and the Season Passholders BBQ. Sugarloaf, aka King of Spring, plans to keep skiing daily through at least next weekend's Reggaefest.

Sunday River runs the Chondola at 6:30am Easter morning to North Peak for Sunrise Service. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at South Ridge at 9am along with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Its Parrothead weekend at the River too, so pond skimming at Barker is followed by live music and a Key Lime pie eating contest at White Cap. Sunday River plans to stay open for skiing and riding through Sunday, April 15, when they host their Season Passholders BBQ and free skiing for their traditional Ski Mainia day.

Saddleback will have an Easter Service at 9:30am, and an Easter Egg Hunt at 11:30am. Somewhere hidden at Saddleback is the Golden Egg which contains a Season Pass for next year. If you show your pass from another ski area, you ski Saddleback for $29 a day for the rest of the season. Saddleback will keep skiing through Monday April 9, then re-open April 13-15.

Killington will host Easter Sunrise Service at Snowshed Lodge at 6:00am, followed by a complimentary Continental breakfast and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Killington is still skiing on Superstar, Skyelark and Bittersweet trails, with plans to stay open daily through April as long as their snow base holds up.

Jay Peak will provide Easter Sunrise Service at the top of the Tram, followed by skiing, and Brunch being served at Alice's Table. An unusual underwater Easter Egg Hunt is planned in Jay's new Pump House Waterpark. Jay Peak plans to keep skiing daily through April 15, perhaps beyond depending upon Mother Nature, but not likely as late as last year's May 15.

Loon will host Sunday Sunrise Service from atop the Gondola, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt on Lower Bear Claw at 9am. Loon will close for their season on Tuesday, April 10.

Wildcat is open Easter weekend with top to bottom skiing and special lift ticket prices of $35. Wildcat plans to close midweek and re-open Saturday, April 14, if snow allows.

Sugarbush is re-opening for skiing Saturday, April 7, spinning the Valley Double from 10am-5pm which serves Stein's to Coffee Run. Easter Sunday, Sugarbush hosts a Sunrise Service at the Gate House at 7:30 and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, and skiing if conditions permit.

So get out and enjoy some Easter skiing. Otherwise it might be Halloween before your next chance at holiday skiing in New England.

Sugarloaf and Sunday River Photos by Greg Burke

This weekend at Sunday River, it is all about the 80s. I am talking about the decade, not the 80-degree temperatures of last week. I think fellow skiers will agree that March meltdown was too much too soon. The snow haters had their fun, ecstatically mocking us core skiers about how they were golfing and biking and how the "skiing must be over." Not so fast friends.

Thankfully more seasonal temps have returned to the mountains, and six of the remaining 10 open ski areas, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Loon, Wildcat, and Jay Peak, have all made snow in the past few days.

Sunday River made snow on four trails last night, their 103 day of snowmaking, which must be a record. Sunday River has the most terrain open in the East, 57 trails and 317 acres. Conditions are variable at all ski areas - so you may encounter everything from freshly blown snow to corduroy concrete in the morning, to corn by mid morning, to mashed potatoes turning to glue if things heat up, all in the course of a ski day. That's the joy of spring skiing, that and the outfits.

This weekend, Sunday River celebrates everything 80s. So day-glo is way encouraged, one piece suits are mondo, and big hair is bodacious. If you can still steer long straight 200-centimeters skis, that is gnar to the max. Show your retro 80s outfit at the ticket window and save $10 on your ticket, totally tubular. There will be 80s music at the Foggy Goggle for après ski, fer sure. It should be like totally bitchin’ weekend at Sunday River, so don’t be a dweeb and think ski season is over, that is so lame.

Every spring, my friends ask me about "skiing Tucks?" They think it sounds like such fun, a big spring ski party! Tuckerman Ravine is typically the last chance to ski, the last vestige of vertical after ski areas have closed, and a big party on snow on the biggest of the east - Mount Washington at 6,288 feet. But to me, Tuckerman Ravine is a serious hike, not to be entered into lightly, since you will be hauling your ski gear 3.1 miles up a trail, to a high alpine environ where conditions are ever-changing, and the skiing is for experts.

Sorry, hate to be the spring party police, but Tuckerman Ravine deserves respect and real preparation before you just pack your picnic, your skis and go. Bad weather can blow in fast, and the ski terrain is natural and steep with 35-60 degree sustained pitch. Read the incidents and accidents blog, including an emergency helicopter rescue earlier this month, if you have doubts about whether you are ready for Tuck's.

Still, this southeastern side of Mount Washington is a very unique and spectacular glacial cirque that collects serious snow and has lured serious downhill skiers since the 1930's, the first top to bottom race, The Inferno, was held in 1933 and continues to this day - now it is a Pentathlon scheduled for April 21.

Tuckerman Ravine will see over 2,000 hiking skiers and snowboarders on a sunny spring day. Last year, Tuckerman's busiest day saw 4,000+ visitors, according to Nate Shedd at AMC Pinkham Notch, about 65-75% of those actually ski or ride. The rest are spectators on the Lunch Rocks, watching the show of skiers and riders descending the steep bowls, the scary falls, the crazy outfits and the crowds. It is quite a spring party, but the risk of falling and sliding on this steep natural terrain is ever present. There are volunteer patrols, but I would imagine they do not appreciate dealing with the ill-prepared.

This season, Tuckerman Ravine is experiencing their spring conditions a full month ahead of normal, just like New England ski areas. With only 174 inches of snow this winter, versus Tuckerman's typical 315, the marginal snow pack is making for less reliable conditions which will not likely last into May. Already the Sherburne Trail is not skiable beyond a third of the way down, which is premature for late March according to Shedd. Snow is in the forecast, today's Tuckerman Avalanche Advisory indicates, "increasing avalanche danger from Low to Moderate if the upper end of wind and snow comes to fruition. Also be prepared for a thin blanket of snow to hide some of the traditional spring hazards."

Even in a good snow year, Tuckerman Ravine is high risk terrain with inherent crevasses, inconsistent snow, variable conditions and falling ice. This is not a ski resort with groomed surfaces, ski lifts, base lodges, food service, fancy hotels, shops - you get the picture. You pack in and you pack out - ski gear, supplies, food, water, first aid, layers of clothing for sunny spring skiing to howling wind, sleet, snow and rain - you can encounter all of these harsh elements within hours on Mount Washington.

So if you are going to do Tuck's, check the Mount Washington weather and the avalanche report, pack accordingly, be prepared for a long hike in and out, and serious steep skiing. And do not wear sneakers just because they are "lighter and more comfy" like I did my first time. This is a big mountain, big spring skiing fun - yes, but big consequences exist - Tucks will muck with you if you are not prepared.
Mount Washington photo by Greg Burke

Wow, our New England skiing melted down faster than the Red Sox in September. Over the weekend, many ski resorts closed for the season ahead of schedule. A week of 80 degrees and sunshine will do that. The last resorts standing, still skiing this week, are Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Loon, Waterville Valley, Jay Peak, Stowe, Sugarbush and Killington.

The common denominator among these New England ski areas: serious snowmaking and elevation. And it's not over, Boyne resorts Loon, Sunday River and Sugarloaf have vowed to make snow when cold temps permit – likely tonight and tomorrow. Saddleback is also poised to make more snow on key trails, they host Pond Skimming and the Park Shark Challenge next weekend. Bretton Woods and Wildcat may re-open next weekend.

It has been a difficult season across the country as well, with late snow starts in Colorado, Utah, and California too. But it was not a snowless winter. There are a few resorts that got the lion’s share and are still skiing on deep base depths. If you care (I understand if you want to forget the whole 2011-12 ski scene), here are a few big benefactors of snow.

In Oregon, Mt Bachelor, Mt Hood and Timberline received 40 inches of snow just last week, they are wide open skiing on a 14 foot base, with a season yield of 35 feet (420 inches) so far. Washington's Crystal and Stevens Pass have also been dumped on this winter.

Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole in Wyoming have received 31 and 29 feet of snow respectively this season (most of which arrived after I visited in January - funny - ha!), considerably more than Vail's 17 and Park City’s 18 feet.

Mammoth has 6-8 foot base depths and fresh snow, the California resort received 17 feet of snow this season, the majority of which has fallen in March. Lake Tahoe ski resorts received late season snow, after a slow start. Currently Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows - now on an interchangeable lift ticket, plus Heavenly and Kirkwood - both Vail Resorts now, are open with 70-144 inch base depths.

Whistler/Blackcomb, Lake Louise and Sunshine in the Canadian Rockies had record snow years too. But Europe takes the big snow cake, St Anton and Solden in Austria received 25 feet of snow in one winter snow storm, the winter was consistently cold, they still have base depths of 12-14 feet. That’s where my ski tips are pointing for spring skiing.

Mammoth Photo by Greg Burke

Skiing in New England is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. This winter, I feel like we got the funky bonbons filled with icky sticky fruit flavoring. Right now the snow at many ski resorts actually resembles cookie dough, the bare spots are the chocolate chips.

The biggest treat of snow this season came Halloween, but that was too soon, too big a trick for ski resorts to open up, except Killington and Sunday River who started their season October 29. Snow totals around New England have been low all winter, while temperatures continue to be record high. Now many ski resorts are closing before their anticipated alpine end dates.

The good news - there are a handful of ski resorts that made serious snow from November through February that are determined to keep their lifts spinning as long as there is a ribbon of snow and people show.

New England’s biggest ski events are still on the calendar, Sunday River hosts The Dumont Cup this weekend, 80’s weekend March 31-April 1, and Parrothead April 7-8. Okemo’s FestEVOL is this weekend, ending their ski season Sunday. Mount Snow will finish this weekend with their 10th annual “Sink or Swim Pond Skim.” Cannon is planning Blizzard Splash Pond on March 31, and Bodefest April 7, stay tuned. Sugarloaf celebrates Reggaefest April 13-15, and may well be the last lifts spinning in New England this spring. Sugarloaf closed May 9 last year, but they received 16-feet of snow last year too.

Here is where you come in. If, like me, you have not had your fill of skiing, goggle tans and soft corn snow, then you should “run Forrest run” to those ski resort still open for skiing. There are deals now that trail counts and crowds are disappearing, like Waterville Valley’s $25 tickets, and $29 at Saddleback if you present your pass from another ski area.

One more word to the wise, watch out for snow that has turned to glue, stops you in your tracks and causes a double heel release sending you sailing in the squishy snow (shout out to my ski friend who suffered those sticky consequences). Forecast is for more seasonably cool temps next week, but I suggest you get your chocolates before they melt.

Photos by Greg Burke

While much of the region celebrates unseasonably warm temperatures, the news is a lot grimmer for skiers and riders, who watch the turbulent snow season dwindle away each day. Summer-like temperatures throughout New England are forcing many resorts to cut their seasons short, with more very likely as we hurdle toward the weekend.

Among the resorts already shutting their doors for the season are Magic, Cranmore, Black, Bromley, Pico, Mad River Glen, Wachusett, Crotched, and Butternut, with Bolton Valley, Okemo, and Mount Snow announcing this week that this weekend will be the final hurrah as well. The sad fact of the matter is, you can expect more than a few more to announce the same in the coming days.

Some will survive into April, particularly with a healthy calendar of events planned, but even big boys like Sugarbush are feeling the heat, having pushed up its annual pond-skimming to this weekend instead of next. If you like spring skiing, conditions at many mountains are glorious. Just too glorious. 

Who will make it to April? Place bets on Stowe, Jay, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Killington, and Saddleback. Wildcat had planned on closing May 1, but the dwindling trail report from this week seems to make that a pipe dream.

Want hope? Ha.

Well, actually, things are supposed to be more seasonably normal after this weekend, which will certainly help preserve snowpack, and don't count out the possibility of a spring storm either. One only has to go back two years to remember the surprise mid-April storm that dumped a foot of snow over portions of New Hampshire and Maine.

But for most places, the damage has already been done. The season is going out on a rapid note. The best to say is that we can finally say good riddance to one of the more difficult snow years in the past six years.

Wow, spring skiing has preceded spring this year. Unseasonably warm temps brought soft bumps and mashed potato snow this past weekend to ski resorts across New England. As the season's worth of snowmaking softens in 70-degree sunshine, ski trail counts and base depths are dropping. This week's forecast is for more super warm weather, even in the mountains where the manmade and minimal natural snow is melting like Frosty the Snowman in the greenhouse as he tries to save little Karen.

Tim Kelley, NECN Meteorologist, reported record high temps up on Mount Washington today, 47-degrees at 6am which broke the 1945 record of 37-degrees. Kelley said, "Being a skier, watching the snow pack disappear this early is emotionally difficult to witness."

I agree, emotionally difficult indeed. I am an excessive optimist when it comes to skiing, always hopeful for the next big snowstorm, but the mercury this March is hard to ignore. If you love to ski, like me, you better ski ASAP. Tomorrow marks the first day of spring, a good day to hit the slopes. Remember that with such dramatic warm ups each day and cooler temperatures at night, the snow pack tends to firm up overnight and ski like hardened cement first thing in the morning. But with these unbelievably mild temperatures, the snow softens quickly, often by 10am you have ideal corn skiing, or loose frozen granular as the resorts like to report. Be sure to wear removable layers, sunscreen and slap some wax on your skis or board so when the snow turns sticky, you can glide through the glue.

Sunday River has over 100 trails open thanks to 100 days of snowmaking this winter, and they promise to make more snow when temps allow. Next weekend is loaded with events at The River, The 4th Annual Dumont Cup freeskier event hosted by Simon Dumont, the 27th Annual Maine Ski A Thon, and the 22nd Annual Eat the Heat Chili Contest and Firefighters Race.

It's not over, there's my skier optimism again. Like Hocus Pocus the Rabbit that saved Frosty by enlisting Santa Claus' help, I think skiing can make a comeback with a little March magic. Head for high elevation, northern locations for the best ski conditions right now; Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Jay Peak and Stowe - for example. There are plenty more spring ski events coming up, so think snow, channel your frostiest snowman thoughts, even though folks are wearing cutoffs and having cookouts.
Sunday River White Heat Photo by Greg Burke

Let's see: recent snow in the mountains - check. Trail counts at 80-100% at most major ski resorts - check. Sunshine and longer days - check. Plenty of events and promos for the next several weekends in ski country - check. What are you waiting for? Grab the sunblock and the boards, and go.

Every year we have this discussion people, but as soon as temperature reach 60-degrees in Boston, many of you retreat to other spring activities and stop going to the mountains in March, even though the best skiing, the most snow and the brightest, longest days arrive.

Here goes the annual reminder: there will be months of biking, golfing, baseball, spring cleaning the garage (surely you can procrastinate that), but only four March weekends remaining and maybe a few in April left to ski and snowboard - unless you are planning a trip to Chile this summer.

Mind you, the base depths this winter are not what we have been blessed with the past two seasons, particularly at lower elevation ski areas. In fact, according to NOAA, this is the 3rd least snow winter in the 46 years they have recorded snow depth by satellite. Simply put, you cannot predict how long the snow pack will last. Mother Nature could deliver tons more snow - as she often does in March and April, or spring could be a total meltdown.

That is all the more reason to go now, get your skiing in. I know it is hard to grasp when you are surrounded by snowless ground, and I have been personally amazed every weekend for the last two months, how much snow there is at northern New England ski areas. The woods at Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Stowe and Sugarbush are snowy and sweet.

The weekend's forecast looks sunny. Sugarloaf is hosting their 2nd annual Banked Slalom this weekend, a snowboard speed event on the crazy Sidewinder course, great for spectators. Saddleback's Telemark Invasion is this Saturday with a Knee Dipping Tree Fairy Free Ride Glade Competition in the Casablanca glades. Sugarbush is hosting the 15th annual Castlerock Extreme, the third leg in the Ski The East Freeride Tour that concludes March 17 at Jay Peak. That is just a sampling of ski and ride events going on.

Just because it is 60-degrees in Boston and there is no snow, does not mean winter is over in ski country, far from it. Some of the best skiing and riding of this season, and the coolest events are coming up. The question is, will you be skiing, or are you really going to spring clean your garage?

Stowe photo by Greg Burke

According to Liftopia, an online lift ticket discount site, this first week in March is "National Play Hooky and Ski Week." While I do not believe they have the authority to write your boss a note, I think they are on to something. This week’s forecast is dialed for downhillers. It is going to be a sunny week, following last week's snow accumulation in the northern mountains of a foot of fresh snow.

Recent weekends have not been entirely kind to skiers or ski operators, hit with high winds and mixed precipitation, but midweek skiers have had snow storms and sunshine to choose from. So you should select your work/school skipping days with an eye to the forecast, for the remainder of the season. Tuesday through Thursday of this week, for example, look like glorious spring skiing as temperatures warm up and snow conditions are sure to soften up.

This has been a tough season for New England ski resorts, but there is still great white hope in the mountains, in the form of good snow coverage. Take a look at ski conditions, paying particularly attention to percentage of terrain open and base depths around Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. It looks like March and April will be peppered with ski lift ticket promos too, especially midweek deals as ski resorts try to retain you. Sugarbush's Mt. Ellen is having a White Sale with $30 lift tickets now through the end of the season - for Mt Ellen skiing only - not Lincoln Peak. Friday prior to St Patty’s Day, March 16, you can ski Mt Ellen for just $17.

Wildcat and Attitash are both 100% open, and they are offering $40 Friday ski tickets for the rest of the season. Saddleback in Maine is 100% open, and you can bring a friend for $10 Wednesdays when you purchase a $49 day ticket.

So pick your day, pack the sunscreen, and sneak out for a ski day during supposed National Play Hooky and Ski Week. Works for me.

Sugarbush Photo by Greg Burke

This season certainly offers proof that the further north you go, the better the snow. Still it is strange driving by grassy golf courses with your ski gear strapped to the car. Even stranger is telling friends you are going to Saddleback, and they respond, "where's that?"

I am torn between keeping Saddleback a secret, and sharing this sweet stash of high elevation snow in a year when folks are jonesing for the real feel of winter. While most New England trail counts are 50-80% open, Saddleback is 99%, including the double black diamond steeps and glades of the Kennebago area.

Saddleback does not get the attention Maine’s other big ski areas with an S do. The Rangeley resort does not see the alpine droves either. New owners since 2003 have quietly improved snowmaking, grooming, cut expansive glades, and added two new quads – but nothing high-speed so as to preserve the un-crowded downhill experience.

Saddleback has the charm and character of an old school ski resort, fixed grip lifts deliver you to the 4,120' summit where skiers find natural gritty glades, and narrow winding groomed trails. You often have a trail all to yourself, and can still find untouched cord on trail sides at 3pm. Most of Saddleback's 66 trails offer gorgeous lake views, and the summit runs are lined with snow ghosts. Don’t know what a snow ghost is? There is another secret to be revealed at Saddleback.

Saddleback is more than just under-discovered skiing; there is an unassuming vibe amongst the friendly staff and families here. The classic post and beam lodge, added in 2004, serves hearty fare by a big stone fireplace. Upstairs, the Swig ‘n Smelt offers fun, not fancy, après ski. Don’t bother wearing your Bogner here, camo and hunters plaid are fine enough.

Saddleback’s Ski and Ride School holds to old-fashioned principles as well, with the lowest student to instructor ratio I have seen, 5:1, and children 3 to 6 receive 1:1 instruction until they can ski independently. I should mention that Saddleback has an ideal beginner South Branch area with its own quad lift, completely segregated from the intermediate and advanced upper mountain terrain.

Saddleback offers terrain parks, winch cat grooming off the steep summit, and free wifi in the base lodge. But what makes Saddleback special is not that new fangled stuff, it is skiing on the unique, inherent trails of untracked snow, the unhurried pace, and the people - or lack of. Saddleback is becoming discovered, so you should go soon, this season when their snow is deeper, softer and less-skied than others.

Saddleback has on slope condominium lodging or you can stay seven miles away on Rangeley Lake. I recently discovered The Loon Lodge. Watching the sun set over the snow-covered Lake with an après ski beverage at the fireside pub of this 1909 log cabin is the perfect end to a Saddleback ski day. Snowmobilers zip by on the frozen lake, then turn toward the Lodge. They ride in to dine at Loon Lodge’s cozy fireplace dining room too. Word around town is that The Loon Lodge's chef is Rangeley's best, another Saddleback secret shared.

Photos by Greg Burke

Dear ski resorts,

I understand you are snow-deprived this season. Believe me, I share your excitement at this frosty forecast, really I do.

However, I must ask you to refrain from hype and reporting snow you hope to receive as if it is already in the bag. I fear you may scare away the "you know what" (four letter word, starts with s and rhymes with blow). It has happened several times this winter, there is such high anticipation, the news releases go out pumping the 8-12 inches expected, and we are then disappointed with another dusting, maybe one to three inches of powder, which actually makes for great skiing but pales compared to our dreams of deep snorkel skiing.

We all have the ability to watch the weather and hear our favorite forecaster with his or her predictions. The jokes have been made about how weathermen are good at their jobs if they are right about 50% of the time. Why would you want to get into that business? You have enough challenges already, no?

We need less puff, more powder. Shhh, stop calling for that big dump. Call me superstitious, but I think the frosty flakes are shy about making an appearance this year. Let's underestimate and be overwhelmed and overjoyed. That would be something sweet to tweet about.

Thank you.

PS. How ironic that just as I was posting this blog, I received this report. Thank you Sunday River for today's admission from Team Snow; "We see something in the forecast that bodes very well for our weekend, but every time we talk about such weather events, we get in trouble, so hush now."

The above pow shot was a 6 inch powder morning January 20 at Loon, the forecast was for a dusting to an inch. Photo by Greg Burke

You know what I am tired of hearing this winter? "Wow, I am surprised how good the ski conditions are!" Every day I have skied this season, day 20 and counting, I encounter some skeptic who proclaims the skiing to be surprisingly good. It is February, ski resorts have been making snow since November, and yes Einstein, conditions are good.

Last weekend I skied the glades of Casablanca and Muleskinner at Saddleback in Maine. These all-natural snow trails were nicely coated in soft snow. Saddleback has high elevation on its side (4,120-feet), so it has been spared the rain events that southern New England has endured, the 79-inches of snow received this season is well preserved. Tons of snowmaking on top of that, and you have 65 of Saddleback's 66 trails open.

At Sugarloaf, I had the best run ever on White Nitro from the summit, the snow was perfectly groomed and grip-able, the scene was very much winter minus the usual super cold-factor. In fact, the sun was shining and the February day was decidedly mild for mid-winter.

The upside to natural snow being down is less people are going to the ski slopes. Call it the backyard blues, but many skiers and riders are staying home, leaving the slopes to the intrepid few.

As Chris Farmer, GM at Saddleback said, "It’s like the girl getting all dressed up for Prom, with the dress, the shoes, the hair and makeup, all dolled up and the date doesn't show up." Ski resorts have made the snow, groomed their trails, paid their staff and laid out the white carpet, but skiers are not showing up for the big dance.

Sure we have not had a big snow storm since Halloween (and you haven't had to shovel either) but there is skiing in the mountains. March and April can be New England’s snowiest months. So don't give up the great white hope, put on your snow dance pants and go to Prom – or go skiing in this case. You might just be “surprised at how good the conditions are.”

Photos by Greg Burke taken Feb. 17 at Saddleback and Feb. 19, 2012 at Sugarloaf

Newsflash – there is good skiing this season in New England

People, we have been over this before. Just because there is no snow in your backyard does not mean the skiing in the mountains is no good. You see, there is this not so modern invention called snowmaking.

Ski areas, particularly those in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, have mid-winter ski conditions, deep base depths and most of their terrain open for your skiing and riding. Yes, it has been a lean year for natural snowfall, and there have been more rain events than any of us would like, but the skiing at Stowe, Jay Peak, Sugarbush, Bretton Woods and Loon, Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf (to name a few) are very good having received fresh snow in the past weeks on top of months of snowmaking.

Ironically I have skied three resorts in three states in the past three weeks, and at each the locals have said, “we are like the only resort with snow this season.” I personally love this passion, and protectiveness of their ski mountain above all others, so I do not bother correcting them.

I will however advise that the early bird gets the cord, the freshly groomed snow is really the best. Machine made snow does get firm (ok, even icy) as the day goes on, skiers and riders skid some of the softer snow off the slopes. On the flipside, manmade snow breaks down more slowly than natural, so snowmaking powerhouse resorts with deep snow depths are well set for spring skiing. But don’t wait that long.

Football is game over, it’s February, it’s time to go skiing. Stop looking at the brown ground in your backyard and go to the mountains.

Photo of Stowe by Greg Burke

I know everyone has football on the brain for this weekend, but ski season is finally here. Thursday night’s snow in the White Mountains, Maine and northern Vermont dumped almost a foot of snow. Friday morning skiing at Loon was the best of the season, with about 10-inches of soft fluffy snow blanketing the groomed trails for those fortunate skiers.

So the skiing this weekend should be fantastic after groomers have had a chance to smooth out Mother Nature’s gift into perfect corduroy. I predict many people will skip skiing, instead glued to their TVs, or going to the package store to gear up for Sunday’s Pats game. But if you are a core skier, I suggest you can do both, ski and still be ready for Sunday’s kick off against the Ravens at 3pm.

Playoff football is the best possible après ski. With high speed quads, you can have your 10-15 runs, be done by noon and home in time for football. Ordering pizza and putting your Pats jersey on does not take that long. Find a seat on the couch with a beverage in hand and nachos nearby after your own thigh burning work out on the white slopes that morning. Gronkowski and Brady will be taking care of pre-game preparation at Foxboro, so go ski and enjoy the snow, now that fresh powder and the AFC Championships are finally here…

photo by Greg Burke

Despite Dan Shaughnessy's claim today that the "Sox are the only folks having a worse winter than New England ski resorts," the truth is, skiing a riding conditions have improved dramatically over the past 10 days.

Last week's snow was a bounty for the resorts leading up to the long weekend, and last night, a number of spots saw significant accumulation heading into what should be another storm tomorrow.

Here are some of the reported overnight accumulations:

Bolton Valley: 4-6 inches
Smugglers' Notch Resort: 5-6 inches
Stowe Mountain Resort: 5-7 inches
Sugarbush: 4 inches (Currently running on nearly 100 percent of its trails -  or 97.29729 percent as the resort tweeted this morning.)
Attitash: 8 inches
Wildcat: 8 inches
Black Mountain: 9 inches
Cannon: 6 inches
Loon: 6 inches
Cranmore: 6 inches
Sunday River: 8 inches
Sugarloaf: 6-8 inches
Saddleback: 8 inches

Locally, Wachusett saw three inches overnight, and is expecting up to 6 more after tomorrow's storm. Stay tuned on that one, but early forecasts seems to be projecting more of a bounty for southern New England than the mountains to the north.

Not bad, right? Let's just hope there's not an epic season-ending collapse looming down the road - like one team which we won't mention.

So those snow dances finally worked. New England ski resorts saw significant snow in the past several days, and winter has arrived with more seasonal temperatures. Can you say brrrr?

The combo of cold temps and real snow has allowed ski resorts to make snow and drop ropes on more trails. Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, Stowe, Smugglers and Jay Peak got over a foot of snow over the weekend. Sunday River and Killington are both skiing on over 400 acres on all peaks. Stowe has 95% of their terrain open, and Loon has 82%, a significant increase since just last week. Even smaller ski areas like King Pine and Pat’s Peak in New Hampshire have managed to open 100% of their terrain.

Yes, it’s cold and blustery, so bundle up, wear lots of layers, and be sure to protect that face from frostbite. But go ski while winter is here.

Photo of Sugarbush skiing by Greg Burke

That snow dance finally took effect, and alpine ski resorts throughout New England saw some real snow yesterday.

Maine resorts Shawnee Peak and Saddleback got over a foot each, while Sunday River and Sugarloaf are nearing that number with more snow (and perhaps some mixed precipitation) coming in today. New Hampshire ski resorts picked up a good six to nine inches. Vermont resorts received half a foot, to a foot of fresh at Jay Peak. Trail counts should increase a bit as ski patrol get out and survey the snow situation. Potential wind holds today may keep the snow fresh for you weekend warriors.

This three-day MLK weekend looks to be cold, with real winter temperatures more appropriate for January – in the 20’s and blustery, so plan on face protection and your warmest gear (likely located in the bottom of your ski bag from last February). If you have been whining and waiting for winter, it’s finally here. Put away your golf clubs and go ski. You can ski all day Saturday and still catch the much anticipated Tebow Brady showdown – a good Patriots game makes for perfect après ski.

Photo by Greg Burke

NECN's Matt Noyes posted this graphic via Twitter Tuesday night.

We’ll let that sink in for a moment. 

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Good? OK.

We could (finally) be looking at the first major snowstorm of the season in northern New England, which has skiers and riders giddy over the prospects of not only Thursday-Friday powder days, but a long weekend of fresh snow in the mountains.

In case you didn't let the above fully sink in (go ahead, we'll wait), those are Noyes' predictions through Friday morning, when snow should still be falling in portions of New England. Noyes' NECN colleague Tim Kelley predicted around five inches for portions of Vermont on Thursday, and another eight inches on Friday. Josh Fox of the Single Chair weather blog thinks up to 20 inches may fall in central-northern Vermont, and Lionel Hutz of the Famous Internet Skiers likes up to a foot in the White Mountains, and almost 16 inches for both Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine.

Of course, like all storms of this nature, it's better to temper expectations, no matter how difficult that may be. In fact, Noyes has already seemingly downgraded his thoughts from Tuesday night, posting the following to his blog yesterday morning.

We'll still take it, of course (and hope it's conservative), as well as pray to the snow gods that it doesn't become a mostly-rain event. Toying with a skier's emotions in this snow-starved season wouldn't be fair.

What a crazy winter we have had thus far. Wait, have we had winter? New Englanders have been golfing and mountain biking in January. I am going to remain optimistic and say there is tons of snow to come. Meanwhile, I know misery loves company - it has been a tough start for much of the country. Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, reputed for deep snow, has 4 of 170 trails open. Mammoth is at 30% operation. Summit Country Colorado and Park City Utah resorts are receiving some snow, but have had a rocky start, pun intended.

The good news, New England resorts have snowmaking super powers and this season has put their guns to the test proving to skiers and riders that you can ski without (real) snow. And there is snow in the forecast later this week. Hey, Switzerland and Alaska just got dumped on – sixteen feet of snow (note to Mother Nature: please distribute the winter wealth more evenly).

More good news, Wyoming has snow (and I am fortunate enough to be here), the natural kind from the heavens not from hoses as my first tracks guide Derek at Grand Targhee said. Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee both have over 100’ inches. Even better news, Grand Targhee is offering free skiing to any North American season passholder, when you book three nights lodging at the resort. Ken Rider, director of marketing & sales for Grand Targhee Resort said, “Weather is fickle and we realize that every resort is but one big dump away from the record conditions we all enjoyed last season. For now, we have gotten loads of snow and we want to reach out and use this early season to introduce skiers who love powder to the 2,602 acres available at the ‘Ghee. All three mountains, Fred’s, Peaked and Mary’s are open with 100 percent of our terrain.”

I will have more snow news and reviews from Wyoming to come. Meanwhile, keep doing those snow dances.

Photo by Greg Burke of Grand Targhee Resort

This December may well spell disappointment for many skiers and riders hoping for that big holiday snow storm. The lack of natural snow has been obvious, but combine that with above normal temperatures prevailing throughout the month, let’s just say circumstances have been far from conducive for snowmaking to cover ground and increase trail counts. But there is skiing and riding, even terrain parks, on ski mountains around New England, all from the magic of compressed air and water. Resorts like Sunday River, Okemo, Killington and Loon have doubled their ski acreage over the past few weeks – a very impressive accomplishment.

Most ski resorts in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts have been able to open 20-50% of their skiing and riding terrain on manmade snow. Some smaller ski areas like Jiminy Peak, Pats Peak, and Ski Sundown in Connecticut have opened 70-80% of their terrain for this important holiday week when many families hit the slopes for the first time this season. And there are lodging vacancies for New Year’s weekend at many resorts, the upside for downhillers during a lean snow holiday. You can still book a ski trip this weekend, to Sugarloaf for example, and celebrate on the slopes with skiing, fireworks, hot tubs and hot toddies.

Having skied Sunday River, I can report that the conditions are surprisingly good, especially since I was walking the beach in balmy 50-degree weather the day prior. Each night, ski resorts resurface and re-groom their terrain, so my experience is that the best conditions are first thing in the morning, early birds get the cord ahead of the crowds, before the soft snow gets skied off. There is snow in the forecast today for Vermont and New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and if you are a skier and a believer like me, you know there will be more snow and plenty of skiing this winter. January is going to be super snowy!

Photos by Greg Burke

You may be wishing for a White Christmas, but wishing alone will not put snow in your yard. You may need to transport yourself to the mountains where they are making snow (now that it's finally cold enough for serious snowmaking) to get into the winter wonderland spirit. Ski resorts with big pumping power are making that snowglobe scene into a reality for your family. Sunday River will surely deliver a white holiday for you, they have promised to open a new trail each day now until Christmas, to add to the 137 acres of skiing and riding already open on Barker, Locke, Spruce Peak and South Ridge.

Our family makes a tradition of the holiday on the slopes. It gets us away to play together, and enjoy the true spirit of family and togetherness. Once the kids are on school break, you can get away before the holiday and enjoy midweek pre-holiday ski and stay rates, and no crowds on the ski trails as everyone else is shopping, baking and stressing before the big day.

Resorts like Loon, Okemo, and Killington have great midweek deals this week, and they are blowing a ton of snow, opening new terrain daily.

If you can't squeeze a ski getaway in before Christmas, then have your Christmas Eve at home, exchange gifts and feast on your favorite Christmas dinner, then plow through your stockings on Christmas morning and hit the road to go skiing. Christmas day on the slopes is special - few skiers and a fun atmosphere. Sunday River has a special ski free Christmas deal, when you buy one night's ski and stay package at The Grand Summit Hotel for Christmas, you'll get two days of lift tickets for Dec. 25 and 26.

It will be a White Christmas in ski country, given the forecast for frigid temps and ski operators' determination to blanket their slopes whether the Winter Warlock helps out or not. So the only question is will you have a white Christmas? The answer is in the mountains.

Photo by Greg Burke

Okemo Mountain Resorts is offering a sweet Thanksgiving lodging deal with stuffing and family fun. The Ludlow Vermont resort has a tempting package for $79 pp/day based on a family of four (2 adults and 2 juniors) staying at the expansive Jackson Gore Inn with Thanksgiving Dinner and all the fixins at the award-winning Coleman Brook Tavern.

The best part of this package is the Adventure Zone pass that's included. 

On Friday after Thanksgiving, you and your family can cruise down the mountain on Okemo's exciting Mountain Coaster - the Timber Ripper, you also get your choice of a round of mini golf or a turn on the Stump Jumper bungee (I suggest you wait till after your pumpkin pie has settled before this stunt).

The Jackson Gore Inn has an indoor outdoor heated pool and outdoor Jacuzzi plus the Spring House pool. Okemo's snow guns are blazing, with the plan to be open for skiing by then (skiing is not included in the package however). You can at least squeeze in a Turkey day snowball fight to shake off that tryptophan effect.

So let someone else make the dressing, do the cooking, and the dishes, while you enjoy the Vermont mountains with your family. And sleep to the sounds of what one Okemo facebook follower called "the Ludlow lullaby"  the roar of snowmaking through the night. And if Mother Nature steps up, there will be skiing on the upper mountain too.

Photo by Greg Burke of early Okemo skiing Dec 2010

Due to family commitments over the weekend (Woody! Buzz! On ice!) I won't be making it to the slopes until Monday, which upon the outlook, seems to be the best bet for the weekend anyway, especially following this dreadful, 60-degree day in Boston.

Based on what some folks are saying, the upcoming pattern should deposit a few inches of snow in the mountains by Monday. Nothing drastic, but certainly (hopefully) enough to repair whatever damage this warming trend and the rain that is likely to move in at some point today bring. It's not exactly the five feet that fell in Tahoe this week, but it's something, right? (No, don't go look. It will do you no good. Six inches will be swell, right? Right.)

On that note, while it was nice and fuzzy to hear everyone who skied yesterday boast about how great it was, might I add this? There's nothing I like more than skiing corn snow on a warm, spring day, with the scents of BBQ and tanning lotion wafting through the air. There's nothing I like less than skiing it on Feb. 17. I want it occasionally in March. I want it on April 25. I want it on May 7. I do not want it on Feb. 17. Are we clear now, Ullr? 

But don't worry about that. Due to family commitments next weekend (Mickey! Goofy! A $15 BLT!) I'll be in Florida for a few days, which should pretty much guarantee a big storm will surface over the mountains. You're welcome.

Oh, so THAT'S heading our way.

That NASA image is truly something, and while the impending storm may mean more headaches locally, it's going to be a boon for the ski areas. 

Finally, after weeks of southerly storm paths, the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are poised to get slammed with a band of snow barreling toward the Northeast. Some of the predicted accumulations are downright silly. Forecasters are varying in their calls for snowfall amounts, calling for 20-plus inches in southern Vermont, southern New Hampshire, and the Berkshires, and a foot or more in the White Mountains and Maine.

Three feet? OK.

And this model...well, I'm not quite sure what to think of it.

Meanwhile, Matt Noyes Tweeted the following screen shot late last night. Yes, that says Saturday.

The NECN meteorologist then followed that up with this: "I guess 11:35PM is a safe enough time (enough folks in bed) to mention that another storm seems likely next Tue/Wed. 

Whoa. One storm at a time. On that note, tomorrow should be a day on the hill equal to the 2007 Valentine's Day storm and last February's "Snowmageddon." Day-trippers be warned though, as it appears blizzard-like conditions in the afternoon are going to create serious headaches on the roadways. If you can't wait until Thursday, hotel accommodations may be in order for the evening.

Besides, if you miss this storm, there's always the next one. Just wait a few days.

OK, who got what?

While the latest winter storm to hit New England created an epic headache for commuters desperately trying to make it the Boston area, it made for great skiing conditions yesterday, particularly at northern interior areas that were able to escape the dreaded mix. And for those who sat in yesterday's nightmare traffic, here's a little tidbit to ponder: I had a friend who made it from his home in Sudbury to his job in Newton in 2 hours, 45 minutes.

My trip yesterday morning to Sunday River from Foxborough? Three hours, 45 minutes.

I think the lesson is clear. You should have been skiing.

There are 10 inches of new snow today at the River, and if it's anything like the fluffy flakes falling there yesterday afternoon, it's going to be one sick day at the Newry, Maine resort. Most trails yesterday skied like soft velvet in the early part of the afternoon, when a more steady snow began to fall. And while there were a few scratchy spots in between some nice powder bumps on trails like Tin Woodsman, you have to imagine those are filled in nicely as of this morning. Further to the north, Sugarloaf reports 10 inches of new snow, and Saddleback received seven inches, 29 over the last week.

Jackpot snow totals also hit New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley, a region thirsty for some natural snow. Last weekend, the bare ground in North Conway was more reminiscent of October rather than January. And while the area did see a tail-end of wet precipitation, Wildcat's Facebook status this morning announces it received "sweet cream, no crust" in Pinkham Notch.

It also snowed in Vermont. Broken record.

This time though, the areas in the southern part of the state got more of a hit from the wet mix that ended the day in Massachusetts. While that didn't help places like Magic Mountain open for the day (the cash-strapped mountain only opens on weekdays if snow totals reach six inches or higher), the cement-like snow should help form a nice base. Places like Sugarbush are expecting another few inches to fall through the day today.

More could be on the way this weekend. Stay tuned. For complete new snow totals from yesterday's storm, click here. 

All those New England school kids that wore their PJs inside out and prayed to the snow gods last night got their wish. Cancelations are widespread and snowbanks are mounting. This snow is like pennies from heaven for New England ski resorts just prior to the three-day MLK weekend.

Even though this storm is providing more snow for the coast than the mountains, it stimulates the suburban brain to think "skiing" and prompts skiers and riders to pack up the Suburban for a weekend on the slopes. Resort operators call it the "backyard effect," an impetus to the infrequent skier psyche. Normal folks (not like me who obsess about skiing) don't think about snow sports when their yard is brown, so this whitener will have many making plans to ski. And it's looking like a powder day at Camden Ski Bowl on the Maine Coast if you don' have plans yet. See you on the slopes.

Photo by Greg Burke For more of Heather's family ski tips go to www.familyskitrips.com

The potential jackpot winner for tomorrow's nor'easter just might be...Blue Hills?

It's true. Forecasts are calling for anywhere from 12-18 inches of snow to blanket much of Massachusetts, which means local ski areas such as Blue Hills, Wachusett, and Nashoba Valley will get the rare chance to boast powder points, as will areas in Western Mass., including Jiminy Peak and Catamount.

As for the north, it remains to be seen. While meteorologists seem confident that the Green Mountains should see anywhere from 4-8 inches, it's a tougher call in northern New Hampshire and Maine, where totals are predicted to be anywhere from 1-8 inches.

However, there is the significant chance for upslope snow between Wednesday and Thursday, which could dramatically improve the fresh conditions in the mountains more to the north. Lionel Hutz, the go-to man for situations like these, writes, "Time/height analysis shows strong low and midlevel lift, saturation through the column and some very good temps for snow growth. Ideally you want maximum vertical ascent through air that's at or near saturation and temps between -10 and -15C to maximize dentritic growth. While we're at only -8C to -10c along the spine and a little colder in the ADK that should be more than sufficient to get some nice flake shape."

In his chat this afternoon on Boston.com, NECN's Matt Noyes had this to say about what this storm means for local ski areas: "Southern New England skiing will be great. Northern will be too, but if you want the most new snow, Wachusett will be good." 

So while Wednesday may prove a serious Massachusetts powder day, odds are that winds will deliver the goods to more areas with higher elevations by later in the week. Until then, with Boston looking to get hit with the brunt of the storm, perhaps we should take the destination advice of one local on the Teton Gravity Research Forums: Darling St. in Mission Hill. Après at the Penguin. I like it. (By the way, bookmark that thread. It's an invaluable resource for East Coast skiers and riders, as are the folks over on AlpineZone.com.)

So, where's everybody skiing this week? 

Here I am getting all jazzed for the potential of a midweek storm, and it turns out today was the day to head for the hills.

Here's what Ski Vermont is reporting for overnight accumulations:

Bolton Valley: 8-11 inches

Jay Peak: 6-8 inches

Smugglers' Notch: 8 inches

Stowe: 6-8 inches

Middlebury Snow Bowl: 8-10 inches

Sugarbush: 5-15 inches

As for what tomorrow's event holds, NECN's Matt Noyes had this to say last night on the Weather New England blog:

"Based on latest guidance, which has been consistent over last several days with storm potential, 90%+ chance of greater than 6" Central and Southern New England, 60-70% chance greater than 12" for interior Southern New England. Some mixing with sleet and rain will occur - exact placement of that still uncertain, but likely within Route 495, mostly snow outside of 495."

Stay tuned...

I posted a link to this last night on Twitter (@BostonSkiUpdate), but just in case you missed it, take a look at how one powder-hungry skier took advantage of Cape Cod's jackpot snowfall this week.

That's using your resources for certain. More pictures are on the Teton Gravity messageboards. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to go find out just how skiable the terrain is right now over at Savin Hill Cove.

It may be dry in Boston, but it's been dumping in the mountains this week. After a slow start, the 2010-11 skiing and riding season in in full swing in New England, after a host of ski areas saw up to two feet-plus of light, champagne-like snow accumulate this week. We've got the photos to prove it. Be prepared to be very, very jealous. Above, Jay Peak. 

If you haven't left for work yet, perhaps you may conveniently be feeling a bit under the weather.

Jay Peak: 12 inches
Smugglers Notch: 12 inches
Stowe: 12 inches
Killington: 12 inches
Sugarbush: 7 inches
Bretton Woods 10 inches
Cannon 10 inches
Loon 5 inches
Sugarloaf 12 inches

Just sayin'. 

Following today's unwelcome rain event, forecasters are promising a cold snap with snow finally reappearing as we approach the middle of next week.

In fact, Accuweather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski writes, "The traditional snowbelt locations will be measuring the snow in feet and crews may be working around the clock in some areas to keep up."

What it means for New England depends, but the patterns seem good for some significant snowfall over a four-day period next week. 

Accuweather.com screenshot

Ski blogger Sam Lozier checks in with the following photos after he and the Famous Internet Skiers crew spent the day yesterday on the west side of Mt. Mansfield during a freak, April snowstorm in Vermont.  

Here are a few ski trails that really heat up in spring time. As the snow melts (rapidly this year), skiers slather on the sunscreen, shed their layers and seek out the best spots. Some trails are better that others come spring - most notably those still open. Here are a few fine trails that typically offer longer lasting base depths, great scenery and good turns as the snow goes from firm to slush. Ironically several of these terrific trails also afford spectators a good show given their location under the lift.

Sugarloaf  is “King of Spring” for its northern Maine location and its late season events like Reggafest April 15-18.  White Nitro, which can be pretty firm midwinter, is finally grip-able in April. This long legendary trail from the upper snowfields is double black diamond, so you earn your bragging rights and your beverage at The Widowmaker overlooking “The Beach” when you reach the base.

If Killington is the “Beast of the East” then Superstar is “spring headquarters” at this animal. The name says it all, it’s located under the Superstar quad – perfect for show offs. Cascade on Killington Peak, under the K-1 Gondi, is also worth mentioning and worth making spring turns on.

Wildcat  has Lift Lion, cleverly named for its centerpiece location under the speedy 2,112’ vertical Wildcat Express quad. This trail gets bumped up, has beautiful views of Mt. Washington and Tuckerman’s Ravine, and it’s beneath the chairlift. If you ski it well, you may elicit some cat calls from the chairs above.

Sunday River’s White Heat has a long legendary spring skiing history. It has been home to Bust n’Burn – where pro skier celebs like Wayne Wong would compete with local bump talent in the 80’s. That event has been moved around to Tempest and this year, Monday Mourning. A few years back, “Heat Harvest,” a freeskier filmmaker event, showcased young talent hucking off huge jumps harvested from the waning White Heat snow. Ski the Heat first thing in the morning when its cord, or wait till it softens to corn, then big bumps. White Heat is always long, wide, and steep, always with spectators on the fixed grip quad. Great trail compliments of Les Otten. Right Stuff and Monday Mourning with their northern exposure hold the snow well too.

Stowe’s National finally softens up come spring time, particularly the headwall. As one of the famed Front Four, it is a rite of passage for Eastern skiers earning their stripes. So ski it, and ski it well since you’re viewable from the Fore Runner Quad. Stowe, sadly, is closing for the season on Sunday.

Sugarbush’s Lincoln Peak features Stein’s Run where the moguls get bigger and squishier as the day goes on. Of course, there is also aptly named Spring Fling which is typically groomed if you are not quite up to Stein Eriksen caliber car-sized bumps.

It’s going fast, so get out there and hit these time honored trails.

Heather Burke is our family ski guru. Photos by Greg Burke. For more of Heather’s family ski tips and stories, go to www.familyskitrips.com

In the world of East Coast ski writing, putting together a piece on Tuckerman Ravine is pretty unoriginal. It's been done before, and it's hard to find a fresh angle, so I'm not even going to try. Tuckerman is timeless and will always be the best place to spend a warm weekend in April. There will always be first timers, grizzled mountain men, and everyone in between. We can enjoy the ravine differently, but there area few things that everyone should know about the place.

I'll spare you the history lesson, but suffice it to say that Tuckerman has pretty much been the spiritual center of East Coast skiing for the last century (Good history lesson: Here). If you haven't yet made the pilgrimage to Mount Washington to soak in the sun, scenery, and lore of the place, make this season your season. In the immortal words of Warren Miller “If you don't go this year, you'll be one year older when you do.”

To the uninitiated, the first trip to Tuckerman can seem quite daunting; it's a big change from resort skiing and consequently presents many unusual challenges. As an accident this past weekend proved, even in the spring, Tuckerman's is still a dangerous place worthy of respect. So, to help with planning (and so as not to re-invent the wheel), I've assembled a list of web resources that should be helpful to anyone heading up to the ravine for a warm spring day. Whether they're going up to huck the icefall or simply hang out at lunch rocks with a cold beverage, you can probably learn something from the websites below:

The Mount Washington Avalanche Center - http://www.tuckerman.org/

These guys are the professionals. Make sure to check their avalanche advisory before heading out. When you get to Hojo's or the ravine floor, make sure to check in with the snow rangers; they're friendly, knowledgeable, and there to help keep you safe.  Also of interest on the Tuckerman's website are the Recent Photos galleries and Trip Planning links, both of which will help you get an idea of what your experience will be like.

Time for Tuckerman's - http://timefortuckerman.com/

Time for Tuckerman is pretty much the repository for all knowledge about Tuckerman and the greater White Mountains.  The front page is a bit antiquated, but still very useful, while the answers to more specific questions can be easily found in the forums. If you somehow manage to find an unanswered question, the people posting on the forums are quite friendly, so don't hesitate to ask, but please, for their sake, search first. To ease your querying, try using this link .

The Mount Washington Observatory - http://www.mountwashington.org/

There are very few mountains in the world with more weather instruments than Mount Washington. Check out the observatory's website to get free access to mountain weather forecasts, webcam images, and current weather conditions. If you want to get the best information on what the weather will be like when you head to Mt. Washington, this is the site you need to check out. For added entertainment, it's also worth checking out the real time weather data on storm days, the numbers can be pretty shocking, and they'll make you thankful to be anywhere but the summit of Mt. Washington.

Famous Internet Skiers - www.famousinternetskiers.com

Full disclosure: This is my own site. Check out the weather section on Famous Internet Skiers to get the latest mountain weather updates from our man Lionel as well as the latest webcam and radar information from around NE. The weather site isn't Mt. Washington specific, but it does provide a wealth of info on the whites, while the trip reports tab should help get you motivated to go out and explore your mountains.

Those four websites have all the info you should need to get into the backcountry this spring, and prolong your season into May (maybe even June if we're lucky!). Whether you're going up for a simple hike, or looking to ski the Headwall; be smart, be safe, and have a great time! Also, while you're up there, don't forget to check out the scenery; Tuckerman isn't the only backcountry skiing spot in New Hampshire, you know……

For most devout skiers, spring is a bittersweet time of year. Casual skiers might be happy that yard work season is upon them, but for the hardcore crowd the end of winter is a bitter pill to swallow.  If you're thinking about extending your season, spring is the best time of year to ski, and you've still got time left. 

As last week's heat wave showed, this year spring seems to have sprung a little early, and resorts are starting to shut down. If you’re still skiing then I’ll be preaching to the choir here, but if you’ve hung up your planks for the season, consider pulling them out for a last hurrah. When the fall rolls around and you’re starting to feel the urge again, you won’t regret going out one last time in the spring when the weather was nice and the crowds were small. The tickets will be cheap, the beer cold, and the days warm and long; what's not to love about riding lifts in spring? 

 I was on scene for Magic Mountain's closing day last Saturday, and had a blast skiing corn with the locals. Magic is now closed, but a quick search around the internet reveals that Stowe, Jay, Killington, Wildcat, and many others will be open for at least another week (Jay says they'll stay open into May) Get out and have fun on the snow while you still can.

Nothing we hate to see more than local ski resorts being forced to close earlier than their anticipated last day of the season. Yesterday, Stowe and Cannon both announced they were shutting down operations this week (Cannon, today, Stowe, Sunday with some optimism). Smuggler's Notch announced on Monday that yesterday was its final day of the season.

And based on the rain and temperatures forecasted for this week, it's possible that a few other spring destinations, may not be spinning the lifts as late into the season as they have in past years.

On the other hand, Vermont's Jay Peak and Killington (Superstar, at least) seem determined to remain open for the entire month, and both still seem to hold designs on making it into May. No official word from Maine's Sugarloaf, which hosts its annual Reggae Festival next weekend, but reports suggest that there is still plenty of snow there.

In New Hampshire, Wildcat has said its last day would be April 19, but would hold open the possibility of pushing things a bit further. I skied at the Pinkham Notch locale last Friday, and it certainly seems like they have enough snow to get past that date…pending, of course.

Sunday River is celebrating its Parrot Head Festival this weekend, which despite the grating presence of Jimmy Buffet music, is a killer time. Try the painkillers. The River is also scheduled to close up April 19 – weather permitting – by offering free skiing and riding.

So, while the end has come for many, and the end is near for everybody else, east of Colorado (what is up with that?), still a few good opportunities for lift-serviced skiing in New England. Then of course comes the annual May-June ritual of denial, acceptance somewhere on a beach in July, and the August tent sale season to fuel that passion all over again.

So…yeah, the rain.

Hey, who knows what to expect at this point. Earlier this week, forecasters were calling for a washout all weekend, now Saturday seems like a solid ski day while Sunday will receive the brunt of the oncoming storm.

It still could be disastrous for some local ski areas, especially those with waning snow from last week's spring-like temperatures. Earlier this week, Ski Bradford closed for the season, and it wouldn't surprise many if a few others had to follow suit next week should this weekend's storm put a major damper on the snow.

It appears that northern New England mountains may be somewhat spared this weekend, which is comforting, since they're the ones we all hope to be skiing in April and beyond. NECN's Tim Kelley suggests things may stay relatively dry from Stowe to Sugarloaf on Sunday.

That's good news at least, but the forecast may be a bit grimmer for ski areas in Massachusetts, southern Vermont, and southern New Hampshire depending on strength of snowpack. One more storm would be nice to assure us that things are going to last well over the next seven weeks, however the prospect of one appears too far out to get any hopes up.

Ironically, the skiing is finally fantastic when most families decide to stow the ski gear and haul out the bikes and baseballs.

March is the best month for family skiing. Let me count the ways:

1. Longer, brighter, sunnier days on the slopes beat the flat light of December.

2. Trail counts are up with a season’s stockpile of snow.

3. Temperatures are far more enjoyable than frigid January.

4. You can wear sunscreen instead of facemasks.

5. No more pockets full of hand warmers and pricey hot cocoa breaks required for the kids.

6. Sunglasses take the place of face hiding goggles.

7. Burgers served out on the deck taste better than those in the cafeteria of crowded base lodges.

8. Silly events like dummy downhills and pond skimming are kid pleasers. There’s nothing more fun than watching clowns and cardboard contraptions crash, like "Funniest Home Videos" on snow.

9. You can shed your restrictive winter survival suit for silly spring clothing. Retro outfits and Hawaiian shirts add color and character to your ski day.

10. There will be plenty of time for baseball practice, bicycling and lawn chores later…

A few words of spring ski caution: Be sure to slather the kids with sunscreen. Warn them about the ever-changing consistency of spring snow – how in one run you can go from frozen concrete to creamed corn to glue that throws you forward while your skis stick still.

Also be sure to dry ski boots (and clothing) at the day’s end. Spring temperatures, slushy snow and sweat make for soggy, smelly boots if not tended to with a boot dryer. Little kids sweat too- trust me on this one.

This message is brought to you by an admittedly overzealous ski mom.

For more of Heather’s family ski tips and trips, go to www.familyskitrips.com 

Photos by Greg Burke.

 Skiers and riders, rejoice. After weeks of watching winter storm after winter storm slam the Mid-Atlantic, we had to wonder when it was going to be our time. Well, the time has come in a big way. Since last week, as much as five feet of snow has fallen in New England, leaving behind some of the best skiing and riding conditions in years.

Check out some of the eye-popping images.

Thanks to treacherous roads and unplanned lane closures, it all took 10 hours round-trip, my car getting paralyzed on the mountain access road, a good 45 minutes to dig out at the end of the day, and quite possibly the need for a new transmission. 

All worth it.

There were moments during what turned out to be yesterday's blockbuster powder day at Magic Mountain when it was easy to survey the surroundings and honestly ask what otherworldly environment you had somehow managed to enter. Pillows of snow piled high at the Londonderry, Vt. ski area, where skiers and boarders delighted in the two-feet-plus that fell atop the summit, un-groomed and deeper than many East Coast skiers can recall having enjoyed in quite some time. Waist-deep in some untracked areas, the snow was consistently up to your knees most everywhere else, with the continually-falling snow adding an inch or two more each hour.

Those who were there (oh, let's go high and say, there were 50) won't soon forget it. Online chatter already has folks chalking it up as one of the top ten days ever, and the best some have ever skied on the East Coast. It's difficult to argue.

This wasn't powder like the famed Valentine's Day storm dumped on New England three years ago. There was a tinge of moisture which made the drifts a bit heavy, so if you entered some untracked on a traverse, odds were you screeched to a pretty quick halt. My goggles were rendered useless around the fifth run, preferring to squint rather than being forced to wipe the moisture off one more time.

On my first run of the day, down Black Magic, I was instantly humbled, acutely unfamiliar with how to deal with that much snow. On a day made for Gotamas, I was forced to adjust to the depth with my AC3's, building up speed with the possible occurrence of one my skis getting stuck in the snow, throttling me to the surface. But as the day progresses, you learn to ski in a different, all-too-foreign fashion for New Englanders.

By the time I hit Goniff Glade for my last two runs of the day, my legs were shaking with every leaping turn. This was easily the deepest snow I had ever experienced in the East, and to think this may have been just the beginning, with snow - and alas, rain - in the forecast for Vermont over the next few days.

Magic's financial concerns have been well-documented. However, one patron in the lot afterward was fairly critical of the mountain for not making more effort to become a destination resort, thus creating jobs and money for Londonderry. "This is what this town needs," he said. "They don't even make any snow."

On a day like yesterday, they obviously didn't have to. It was also a day when they catered to their most ardent crowd. A place perfect for a powder day, thanks to some sweet terrain and small crowds, Magic was inhabited by the hardiest skiers, not one of them complaining that there was "too much snow," that all-too-familiar complaint that other resort personnel are forced to hear from time-to-time after a big snowstorm.

Now, back in the real world, anyone know anything about transmissions?

By Sam Lozier, Boston.com Correspondent 

Ski blogger Sam Lozier is spending a chunk of this winter in Kashmir, India at Gulmarg.

Winter has finally arrived.

We had almost given up hope, and were seriously considering leaving and seeing more of India. Not anymore though, as this storm delivered. As of noon today, we had gotten at least a meter-and-a-half on the ground in Gulmarg. By the end of it, we’re looking for at least two meters in town, with significantly more accumulation at higher elevations. One Gulmarg rumor places the water content for the storm at eleven inches, an almost unfathomable number at home.

To give you an idea of what it’s like to see this much heavy snow come down this quickly, here are a few quick observations from town:

• The golf course in the center of town was brown with a few white patches before this storm, after the storm, the chain link fences surrounding it have been entirely buried
• Every 20 minutes or so, during the height of the storm, my home in Gulmarg - the Green Heights Hotel - rumbles and shakes as the roof avalanches under the weight of all the new snow.
• The snow banks on the side of the road have risen from shin height to neck height during the storm.
• Monkey Hill (a steep, short slope behind my hotel) has gone from skiing OK, with just a bit of snow, to skiing well with midseason coverage all over.
• I’ve had to skin out the front door of my hotel to start skiing, and have had to climb a snow bank. 

The easiest way to get around town today was by skis. We wanted to run up to another hotel to get on the internet, which of course didn’t work because the power was out, but by far the best way to get up there was to put skins on and tour up the hill to get there.

Read and see more of Sam's work at www.famousinternetskiers.com

Well, here we go. By the end of the weekend, Washington D.C. will have gotten more snow this winter than Portland, Maine, a development increasingly frustrating New England skiers and riders who are itching for fresh powder. The conditions on Sunday will be better on Capitol Hill than at Blue Hills. Ouch.

Not to be selfish but, you know…where's ours?

Well...where ya been? It's been snowing pretty consistently this week in Vermont, where mountains like Stowe, Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, and Jay Peak have freshened up nicely. Jay is reporting nearly two feet over the last week; Stowe is reporting anywhere from 17-27 inches, and they've got the pictures and accounts to prove it. Folks that have skied these spots the last few days have professed the best conditions of the season. Really.

Call it sneaky snow. Point is, we seem to suffering a classic case of backyard blues. Just because it's not down here, doesn't mean there isn't fresh powder to find somewhere.

Of course, one of these blizzards the Mid-Atlantic seems prone to wouldn't be a bad thing either. Check back next week on that one.