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

I confess, I have never pond skimmed. In my four decades of skiing, I have never had the desire for wet ski boots, ski pants soaked to three times their weight, or a cold swim in April ski area effluent. But both my kids and my husband have, they claim it is a skier's rite of passage. Of course, my daughter did not make it across the pond at Sunday River, she took the plunge and it took days for her ski boots to dry. It was truly her last run of the season; ending with a splash.

If indeed crossing a cold water pond on skis or a snowboard is on your ski bucket list, then this weekend is your last chance, last dance before you hang your ski stuff up to dry. Loon's Slush Pool pond skimming is Saturday at noon at the base of the Octagon Lodge. Sunday River will host Pond Skimming on Sunday at 10am at Barker, part of the weekend long Parrothead festivities. Pre-registration for these events is required, and there is no guarantee you will get a slot for your soak (I mean chance to dance across the pond) as sometimes the pond drains out before the enthusiastic skiers and riders get their shot.

It is so impressive when you have good momentum, your balance is just right, your boards are wide enough, and you fly across the pond and pre-jump the lip at the end to remain high and dry. Most do not, which is why I prefer my stance as a spectator. If you manage to glide across the pond effortlessly at Loon or the River, like waterskiing on early morning glass, then you should consider a trip to Vail next weekend for the World Championship Pond Skimming April 15, the wettest wildest spring ski party around.

A side note, crazy costumes are encouraged for pond skimmers and tend to entice the judges into higher scores. It also excites the spectators so they will cheer for you and your big finish, or more likely your big splash.

Sunday River pond skim photos by Greg Burke

No April fool's joke, there are just seven ski resorts still open now that the calendar has turned to April. Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Saddleback in Maine, plus Loon and Wildcat in New Hampshire, Killington and Jay Peak in Vermont are remaining open this week for skiing and riding. Sugarbush will re-assess their snow situation later in the week to see if re-opening for next weekend is a possibility.

Surprisingly all of these ski resorts got a little love, in the form of snow in recent days. Wildcat got the most snow last night, 3-4 inches. Sunday River has by far the most ski able terrain, with 254 acres. So there is still skiing for the intrepid. In fact, Boyne just announced that if you buy next year's New England Pass now, you can ski the remainder of the season at sister resorts Loon, Sunday River and Sugarloaf for free.

Big events and big British ski groups are still cued up at these ski resorts. Next weekend is Sunday River's popular Parrothead Weekend. Easter Sunday services are always special at Sugarloaf starting with 5:30am Sunrise Service atop the Superquad, followed by a visit from the big bunny, and the Spring Costume Parade. Loon also has Sunrise Service on Easter, plus Slush Pool pond skimming planned for Saturday April 7.

Stay tuned, and keep those skis and boards handy. Ski season is not over yet.
Sugarloaf Easter Sunrise Service photo 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.

So, last week I checked in to the posh western-motif Summit Hotel, slopeside at Big Sky in Montana. Upon presenting my New England Pass, I am handed a free lift ticket for a week of skiing! How cool is that? It gets better as the cowboy clad bellman whisks my gear to the ninth floor of this sumptuous ski hotel. The skiing makes the trip even better; Big Sky is 100% open with a 5-7 foot base, they received 20-inches of fresh snow this week (ok, so it dumped after I left - it is pattern, or a curse, I cannot seem to reverse).

You may not be able to squeeze in a Montana ski trip this ski season, but here is something to consider. Buy your New England Gold Pass now for next season, for $969 (if you purchase before April 30) you get unlimited skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon next winter, and as a bonus pass benefit you get 10 days of free skiing at Big Sky in Montana, or Brighton in Utah, or Crystal in Washington. You need to purchase lodging through these Boyne sister resorts to get your free skiing, but the savings is impressive.

Sorry to switch gears on you and start hyping next winter already, must be the premature summer weather that has me waxing for a new, improved 2012-13 ski season. But now is a good time to start planning, saving vacation days and dollars, for a Big Sky ski trip.

Big Sky is amazing with 3,382 acres of terrain, the 11,166' summit of Lone Peak is reached by an experts only tram with serious Dictator Chutes, snowy bowls and steep skiing including the legendary Big Couloir - on every extreme skier’s must list. But Big Sky is also revered for its blue square terrain, beautiful scenery and a complete lack of crowds (it's Montana after all). I would go back to Big Sky tomorrow if I could, skiing off Lone Peak in fresh blown snow with fabulous views as far as the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone is among the best on the Continent.

While it bugs me that ski resorts start selling next year's pass before this ski season is over, the best pass deals are now. You can buy the New England Pass with just $50 down, no interest, and installments in June, July, August and September, and start dreaming of bigger better skiing next year.
Photos of Big Sky 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

Yes, the snow is melting fast, but the events calendars are heating up in ski country. Put your bike and golf clubs down and go ski this weekend. The big action is going down at Sunday River's Dumont Cup.

Some of the biggest names in big air and big ski tricks, Jossi Wells, Gus Kenworthy, PK Hunder, Torin Wallace, Alexis Godbout, Joss Christenson, and Alex Schlopy, are coming to Maine to compete in the 4th Annual Dumont Cup, a pro am slopestyle contest. Their host is X Games Gold medalist and Maine native Simon Dumont, who founded this event after breaking the world record for a quarter pipe jump in the spring of 2008 at Sunday River.

You can be front and center, in Rocking Chair Park at Sunday River, to watch amateurs work their way through elimination rounds on Friday, March 23. 40 skiers will be selected to compete Saturday against the seven top pro skiers for cash prizes of $25,000. You can ski to the venue, or walk up the snowy hill near the base of Barker Mountain. Unfortunately that is how host Simon Dumont will be attending his own signature event, he pulled out of Euro X Games earlier this month when he tore his ACL, then flew to Vail and underwent surgery last week, so he will not be competing on skis as he has done for the past three years. So it goes with big aerials, big consequences.

Ironically, last year's Dumont Cup was cold and windy which caused blustery tailwinds and several big crashes along with the big tricks. Nick Goepper won with a cork 900, switch dub rodeo 9 japan and a dub cork 10 mute (feel free to look that up in your freeskier dictionary or YouTube it). Goepper's ski career has launched since, this pro am event helps amateur freeskiers show their stuff, meet their montors and grab some attention on the East Coast. This year, the Dumont Cup action should be huge, the snow should be soft, and the spectator scene should be amped up on sunshine and Red Bull giveaways - one of the event’s big sponsors, along with Target, Oakley, Nike 6.0, HEAD, Toyota, Giro, Rockwell, Seshn, Empire Attire, and Kicker. The Dumont Cup is televised on NBC Sports, to broadcast April 10.

If you have not seen the Dumont Cup, it is like X Games slopestyle skiing comes to Maine instead of Aspen. And if you have not had your fill of skiing, The River has over 450 acres of skiing still.

3rd Annual Dumont Cup Photos by Greg Burke

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

St Patty’s Skiing is going to be Epic….

Ok, I am Irish and I love to ski, so St Patty’s has always been a bit of a dilemma for me. The best St Patty’s parties are probably in Boston. But the best skiing is right around March 17 weekend coincidentally. March skiing means sunshine, long days, soft snow, and fun festivals. So imagine my Irish luck when I found this Epic ski deal – $99 for a three day lift ticket valid at both Attitash and Wildcat March 16-19.

North Conway is a great party town for St Patty’s, and this three -day ski pass at just $33 a day gets you plenty of skiing at Attitash and Wildcat before you start your après ski. The caveat, you must buy the Epic Pass at Attitash or Wildcat on Friday March 16 (not before or after), and your three day St. Patty’s party on skis goes through Sunday.

I like Wildcat for its six-minute base to summit quad that covers 2,112’ vertical, the high elevation snow, and of course the sensational scenery of Mount Washington. There will be live music upstairs at the Wildcat Pub both Saturday and Sunday afternoons of St Patty’s weekend. The drawback to Wildcat: no slopeside lodging, as it in the White Mountain National Forest.

Attitash on the other hand has on mountain lodging at the base of Bear Peak - the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel, and two interconnected mountains of skiing. St Patty’s weekend at Attitash coincides with the Annual Red Parka Pub Challenge on Friday – this 39th race is the longest running pro-am dual slalom in the country, and quite a sight. Saturday, March 17 at Attitash is the Spread Eagle World Championship where prizes will be awarded for the biggest air (picture old school backscratchers, daffies and eagles) and the best throwback outfit, so that should be a hoot. There will be live après ski entertainment at both Attitash and Beak Peak base lodges on St Patty’s Day.

North Conway has plenty of lodging, and many outstanding après ski establishments to celebrate St Patrick’s too. The Red Parka Pub, sponsor of the previous mentioned ski race, is a skier’s institution, and of course the Shannon Door in Jackson will be sham-rocking on March 17.

So if you are perplexed about plans for St Patty’s, check out the Attitash Wildcat $99 three day pass, it could be an Epic weekend for skiing and St Patty’s celebrations in snow country.
Photos 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

Finally ski resorts got some meaningful snow last weekend, particularly those in northern New England. And it looks like there is more in store for this week, and next weekend. So I am going out on a ski limb to say March will be the ski month. March is often the snowiest in the mountains, with the most sunlight, the best events, and some of the best deals as ski resorts try to keep you in the ski mood (and keep you away from biking, golf and spring sports). Ski areas in northern Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire are finally registering mid-winter conditions of packed powder and decent base depths after some late February snow storms to counter the balmy bust of a January.

Sugarloaf just opened 60 acres of Brackett Basin glades for the first time this season, this all natural tree skiing has been added to their terrain over the last two seasons. Ditto for Sunday River, the newly expanded Blind Ambition glades on Jordan are now open for skiing and riding. Saddleback in Maine is 100% open, having received 18 inches in the past five days.

In New Hampshire, Attitash, Wildcat and Bretton Woods are all wide open, having picked up almost a foot of fresh last weekend. Northern Vermont ski resorts got the lion’s share, 2-4 feet in the past five days. Jay Peak, Stowe, Smugglers and Sugarbush are all 100% open including their glades.

Today is Leap Day, or what I like to call Bonus Day. Sunday River, Mount Snow and Ragged are offering $29 lift tickets so you want to skip work, go ski and save on the 366th day of the year.

There will be more ski deals in the coming weeks and into April, like $40 Fridays at Attitash and Wildcat all March and April.

NECN meteorologist Tim Kelley is calling for "plowable snow" for Leap Year Wednesday and a second round of snow Thursday. So March will indeed come in like a snowy Lion. We got dumped on last winter at this time, and while this year’s base depths are not quite where they were last season, it feels like the best is yet to come.

Photos of Sugarloaf and Stowe by Greg Burke

Do you need a ski buddy, someone to share a chair? Want to carpool to the slopes, and let someone else drive home so you can be part of the après ski party? Have you tried to rally your ski and ride friends for a weekend away to no avail?

There’s a club for that. The Boston Ski and Sports Club could be the answer to your alpine prayers. Oh, and they will get you deals on ski weekends, hook you up for ski dating, even plan your ski trip out west.

The Boston Ski and Sports Club started in 1967, but most of their 6,000 skiing and riding members are younger than the 45-year old club, skiers and riders range from 24-42 according to Kristen Elworthy, the Club’s pr director.

Boston Ski and Sports Club has 15 full-time staffers that crank out European and western ski weeks plus a dozen New England weekend ski trips, typically for about $300 including your bus ride from Boston, lodging, lift tickets, breakfasts, and après ski socials with your new buddies.

Some fun ski weekends coming up include St Patty’s weekend March 16-18 at Burke Mountain in Vermont, Sugarloaf Maine March 9-11, and Parrot Head Party weekend at Sunday River April 4-8.

The Club’s day trip deals are a great way to test the social ski club scene, your skiing and bus transportation is included for $82 on Saturday or Sundays (which is often less than the cost of a retail lift ticket), or go midweek for only $59 to resorts like Sunday River, Mount Snow, Stowe, Killington and Jay Peak. If you are looking for love, there is a special ski dating trip March 11 to Mount Snow that includes a singles’ après ski party. I can’t speak to the mood of the bus ride back to Boston; it depends on how the ski dating goes I suppose.

You don’t have to pay membership dues to play with the BSSC, trips are open to anyone, but if you take just two trips in a season, you will save your $65 dues with the member discounts applied.

You have already missed out on this season’s ski trips to the French Alps, Sundance Utah, and Mammoth California, the all-inclusive prices for the weeklong trips are so affordable they do fill up. There will be more European and Rocky Mountain ski destinations next season with reduced airfare, and all your lodging and lift tickets wrapped up in a neat, easy to plan package.

The Club also offers trips in the non-snow season to places like Paris, Ireland, Iceland and Barcelona, and scads of social events at Boston bars, Red Sox and Pats parties, even pub crawls that benefit various non-profits in Boston. No wonder they have over 45,000 annual participants in their party on snow, and off. Don’t say you weren’t invited; this is one club whose only exclusivity is the number of fun people they can pack on the next ski bus.

Check out Boston Ski and Sports Club

Photos by Greg Burke

A leap year baby born in 1992 is celebrating only his or her fifth birthday in 2012, even though said baby is turning 20 years old this year. We're sure nobody is denied cake in those illegitimate years, but having your birthday every four years still has to be an odd experience. I mean, what's to stop people from forgetting it the other three years since the date doesn't exist?

Ragged Mountain plans to say enough to that nonsense, offering all leap year babies free skiing on their birthday this month (that's Feb. 29, in case you didn't know), but plans a leap year treat for all skiers and riders as well. From now until 11:29 p.m. on Feb 28, the New Hampshire ski area is offering a special $29 lift ticket that can be used any day, beginning Feb. 29, until the end of the season.(In addition, Mount Snow is also selling $29 lift tickets, but they are only valid next Wednesday.)

"We really do think it's going to snow - as in the stick-to-the-trees, open-the-glades type of storm," Ragged marketing director Stacy Lopes said. "The leap year ticket is our way of having some fun and reminding skiers and riders that there is plenty of snow at the resort and we plan to be skiing and riding into April."

Tickets can be purchased via Ragged's online store.

Speaking of that snow...it's a little early to get excited for this, but I'm getting a little excited for this. 

Next week the kids are out of school. With no snow in your yard for them to play in, you may go out of your mind keeping them entertained. Not only is there snow on New England's ski slopes (albeit mostly man-made), there are also deals and events for Presidents' week.

February vacation is usually a sellout at ski resorts, but not this year. Blame the lack of natural snow and mild temperatures for this if you wish. The good news, slope side lodging is still available and ski resorts have added events to coerce you into making a trip to the mountains, even if its just for a few nights.

Sunday River has ski and stay packages for $159 per person in the Jordan Grand and Grand Summit hotels including lodging, lift tickets, and a Perfect Turn clinic. Lifts are open for 12 hours of skiing and riding Feb. 17-25, until 8pm on the Chondola and South Ridge Express, and lodging guests can night ski for just $5 from 4-8pm upon your arrival. Sunday River will shoot off fireworks on Saturday and Thursday nights of vacation week. During the week, The River will host snowshoe and skating parties, Kids Night Out events, and great après ski bands at the Foggy Goggle for adults.

Sugarloaf has a similar roster of activities next week, with ski and stay rates of $109 per person in a condo or the Sugarloaf Inn, including use of the Sugarloaf Sports Center with indoor pool and outdoor hot tub. Sugarloaf will have fireworks Monday night, an acrobatic show Tuesday, and a Family Festival on Thursday. Of course, Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear will be out and about during the week too.

Saddleback has some of the lowest holiday ticket prices in New England, $59 for adults, $49 for juniors, for big mountain skiing on 2,000-ft vertical. For vacation week, Saddleback has fun après ski activities like a torchlight parade and Bob Marley comedy show on Thursday night, and a Park Shark Rail Jam under the lights Friday.

Mount Snow in Vermont has a torchlight parade Wednesday Feb. 22 at a family-friendly hour of 5:45pm, and a Roller Coaster Family challenge on Thursday Feb. 23.

At Sugarbush, your kids can ski in a torchlight parade on Wednesday Feb. 22 (advance sign up required), and they should be excited about the No Parents Allowed Movie and Pizza Nights Sunday and Friday, which coincide nicely with après ski bands at Castlerock Pub and wine tasting events at Timbers. Other fun family events at The Bush include snowshoe tours, sunset groomer rides, and fireworks.

Killington has a fourth night free deal, arrive Monday Feb. 20 and stay four nights, your Thursday night lodging is free. For special events, Killington has snowcat-drawn sleigh rides at sunset, snowtubing, Yurt dinners, and mountain tours with Olympic Gold medalist Donna Weinbrecht.

Stratton is celebrating their 50th over Presidents’ Week with a decade each day, starting with the 1960s on Saturday Feb. 18, with themed music, trivia and ski outfits. Sunday you can tie-dye for the 70s, and Monday you should rock your best neon one-piece for the 80s, you get the progression. Your kids will probably be more excited about daily hot cocoa with the Stratton Bear than the retro themes throughout the week.

You get the picture; ski resorts are offering last minute deals and fun events for families during this vacation week. If you want your kids to experience some winter (skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow angels) you are going to have to bring them to the snow.

Photos by Greg Burke

Here is an interesting fact: ski resort bars, restaurants and condos are equipped with TVs. Here is another reality: the Superbowl doesn’t start until 6 pm on Sunday. One more factoid: the mountains have received fresh snow this week and the weekend forecast is for sun, blue sky, and low human count.

So here is a question: why are you not skiing this weekend? It finally feels like winter; at least the calendar says it is February. The Groundhog seeing his shadow has little meteorological accuracy, Punxsutawney Phil is correct in his prediction about 39% apparently. Despite Punxsutawney’s prediction of only six more weeks of winter, February and March are traditionally the snowiest months in New England for skiers and riders.

I will give the Groundhog a little credit for distracting the media from Gronk’s ankle for a few moments. But his forecasting is just lame, and he is clearly not a fan of skiing.

Skiing on Superbowl weekend does not imply that you are not passionate about football or that you are not a serious fan. Quite the contrary, you can ski in your Pats jersey (not a Giants jersey – unless you are skiing at Hunter Mountain) and show your support publicly on the ski slopes. Sunday, you can ski until 1pm and be home in plenty of time, or better still, stay in ski country for what will be a very un-crowded afternoon on the slopes, then watch the game at some après ski spot. I will be at Stowe enjoying the snow and the game on the big screen at the Hourglass Bar in the lovely slopeside Stowe Mountain lodge. Go skiing. Go Pats.

Photos by Greg Burke

Skiing isn’t a very diverse sport, the participants are rather homogenous, even the snow is white. But Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is a great time to ski. Hey, it’s a three day holiday weekend to celebrate freedom in the mountains.

Sunday River has a big weekend in store, with ski and stay packages in their slopeside condos starting at $109 per person including lodging, lift tickets and adult ski or ride clinics. They are bringing in a U2 tribute Band, Joshua Tree, to perform at the Foggy Goggle on Saturday night, no cover charge. There will be night skiing, fireworks and a special dinner at The Peak with top chefs from Portland’s acclaimed Vignola and Cinque Terre restaurants. So take the chondola to North Peak Saturday evening, while night skiers carve the slopes below, then enjoy these guest chefs’ specialty Italian dinner. You do need to reserve for Dining at the Peaks, it’s a $65 dinner, but the experience is extraordinary, how often do you ride a gondola to dinner at 2,100’!

See Sunday River's complete schedule of events here.

Sunday River continues to have some of the most skiing in the East with 321 acres of skiing and riding. Other big snowmaking resorts with sizeable ski acreage open, during this challenging winter, include Okemo with 384 acres, Stowe with 340 acres, and Killington with 297 acres.

Skiing and snowboarding are very freeing activities; flying down a snow covered mountain is the ultimate freedom. So celebrate MLKJ in the mountains where they have made plenty of snow.

Photo by Greg Burke Sunday River Obsession

I wanted to stop on the trail and say something to Joey (not his real name, well it could be), but I resisted – so now I am writing about him. He was showing his buddy (wearing jeans, a Patriot’s hoodie and rental gear) how to move his skis from a snowplow to a parallel turn by picking his friend’s ski up and forcing the issue, literally. It looked awkward to say the least, then Joey’s new skier friend asks “when do I get to use these poles?” and Joey says, “we will get to that when I show you how to stop.” Yikes. Awkward had escalated to dangerously bad advice.

Some good advice, if you like your friend (not just facebook like, but genuine camaraderie, care and concern kind of like) then do not teach him or her how to ski. There is the obvious risk of injury (to them or to you if they get frustrated and poke you with that ski pole). But also you don’t have the proper training, tools or techniques to start them off with the right skills and shorten their learning curve. You may however shorten their temper and tolerance for you and the brand new sport. Better to get him (or her) a lesson and meet up for lunch or après ski.

Some good news, January is Learn to Ski or Ride Month with special deals and promos all over New England. Vermont ski resorts are offering $29 learn to ski or snowboard packages including a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and a professional lesson, offered at Bromley, Bolton Valley, Mad River Glen, Mount Snow, Stratton, Jay Peak, Burke, Killington, Pico, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch , Stowe, and Sugarbush. You must sign up in advance at www.SkiVermont.com.

New Hampshire will have “ski free week” Jan 7-14, first timers receive a free lesson, rentals and beginner’s lift ticket. You must go to www.SkiNH.com and get your Ski and Ride Free coupon then register at your chosen mountain: Gunstock, Loon, Waterville Valley, King Pine, Attitash, Bretton Woods, Cannon, Cranmore, Ragged, Wildcat, and Pats Peak . Some age and date restriction apply, registration opens Jan. 2.

In Maine, free learn to ski or ride week Jan 8-13 has already sold out for this year (look into that for next year in early December), but Sugarloaf and Sunday River offer “Bring a Friend, Ski for Free.” You must pre-register your newbie skier or rider friend for the $80 first timer lesson which includes rental, lift ticket and lesson, and you must ski the same day.

Jiminy Peak also offers a Bring a Friend program, you get a free lift ticket when you print an ecoupon at www.JiminyPeak.com and register your friend for their GET Skiing or Riding program offered non-holidays Sunday-Friday.

So there are plenty of reasons to let the pros teach your friend, and only one reason to try and teach them yourself – if you want to send your friendship downhill quickly.

Photos by Greg Burke

New Year's Eve on skis? It’s the alpine alternative to the perennial party with sparkling wine, sparkly outfits and confetti. Skiing into the New Year beats your neighbor’s boring get-together that drags on till the clock strikes 12. Put on your ski suit, enjoy night skiing under the lights, torchlight parades and fireworks, and of course - a party in the base lodge with a live band. And there’s fun for the kids beyond just skiing and riding past their bedtime, there will be tubing, magicians, face painting – you name it.

Ski resorts like Gunstock and Wachusett are offering a one-price party admission which includes your night skiing and riding plus entertainment and fireworks, plus fun extras like snowtubing and horsedrawn carriage rides at Gunstock. Sunday River offers romantic Dining at the Peak via the chondola for mom and dad, and a rail jam for your young jibbers followed by fireworks and firedancers. Check with your favorite ski resort for their special events and pricing this Saturday night.

Many ski resorts like Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Okemo, Stratton and Stowe launch their fireworks before 9pm, so you can celebrate early then get the kids to bed for tomorrow’s first tracks.

Change it up this NYE and ski, have your cheers on the slopes, and get a jump on that resolution of skiing and exercising more before the start of the year.

Sunday River Photo by Greg Burke

Are you tired of glancing at New England snow reports, comparing open acreage and waiting for significant snow and for trail counts to sky rocket? Well, I found the snow – it’s in Wyoming. Grand Targhee Resort is 100% open having received 130 inches of snow already, and it’s snowing with a winter storm warning in effect. Jackson Hole is getting snow too, ahead of snow totals in Colorado, Utah and California so far this season.

So now is the time to be booking that western ski trip, and go where the snow is. Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee both have ski and stay packages starting at $74-$87 a day respectively with three night minimums at each. There are some super deals, like $299 airfare and kids fly and stay free – of course there are caveats, details at www.jacksonhole.com

You can ski both resorts in one trip, Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee are just over an hour apart. That’s my plan. I figure if I go out west for a week of skiing, Murphy’s Law will prevail and it will dump snow back East in my absence, or more likely during my drive to and from Logan airport.

Photo by Greg Burke

You want to get the kids out of the house during school vacation, and a snowy downhill adventure is just the ticket. That winter postcard of the family skiing together could be you and yours – with a little advance planning. But you don’t want to be the bickering family in the base lodge or the screamers at ski school registration, so make a game plan before you go. Here are a few hints to make your snow sliding go smoothly.

Find out the ski resort hours (most resorts have extended lift hours this holiday week), where to park, get tickets, rental equipment and ski lessons.

If you are putting your kids in ski or snowboard lesson or all day camp, reserve in advance as slots often fill during holiday weeks. Children’s ski and ride programs are pricey but worth it (this is the opinion of a mother of two who also once taught skiing). Your youngster receives pro instruction in a fun environment with other kids, and you get to ski free (not “free” of charge, but free of encumbrance).

Make sure everyone has their ski or snowboard outfit ready before the big day. You don’t want to discover on your ski morning that mittens are missing or ski pants are too small. If it’s an early departure for the slopes, let the kids sleep in their long underwear, one less layer to have to put on in the morning.

Run through the checklist: hat/helmet, goggles, mittens, ski pass, skis, poles, boots, with everyone so nothing is left behind. In the car ride, review the 7 point skiers’ responsibility code. It’s pretty simple, and plants that last minute safety seed that could come into play that day.

Talk with your kids about the ski day, prepare them for ski camp if that’s the plan, or discuss how many runs you are going to take before lunch, where to meet if someone takes a wrong turn and you get separated. Expectations are a good thing (versus surprises), and the better your plan is, the more likely your ski day will go as scripted. I know it sounds far from spontaneous but skiing has many moving parts.

Finally, remember skiing is supposed to be fun. So if someone is freezing, take a hot cocoa break. If someone is scared to try a blue square, then ski another green circle to build confidence before moving on and up. Take pictures, take breaks, enjoy the day. Make the most of your money and your time on the mountain with your family.

Photos of Sunday River and Stowe by Greg Burke

If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, then Sunday River should be all a shiver as Bolton Valley in Vermont follows suit with a Santa Sunday at Bolton Valley in Vermont on Dec. 18. The River's 12th annual Santa Sunday earlier this month brought out 250 Santas, preregistration sold out in 8 minutes.

This will be Bolton's third annual Santa Sunday, and skiers and riders must dress in the complete Santa outfits - just a red hat won't fly - to earn a free lift ticket for that day. Last year, two dozen Santas graced the slopes on skis and snowboards at Bolton, so this tradition could soon become as booming as the one in Maine, since most everyone loves Santa and free lit tickets (not sure the order of preference there).

Bolton Valley's Happy Holiday Week celebration continues Dec. 19-25 with $25 lift tickets and $5 Nordic tickets. Those $25 tickets are good for alpine night skiing too on Wed.- Fri. nights. Bolton Valley's ski and stay packages start at $55 per person that week as well, and the resort plans to ring in the New Year with fireworks and a torchlight parade beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Bolton Valley offers three mountain peaks, with a vertical of 1,704 feet, 70 trails served by five chairlifts, plus three terrain parks including a Burton Progression Park.

Bolton plans to open with limited terrain for skiing and riding this Saturday.

Photo by Greg Burke

Since Patriots head coach Bill Belichick inserted Julian Edelman into New England's depleted secondary, the Patriots defense has allowed just 23 points over two games. That's good news for Patriot fans, who had to be a little concerned about their team's chances earlier this season watching their porous defense. Now, it's also good news for skiers and riders.

The improvement comes just in time for Waterville Valley's "Play Hard Pat's Tuesday," when lift tickets will cost the amount of the Patriots' opponent's score. For instance, the Patriots allowed 20 points to the Eagles in yesterday's 38-20 win, so tickets tomorrow at Waterville will be just $20. Too bad the New Hampshire resort wasn't open last Tuesday when the Patriots allowed just 3 points to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Then again, here come the 0-11 Colts. Indianapolis is 30th in the league in scoring, with just 13.6 points per game.

While some family Easters focus on fancy hats and ham feasts, our family has made a tradition of attending sunrise service by chairlift and egg hunts on the ski trails. We have skied in everything from glorious sun and soft spring snow to mid-winter conditions, and my kids usually score colored candy-filled eggs as we carve down the hill on Easter morning. Some resort bunnies even stash season pass coupons in those plastic eggs, so it's worth the hunt.

Even though Easter is late this season, several ski resorts still have piles of snow and plenty of fun events this weekend.

Killington will have its sunrise service on the K-1 gondola followed by an Easter egg hunt for the kids. The Beast of the East still has 39 percent of its terrain open for skiing.

Sugarbush will celebrate Easter with sunrise service on the SugarBravo quad, followed by an egg hunt for the kids and extensive spring skiing on much of their Lincoln Peak terrain.

Jay Peak is still 90 percent open, and will offer Easter sunrise service this weekend, and pond skimming on April 30.

Sugarloaf is still skiing on the majority of its terrain, and will celebrate Easter with a sunrise service on the Superquad, appearances by the Easter Bunny (and Amos and Blueberry I bet), a scavenger hunt, and a costume parade for the kids.

Saddleback hosts its Kennebago Steeps challenge this Saturday, followed by an on-mountain Easter service and egg hunt on Sunday (Kids: look for the Golden Egg with next year's season pass). April 30 will feature a Hawaiian party at the 'Back as they keep skiing - currently on 98 percent of the mountain's terrain.

Sunday River concludes its season on Easter Sunday with free skiing and riding, a sunrise service on Barker and an egg hunt for kids at South Ridge.

So grab your gear and your bunny ears and go ski this weekend.

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

Spring in New England is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates: "You never know what you are gonna get."

You hope for sunshine, soft, corn snow and goggle tan lines, but then you get winter-like temperatures and snow (a foot forecasted in the mountains for April 1). You hope for reduced lodging rates and ticket prices, then you see $1 lift ticket on April 1 at Waterville Valley - no fooling.

You can ski Okemo on April Fool's Day for $10 if you donate three non-perishable food items.

Wildcat and Attitash are offering $35 lift tickets April 1. Attitash will close April 3 (to the chagrin of locals), but newly-acquired sister resort Wildcat will stay open until April 17 with $35 midweek and $39 weekend tickets.

Burke Mountain honors a $35 ticket when you show your pass from any other ski mountain for the rest of their season (through April 10).

At Bretton Woods, you can put a little spring in your step and zip in your ski day with their Spring Zip & Ski ticket for $99. This Canopy Tour and Zip experience usually costs $110  - so this is a deal when you ski in the morning then zip away the afternoon.

Maine's three big resorts are staying open, with festivities and fantastic ski and stay deals from $69 a day at Saddleback,Sugarloaf and Sunday River (starting April 3).

If you are hankering to hike legendary Tuckerman's Ravine (a New England skier's rite of passage) then check out Tucks' "bunk and breakfast" special at the AMC Joe Dodge Lodge, located right at Tuckerman's trailhead in Pinkham Notch. For $54 you get your bunk, an early breakfast, and a head start hiking up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to ski the snow bowl, the Gullies, or Hillman's Highway -  or just hang out at the social spectators Lunch Rocks.

Are we really going to get a foot of snow on April Fool's Day? It?s a fool's game to predict the snow totals this winter. Let's downsize our expectations so as not to be disappointed with our box of chocolates. But I encourage school kids in northern New England to adhere to all snow day rituals, inside-out long underwear and so on.

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

The real March Madness is on the slopes, my friends. It's not about the Final Four, it's about those final turns in the heat of ski season. We have had a super-snowy winter and now is the time to go enjoy the softening corn snow and sunshine.

Confession: I am better at picking ski resorts than NCAA basketball teams. In fact, I am 44th out of 44 in my brother-in-law?s pool, and Barack Obama is winning. I am not bitter about being dead-last (darn you, Clemson). I knew going in that my odds were slim ? hence my chosen hoop handle "Ski Gal knows () bout b-ball."

So, here are my picks for March Madness skiing. These ski resorts will be looking good well into April, outlasting NCAA madness (or sadness for fellow bracket losers).

Sugarloaf just shines come springtime. As the thermometer climbs at this big Maine mountain, so does the party atmosphere at the Beach (outside the base lodge) with Reggaefest April 14-17, an Easter celebration April 24, and skiing into May.

Saddleback, just down the road from the 'Loaf in Rangeley, has pledged to stay open into May, weekends only after April 3, for as long as snow holds on their 4,200-foot mountain. 

Sunday River opens first in the East and blows tons of snow all season long. So, the River goes strong with this weekend's Dumont Cup, and well into April with Bust 'n Burn and Parrothead weekend April 1-3, a Totally Tubular Hot Tub Party 80's weekend April 9, and maybe even a free ski day towards May.

Wildcat is where it's at come springtime. Why climb Tuckerman's when you can ride the 2,000-foot vertical high-speed quad across the notch? Wildcat has elevation on its side, and a wild side for events like its aptly named Wet Ditch Skim on April 2 (props for honesty here when it?s not really a pond you are attempting to skim).

Killington parties on into spring with the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge April 2-3, the Sunshine Daydream Festival April 16, and Pond Skimming April 23.

Jay Peak boasts over 300 inches of snow this season. They are celebrating with a Beach Party this weekend, and Jay keeps jamming with Pond Skimming April 9, and a huge Tailgate Party April 16.

Stowe keeps spinning until April 17, and Sugarbush may ski till Easter, which is late this year, April 24.

So put down the remote, walk away from Sports Center and CBS basketball coverage, and make your own magic swoosh on the ski slopes while you can.

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

Did you have bad birthdays growing up? I had to share parties with my big brother since our birthdays are a mere year and three days apart. So his rowdy friends would rough house, spill soda and smear cake - usually an animal or dinosaur cake, nothing girly - never Barbie.

How much cooler would a ski area party have been? Well, Stratton wants to treat you to a better birthday on snow.

It's Stratton's 50th birthday this season, and they want to celebrate with you and 14 of your friends, so they are awarding a Stratton on-snow tubing party including two hours snow tubing, pizza, cake, and soda Just submit a photo and caption of your worst birthday ever to Stratton's Facebook page for a chance to win. Enter with your pathetic past party by Feb. 17.

I am feeling all kinds of powder flu symptoms, you?

I looked at the weather and there is another snow storm on cue, then I consulted my calendar and I saw Groundhog Day is Wednesday. Normally I don't put a great deal of stock in the goofy groundhog and his shadow. I always plan to ski well into April regardless of Punxsatawny Phil's foreshadowing of six more weeks of winter. But Stowe has me stoked for its Vermont version of Groundhog Day called "Woodchuck Day." In honor of more winter, Stowe is offering $39 lift tickets on Wednesday. That's serious savings, considering the usual rate of $84, and reason enough to call in sick. Just don't actually call it powder flu.

Stowe is one of my favorite ski resorts, there is nothing like the terrain of the Front Four. If you haven't been since the Spruce Peak revitalization, you owe Stowe a visit. For après ski, I suggest you hit the Hour Glass Lounge in the spectacular Stowe Mountain Lodge, they have the best burger made with Vermont cheddar in the swank bar of the best ski hotel in New England. I think Bill Murray would agree, this is one Groundhog Day deal worth repeating, if you can go to Stowe. 

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

Liftopia is offering up to 57 percent off lift tickets in New England on Sunday, as ski areas try to entice skiers and riders head for the mountains before the Super Bowl.

Here are some of the discounts offered this year:

You'll want to root for a low-scoring affair in next weekend's Super Bowl between the Packers and Steelers.

That's because Okemo Mountain Resort, in Ludlow, Vt., will sell lift tickets the day after the game for the equivalent of total points scored by the Steelers and Packers. Therefore, if it's a 34-10 game, you'll pay $44. If it's a 17-10 affair, you'll dish out $27. 

The lowest-scoring Super Bowl, by the way, was in 1973 when the Dolphins and Redskins only managed to score a combined 21 points. The Saints and Colts put up 48 points in last year's Super Bowl. Even if things get out of hand offensively, not to worry; Okemo is capping that day's lift ticket at $59. 

It says here, Packers 28-24, so enjoy skiing Okemo for $52.

Want to be a cool parent this weekend? Bring your kids to Killington for the Dew Tour, running through Sunday. The Beast of the East, hosting the tour for the first time, will be the stomping grounds for 140 of the best freeskiers and snowboarders. The ski and snowboard competitions in slopestyle and superpipe will feature top ski celebs like Simon Dumont, Jossi Wells, and Bobby Brown and star snowboarders Kelly Clark and Gretchen Bleiler.

Killington's Dew Tour and the Festival Village are based at Bear Mountain, so don't park there unless you want to do the Dew. In fact parking passes and VIP Mega Passes are for sale if you want to get up close with the celeb athletes. The skiing superpipe finals are Saturday at 5 p.m. under the lights, while the snowboard pipe finals take place Sunday on Killington's 22-foot superpipe.

If you can't make it to Killington, NBC will be broadcasting live. The three-stop Dew Cup, in its third season, concludes Feb. 10-13 at Snowbasin, Utah, with a $1.5 million cash purse at stake. Many of these athletes will be hitting Aspen, Colo. next week to compete in the Winter X Games, so this is your chance to show your kids the next big champions going big on eastern snow. Oh, and they may be giving away Mountain Dew.

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

Ski resorts may be feeling the post-holiday blues, which is good news for you.

The weekends between New Year's and Martin Luther King weekend are typically slower for the resorts, so it's a good time take the family skiing and save a few bucks. In fact, if you can play hooky with the kids on Friday, Cranmore is celebrating ticket rollback day with $9 lift tickets.

Mount Sunapee is offering free tickets to kids ages 6-18 with each full-price ticket-buying parent Sunday thru Friday all month (except Jan. 15-17). They call it their "Family Values" promo.

At Mount Snow kids pay their age (6-18-year-olds) this Sunday.

All next week is "Children's Fest" at Sunday River and Sugarloaf where kids ages 4-12 ski free, stay free, and get free rentals and ski lessons when staying three or more nights with their paying parents. This family-oriented week at the River and The Loaf (immediately following college ski weeks, ironically) is packed with fun activities like face painting, fireworks, game nights and g-rated evening shows. Children's Fest is ideal if you have young kids just learning to turn who can skip school without punishment from the principal.

If your excuse is you need to stay home this weekend to take down the Christmas decorations, just toss the tree in the backyard, pray for snow, and go.

For more skiing and riding deals happening this month, click here. 

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

Matt Flynn is likely to suit up for the Packers Sunday in Foxborough.

Why does that matter? Well, let's just be kind and say Flynn is no Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay's All-Pro starter who is likely out of Sunday's game against the Patriots after suffering a concussion last week. And with Waterville Valley's new promotion, you pay the Patriots' opponent's score on the following Tuesday, which means the fewer times the Packers score, the less you pay for a lift ticket on Dec. 21. 

With Rodgers, the Packers averaged 23.5 points per game. Without him, it could be significantly lower. Had the promotion, which runs through the end of the season (except Dec. 28), started last week, skiers and riders would have paid a mere $7 for a lift ticket following New England's 36-7 demolition of the Bears.

Click here for more details.

Have you always wanted to try snowboarding, but were afraid to? Here's your chance, as Dec. 19 is World Snowboard Day, and resorts far and wide are offering free lessons, demos, and rentals.

So get off the couch, but bring one of the cushions to strap to your backside, and go learn to ride. For a fad that many said wouldn't last, one-plankers appear here to stay and you can get on board the movement. When my brother started snowboarding back in the early 80's, there was downright disdain for riding amongst some New England downhillers. Nicknames like knuckle-dragger knocked the new sideways sliders. Look how far the sport has come. It's time to celebrate on a worldwide level. Check out the website, www.world-snowboard-day.com to find out which resorts are participating, which, of course, does not include Mad River Glen - the one New England resort still banning boards.

Sunday River is offering free snowboard rentals. Killington will have free learn-to-ride lessons, Mount Snow and Blue Hills are offering discounts, demos, and fun events as well on Sunday.

But while I am a proponent of World Snowboard Day, I am not a participant. I tried snowboarding once. Falling into my first mackerel smack, I remembered that I need both wrists to write my column. But I love to watch a proficient snowboarder, like my brother, carve one perfect arc after another or glide through billowing snow like a surfer on a wave. I also love the energy that snowboarding has brought to the sport of skiing in the last two decades. We have shaped skis, terrain parks, and freaky fun clothing in every color of the rainbow all thanks to the free riding movement. So cheers to snowboarding.

Photo by Greg Burke

Today is Day 1 of Sunday River's "12 Days of Christmas," nearly a fortnight of special deals leading up to Christmas Eve.

Vermont residents skied the Maine resort today for just $39, an offer that Rhode Island and Connecticut residents receive tomorrow. New Hampshire residents ski and ride for that amount on Wednesday; Maine and Massachusetts residents get the deal on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Among some of the other deals, children 12 and under pay their age on Sunday, 2-for-1 lift tickets next Monday, and $39 lift tickets for college students on Dec. 24.

For the complete list, click here.

If you're anywhere in the vicinity of a Sebago Brewing Company in Maine tonight (locations in Portland, Scarborough, Kennebunk, and Gorham), you'll want to swing by for the "Powder Keg," a winter kickoff party featuring raffle prizes, $1 drafts, and happy hour specials. Oh, and free skiing. 

All attendees receive a free lift ticket to Saddleback Mountain, which plans on opening Dec. 16. There will also be a Saddleback two-night ski-and-stay package up for raffle, featuring three days of midweek skiing, as well as additional raffles at the Portland and Scarborough locations.

The events run from 4-8.

Pico Mountain plans to open a day earlier than anticipated with a good deal for a good cause.

Purchase one of the Vermont resort's "Express Cards" for $39, and not only will you ski free on Dec. 17, Pico will donate $20 for every card sold to the United Way. The Express Card allows direct-to-lift access and discounted skiing all season long. An even better deal, the Super Express Card ($99) touts the same benefits, except that it comes automatically with three days of skiing as opposed to one. That's $33 a day before the discounts even kick in. The latter is only available through Dec. 16. Of course, peak blackouts apply.

Something else is getting blacked out at Pico this season, when it will become the first ski area in Vermont to ban smoking. Nothing worse than standing in a tight lift line with someone close by sucking down a cigarette, not to mention the littering aspect of people flicking butts off the lift. The ban begins on Jan. 1.

Pico operates Thursday through Monday this season.

If you missed your chance at Sunday River's annual Santa Sunday (registration closed last week after 250 Santas signed up in 12 minutes), you still have use for that red suit yet, as Bolton Valley is also offering free skiing and riding to anyone who arrives at the resort dressed as the jolly old man himself.

Unlike Sunday River, Bolton Valley doesn't require you to register. Simply show up on Dec. 19 dressed as Santa, and you're on the slopes for free. Click here for details.

As for what to expect this weekend at Sunday River, here are some scenes from last year's Santa day:

The highlight of last weekend for me was bringing my son to our local ski shop and watching him dash around the store, trying on helmets and navigating his way around in ski boots for the very first time. He just turned three in October, and this will be his first season on skis, a moment I've been anticipating - and yes, dreading - since he was born.

I know nothing about teaching a three-year-old how to ski, not to mention I'm all of a sudden entering a world of magic carpets, frequent hot cocoa breaks, runny noses, and cold complaints. Worst of all, what if he doesn't like it?

That's why I have particular interest this season in January's Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a national program that offers free skiing lessons to beginners looking to get into the sports. The offer includes a free lift ticket, free lesson, and free rentals for the day at a host of participating resorts throughout New England. Professional instructors and skiing with kids his age will make it for a fun introduction, I presume, which should help lessen my fear that he won't want to pursue the sport. 

Offers vary by state and resort, but most run from Jan. 3-9. See site for details.

We assume that being a fan isn't necessarily required, but Killington is offering a pair of great deals on its website touted as "Dave Matthews Band Fan Offers," good for 2-for-1 skiing at Killington, and a free day at nearby Pico.

All you have to do is sign up for each area's newsletter, and you'll instantly be e-mailed a voucher. The 2-for-1 deal at Killington is good any day through Dec. 24 and all of January, excluding Jan. 16 and 23. The free midweek (Monday, Thursday and Friday) lift ticket to Pico is valid all season, except for holiday periods. See site for details.

Hat tip to the folks over at the NELSAP discussion boards.

With Sunday River closing up operations during the week, Killington is just one of two ski areas currently open in New England. The other, of course, is Connecticut's Woodbury Ski Area. 

Of course. 

For our family, Easter doesn’t mean frilly church outfits, carving a ham and eating scalloped potatoes. We prefer carving the slopes and enjoying the mashed potatoes of spring skiing.  We’re not big on the buffet table festivities when we can have the slopes to ourselves on Easter morning. We have had some awesome Easters at Sugarloaf in Maine.

You need the resolve to get up before the sun, throw on your ski gear in the dark, and load the Superquad by 5:45 a.m. But all that drowsy drudgery pays off when you are on Sugarloaf with a gathering of equally dedicated skiers watching a glorious sunrise.

A non-denominational service starts Easter Sunday with introspect and inspiration. Then it's first tracks with your family down perfectly groomed corduroy leading to a deserved Easter breakfast. I remember one year, when our kids really didn’t want to get out of their cozy condo beds at 5 a.m. for Sunrise Service. But we parents prevailed, and to the delight of your little downhillers, they found candy-filled Easter eggs scattered along Tote Road during their ski down. They were so stoked, wired even, after skiing and eating chocolate before 7 a.m. An Easter to savor…my daughter skied in bunny ears all day, which was funny to watch as she skied up and down the slushy spring moguls, her floppy ears bobbing with each bump.

Don’t think an Easter ski weekend means you have to forego Easter traditions like bonnets and bunnies. Sugarloaf brings Easter to the mountain village with an egg hunt, a spring costume parade, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny, along with his Sugarloaf buddies Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear.

The Easter forecast is sunshine and softening snow in the mountains. Easter at the Loaf, and many New England ski resorts with Easter events, should be egg-ceptional this weekend.

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

Photos by Greg Burke

A number of New England areas have hung up the old, depressing "Closed for the season" sign, with a good deal more to come over the next week or so. This week's deluge of rain won't help any potential of seeing May, though we hold out hope.

The good news, at least, is that after this three-day storm, spring temperatures return, with highs in the 60's and 70's predicted. Again, while that won't help preserve the snowpack, it should at least provide for one killer weekend of spring skiing.

If you’re inclined to kick things off early (and why wouldn't you be?), a quartet of mountains are offering lift ticket deals for April 1. It's 2-for-1 at Bromley ($39 regular, midweek rate, so $19.50 per person). With three cans of non-perishable foods (to benefit the Black River Good Neighbors' food bank in Ludlow, Vt.) it'll cost just $10 to ski at Okemo (it was free last year, but hey, $10). Waterville Valley will run you a buck to ski on Thursday.

Thursday also brings Mad River Glen's "Roll Back the Clock" promotion, rescheduled from earlier this season. Skiers – no riders – can ride the lifts for the original 1949 price of $3.50. The mountain is closed through Wednesday, but will re-open for the event on Thursday, and end its season on Sunday.

I confess, I went to the beach last weekend – it was 70 degrees and I was distracted. 

But this weekend, I say take me to the River. Sunday River will be the ski event capital of the East March 26-28. There is something in the ski bag of tricks for everyone, from the best freeskiers in the country, to firefighters racing in full regalia, to a feel-good fundraiser. As for conditions, there is snow forecasted to top off Sunday River’s snowmaking depths, and if its anything like last weekend- the sun should make an appearance too.

My teens are stoked to see the second annual Dumont Cup taking place on Rocking Chair - the terrain park under the Barker Quad. Sunday River hero Simon Dumont is coming home, and he’s bringing his posse of pro skier buddies to compete in his signature pro am Big Air event Saturday. This is the freeskiers’ equivalent of Dancing with the Stars, as young park skiers compete with their Winter X Game idols. Dumont’s peeps include Jossi Wells, TJ Schiller, Peter Olenick, Colby West and Tom Wallisch - who won last year’s huge event. On Friday, 150 amateurs qualify for 20 spots with the big shots for Saturday’s showdown. Huge air and $20,000 in prizes are up for grabs. My kids will be glued to this venue (spring snow pun intended).

Going off simultaneously is Maine Handicapped Skiing’s 25^th annual fundraiser. This 390-strong volunteer organization warms my heart every time I see a blind or disabled skier out on the slopes, smiling and thriving under various challenges. The Ski a Thon is a day of celebration, races, games and cookouts, raising most of Maine Handicapped Skiing funding for the 3,900 free lessons they provide annually.

On Sunday, the fun continues as firefighters from around New England race in full gear while carrying fire hoses. You can imagine the antics, the falls, and the fiery tempers as these brave (but not always graceful) firefighters fight to be first team on Tempest (ironically). Sample some heat at the chili cook-off, when local restaurants go spoon-to-spoon in a taste test at White Cap Lodge. There is a chili dog eating contest too - which I don’t recommend if you plan on bashing the spring bumps on White Heat after you eat.

The sweet tooth in the family can ski by Sunday River’s Maple Sugar Shack at South Ridge for free maple candy and syrup samples. And all eight peaks are open for skiing and riding. Should be a pretty sweet weekend at Sunday River. Better than the beach. See you there.

Heather Burke is our family ski guru, for more of her ski tips go to www.familyskitrips.com

Once you've dried out, or at least taken your antidepressant pills, you'll be happy to note that while Massachusetts has seen a steady rainfall since the start of Saturday, most of the mountains to the north received a wintry mix that accumulated as much as 10 inches in some areas. 

Good news. Even better news is that bluebird skies and warmer temperatures are on tap this week, which features a number of St. Patrick's Day deals.

There will be $17 lift ticket specials Wednesday at Mad River Glen, Waterville Valley, Jiminy Peak (must print coupon), Sugarbush (Mt. Ellen), Wachusett, and Mount Snow, where U2 tribute band The Joshua Tree will play live. Smuggler's Notch and Stowe – home of the famous green waterfall - are offering $39 lift tickets. Attitash has $35 lift tickets and Ragged is offering $10 tickets.  

Remember to wear green, and get out and enjoy the start of what looks to be a nice stretch of spring skiing weather.

Rain is in the forecast for this weekend, and despite the fact that skiing in such conditions isn't all that terrible (I'd rather ski softening snow in the rain than frozen granular in sub-zero temperatures) good for Wachusett Mountain for trying to entice skiers and riders to still make their way to the slopes.

The Princeton ski area if offering a "Singing (and Skiing) in the Rain" special, featuring $25 day lift tickets and $10 nights, Friday through Sunday. The only real catch is that tickets must be purchased online.

While some waited for the Academy Awards red carpet show this past weekend, families at Sugarloaf had gorgeous sunshine, skiing on 138 trails including the snowfields, and the bonus of welcoming snowboard star Seth Wescott home.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist snowboarder was escorted down the white carpet to the Sugarloaf Beach by a skiing conga line of kids waving “Welcome Seth” flags. Seth continued to show good sportsmanship, signing hundreds of autographs for kids on the perfectly sunny, spring ski day in Maine.

If you missed this brush with snow sports celebrity at Sugarloaf, and would like signed Olympic memorabilia, Bode Miller’s Olympic helmet is on eBay. Bidding ends March 10. Apparently you can put a price tag on fame, as the bids are over $8,000 for the helmet so far. But all proceeds benefit former U.S. Ski Team technician Pam Warman, diagnosed with breast cancer. Besides, Bodefest at Cannon on April 3 is sold out.

Hannah Teeter’s maple syrup, Hannah’s Gold, may be a more reasonable purchase – a taste-good, feel-good bottle of Vermont maple syrup with Hannah on the label starts at $15, and the profits help Hannah’s campaign to clean up the water supply in Kenya.

Julia Mancuso is selling signature hoodies and shirts with her Olympic dream graphic, which she self-illustrated at age 11, at JuliaMancuso.com  (along with her new line of Kiss My Tiara women’s lingerie for grownup lady fans). A few lucky buyers of Julia’s swag could win one of Julia’s POC helmets with her Tiara logo.

Lindsey Vonn is promoting an interactive six-pack of Red Bull with her picture. Pretty cool technology but as a parent I can’t condone this caffeine and sugar-laden liquid. Instead I am taking my kids to see X-Gamer Simon Dumont at Sunday River’s second annual Dumont Cup March 26-27.

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

Seth Wescott photo by Greg Burke.

Jay Peak is celebrating the final days of Hotel Jay - which is due to be dismantled after its scheduled closing on April 19 – with a killer ski and stay deal. Book a stay anytime from April 8-18 for just $59, a price that includes lodging, lift ticket, meals (breakfast and dinner), free lodging and lift tickets for kids 14 and under, and free daycare for kids ages 2-7. Price is per person, per night based on double occupancy.

Conceivably, a family of four could stay, ski, and eat the weekend of April 9-11 for around $250, or half that if you have a particular memory about the hotel you can put into poem, haiku, or song. Jay Peak will be giving away free nights with a drawing of all entrants.

Hotel Jay will be replaced by a new hotel and water park, part of the resort's recent expansion.

The mountains of northern New England could receive up to three feet of snow this week, which just so happens to also boast a pair of the best deals of the season. Coincidence? Well, yes, but who cares?

Tomorrow is the last day you'll be able to purchase Stowe's three-day lift ticket for $99. It must be used three consecutive days by Friday. Considering the resort's peak ticket window rate is $89 a day, that's the sort of deal worth bagging the remainder of the work week.

Friday will be the latest $9 day at Wildcat Mountain in Pinkham Notch, N.H. Almost 3,500 skiers and riders took advantage of this deal last month, and there will still be one more this season on  March 26.

Just a friendly reminder that March happens to be one of the snowiest months of the season. That's not jinxing anything right? Good.

As Bode Miller was busy winning bronze in yesterday afternoon's Olympic downhill, his fans at New Hampshire's Cannon Mountain, where a young Miller once honed his craft, were frantically keeping up with live updates via the web. With no live television broadcast of the event, it was a frustration that led to elation when the Franconia native landed his first Olympic medal since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

"We're excited for him," said Greg Keeler, spokesperson for Cannon Mountain, which will once again host its annual "Bode-fest" on April 3. "To have him medal in the Olympics is going to be a great thing for that event too."

This year's "Bode-fest" will offer the opportunity to race against Miller in a "fun race" to take place either on the Lower Cannon or Gremlin trail, followed by an autograph session with the skier. As an added thrill, kids 18 and under will have the chance to ride the lifts with Bode, and ski a closed trail with him during the hour prior to the race.

Registration for this year's event will take place online, on a yet-to-be-determined date, and will be limited to the first 300 entries, an allotment that is sure to fill up quickly. The entry fee is $40 in addition to a lift ticket for the day or a season pass. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Turtle Ridge Foundation, the non-profit organization Miller started in 2005 as a means to support children's athletic opportunities.

Keeler said a target date for event registration should be announced later this week.