As of today, Good Friday, there were still 16 resorts twisting the chairs in New England.

Most of them are still operating on over 75% of their terrain. These are the big players in the game who place a premium on making snow. That effort, coupled with the lack of a January thaw and great snows in the first two months of 2009 have blessed the skiers and snowboarders with beautiful spring conditions all through March and into April. All in spite of the fact that Old Man Winter left the party early and Mother Nature only gave us rain (she must have been crying over his premature departure).

Have a look – there are midweek options that start as low as $50 per person for a lift ticket and bed.

Whichever you’re fancying - Sunday River is the answer for the next few weekends.

Keep reading to find out what is happening up at Sunday River for this weekend and next.

The CEO of Vail Resorts Co. gave up his 2009 salary = $840K.

White Gold has perks,
S.G.

Purchasing a season pass from Okemo scores you all sorts of benefits. These include skiing at Okemo’s sister resorts, Mount Sunapee, NH and Crested Butte, CO. Plus Okemo’s pass alliance with Vermont’s Stratton Mountain will also still be in force next winter.

Still there is more: Here are some other benefits options Okemo is putting on the table.

• Purchase a 2009/2010 Ultra Pass or Peak Pass by April 30 will receive one Companion Day ticket, so the pass holder can bring a friend skiing for free, any one day during the entire 2009/2010 season.
• Okemo is offering a Pre-Buy Plus Spring Season Pass option. For a slightly higher rate, skiers and riders can purchase a season pass for next winter that also includes the remainder of this great season. This option is available now through closing day in mid-April.

If you purchase one now you will be allowed to use the lifts for the remained of this season as well! Plus the pass for next year will get you invited to the end of season pass holder events this Spring. Not bad – check out the price points with this LINK.

S.G. Note - The Family Pass could be a perfect solution if you have a place within a short drive of Shawnee next winter and more than a couple children in tow.

This weekend on Saturday (3/21) is the resorts Spring Fling!

Here is a You Tube clip from the Pond Skimming last spring.

The location is the easy part. Just over an hour up I93 North from Boston. The parking lot at Tenney Mountain is only 6 miles off of the highway (exit 23).

The Spring Fling – Cardboard Box Derby! Bikini Slaloms! Pond Skimming!

• Registration begins at 8:30 am EDT in the Upper Courtyard of Village Center.
• Entry for all events is free of charge!
• Must be pre-registered at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each event.

Kind of disturbing....

Feedback Welcome

S.G.

Bad News: The weather system that went through our region yesterday did not drop any new snow on the ski areas of New England. Exception to the rule is that some places in Maine and the higher elevations in New Hampshire did report new accumulations. Even so, those spots only picked up and inch or two, not what we were looking for.

Good News: Cold air is going to grip the region. It will hang around until Saturday. Then things should become more seasonable (highs in the 30’s) and make for some very comfortable skiing and riding. The cold will stop the melting and help firm up the bases. The sun will be out in force. With the time change that means you can sleep in a little bit and experience great light all afternoon.

Regardless, the S.G. loves Stratton (plus Manchester, VT is about a 15 minute drive) and is happy to report that the resort has worked hard this year to make on about face on that expensive reputation. This spring the largest ski are in Southern VT is offering some seriously deep discounts. These deals mentioned below will make a trip worthwhile for you and some friends.

Next Weekend: Stratton is hosting the Burton US Snowboarding Championships!

Here is a You Tube clip the S.G. took of Shaun Whites winning half pipe run last at last year US Open.

Sugarbush, VT has a full slate planned in the next several weeks. The various mountain peaks that make up the resort have already seen an outstanding 21 feet of snow this season. As of the time of this post the Bush is still operating with 100% of their legendary terrain open.

Areas in Central VT and NH picked up the most substantial accumulations, some recording over a half foot. Those places would be Killington, Okemo, and Pico in Vermont. While Sunapee, Ragged, Pats Peak in NH faired best of all the New England resorts landing totals in the 7-8 inch range.

Sunday will actually be warmer, but on Saturday the sun has a much better chance of shining on the slopes. Temperatures are going to rocket north of freezing pretty much at every ski area in our region. Sunday it will more than likely be raining.

Left Coast Tangent: Certain places like Heavenly in Lake Tahoe got crushed with over six feet of new snow this week! This is one of the many pictures I received. Check out there conditions on SnoCountry.

photos credit danthriftphotography.com

Never been to Wachusett? See how the other readers felt about the resort by looking at the report card GRADES.

Season Passes for 2009-2010 are on sale Now!

Bonus Turns: If you take down a pass for next season you can ski and ride for the rest of this one for Free! For the price points hit this LINK.