The ski season is over, and the awards are out. In the ski biz, The SAMMY's are akin to Hollywood's Oscar and ESPN's ESPY awards. Brought to you by SAM, Ski Area Management Magazine, which is the Bible to ski industry peeps, these annual awards recognize the best in the ski industry, giving kudos to creativity and poking fun at campaigns that blew this past snow season.

This year's SAMMY for leadership and excellence went to, drum roll, the GM at McIntyre. Never heard of McIntyre? It's a 170' vertical ski hill in Manchester New Hampshire.

McIntyre's General Manager Ross Boisvert was honored with a SAMMY for his career at McIntyre from 1984 as a ski instructor, to ski school director, and GM in 2009. SAM lauded Ross for growing lesson programs to over 5,000 students a week, overseeing construction of new lodges, lifts and improved snowmaking. Congrats to Ross Boisvert for putting McIntyre on the map and putting so many NH kids on the slopes!

SAM also reveals the best and worst in ski marketing, call it the SAM and "Slam" list, here are this year's Eastern winners and losers:

Killington/Pico and Sugarloaf earned kudos for "Best Bring-A-Friend" programs by simply rewarding any veteran skier with a free lift ticket if they brought a beginner.

Wachusett was touted for Best TV ads for their fresh daily, time-stamped ad spots that were short, sweet and more frequent.

Stowe got a big thumbs up for "Biggest Understatement" for their subtle ad stating, “For the few who appreciate the difference between ski trip and life experience.”

Stratton and Bretton Woods meanwhile both got bagged for their print ads - apparently a ski jumping bear and a blurry glade shot don't cut it.

Smugglers Notch and Jay Peak both got props from their print campaigns that integrated social media and technology. Jay Peak's "moment(us)" ads featured fan photos and invited readers to submit their photos, and share their “moments." Smuggs' iPad style ad with colorful square buttons was engaging and entertaining - with the tagline "more family fun per square inch."

Killington was noted for "Best Use of Nightlife" for a party scene ad stating “There are 24 happy hours in our day” and the tagline "Release your Beast." Killington Pass Promo also got raves, especially for opening earliest and exclusively for pass holders on Oct 13 and closing last on May 26.

Snowshoe Mountain was scolded for "silent social media" after Hurricane Sandy dumped serious snow on the West Virginia ski area but no facebook powder updates were provided.

So there's the best and worst in East Coast spin for ski mountain managers and marketers to reflect on as they plan next year's hits and misses. See the Western ski resort winners and losers at SAM.

See on the slopes in the fall.
Photo by Greg Burke

Memorial weekend will be your last chance, last dance on skis. Killington will be open free for skiing this weekend - their swan song and season finale. Although the Big K, a.k.a.: Beast of the East, had attempted to ski into June, Mother Nature has had other ideas, and significant rain this week thwarted that valiant effort for summer vertical.

Good news however, Killington will offer absolutely free skiing this Saturday and Sunday to everyone. So you can squeeze in some Memorial weekend skiing May 25 -26, lift hours are 8-5pm on the Superstar Express Quad with skiing on the Superstar trail. Some walking between snow-less patches will be required, late spring conditions are the word. But did I mention - "it's free"!? And it's your last chance for lift serviced skiing and riding in the East till - Halloween?

See you on the slopes!

The Beast of the East, Killington Vermont, wins the last ski resort spinning award again this spring. All the other big dogs of late season skiing have closed, most recently Sugarloaf and Sugarbush last weekend. While Killington is closed midweek, they plan to run the Superstar Express Quad with advanced ski terrain Friday - Sunday every weekend through June 2 if the snow allows. Lift tickets are $39, and if you present a ski pass or ticket from another resort you get 50% off Friday's ticket, 25% off Saturday and Sunday.

Killington was first to open this ski season as well, on Oct 13 exclusively to passholders. The last time Killington stayed open into June was June 1, 2002. The latest the Beast has been open was June 22, 1997 with that year's bounty of 301-inches of snow. This year's snow accumulation is at about 250-inches.

For decades Killington was The Beast with the longest ski season in the East, then Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and even Jay Peak, gave it a run. Looks like the Beast is back, and the European style umbrella bars, added in 2011 after Irene damaged the Superstar Pub, are the perfect complement to spring skiing.

Enjoy it while it lasts...

By Clarke Canfield, Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Buoyed by plentiful snow and good weather, Northeast ski resorts rebounded this past winter from a lackluster 2012 season that was plagued by lack of snow and high temperatures.

For the 2012-13 ski season, ski areas in New England and New York had an estimated 13.3 million skier and snowboarder visits, according to the National Ski Areas Association. That’s up 20 percent from 11 million skier visits the previous winter.

David Behany of Brewer said it was one of the best ski years he’s seen in his 45 years of skiing.

‘‘I’d say it was in the top seven or eight,’’ said Behany, 52. Behany, who works at Ski Rack Sports in Bangor, skied nearly 60 days this winter at western Maine’s Sugarloaf resort; his wife went 89 times.

Nationally, U.S. ski areas had an estimated 56.6 million skier and snowboarder visits during the season, an 11 percent increase over the prior winter and the largest year-over-year gain in 30 years, according to the NSAA’s preliminary year-end survey report. All regions of the country saw an increase. State-specific tallies were not available.

The lack of snow and high temperatures made for a dismal 2011-12 ski season for many New England mountains.

By contrast, this past winter was a snowy one, luring skiers and snowboarders back to the slopes. Portland, Maine, had nearly 100 inches this winter, up from 44 inches the year before. Concord, N.H., had 82 inches, up from 49 inches.

And with a cold April, ski mountains in northern New England stayed open longer than last year, when record-high temperatures in March forced many to shut down. Sugarloaf and Vermont’s Sugarbush and Killington resorts were still open this weekend.

At Bretton Woods in New Hampshire, spokesman Craig Clemmer said the season’s final ticket sales figures are still being tallied, but it looks like the season will stand as one of the top five ever. New snowmaking equipment allowed the resort to open with more terrain than usual, and there were mid-winter conditions consistently from Nov. 15 to April 15, he said.

‘‘Mother Nature smiled upon us and technology backed us up,’’ Clemmer said.

Some years, ‘‘all of a sudden the bottom drops out,’’ when the weather turns warm and the season ends abruptly, he said. This year, the resort considered staying open even longer. ‘‘There was phenomenal snow quality this year,’’ he said.

Although the season started off tentatively with the first major snowstorm not arriving until late December, New Hampshire’s Waterville Valley ended up being open for 147 days, the longest season in its history, said CEO Chris Sununu. Overall, the resort saw a 23 percent increase in skier visits this winter over last year, he said.

The Vermont Ski Areas Association won’t release its official 2012-13 ski numbers until June, but early indications are the season was well above average and far ahead of the 2011-12 season.

Spokeswoman Sarah Neith said the association has gotten a few end-of-season surveys and things are looking good.

‘‘Some are reporting double-digit increases over last year,’’ she said.

One of the keys to the season was that there was snow during all the major holiday periods, she said. Sugarbush set a one-day record for skier visits on Dec. 28, with a 9 percent increase over its previous high.

Scott Brandi, who operates West Mountain in Glens Falls, N.Y., and is president of Ski Areas of New York, said the state’s ski mountains were buoyed by good weather and a March that will be the benchmark for all future Marches. Revenue and number of skiers jumped 3 to 5 percent over 2011-12, he said.

‘‘As a rebound season for us in New York coming off the prior year, which was one of the worst in history, New York state did very, very well,’’ Brandi said.

The season also stretched from 90 to 100 days last year to 120 to 130 days this season, Brandi said.

In Maine, Freeport Ski and Bike shop co-owner Jamie Richardson saw a lot of people get skis tuned that looked like they’d been sitting idle for a while. Beginner ski sales were also up, he said.

‘‘That suggests that people who don’t tend to go skiing were getting out there,’’ Richardson said. ‘‘They’re a big part of it. The hardcore people always find their way to the mountains, no matter how bad the year.’’

Sunday River, Maine’s most-visited mountain with more than half a million annual skier visits, had a 7 percent increase this winter, said spokeswoman Darcy Morse.

‘‘Busy is good,’’ she said.

____

Associated Press writers Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H., Wilson Ring in Montpelier, Vt., and Rik Stevens in Albany, N.Y., contributed to this report.

Based on some of the images from this trip report, quite a few folks showed up for Sunday River’s final day of the season last month, when the Maine resort offered free skiing and riding. So, the odds are you might expect a similar crowd this weekend when Sugarbush is slated to re-open with free lift service both Saturday and Sunday.

Weather permitting, Sugarbush plans to run the lifts beginning Saturday for one final weekend this season, celebrating the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo while they’re at it. Simply show up at the ticket window, and you’re on your way. No strings attached, unless you want to donate a few bucks to the Vermont Land Trust to help preserve the iconic Bragg Farm in Fayston.

“In lieu of a ticket, I would just ask everyone to consider a gift of any amount to the Vermont Land Trust to help them complete the conservation of Bragg Farm,” resort owner Win Smith wrote on his blog.” We have donated $10,000 toward this effort but there is still much more money to raise. Your support would be greatly appreciated.”

Skiers and riders can also save time at the ticket window by putting their names on a will-call list.

Sugarloaf also plans to re-open for the weekend, and of course, Killington is still rocking the slopes daily with the hopes that Superstar may even have a few more weeks left.

This ski winter was a winner....
1. First and foremost, there was the SNOW. New England received quality and quantity snow much of the season, a vast improvement over the previous. The Weather Channel exhausted their silly snow storm alphabet, with names like Nemo and Euclid delivering big dumps. Skiers that had their downhill days dialed got dozens of western-like powders days here in the East.

2. Sugarloaf was the winner of our Boston.com Skiing Showdown with over 63,000 voters participating. The Loaf rose above the rest - edging out Jay Peak in the end. Sugarbush (last year's winner) and Stowe made the final four, but Sugarloaf fans tipped the scale with their fierce passion.

3. Sugarloaf is beloved and big... big enough to get lost at, just ask Nicholas Joy of Medford, Mass. The fact that JOY survived 40 hours, two cold nights alone on Sugarloaf Mountain, but walked out on his own, definitely makes my top 5 of winners this winter. #MedfordStrong.

4. The U.S. Ski Team gets props for winning crystals globes around the Globe. Ted Ligety won five World Championships medals. Mikaela Shiffrin, at just 18, won World Cup Slalom Gold. Lindsey Vonn won her 59th World Cup and captured her 6th Downhill Title, impressive considering her season ending injury in early February. America's ski team sweetheart is back in the gym like a tiger (sorry, couldn't resist - for anyone out of the loop - she's dating Tiger Woods) training for Sochi's Winter Games. The U.S. Ski Team is looking strong for the 2014 Olympics.

5. For me, getting back on skis in March after a January tibia fracture was my highlight. In a skier's silver lining playbook, an early winter injury can have the upside of a same season comeback. It was indescribable joy returning to my favorite sport and the thrill of carving downhill. I still managed to squeezed in 44 ski days, including a grand finale in the Swiss Alps making this a memorable ski season for me. But, aren't they all?!

Ski season isn't over yet. You can still make turns at Sugarloaf, Jay Peak and Killington.

Still open for skiing out west are Snowbird Utah, Arapahoe Basin and Aspen Highlands in Colorado, Mammoth in California, Bachelor and Timberline in Oregon, and Lake Louise and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada. Photos of Sugarloaf and Zermatt by Greg Burke

Last weekend while New Englanders were slathering on sunscreen, pond skimming and enjoying spring snow at their leisure, speed skiers in Verbier Switzerland were donning tight suits and trying to ski faster than 156mph.

Verbier hosts the annual Speed Skiing World Championships - where European daredevils wear lycra race suits and bullet shaped helmets attempting to break the world record for fastest skiing. The vertical venue is the steep face of Mont Fort's 10,925' glacier. I skied Verbier a week ago and can attest to the crazy sick steepness of this run and mountain. I made many turns - no tuck.

This year, in hot pursuit of the French speed record set at Les Arcs of 156 mph, the crazy Swiss constructed a 110-foot long plastic ramp with a 60-degree pitch above the speed ski track in an attempt to gain more speed. Unfortunately it didn't work.

The fastest ski time at the FIS XSpeedSki Cup was Simone Origone from Italy at 134.84 mph, he is the world record holder and Verbier record holder at 140.31. His younger brother Ivan Origone was 2 mph behind for 2nd - talk about sibling rivalry.

The fastest woman was Swede Sanna Tidstrand skiing the course at 128 mph. Tracie Sachs was the fastest US woman participating, 118 mph for lucky 13th. There were no US men placing.

So the French race track at Les Arcs continues to be the fastest, where Simone Origone clocked his 156.2 mph and Sanna Tidstrand skied 150.74 mph, both in April 2006. The fastest snowboard time of 125 mph also belongs to Les Arcs and Australian Darren Powell. A new British snowboard record was set at Verbier last week, 94.26 mph for Jamie Barrow. He's 20 and told the crowd how difficult it is to keep a snowboard straight at that speed. I bet that's very true at almost 100mph, thanks for that tip Jamie.

Blame it on Verbier's amazing scenery, I took my time and skied Mont Fort much more slowly, maybe 25 mph tops. Having also witnessed Verbier's wild après ski scene on my visit, I can guarantee that even though this season's ski speeding event was not off the charts, the parties were likely off the hook.

Verbier Switzerland photos by Greg Burke

I can't think of a better time to escape to the mountains. If you were about to put your ski boots away, reconsider a retreat to the snowy slopes for mid-winter ski conditions and the serenity that only the high alpine can provide. Lifts are still spinning in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont with serious snow depths and some traditional spring ski festivities. Here is what's happening in the ski hills this week and weekend:

Sugarloaf still has 97% of their terrain open, although they will scale back some lift operation during the midweek. The Loaf will host the East Coast Pond Skim Championships this Saturday April 20, this was postponed from two weekends ago when it was just too cold and wintry. Saddleback is open weekends through April - still sporting base depths of up to 52" of snow, and $29 lift tickets. Sunday River will wrap their season when they reopen this coming weekend, with $39 tickets Saturday April 20 and Free skiing on Sunday April 21 as their grand finale and thanks to their friends and fans.

In New Hampshire, Bretton Woods ended their ski season yesterday. Wildcat will reopen for skiing this Friday for the weekend, with pond skimming Saturday. As of last weekend, Wildcat still had 93% of their terrain ski-able, and they may offer skiing April 27-28 as well.

Vermont ski resorts still open include Killington, Sugarbush, and Jay Peak which is still at 100%. Stowe will ski through Sunday April 21. Mt Snow may reopen this weekend.

I never understand why so many skiers are so eager to ski one skinny snowmaking trail in November, but hang up their boards in sunny April when so many trails are still open with sweet soft snow. Well, it's up to you, but there is still great skiing, scenery, and goggle tanning up in the mountains.

See you on the slopes.Photos of Stowe and Sugarloaf by Greg Burke

Not every ski day can be “epic” by definition. But today in Zermatt Switzerland had all the criteria, starting with a delicious Swiss breakfast of fresh croissants, salmon, local cheese and muesli at the Hotel Alex before boarding the first train up the Gornergrat to 9,842’.

We had first tracks on fresh snow and fantastic early morning views of the awesome Matterhorn, while everyone else was still sleeping in Zermatt village. By 11, it was time to ski to lunch - in Italy (because we could)! A long tram ride up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 12,740’, and we were skiing over the boarder to Cervinia for more powder runs followed by an alfresco lunch of fresh pasta in the sun at Chalet Etoile.

With over 37,000 vertical feet of skiing in two countries on wide open powder bowls, perfectly prepared pistes and soft snowy chutes, we felt our après ski was well deserved today. And we just happen to be in the lively village of Zermatt for #ZermattUnplugged – a series of live concerts from noon til late night. Told you it was a great ski day. My only wish for tomorrow: more of the same, and that we not be woken by the thundering roar of an avalanche at 3am. Yes, there is that much snow in Switzerland this season!

Ciao for now...see you on the slopes! Photos of Zermatt Switzerland and Cervinia Italy by Greg Burke

They’re dwindling. Despite an above-average winter that helped blanket New England’s mountains to the delight of skiers and riders, reality has to smack in the face at some point. Over the last two weeks, local ski areas have been shutting down the lifts, pushing season passes for next season, and preparing for summer activities, all without the benefit of basking in the glorious aura of spring skiing, which has been close to non-existent thus far this March and April, with winter refusing to relinquish its grip in the north.

That appears to be changing, and just in time, as most area ski resorts, if they haven’t halted operations already, have announced closing dates for the 2012-13 season. We hate posting closing dates as much as the next skier, but the good news is that there is still plenty of time to get those final lift-served turns in this season. Here’s a roundup of who’s still open, when they plan to close, and what you might expect at the ticket window.

Maine

Sunday River – Open daily through April 14. Will re-open for one, final weekend April 20-21. $49 lift tickets, free skiing for all on April 21.

Sugarloaf - Until further notice

Saddleback – Open weekends in April

New Hampshire

Bretton Woods - Open through April 15. $29 lift tickets the remainder of the season, $17.76 lift tickets on Patriot's Day, April 15. In addition, all who ski or ride on the final day of the season will receive a voucher good for a one-day lift ticket this fall prior to Christmas.

Cannon – Open through April 14. Two-for-$70 spring pricing in effect.

Loon – Open through April 14. $49 lift tickets. South Peak closed for
the season.

Wildcat – Open through April 14, re-opening April 19-21, with a decision on the following weekend to be made at that time. $40 lift tickets.

Mount Sunapee – Open through April 14. $49 lift tickets.

Waterville Valley – Open through April 14. $43 lift tickets.

Vermont

Jay Peak – Until further notice

Stowe – Open through April 21. $64 lift tickets.

Sugarbush – Lincoln Peak aiming for its final spring fling weekend, May 4-5.

Killington – Open through May 5, with the possibility of opening weekends only beginning May 11, conditions pending.

Burke – Closed for the season, but may re-open April 13-14. Update: Now officially closed for the season.

Mad River Glen – Closed for the season, but will make the call on Wednesday if it will re-open for April 13-14. Update:Now officially closed for the season.

Mount Snow – Open through April 14. $45 lift tickets

Smuggler’s Notch – Open through April 14.

Okemo – Open through April 21. $65 lift tickets. Update: Due to a lack of business, Okemo has decided not to extend its season until April 21, and will close on April 14.

Stratton – Open through April 14.

Greg and I have skied some kick butt terrain out west (Snowbird, Jackson Hole and Big Sky come to mind), Delirium Dive at Sunshine in Banff Canada, and even Europe. Well, Verbier in Switzerland just moved in to the top slot for steepness, vastness, and sheer craziness.

Our first ride to the top of Mont Gele, we broke above the clouds for incredible views of the Swiss and French Alps. Perched on this jagged 9,917’ peak, we quickly recognized there were no groomed runs, no marked trails, just steep cliffs and NFT (no fall terrain) down 3,000’ vertical.

The only thing that capped that first descent was our second on Mont Fort, at 10,994’, with amazing vistas of Mont Blanc and The Matterhorn, and more sick steep terrain. We skied a crazy cat walk, clinging to a narrow 18” goat path above a cliff, to a delightful mountain Chalet de Glacier Tortin– the Swiss fondue was to die for, almost literally. Verbier is very cool, very challenging and vast - part of Les 4 Vallées with 410 kilometers of pistes (trails) plus more crazy off-piste terrain than you could ski in a winter. Wish I could stay longer, but tomorrow – Saas Fee!

What a nice surprise to arrive in Switzerland and find they are having an amazing snow year too. Mid February ski conditions in April after a second great snow year in a row, according to our hotelier Martin Müller, at The Parkhotel Bellevue in the delightful Swiss village of Adelboden. Greg had checked the webcams and snow reports for Adelboden Ski Area prior to our trip, there was little news of so much snow or intel about their extraordinary conditions.

Never heard of Adelboden? Well, Bode Miller won a World Cup here in 2002 and they still love him (and Americans skiers) here.

On our first day in Switzerland, we skied midwinter snow, deep coverage at Adelboden - Lenk, with the bonus of April sunshine at 7,217’. We lunched outside at the slopeside chalet Chumi Hutte, enjoying Swiss raclette and beer, between our 27 soft snowy runs above tree line with spectacular Alps surrounding us.

Adelboden is in the heart of the Bernese Oberland Alps, a two hour train ride from Zurich. Adelboden Lenk is vast, one of the largest in Switzerland, with over 210 km of prepared slopes (that’s groomed to Europeans) served by 72 modern cable cars and lifts, plus limitless off piste stretching across several towns in five separate ski areas. Just thought you’d want to know – the Swiss Alps have plenty of snow!
Adelboden Switzerland Photo by Greg Burke, above - our hotel room deck at Parkhotel Bellevue

I travel a bunch - it's the nature of the beast as a ski journalist. I am constantly appalled at how much luggage people haul to the airport, pay excess fees for, and return home having never worn half of.

I am a self proclaimed packing ninja. Stealth, and ready to fly at a moment's notice. Admittedly, it's hard to pack "light" as a skier or snowboarder, but here is my packing plan for a weekend, a week out west, or even two weeks in the Swiss Alps. Everything fits in my ski boot duffle bag with two outside pockets for boots and a center compartment, it weighs about 30 lbs., well under the excess fees the airline tend to soak skiers with.

Yes, I always bring my own ski boots, I even carry them on the plane if I plan to ski on arrival day. I wear my ski jacket too. Inside my ski boots, I stuff two pair of skis socks, goggles, and my hot stick plug in boot dryer (can't leave home without them because warm, dry feet are happy feet).

For clothing, I wear a lot of black, it's very European and trendy ...lol. No, actually it just travels well, coordinates easily, hides stains, and doesn't scream "I'm a tourist." I don't recommend jeans when traveling, they're bulky and not always up to dress code. Instead, I opt for black pants (or leggings for ladies) - they are lightweight, you can wear them from fancy to casual. Lay out your clothing, and plan your outfits, pack two shirts that coordinate well, a t-shirt in the event its warm and sunny, and pants (wear one with a versatile belt and bring a second max).

For the ladies (and metro men), a scarf or two can accessorize nicely - adding mileage to your outfits. I also bring a lycra or rayon skirt and tights - in case I get a fancy restaurant invite (a girl can dream and should always be prepared).

A swimsuit is essential, pj's are at your discretion but you certainly don't need your bulky bathrobe. I pack just a few pair of undergarments which can be hand washed in a sink. I swear by Tide disposable laundry packets for this, and for washing stinky ski socks at night so they are fresh and ready for the next ski morning.

If you plan well you can easily fit your lean, mean wardrobe within your ski bag - I separate things in zipper garment squares to stay organized (can you tell I'm a little OCD?). Your toiletries should be travel size - this should go without saying, but have you seen TSA's confiscated box? Besides, who need 10 ounces of shampoo - so why carry it and risk it blowing up at elevation?!

You still have plenty of room in your ski bag for your base layers, ski pants, a shell or fleece for layering, hat/helmet, as follows:

Ski or Snowboard Boots (in a separate compartment)
Ski Pants for colder days, Wind Pants for the warmer days
Ski Jacket for wintry conditions, Windbreaker/Shell for warmer weather
Two Pair of Ski Socks (stuff these in your ski boots)
Base Layer/Long Underwear
Helmet/Hat
Goggles and Sunglasses in their protective cases and tucked inside a hat
Gloves/Mittens /Disposable Hand Warmer Packets
Neck warmer/Balaclava/Facemask
Pocket size sunscreen and lip balm

I love my ski boot bag with wheels, its pricier but a real back saver - reserving my strength for the slopes. Consider renting skis if you are flying.

When you get home from your ski adventure, unpack and launder your ski stuff immediately so it's clean, dry and ready for the next trip...don't let it linger or fester or you will be sorry later. Just like, "No friends on a powder day," I say no excuse for procrastination. Pack and go ski.

Happy travels, see you on the slopes!
Photos by Greg Burke

If the Easter bunny is a skier (he's been spotted him on the slopes before), he has to be stoked for this Sunday! Easter weekend is as early as it gets on the calendar, and the skiing is as good as it gets this season.

You should consider taking the family to the ski mountains this weekend. The snow covered mountains are very spiritual, and many ski areas provide Sunday sunrise service. As a bonus, there are egg hunts on the ski trails, costume parades and even ticket deals if you dress the part. It's going to be an epic Easter weekend to ski. Here are a few festivities and highlights:

Wachusett hosts pond-skimming Saturday and Sunrise Service plus an egg hunt on EasterSunday. If you dress like a bunny or wear an Easter bonnet on Sunday, your Wachusett lift ticket is half price.

Bretton Woods holds their 26th annual Beach Party on Saturday with Slush Pool skimming, if you wear beach attire you get a ticket for only $25. Starting Monday April 1, ski Bretton Woods any day for just $29 - no fooling.

Loon Mountain hosts an Easter Sunrise Service via the gondola, followed by an egg hunt on Lower Bear Claw. Saturday is Spring Sanity at Loon, inspired by the 1997 film - so break out your big hair and hit the bumps.

Gunstock hosts Easter Sunday funday with an egg hunt and Gunny bear will be handing out candy. Sunapee host an Easter Cares and Shares special - bring 5 non-perishable food items and get a $35 lift ticket on Sunday.

Saddleback has Pond Skimming Saturday, and Sunday there will be an on mountain Easter Service plus an Egg Hunt - hint: there is one Golden Egg with a season pass. Sugarloaf and Sunday River both celebrate Easter with sunrise services and egg hunts for the kids. The Easter bunny will make an appearance at both resorts, along with his friends Amos and Blueberry at the Loaf and Eddy and Betty the Yetis at the River.

Stowe's Sunday Sunrise Service will mark their 59th annual - impressive, this weekend at Stowe is also the historic Sugar Slalom.

Easter skiing is going to be the best in years, and maybe for years to come (Easter is April 20 in 2014). And this weekend marks your last chance to ski in March this year, which has been amazing! Of course, if you can play hooky on Monday - there are some unbelievable April fool's day deals too, no foolin!

See you on the slopes.
Photos by Greg Burke

"The fact that you are back skiing so soon speaks to the passion that you have for the sport and for your ski writing," said my editor friend Susan Grisanti. Fellow ski writer Amy Patenaude (of the Pat's Peak family) said, "Heather, I believe you have never taken for granted how much you love to ski and that you didn't need an injury to remind you how much you love to fly downhill! You are strong and fast and fun, and we all want you back on the slopes!"

Comments like that make me grateful for what I do, and for the people who share my passion. I am also thankful that my tibia fracture did not sideline me for the entire ski season - just 5 painful weeks. The physical discomfort was nothing compared to the emotional frustration and fear of losing what I love. Writing about skiing from my desk looking out at the continually accumulating snow was anguish. But I had friends sending me texts and messages that they were skiing my favorite runs for me, keeping me in the alpine loop in my absence. I appreciate my close-knit ski family and community more than I can express.

This weekend at Sunday River, being able to ski wall to wall corduroy, cranking arcs on a white welcome mat of soft snow with friends was amazing. We skied 45 runs and logged 54,000' of vertical in two days - which is way more fun that rehabbing on a stationary bike! Shout out to to Sunday River's groomers for the seamless carpet from Jordan Bowl to White Heat.

I thank all of you, friends and followers for your kind words of encouragement, for reading my blogs, even when I was fractured and freaking out, broken and blue, and for the big smiles when you saw me back on the slopes.

And finally to my husband, my forever ski date and photographer, thank you for shoveling all that powder snow that fell in February and for not pointing out the obvious - that I jammed up our winter plans with my injury. But the rest, and the best, is still to come this ski season. Stay tuned.

See you on the slopes!

Sunday River Photos by Greg Burke

On any given Saturday, dedicated skiers have had several invigorating laps on the ski slopes, before most folks have gotten out of their pajamas. Up before dawn, driving to the mountains for those first fresh tracks requires organization and a serious passion for the outdoors in winter. I often think to myself at around 10am on a weekend how much fun I have already had so early in the day. Mind you, waking up and making the trip before sunlight requires some self talk, because that warm bed could easily win. Coffee helps too, and heated car seats.

If you are a fellow skier or snowboarder, you know the joy of getting out on snow. You know how awesome alpine skiing makes you feel. And you feel a little sad for your friends who just don't get it. But you don't try to convince them, or over promote the snow sport - since it's something you either love or leave alone.

Some of my friends think we are crazy to spend our days off on cold snowy mountains, making long trips with tons of gear, spending serious money for a ticket to ride a suspended lift and strap boards to our feet and slide down a slippery hill. I suppose they have a point. But you and I know that along with the risk and the regimen (read: no sleeping in on Saturday or Sunday) comes huge reward. We skiers are doers.

See you on the slopes.
Photos by Greg Burke

Twice I have done it, and it still blows my mind. I arrive at spectacular Big Sky Resort in Montana, with Lone Peak looming large and inviting at 11,166’ like the Matterhorn of Montana. After check in, I flash my New England Gold Pass at the ticket office and get a free lift ticket for my stay with my purchased lodging, 6 days this time. Boom! Talk about easy breezy – a Boyne resorts season pass bonus.

As excited as I am to tell you about this benefit to all Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon Gold pass holders, I am reluctant to share my love of Big Sky Resort. Montana is off most skiers’ radar, and that’s one reason it’s so awesome (read: no crowds). Another is Lone Peak, steep, snowy, expert terrain served by a 15 passenger tram. Big Sky has vast terrain, 3,832 acres, with a whopping 4,350’ vert! Whatever your preference, groomed boulevards, snow drenched glades, scary chutes or open summit snowfields – Big Sky has it all under a brilliant blue western sky.

Colorado and Utah get most of the love from Eastern skiers on their annual western ski venture. Big Sky is further north, which has meant more snow these past few seasons.

Some ski resorts lose their lure and luster after a few returns ski trips, but Big Sky keeps serving me up interesting terrain, majestic views as far as the Grand Tetons, 400+/- inches of sweet high elevation snow – whether I visit in January, February or March. You can’t beat it – especially with your Boyne New England Gold pass. You heard it here, and I may not remind you, it should be called Big Secret. Photos by Greg Burke of Big Sky, Montana

Even if you’ve never skied Whaleback Mountain, you have undoubtedly driven by the small ski area just off I-89 en route to Vermont. Sadly though, it will be no more. Owners Evan Dybvig, Frank Sparrow, and Dylan Goodspeed posted a message on their website Thursday that the mountain would be ceasing operations.

Here’s the letter:

Dear Whaleriders;

Thanks to you and your support Whaleback Mountain is an incredible resource for this community. It is also one that has been a great joy to be a part of. In tomorrow's local paper there will be news about the mountain's future, and we want to try to let you know what is happening.

It is with deep regret that Frank, Dylan and I, owners and managing members, inform you that we have no option but to close our business. We sincerely hope that our departure is not the end of skiing and riding at Whaleback. On the contrary, we believe that this is an opportunity for the community to Save the Whale and continue to maintain this beloved place. We strongly believe that Whaleback could be a sustainable and vital resource with appropriate funding and leadership, especially after our 8 years of developing strong programs and relationships. It would be a tremendous loss to this region and the industry if Whaleback closes for good.

Currently, multiple schools and towns utilize Whaleback for after school ski and snowboard programs. Every Thursday Night 47 teams of 4 racers eagerly anticipate a night of racing under the lights. The Whaleback Core Team and Whaleback Mountain Club thrive with families who choose to spend their weekends and nights on the slopes here. Whaleback also has been a resource for Ford Sayre Ski Club, which utilizes our great terrain to train future stars of ski racing. Whaleback has become a favorite spot for people to host events of all types from weddings to skiing and snowboarding competitions to motor sports events.

Unfortunately, the positive gains that we have made over the years have not been enough to overcome our debt. We have tried numerous avenues to recapitalize the business to put ourselves on surer footing without success. Our only option at this point is to close. We thank you so much for your support and for believing in the value that our small mountain has for you, your friends and family. Needless to say, we believe in it too.
There have been many discussions and plans are emerging to raise money through a non-profit to purchase the mountain and continue operating. This is an option that many believe is the best hope for the future of Whaleback. If you would like to comment or contribute, please contact Frank directly (frank@whaleback.com). When this plan is ready to go live you will be among the first to know.

Finally, while this a certainly a bittersweet time for all of us, we want to relish the remainder of the season together. Please join us to say goodbye and to enjoy a few more runs down favorite trails as we all contemplate what this place means to us. For us it has been a big family that we will dearly miss.
Sincerely,

Evan, Dylan, and Frank

Whaleback will be open Thursday though, and lift tickets are free from 4-8 p.m.

Buckle your ski boots friends, here is an amazing alpine offering. Imagine a ski pass that pools together six of the best independent ski resorts in North America - for $349? The Mountain Collective Pass for 2013-14, which debuted this March, gives downhill skiers and riders access to Alta/Snowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and Whistler/Blackcomb for the 2013-14 ski season. What a winter line up.

Here's the scoop: The Mountain Collective Pass includes two days of skiing or riding at each of these six ski destinations plus a 50 percent discount on all additional days with no blackout dates. Collectively this pass buys you 12 days of skiing at 12 mountains offering more than 30,000-acres of terrain, 186 lifts, plus lodging discounts throughout the season. Children's passes, age 12 and under, are $229. With lift tickets running $80-100+ a day at these ski resorts, even if you only use 4 days, you are winning.

Imagine your travel excuses to go with this vertical vagabond value pass. "Hey boss, I may need the winter off, I have a pass to Whistler/Blackcomb, Aspen, Alta, Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley, and Alpine Meadows, so I need to go skiing in British Columbia, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and California next winter."

This clever pass conglomerate competes with Vail's Epic pass valid at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, plus Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood in California, Afton Alps, MN, and Mt. Brighton, MI, plus five days at Verbier Switzerland. The Epic Pass if good for unlimited skiing, priced at $689 if you buy now for winter 2013-14.

Closer to home, The New England Pass goes is on sale this March, $999 for next season including the bonus of skiing this spring starting March 18. This Gold Pass provides unlimited skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon, plus benefits at Boyne resorts Big Sky Montana, Brighton Utah, Crystal and Snoqualmie in Washington, and Cypress in British Columbia.

Time to plan your alpine assault for next season. The Mountain Collective Pass for $349 is limited and may go fast, available at www.themountaincollective.com or www.Liftopia.com. The 2013-14 Epic Pass can be purchased for $689 with a $49 deposit and the 2013-14 New England Gold Pass at $999 will be available March 15.

See you on the slopes.
Alta, Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyoming photos by Greg Burke

If I picked the wrong winter to fracture my leg, at least I chose the right resort for a little ski rehab getaway. Bretton Woods and the Omni Mount Washington Hotel provided just the cure for Greg and me. Greg was eager to ski, and explore Mt Stickney's new "side-country" terrain, all-natural, un-groomed glades located on Bretton Woods' eastern slopes serviced by a new T-Bar. Already the largest ski area in New Hampshire, Bretton Woods is beloved for its pleasant, well groomed intermediate runs accessed by four high speed quads, and awesome views, but in the last decade they have added dozens of interesting, low angle glades that make the mountain ski so much bigger.

While Greg threaded exciting lines through the trees on skis, I lounged in the luxury of the grand 1902 Hotel - feeling like a Princess in her snow castle surrounded by elegant chandeliers and granite fireplaces in the Great Hall and Conservatory, and our beautiful room with a view of 6,288' Mount Washington. We first stayed at the Hotel in 1999, its first official winter season - and loved the lavish lodging after a day on Bretton Woods ski slopes across Route 302. It's even more posh now that Omni Mount Washington Resort has spent $80-million and added a Presidential Wing with a spectacular Spa which blends well with the prominent hotel, adding top shelf treatments in a luxurious setting.

Greg returned from skiing with a smile and tales of interesting trails like Inferno and Enchanted Bear. I wasn't even bitter, since I had my own intriguing stories, from my historic hotel tour, of Princess Carolyn's haunting presence in Room 314 (maybe I will get the courage to stay in Carolyn's spirited canopy bedroom next visit). We soaked in the immense outdoor pool, then sipped cocktails in the fairytale-inspired Princess Room before dinner. The Cave was not open during our midweek stay, so we will have to come back for that too. How often do you get to party in a real speakeasy bar in the brick and stone basement of a century old Hotel?

Staying in this white winter palace surrounded by Presidential views inspires relaxation and appreciation. I found myself thinking of the "well to do" who came to this gracious setting in the 1920's for a summer of social and outdoor indulgence. There remains a timeless elegance in this environment, and plenty to do at this majestic Hotel, and the surrounding White Mountains.

So many ski resorts claim to cater to the non-skier (or the wounded one in my case), but few offer more than skiing, après ski, and standard lodging. Omni Mount Washington Resort does it all with style - Canopy Tour Ziplining, snowshoeing, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, dog sledding, skating on a year round synthetic rooftop ice rink, spa-ing, cooking classes, afternoon wine and whiskey tastings with the sommelier, dancing in a prohibition cave, and drinking in this 111-year-old architectural marvel with its splendid scenery.

Omni Mount Washington Resort has specials like "Stay Here, Ski Free" lodging packages starting at $99 a night, per person, double occupancy. For day trippers, the Zip and Ski at $99 is a deal, as is the $129 Ski & Spa and the $160 Zip & Spa.

Knowing how beautifully Bretton Woods grooms, I even slipped in a ski run to lunch at Latitude 44, Bretton Woods' mountaintop restaurant, so the rehab went very well (shhh, don't tell my doctor).

Coming tomorrow, a ski deal that could change your vacation plans for next winter. Think big vertical and value, and tune in Tuesday at 1pm for an alpine alternative that could have you packing your bags and skiing some of the world's best mountains winter of 2013-14. The details on this downhill deal are under wraps until then...

While you were skiing (or shoveling) fresh snow, dermatologists were discussing your exposed epidermis in Miami Beach this week at their annual meeting. Everyone equates South Beach with a need for sunscreen, but when it's cold and snowy in the mountains, we are more concerned with frostbite and windburn than sunburn. The American Academy of Dermatologists wants to warn you that UV rays at elevation can be significantly stronger than at sea level. At 10,000-feet, the UV index is 40 percent higher, for example. Add to that the refraction factor, as snow reflects as much as 80 percent of UV rays back up toward your skin. So, basically - you're toast!

Being a ginger, I know too well that freckles (a cute term for sunspots) pop out on my face like Outer Limits moguls on a spring ski day. So I always wear a high SPF - even in freezing, flat-light December. But according to the 2012 report by the Sunscreen Environmental Working Group, “common sunscreen ingredient vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) may speed the development of cancer.” Other confusing chemicals in sunscreen include oxybenzone, diethanolamine, salicylates and parabens. What's a fair skin skier to do? Steer clear of fair weather? Stick your head in the snow bank?

The latest advice from the Derms is to cover up - so don't toss that balaclava or bandana in your ski bag just because it feels like spring. Seirus makes “Dynamax Bandanas,” with UPF 50 that block up to 99 percent of UV, completely chem-free and kind'a cool. It's what all the shredders in the park are wearing and they look gangster (which is a good thing apparently). Shaun White, fellow ginger, wears one. A broad spectrum sunscreen is also recommended, ideally containing zinc (preferably without the above mentioned offenders).

See on the slopes. I'll be wearing broad spectrum sunscreen and a bank robber bandana - so you might not recognize me.

photos by Greg Burke

Dan Egan was an extreme skier long before the term was dropped by every mediocre skier on the mountain. He and his brother John have been going big in ski films ever since Warren Miller first spotted them at Sugarbush in 1978. The Egan bros have skied all over the globe.

These days Dan Egan is more about pushing your ski envelope than his own. Since 1990, he has operated Ski Clinics - providing small X-Treme Skiing camps that focus on fun while improving your technique, building your confidence so you can conquer steeps, bumps, or even the Big Couloir at Big Sky (pictured above) - one of the steepest scariest runs in North America. Dan loves sharing the extreme ski dream with skiers that want a piece of that excitement, and the skill set to go with it.

This weekend March 9-10 Egan hosts his "Explore the Beast" clinic at Killington. This two-day session, with a 1:5 coach to skier ratio, takes you from trail skiing, working on carving and bumps, to glades and backcountry terrain, for an all mountain ski camp. Dan's clinics are first and foremost fun, his smile and humor are contagious, and his tactful teaching method teamed with his vast vertical experience is just what most skiers need to take their skiing to the next peak. Unlike a traditional ski lesson, these camps include a welcome party, two full days on snow, lunches, video analysis, and evening tech talk. Its pricier than a standard group lesson, but a lot of bang for your $358 bucks.

Egan gives exclusive tips on how to pick a good line and read ski terrain, for example. "I teach total body skiing, which focuses on balance, controllable acceleration, and expanding the type of terrain people ski," said Egan.

March 14-16, Dan is off to my personal favorite - Big Sky in Montana, where he will guide a group skiing the steep lines of Lone Peak, the biggest vertical in the country and home of the Big Couloir. This 3-day camp is all about honing your steep ski skills on un-groomed, off-piste, often unforgiving terrain.

Other upcoming Ski Clinics include Val d'Isère France, Tuckerman's Ravine Fridays in April, and summer ski adventures to Chile. So yes, Dan Egan is living the extreme skier dream, but you can tag along for a taste at one of his clinics. Maybe Dan's clinic tips will land you in the next Warren Miller, Meathead Films or TGR ski video.

There are a few spot remaining in the Killington and Big Sky clinics. See more on Egan's Ski Clinics and we will see you on the slopes.

Big Sky Big Couloir photo by Greg Burke

The parents of Nicholas Joy were surely joyful this morning as their 17-year old son was found by a snowmobiler after spending two nights lost on Sugarloaf Mountain. It was Sunday afternoon that Nicholas Joy went missing while skiing with his father, both experienced skiers, around the Timberline area of Sugarloaf when they took separate trails. When his father reported his son missing Sunday afternoon, Sugarloaf Patrol and volunteers plus the Maine Game Warden began an extensive search. The two day search effort expanded to include border patrol and even Navy Seals to total over 80 participants covering upwards of 400 acres.

Around 9am Tuesday morning, Joseph Paul, a Warwick, Massachusetts snowmobiler, not part of the official search team, was out cruising to help look for Joy - having heard the news reports, when he found Joy on the Caribou Pond Road, off the western side of Sugarloaf Mountain. Paul drove him on his snowmobile four miles to the road, where he was met by game wardens, rescuers and police.

According to today's news conference, Joy was led from the snowmobile by a crowd of wardens, rescuers and police to an awaiting ambulance before being taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital for an evaluation. Joy was pale, but walking on his own and drinking a bottle of water. “I’m OK, I’m just tired,” Joy said, before entering the ambulance. His parents arrived and were reunited with their son at the scene.

Sugarloaf's General Manager John Diller said in today's news conference that officials were still interviewing Joy to piece together what happened, but it appears Joy unintentionally went out-of-bounds and built a snow cave after he realized he could not get back to the trail.

"He likes to watch survival shows on television and that may be how he learned to make the snow cave," said Diller. Joseph Paul said Joy’s shelter was made of branches and he drank water from snow and Carrabasset Stream while he was lost.

On Monday, searchers were near the Carrabasset Stream where Joy made his shelter, and Joy later told rescuers that he had heard snowmobiles. According to the warden service, he also “made some directional sampling searches (short searches to and from his ice cave) to look for help. On Tuesday, Joy walked in the direction of the snowmobile noise he heard the previous day. While walking, he found snowshoe tracks left by searchers. He followed the snowshoe tracks to Caribou Pond Road, where he was found by Joseph Paul.”

So glad this story concluded with a celebration, as being lost in the Maine woods in winter could have ended much differently.

Just in from Sugarloaf Maine, Nicholas Joy, age 17, of Medford, Mass, has been found by a snowmobiler this morning, near the Caribou Pond Road, off the western side of Sugarloaf Mountain. Joy had been missing since Sunday afternoon, last seen skiing with his family in the Upper Timberline area and Binder trail of Sugarloaf Mountain. Authorities say he is wet and cold, but okay, he has been brought to an ambulance.

Maine Game Wardens, Sugarloaf Ski Patrol, and dozens of volunteers conducted a vast search of the 400-500 acre area since Sunday. A full press conference on Joy's status is schedule for today at 10:30am.

So this is not my favorite ski blog, since I prefer skiing to give you a firsthand snow report. But while I was rehabbing my knee this weekend, my husband was skiing soft fresh snow at Sunday River. Call it hearsay, but here's the word from the white room.

"I haven't seen the River with this much snow in years," said Greg Burke, who without me (his usual ski sidekick) had the pleasure of reconnecting with his brother Jon for a ski day. Banking over 35,000' vertical feet, it seems the boys had a very legal day, and Greg was able to show his bro (a Sugarloaf lover and not a real River fan) that Sunday River has some hidden gems and steeps when the natural snow is this good.

This weekend Sunday River was 100% open with 2-4" of pow and packed powder conditions - and that's not just marketing fluff. There's wall to wall skiing on Sunday River's eight peaks, including all natural trails like Hard Ball and Chutzpah, iCaramba and Wizard's Gulch. White Heat gets all the hoopla and headlines, but The River has some wild and worthy glade trails. If you haven't skied this handful of hardcore trails, this is the year to get at it.

Looking at snow reports across New England, it's refreshing to see trail counts at or near 100% and base depths upwards of 4 feet (50-60" at Sugarloaf, Stowe and Jay Peak). This is the snowy winter we skiers wish for. So unless you have a medical excuse (personal joke), you should be skiing in all this snow. Riding a stationary bike is no replica for carving cord on Risky Business. Call up your brother, or your long-lost ski buddy, and bank some vertical during this perfect storm of a ski season.

Sunday River Photos by Greg Burke:
GM Dana Bullen jumps for joy in all Sunday River's snow during first tracks Sunday
Jon Burke skiing Sunday River's "snowfields"

Racing in full 10th Mountain Division ski gear is not for the timid, but what a photo opp. This weekend Cranmore Mountain hosts the 17th annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup, a race that pays tribute to America’s mountain troops and the founding father of ski instruction, Austrian Hannes Schneider who served as a mountain soldier in World War I.

The Meister Cup ski race is a New England classic - open to 200 racers in teams of five, gathering locals in vintage ski attire, along with some very competitive North Conway racers and Veterans, all for fun and fundraising for the New England Ski Museum. The entire weekend is a celebration of skiing, starting with tonight 's Welcome Party (the who's who of the ski industry) and Torchlight Parade at Cranmore. Tomorrow is the big quest for the Cup, a Dual GS, following an Opening Ceremony with full Color Guard of active duty 10th Mountain Division members. Après Ski festivities include a vintage skiwear show, a Silent Auction stocked with ski memorabilia and swag, and a Bavarian Band playing at Cranmore's Zips Pub. If tradition holds, Hannes Schneider's grandson Hannes will present the trophy and awards for the day's ski race - which includes the coveted Carroll Reed Cup for the fastest ski industry team.

The Meister Cup race and celebration was founded by Cal Conniff and Herbert Schneider - whose father Hannes came to North Conway and Mt. Cranmore in 1939. Hannes Schneider was released from Nazi captivity, and brought alpine skiing technique to New Hampshire and the states.

This year's Meister Cup coincides with Cranmore's 75th anniversary, along with the 70th anniversary of the 1943 founding of Camp Hale in Colorado where the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division trained. It is also the first year The Cup will commemorate Herbert Schneider, former Cranmore owner and 10th Mountain Division member, who passed away last June at 92.

The Meister Cup benefits the New England Ski Museum which was founded in 1977, and has been at the base of the Cannon Mountain Tram since 1982. The Museum is free, and offers a display of downhill skiing history, including archives and equipment from 10th Mountain Divisions skis and boots to Bode Miller's medals.

This February's snow fall has been record breaking or back breaking - depending upon your perspective. If you have been shoveling - you might feel this month has been more the latter. Boston received 43 inches of snow, which is 9 inches above the norm, and a lot of white matter to remove with shovels, plows, and pay loaders. The irony of back to back weekend storms in February was not lost on skiers stuck snow blowing their driveways and digging out instead of driving to their favorite ski resort.

But skiers and riders have had a creamy, dreamy month in the mountains, with last night's snow storm bringing the icing on the cake. This coming weekend looks like the first in three where the roads may be relatively dry and storm free, snow was delivered to the mountains this time - not so much in the cities.

On the ski slopes, Sunday River received over four feet of fresh snow this month, including a foot in just the past 24 hours. Saddleback has received 27 inches in just the past week, Sugarloaf got 20.

Jay Peak is posting 257 inches of snow this season. Burke, Killington, Pico, Okemo, Sugarbush and Mount Snow are all 100% open heading into March, after the last storm Rocky (more Weather Channel names). Attitash and Wildcat are hosting their first $40 Fridays tomorrow, with over a foot of freshies in the past 24 hours.

Out west, the season started slow for Colorado and Utah with a dry, warm January, but it started snowing when I visited in late January and has been snowing ever since. This is good news not just for skiers, but for their water supply as snow is a key source of year round water in the arid Rockies.

It's been a more consistent powder winter in the Northwest, Brundage in Idaho has base depths of 93 inches, Mt Bachelor in Oregon has a ten foot base. Montana's Big Sky and Moonlight Basin, Wyoming's Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole have had strong snow all season, and last year as well - proving the north gets more snow these days.

Tomorrow is March - often the snowiest month of winter, when snow tends to fall more in the mountains than lower elevation and latitude. The early part of next week looks dry and clear, perfect for skiing all this accumulation. So have your skis ready, this is it folks. Photos by Greg Burke Sugarbush powder skiing

Pats Peak announced a new, three-year expansion Monday, which will add a new triple chairlift and up to six trails and glade to the Henniker, N.H. resort. According to a release, "Operation Cascade Basin” has been in the planning and permitting stage for the last two years and received its final permits this past fall.

Here’s more from Monday’s release:

“Pats Peak has been locally owned and operated by the Patenaude family for 50 years and we wanted to do something really big. We wanted to give all of our patrons a GIANT birthday gift,” commented Kris Blomback, Pats Peak General Manager. The new triple chairlift will open up a whole new dimension of skiing and riding at Pats Peak with the addition of 20 plus acres of new terrain. All of the trails will be oriented toward novice and intermediate skiers and riders. Experts will have a couple of glades to choose from, including one with snowmaking coverage.

“We’ve experienced tremendous growth over the last few years and we wanted to do something to give back to our guests. It’s very important to keep our product exciting and fresh. Opportunities available in the future in the new area include the possibility of an additional terrain park as well as expanded night skiing,” adds Blomback.

Of course, no expansion at Pats Peak would be complete without increasing the snowmaking system and that will be done in “lock-step” as new terrain is added. New snowguns, pumps, pipes and hydrants will all be added to ensure the continued delivery of quality groomed conditions you’ve come to expect from Pats Peak.

“An added benefit to this is that we can keep some key personnel working during the summer months. We are a good old fashioned Yankee operation and we try to build as much as we can in-house. We will dovetail local talent and contractors when needed. This helps the region and our local economy. A project of this size requires us to hire welders, masons, surveyors, equipment operators and a host of others. Our core employee base during the winter months will also be expanded,” Blomback says.

A section on the website, www.patspeak.com/cascadebasin.htm, contains maps and renderings of the new trails and lift. Additional information about this exciting project, including a blog and photo journal will highlight the progress of the project. Posters have also been set up in the lodge depicting the expansion.

“Our skiers and snowboarders have really great ideas; so we are going to open up the naming of the new trails via a Facebook contest. We had a tremendous amount of input last year in naming our new trail, Backdraft, so we’ll do it again…..start brainstorming and stay tuned on Facebook,” says Blomback.

My mom let me skip school, not when I was sick, but when the skiing was too good to miss. I love her for that. My teachers probably didn't like that I came to school with the flu or a head cold, yet I had an unexplained but excused absence for powder flu or cold smoke days. I can still hear my mom saying, "skiing is educational, and it certainly does more for you than any gym class!" Don't ever dispute your mom's wisdom, right?!

Well, the folks at Liftopia are bringing skipping to a national level, and while they won't draft a note to your boss or your principal, they are promoting the 2nd annual Play Hooky & Ski Week March 4-8. It's a "selfie" to sell Liftopia discounted lift tickets, btw. But you get the savings, and the skiing. To tempt you out of the office, or the classroom, their pre-purchase lift ticket prices are pretty sweet next week, Bolton Valley for $19 bucks, Mount Snow for $37, Waterville Valley at $35 to name a few. You have to buy your Liftopia ticket deal in advance for a specific ski date, and plan your exit strategy and excuse while you are at it. You are on your own there, I am not going to be your alpine accomplice (root canal, continuing ed seminar, DMV license renewal, you get the drift).

Look at how low these lift ticket prices go next week March 4-8: Suicide Six $7, Bolton Valley $19, Ragged Mountain $21.99, Mt. Abram $17, Mount Snow $37.50, Ski Ward $14, Jiminy Peak $35, Burke Mountain $36.99, Waterville Valley $34.99, Stratton Mountain $45, Smugglers' Notch $38.99, Mad River Glen $29, Attitash & Wildcat $40, Killington $56.99, Magic Mountain $25.99, Saddleback $33, Sunday River $59, Okemo $55, Sugarbush $59, Cranmore $41.30, Mount Sunapee $49, Black $24.50. Rates vary by the day, and the number of discount tickets is limited, and often sell out.

May I just add that mid week skiing is the bomb right now. If you are usually a weekend warrior - you owe yourself the treat of playing hooky for a non holiday, non-Saturday or Sunday ski day. If your kids' grades are good, they will be forever grateful for that bonus ski day. Picture yourself on a wide open ski trail, no lift lines, no crunch for a lunch table, just freshies and first tracks.
Sugarloaf and Stratton midweek skiing photos by Greg Burke

At the risk of jinxing this plentiful snow season, let me just say "what a winter!" Ski resorts keep getting fresh coatings of snow. We are heading into a third consecutive weekend with a winter snow storm in the works.

This week was President's holiday and school vacation for many, and the mountains had ideal powder conditions. For the record, I asked for this in my ski blog of Dec 17, sending a snow wish to Santa and I urged Ullr - the god of winter, to bring it. So you are welcome.

For those of you complaining about winter, snow and shoveling, may I remind you this is New England, we get snow and cold, you need to embrace it. Perhaps take a page from our neighbors to the North. Canadians get winter, they wear long down hooded coats, they drive on icy roads, they ski in super cold temps, and they celebrate winter. Quebec City just held their annual Carnaval - the largest winter carnival in the world that dates back to 1894 - with ice castles, ice bars, snowy parades and a crazy canoe race down the icy St Lawrence Seaway.

Back in November, The Weather Channel decided to name winter storms, much to NOAA and the National Weather Service's disapproval. Call it clever or contrived, their ridiculous roster of alphabetical characterizations has caught on and delivered serious snow for skiers. We won't soon forget Nemo. Euclid and Iago too. Do you suppose Yogi will bring a powder picnic? Will Tritan and Zeus part the sea and the skies to dump even more snow in March or April? Right on cue, here comes Winter Storm Q.
Photos by Greg Burke of Sunday River from Saddleback, and of Stowe's glade skiing

Just as you are start amortizing this season's pass purchase, skiing 10 days usually makes the worth-buying breaking point, ski resorts start pumping you for next year. It's mid-winter, but the "chase for your season pass money" race has begun.

The Granite State is first out of the gates with a new 2013-14 White Mountain Super Pass. Starting Feb 23, you can buy next year's ski pass valid at four White Mountain ski areas with no blackout dates. The new $949 White Mountain Super Pass hooks you up at Bretton Woods, Cranmore, Cannon Mountain and Waterville Valley ($949 - the adult price if you purchase by June 1). This NH conglomerate will grant you alpine access to 284 trails, 41 lifts, 1,148 acres and 6,900 vertical feet - pretty sweet deal. Looks like these four independents are teaming up to contend with Boyne's New England Pass.

The New England Gold Pass provides unlimited skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon, which statistically buys you three ski areas and 347 trails, 42 lifts, 2,265 acres and 7,260 vertical feet, for comparison sake. The New England Pass price is not out yet, to be released in March. Last year it started under $1,000, and you get the bonus Boyne benefits of up to 10 free days at their western ski resorts Brighton in Utah, and Big Sky in Montana (with a lodging reservation).

These multiple ski resort passes are a deal for skiers and riders who get their ski days in and like a little variety in their vertical (read: you are not pledged to one mountain by kids camps or a ski condo). Of course, it's not quite the caliber of the Epic Pass for $649 valid at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps, & Mt. Brighton. Anyone else remember the ASC pass?

Photo of Cranmore by Greg Burke

US Ski Team racer Ted Ligety became the first man in over four decades to win three gold medals at the World Championships, not since 1968 when French racer Jean-Claude Killy won 4 Golds has there been such a stellar ski performance. Ligety did not get the quad gold in Slalom on Sunday, but he took Gold in Super G, Super Combined and GS in Schladming, Austria last week.

The US Ski Team needed this big victory after Bode Miller stepped down due to injury and Lindsey Vonn's Austria Championship attempt ended with a horrific crash and airlift on Feb 5. Vonn and Miller are both recovering from knee surgery.

Ligety hadn't been in the spotlight much, until now, and he capitalized on the moment. Post race, Ted praised his Shred Stupefy Goggles, saying "Being able to put my head down and charge with a 360° clear field of view has enabled me to take extra risks. It's been by far the best week of ski racing in my life."

While Ted Ligety was shredding gates and winning in Austria, his signature line of Shred Goggles and Brain Bucket helmets were turning heads in Denver at the SIA Snow Show - an annual gathering of ski manufacturers flaunting next year's gear.

Ligety’s latest MEGA BRAIN BUCKET Helmet offers the most impact protection plus cool technology of a unique PIN inside the helmet, ICEdot is an In Case of Emergency ID which can be text messaged to a designated number and an automatic reply will be sent with critical information about the injured wearer. Shred will equip all helmets with this unique PIN system, think of it as the OnStar for skiers and riders.

So Ligety is skiing like a rock star and rocking his cool swag. Won't every kid on every race team want some steezy Shred Goggles like Ted and a Half Brain Helmet? Shred Optics and Helmets come in super fun colors (like dayglow green and nastify orange), and are completely integrated to work seamlessly together.
In other ski racing news, 17-year- old US skier Mikaela Shiffrin won her first World Championship slalom at Schladming, the third youngest gold medalist in slalom and the first American woman to win since Barbara Cochran in 1972. Mikaela is a Burke Mountain Academy girl.

Great results for the USA, less than a year away from Sochi Russia's Winter Olympics. Go Team.

Photos Courtesy of Agency Zoom

Next time you think you are dropping a big line, doing a fancy trick and laughing in the face of danger, think of Sverre Liliequist in Zermatt, Switzerland. Check out this video from yesterday, at The Swatch Skiers Cup 2013 Competition.

Sverre not only outruns a big avalanche he triggered, but he manages to toss in a svelte back flip while skiing just ahead of this huge slide. I hope he won a free Swatch watch for that! Do not try this at home, or in Zermatt.

Back in the day, I skied with a sandwich and candy bar in my pocket for a chairlift lunch on the go. Good times, if not the most elevated culinary experience. Two things have changed, I prefer the romance and rest of a sit down lunch (too many squished cold sandwiches perhaps), and ski resorts have stepped up their on-mountain dining to make lunch a nice respite from laps and lifelines.

Valentine's Day, or your next ski weekend, is a great opportunity to show your loved one that you love their company and quality cuisine as much as you love attaining 30,000' of vertical in a day. Here are my top choices for haute cuisine at a ski resort near you, often for not much more lunch money than a cafeteria tray of burgers, fries and a soda.

The Cliff House at Stowe, Vermont
Ride the Gondola to the top of Mt Mansfield, and enter this high alpine environment at 3,625' with an awesome view amongst Austrian chalet décor. The Cliff House is open for lunch 11-2:30. The Alpine Fondue is fantastic, so is the Cliff House Burger with Cheddar and onion beer sauce. Then go ski Gondolier to burn it off.

Epic at Okemo, Vermont
Epic sounds like the latest accolade to describe Nemo snow, but it's the epicurean treat that awaits at Okemo's Solitude Lodge, open 11-3 daily. Enjoy chef creations of duck quesadilla or smoked salmon Carpaccio with no cafeteria trays, just cordial table service. Okemo has raised the bar for ski resort food all over the mountain. Pre-purchase your Valentine's Day lift ticket at Okemo.com for $44 and get lunch and a kiss - a $15 lunch voucher redeemable at Okemo's restaurants including Epic, and a Hershey kiss. Sweet deal!

Timbers at Sugarbush, Vermont
This Round Barn restaurant right in the center of Sugarbush's Lincoln Peak Village serves Vermont organic local cuisine in an upscale country setting. Get a seat by the window, a grilled flatbread and a Vermont microbrew. The bumps on Stein's will wait. Timbers is open weekends and holidays for lunch 11:30-2.

The Bag at Sugarloaf, Maine
While the Bag is not fancy, it is the stuff of legends at the Loaf. Their big juicy Bag Burgers are served in this classic, casual atmosphere steps from Sugarloaf's slopes. The Bag and Kettle opens at 11 daily, best enjoyed after you bash the bumps of Bubblecuffer. You have to say you’ve been in The Bag at least once in your life.

Sunday River's Foggy Goggle, Maine
The Foggy Goggle is a cool spot for lunch, get a table with a view of South Ridge, ask about the daily special, then watch the snow (or the beginners) fall outside.

See you on the slopes!
Photos by Greg Burke of Sugarbush and Okemo's Epic

The ensuing days since Nemo blanketed the Greater Boston area have given us plenty of images of people navigating the city on skis, but now emerges video of one snowboader who took to the vertical of Beacon Hill in a clip that proves the neighborhood doesn’t ski too badly when there are 30 inches on the ground.

H/T: Ski The East

Haven't we all accused The Weather Channel and overzealous meteorologists of snow storm hype. But Nemo delivered as warned, with so much snow its being compared to the Boston blizzard of 1978. The dilemma is how to get to the mountains, since you have to shovel out your car and driveway first. Folks on the coast got pounded, Connecticut, Eastern Mass and Coastal Maine have over 30 inches of snow - enough to bury cars.

For ski resorts, the big snow from Nemo is at Woodbury and Mohawk ski resorts in Connecticut at almost three feet, and Yawgoo Valley in Rhode Island. Butternut and Wachusett got dumped on too with two feet of snow.

The smart skiers hit the road on Thursday night, knowing school would be cancelled Friday, to arrive in snow country before Nemo.

In New Hampshire, Gunstock, Ragged, and Pats Peak are reporting up to two feet of snow while the White Mountain region received over a foot of fluff at Loon, Waterville Valley, Attitash, Wildcat, Bretton Woods, Cannon, Black and Cranmore.

Vermont ski resorts got about a foot of snow from the fish called Nemo. Maine's Sunday River, Shawnee Peak and Mt Abram got over a foot of freshies, while Saddleback and Sugarloaf picked up about 8 inches, and still snowing. Trail counts will see a big bump from this dump.

Of course, Nemo Thunder Snow also brought high winds to the wintry mix. Watch out for lift holds as the blowy snow fish moves out. And remember when shoveling to bend the knees so you don't throw your back out...you will need that core strength for skiing in the predicted sunshine tomorrow.

Photo by Greg Burke

I love Lindsey Vonn. She’s a fantastic alpine skier, she always looks fabulous, and she is super friendly to her fans– taking time to talk give autographs to my daughter and her friends’ at Sugarloaf’s 2008 Alpine Championships. But when I said I wanted to be just like her, I didn’t mean I wanted to be at the Orthopedic Surgeon having my knee MRI’d at the same time as Lindsey. By now you have seen her horrific crash in Austria. I will spare you mine from a week ago in Colorado – it was far less spectacular, and much less televised.

I crashed and twisted my knee on day 4 of an 11 day Southwest Colorado ski trip. I went on to ski several runs each day on the gorgeous groomed soft snow at Crested Butte, Telluride, Purgatory at Durango, and Wolf Creek. But I knew something was very wrong, there was pain and a pervasive fear that my favorite activity was in jeopardy.

Suddenly I was able to relate to all those knee injured skiers before me, including most of the US Ski Team, my husband and daughter, and a good percentage of my ski friends. When I described my injury to a ski patrol, he was impressed by the fact that in 43 years of skiing (I started really young - 3) I had not had an injury.

Well, I'm no Lindsey Vonn, no illustrious race career hanging in the balance (I can still write about skiing). Lindsey tore her anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, and fractured her tibia, scheduled for surgery in Vail, Colorado next week. I only fractured my tibia, thankfully no ligament damage or surgery for me. I am not comparing, nor am I pandering for sympathy - I will ski again this season. Still, I already miss skiing, badly.

I can only imagine Lindsey's longing to get back to training and skiing, and her frustration at how things can change in a fraction of a second. I know Lindsey's eyes are on the prize, competing for more Gold at next February's Sochi Olympics. I simply look forward to getting back to the skiing that I love.
Telluride Colorado - Heather Burke skiing with a broken knee, and at Wolf Creek, Photos by Greg Burke

World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to a hospital Tuesday morning after suffering a hideous crash at the alpine skiing world championships in Austria. According to U.S. Ski Team Medical Director Kyle Wilkens, Vonn suffered a torn ACL and MCL in her right knee and a lateral tibial plateau fracture.

Vonn will be out for the remainder of the season but should be able to return for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

The crash happened during the women's super-G event, and a helicopter was called immediately. Video of the crash appears to show Vonn’s left knee buckling after landing a jump.

According to Ski Racing Magazine, the stadium in Schladming went silent following the injury, as skiers and spectators, who included Vonn’s sister, looked on in shock.

Don't you wish Survivor would take its show to the snow? For 26 seasons, the Reality TV series has been staged on some sandy beach, a sun soaked island, or warm weather safari. I vote that Jeff Probst put on a winter coat and strand his castaways in a ski chalet somewhere in the remote Alps.

It's time to mix it up Mark Burnett, with Immunity Challenges involve sledding, snowboarding and skiing. Imagine how cool (pun intended) a ski off, sled race, or snowball fight to the finish would be. The winners of each Survivor Reward Challenge could be whisked away via helicopter over snowy peaks to some fantastic alpine spa for fondue, hot showers, hot tubs, mulled wine and a chance to whine about their fellow competitors by a fire wrapped in fur blankets.

I am not suggesting that the 20 Survivor players be exposed to frost bite or hypothermia, or risk freezing to death. Probst and crew will have to work out the details, build primitive but provisional chalets for each tribe, and maybe an igloo or snow cave for the Tribal Council Ceremonies. When the tribe has spoken and you are voted off the mountain, your torch is snuffed and you sled off down the snowy slope.

My point, we need more seasonality to Survivor, and other so-called reality shows, we need a real winter scenario. Snow, rime, and cold-hard reality would make such a riveting stage. Is anyone else tired of the same old tropical beach scene and bikinis after 25 seasons of Survivor? It's time to feature some spectacular snow locale, leaving castaways in the cold to "out play, out winter and out snow plow" one another. Show us some serious winter survival skills.

This February marks the 26th season of Survivor, "Fans versus Favorites" in the warm sunny Philippines... yawn. I propose "Skiers versus Riders" in the remote alpine, Survivor Alps - the winter edition. Would you send in your audition tape to CBS in hopes of competing to become "Soul Survivor Alps" for a $ million and mountain bragging rights?

Austrian Alps photo by Greg Burke

I am in Colorado skiing, a trip booked back months ago – knowing the snow would be a sure thing, unlike New England conditions, right?! Guess again, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado have been well - rocky, with a lack of snow until the first snow in a month moved in to the South West same day we did. Coincidence? I think not. As an East Coast skier, you learn to ski anything, do your snow dance and be ever optimistic. Coloradoans are more meteorologically spoiled most winters, they pout when they don’t get their pow.

Our arrival day (leaving Manchester NH at 7am), we skied eight great afternoon runs at Arapahoe Basin, snow was skinny but soft, and snow clouds loomed. Next, Greg and I skied Monarch Mountain (never heard of it? full story later) and the snow began to accumulate. The locals at this fun mountain thanked us for our good snow karma.

Crested Butte received a foot of fresh snow when we arrived - bringing many powder thirsty locals out for first chair. We were the new kids in the lift line, outed as Easterners with our skinnier skis, but we were praised for bringing the heavy foot plus of snow. We skied up to knee deep on trails and glades, trying to match laps up with the Butte’rs who live at 10,000’.

Next on our Colorado ski odyssey: Telluride received two feet of snow this week (see a pattern?). Today we skied between Telluride’s beautiful western sunshine and sparkling snow, as amazing terrain opened up for the first time all season. You’re welcome Telluriders. On our ski safari still is Purgatory at Durango - they got 37”, Silverton Cat Skiing and Wolf Creek each received 40” from this last storm.

I can’t actually take credit for this Colorado snow, but I am taking pleasure in it. You should consider booking your trip now, since ski and stay deals dropped when snow was down, and the snow situation is looking up!
Telluride and Crested Butte Photos by Greg Burke

We Eastern skiers think we do "après ski" well, but the root word and the real deal obviously ordinates in the European Alps. Killington's Wobbly Barn, The Matterhorn ski bars at Stowe and Sunday River (not related), and North Conway's Red Parka Pub are all very lively after the lifts stop spinning.

After a trip to Austria last winter, let me say - we are mere amateurs with our après alpine antics. Après ski in Austria, Switzerland and France starts with wine at lunch at a mountainside chalet (if not schnapps shots before), continues at umbrella bars on the slopes, before carrying on at ski bars dancing to a DJ or live band in ski boots.

I have been to the self-proclaimed "worst après ski bar" in the Alps, The Mooserwirt in St Anton where I witnessed post-powder partying in a different league (ok I did partake - research). The Mooserwirt rocks every afternoon from 3-8pm with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of skiers drinking shots and steins, dancing in ski boots to the tunes of DJ Gerhardt. It's a wild winter scene. And that's not the only crazy ski bar! Just across the ski slope is the Krazy Kanguruh, or KK to those in the know, with more hopping après ski - owned by world champion ski racer Mario Matt.

The best and worst aspects of both these St Anton ski bars is that they are ski in ski out. The ski in part is cool - click out of your ski bindings and drink beer with a view of St Anton's village 200 yards down the snowy trail. But imagine the ski out, skiing those finally 20 turns after drinking for four hours! We enjoyed our après, then retreated to the sophisticated Mooser Hotel (same owner, same chalet - but so much more subdued, even spa-like on the hotel side) for a gourmet dinner in the slopeview restaurant, where we watched a few wasted skiers make their way, and their wipeouts, back to the village. It was like viewing highlight reels of Austrians' funniest home videos gone vertical.

An awesome high altitude bar in Austria is the panoramic Mountaintop Star at Obergurgl - it takes three lift rides to reach the 10,111' summit lodge, where the bartender told us, "Sorry, we don't serve food, just drinks!" It's a long ski down after those libation.

If this Austrian après ski sounds enviable, St Anton tourism officials might disagree. They have introduced a volunteer but suggested no-ski-boots-after-8pm policy, fed up with drunk skiers stumbling around their pretty alpine village after dark in full ski attire. So bars must close and send the crazies home by 8pm. The hope is that the après-ski crowd will go back to their St Anton hotels, remove their stinky ski boots and ski togs, shower, sober up, then patronize the village's restaurants for a satiating dinner before sleep, and skiing the amazing Alps again the next day. #SkierProblems
Photos of St Anton and Obergurgl Austria by Greg Burke

It's National Safety Awareness Week through Jan 27. Annually the National Ski Area Association reminds us to ski and ride with care, and "know the code. "

Everyone on the slopes should "know the code," but I continue to witness cluelessness on occasion. Maybe we need to "break it down" for those bone-headed boarders and stubborn skiers. Let's make the 7 ski safety tips crystal clear:

1. Always stay in control.
Translation: you should be able to turn and/or stop at any moment during your skiing and riding. This includes avoiding stationary objects - lift towers and trees that won't move out of your way ever, and other skiers who make an unexpected turn or stop. Note to Bomber Boy flying straight down a groomed boulevard at 35mph:your perfect elevens to the base are not evidence of "control."

2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
Like driving your car, if you are going to pass someone - you need to be sure you can do so with plenty of space so as not to impede their safety. Sorry, this even applies to trail hogs sweeping across the entire trail, if they are below you, you have to give them all that space and more.

3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
The best placed to stand is usually on the side of a trail and on the top of a knoll clearly visible to others but not in bowling strike range. Chilling out under a big joey jump or snow whale could result in you as a landing pad.

4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
This may be my biggest ski peeve. Don't just push off down the hill or pop out of an intersecting trail without looking up to be sure you don't cut someone off. Didn't you mother teach you to look both ways before crossing? Same concept only simpler - just look up!

5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Ski brakes, snowboard retentions straps - I hope this one is self explanatory. If you have ever searched for a lost ski in deep snow, or watched a ski soar like a javelin down a steep slope, you'd know.

6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
Don't duck ropes, the patrol put them there for a reason - yes, without consulting you. Ask a few of the 45+ skiers and riders who became search statistics this season how "cool" it is to be lost on a snowy mountain.

7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
How about, if you cause the lift to stop because you're ill-prepared, prepare for the wrath of everyone else in lift line? Take a lesson, ask a liftee or another skier for instruction before your first time.

Have a fun safe time on the slopes and follow the 7 rules. Ski patrol have been known to give free ski passes to those who know the code. If you are due for a new helmet, purchase one at Killington Sports this week and get a free lift ticket.

Dress warmly, see you on the slopes!

Will this week’s news that Copa Airlines will begin direct service from Boston to San Juan in July increase local summer traffic for skiing and riding in South America?

A roundtrip flight from Boston to Santiago International Airport, with connection through Panama City Aug. 1-7 runs about $1,856.40 on the Copa Airlines website. However, the exact same flights are running $1,176.40 on Orbitz. That’s a significant savings not only from the airline’s official website, but the next-closest competitor on Orbitz – LAN Airlines at $1,661.

But Copa will avoid having to pass through customs in Miami, a nightmarish ordeal for anyone who has experienced it.

“The connecting service through Panama City is so much easier and so seamless that it’s like the next best thing to having nonstop service into Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia,” said Patrick Moscaritolo, president of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau told the Globe.“It opens up lots of different avenues.”

Travelers also don’t have to go through customs and immigration when they fly through Panama, another hassle avoided.

It's National Safety Week on the Slopes, so I probably shouldn't be promoting fast skiing. Let me just preface with "leave it to the pros," and "don't try this at home." But check out this amazing alpine speed run in Switzerland Jan 16. Johan Clarey of France set an unofficial speed record of 100.59 mph during his Downhill training run at the FIS World Cup in Wengen, Switzerland. Ok, that's fast.

The Hanneggschuss is considered the longest and fastest Downhill course on the World Cup Tour, men's world cup racers hit their top speed on a straightaway at the two-minute mark on this legendary 2 1/2-minute run before the final s-turn.

Guenter Hujara, FIS men's race director said, "We don't go for speed records, (however) we can let the racers go straight in this section of the Hanneggschuss because it is not that risky."

While the super fast French Clarey hit the highest speed, the World Cup win went to Italian Christof Innerhofer, on Saturday, Jan 19. He clocked 99 mph officially, the first Italian to win the Wengen Downhill in 16 years. Marco Sullivan was the top finisher for the US Ski Team at 13th. US Ski champion Bode Miller has sidelined himself for the rest of the season citing a need to heal from another knee surgery and to prepare for the 2014 Sochi Russia Winter Olympics. If you follow Miller and his volleyball star bride Morgan Beck on twitter, you know he's been dealing with some personal stuff too.

Slow down, enjoy and I'll see you on the slopes!

I chat people up on ski lift rides - it's my thing. It annoys my kids, but I enjoy these ski conversations, learn new views and meet cool people all winter wherever I go. There is one ski resort where the chairlift chat is always the same - The Loaf. When I explain that I love skiing different mountains, they ask "why would you want to ski anywhere else?" When I point out that their New England Pass is also valid at Sunday River and Loon, they reply that they would never ski either, one guy said he wouldn't be caught dead there. Two separate skiers said they would pay extra for a Sugarloaf-Only pass. Puzzling...

What prompts this Sugarloaf passion beyond ration? I am awed by Sugarloafers' awesome alpine loyalty (see their cars, helmets, skis and houses branded with the triangular Loaf logo). Still I find their myopic mountain mania a bit bizarre. Is there something in the Carrabassett Valley water supply? It's cultish how crazy they are about their home ski hill.

Mind you, Sugarloaf Mountain is one big mountain with excellent terrain - many classic trails and great glades, amusing après ski, and the summit views are extraordinary. But like other New England ski areas, it's a long drive every weekend, it gets cold and windy, it gets lift lines.

In my further questioning to crack the Sugarloaf code, two separate chairlift singles told me half their towns (Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth, Maine) empty out on weekends to go to The Loaf - so it's one part camaraderie for sure.

Another part to Sugarloafers' fierce fall line fanaticism is spirit, which you can't quantify. Perhaps the best example is White World Week, going on right now through Jan. 24. This perennial midwinter party started in the 70s, Sugarloaf locals and loyalists take part in silly snow races by day and crazy nightly themes, then crown a King and Queen at the conclusion. This year's wacky White World antics include today's Bathing Suit Sled Derby (brrr) and Thursday's Bubble Wrap Ball - not your typical ski resort stuff.

Go to Sugarloaf and see for yourself. You will meet some characters, carve some sweet turns, and get a taste of the cult that is "The Loaf." Careful, it's clearly contagious.
Sugarloaf Photos by Greg Burke

Dressing for success isn't about a briefcase or a little black dress. It's about good base layers, warm boots, bright colors and sweet boards for this ski blogger. Friends ask me how I dress for a ski day, so here are my details for a downhill date:

Ski clothing and comfort starts from the inside out. Nothing keeps out the chill and wicks away the unwanted (read: sweat) like my Hot Chilly base layers -in basic black. I like the Zip T-Neck for flexibility. If the forecast is super frigid, below 10, I add a fleece or wool sweater.

I don't want to be dumb or numb, so I wear SmartWool Ski Sox, the U.S. Ski Team’s official sock - they fit well, keep me warm, dry, and on the balls of my feet.

For outer layers, I love bright colored ski jacket and pants that pop in photos like skittles on snow, Also, bold colors, like Obermeyer, stand out and hopefully help others skiers see me and steer clear. My frivolous alpine accessory - a gangster belt with bling for my ski pants - it's fashion over function - but it makes me feel stylish even if it's rarely seen under my ski jacket.

My Smith IO Goggles are the best pair I have ever owned. The big lenses provide super peripheral and great definition in the snow from flat light to full sun, and they look "steazy." As for my hat, I have a few for different temps with pompoms and without (not a helmet wearer, my head/my choice, and a that's a topic for another blog so don't bug me about it).

My Turtle Fur neck warmer is my security blanket, made in Vermont for four decades- they make Balaclavas for full face protection too.

My hands get cold, occupational hazard when taking notes on chairlifts, so inside my Grandoe mittens I fire up a pair of HotHands disposable hand warmers (I have blasted through boxes of brands- these last longest and best for me), it's my buck a day habit.

I want to be a thin (ha!), so I love my Kerma Composite Ski Poles. I don't always plant properly, it's a work in progress, but I try to keep my poles visible, out in front - a sign of good form.

Skis. I have skied on everything from 200-centimeter skinny Dynastars to short shaped Atomic Betas at 155, slalom, to reverse camber, even neon, and nothing compares to my Rossignol Experience 88s. This quiver quenching ski carves, dices moguls and plows through pow and crud thanks to the rocker tip. The iconic Rossi rooster graphic reminds me how far I have come since my first pair of Rossi FPs I mortgaged as a ski instructor in 1985.

My Rossignol Electra ski boots (not a brand manager for them - just find Rossi is making quality affordable skis and boots right now) are snug and stiff but flexible. I plug in my $19 Serius Ski Boot Sticks to dry my boots every night, and they're toasty warm in the morning for me.

My pocket contents: Chapstick, Kleenex, ID, credit card, and cell phone in an inside pocked (batteries don't like cold).

Finally, attitude. Skiing requires that you are in the zone - mentally, physically. Every day is different in downhill skiing depending upon conditions, weather and your whereabouts. So I minimize the mayhem with my traditions, a good night's sleep and decent breakfast, my lucky bracelet, stretching before hitting the slopes, and happy self talk on the slopes.

See you on the slopes!

Congratulations to the folks at Ski the East and Meathead Films, who picked up the award for “Best Powder” segment in the crew’s latest film, “No Matter What,” at Thursday night’s Powder Video Awards. It’s the first time the East Coast film outfit has brought the award home.

The segment, filmed last February 26 at Jay Peak, can be seen in part in the movie trailer above (44 second mark), as skier Ben Leoni floats through powder that seemed was never coming after the doldrums that plagued much of last year’s skiing and riding season. The East has been duly rewarded this season, as have the Meatheads.

Check out the award presentation here. The Powder Video Awards are hosted annually by Powder Magazine.

Eddy emerged from the woods a few winters ago at Sunday River. He's white and furry, a sort of Big Foot with big bright blue eyes, blue paws and feet. He's an awkward abominable snowman that you just can't help but find alluring. I didn't know much about Yetis when I first encountered Eddy , but have since learned that Yeti sightings are rare since they are notoriously shy, like the legendary rarely spotted Canadian Sasquatch.

Well Sunday River's Eddy the Yeti has migrated from the wilderness out onto the ski slopes, making a big splash with the kids since his debut. Eddy has warmed up to the winter-loving alpine humanoids that frequent the River, and can be seen out and about, at special events and even on skis. If you haven't see Eddy the Yeti yet, here he is caught on Sunday River video filmed today playing in the fresh snow!

In fact, Eddy has become such a snowy celeb he has his own book, cleverly written by Heidi Bullen and Illustrated by Claudia Diller – the wives of Sunday River and Sugarloaf GMs interestingly . Eddy's picture book details his evolution and his cabin in the Enchanted Forest - which kids can ski to, like Amos' at the Loaf.

Let's face it – Disney dominates with their large eared mouse, and Sugarloaf's moose is a star – kids clamor to see Amos, and are more excited about going to ski camp. Well there is a new yeti in ski country. Eddy even has a girlfriend Betty the Yeti, a buxom Maine babe with cuddly white fur. Betty and Eddy can be your Dinner Guests, you can book dining at the Peak during vacation week Feb 19 – ride the Chondola with your family and feast at the North Peak Lodge with the furry friends, a fun photo opp.

Mountain magic or "mouseketeer" marketing? No matter, kids love mascots and parents love whatever engages their offspring to want to go skiing. Go see Eddy the Yeti and Amos the Moose, it's Children's Festival at Sunday River and Sugarloaf this week, so their fur is sure to be flying around.

Sunday River and Sugarloaf photos by Greg Burke

I receive some peculiar ski news releases, but this one wins. "The Top 10 Sugar Daddy Ski Resorts in North America," list is out, compiled by Seekingarrangments.com - "the world's largest dating site that matches wealthy men and benefactors with attractive women, who seek mutually beneficial relationships." So whether you are a snow bunny looking for a buddy, a cougar who needs someone to carve with, or a single lady tired of the singles line, here are the ski mountains where you are most likely to meet your wealthy winter match:

1. Whistler, British Columbia
2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3. Vail, Colorado
4. Deer Valley/Park City, Utah
5. Telluride, Colorado
6. Sun Valley, Idaho
7. Banff, Alberta
8. Mammoth Lakes, California
9. Aspen, Colorado
10. Snowbird/Alta, Utah
Photo by Greg Burke of #2 Jackson Hole Wyoming

The poll of 6,500 self-proclaimed sugar daddy skiers lists alpine criteria as: 1) snow/mountain quality; 2) accommodations; 3) après-ski amenities; 4) accessibility.

Apparently no Eastern ski resorts qualify as top mountains for millionaire matchmaking - not enough powder skiing perhaps. Are there no lady killers at Killington, no megabucks men at Magic Mountain? I guess you will have to hop a plane to find these rich, rock star, recreational skiers.

Brandon Wade, Founder and CEO of SeekingArrangement.com, which has over 2,000,000 members worldwide, shares stats on his skiing Sugar Daddy clients: the average member on his site earns $250,000 annually, has a net worth of $1.5 million and spends $3,500-$4,000 on a two-person, four day ski vacation.

Skiing is a pricey pastime, and ski resorts are predominantly male, so I suppose if you put the two together - you increase your odds of discovering "whose your ski daddy?" But you have to filter through the ski bums to find your powder prince, or subscribe to this dating site.

My thoughts: this list of top 10 ski resorts is impressive based purely on ski terrain and resort amenities. #2 Jackson Hole in Wyoming has received 17-feet of snow this season. I skied Jackson last January and its amazing. So gals, if your bachelor hunt goes bust, at least you will have good turns and a good time.

See you on the slopes.