So I thought I had completed my ski quest last year. Surprise! I guess it's a moving target which is exciting. Checking out a new map I saw a ski figure poised over Lyndon, Vermont. Could it be that I had overlooked a ski area?
Yes and what a delightful little hill. It was Sunday morning and they weren't open yet so I hiked to the top three times. Beautiful view from the top overlooking the town. For such a small ski area (serviced by a t-bar), it is surprisingly steep.
Sugarloaf, Carrabassett ME
Sugarloaf is the grand daddy of all ski resorts in Maine and maybe New England because it has the biggest "big" mountain feel of them all.
My first and only encounter with the mountain was under duress. A big snowstorm was heading our way and I drive America's former number one rental car, a fiery red Pontiac Grand Am GT with southern New England low profile sport tires. Have never gotten stuck in the snow, but really big snowstorms are fairly uncommon down yonder.
When we awoke it had already began to snow and the daunting "S" curves below Sugarloaf on route 16 awaited us. We made a promise to ourselves that we would be the first ones on the lift and but be back in the car by 10:30am to make our escape before the big storm.
In that short time period, we actually got a good perspective of the ski resort, but I definitely want to go back and explore some more. With the snow starting to pile up, we cautiously made our way down the "S" curves and out on to flat land as we beelined it to Sunday River, temporarily leaving the snowflakes behind. We settled in at the inn at the base of Sunday River when the snow started to come down in a big hurry. It snowed through the night dumping a total of 16 inches.
Update: I snowboarded Sugarloaf this year (2009) under perfect conditions and I highly recommend Narrow Gauge. Quintessential. And to top the day off, dinner at Hug's Italian Cuisine restaurant (207.237.2392) is a must.
My first and only encounter with the mountain was under duress. A big snowstorm was heading our way and I drive America's former number one rental car, a fiery red Pontiac Grand Am GT with southern New England low profile sport tires. Have never gotten stuck in the snow, but really big snowstorms are fairly uncommon down yonder.
When we awoke it had already began to snow and the daunting "S" curves below Sugarloaf on route 16 awaited us. We made a promise to ourselves that we would be the first ones on the lift and but be back in the car by 10:30am to make our escape before the big storm.
In that short time period, we actually got a good perspective of the ski resort, but I definitely want to go back and explore some more. With the snow starting to pile up, we cautiously made our way down the "S" curves and out on to flat land as we beelined it to Sunday River, temporarily leaving the snowflakes behind. We settled in at the inn at the base of Sunday River when the snow started to come down in a big hurry. It snowed through the night dumping a total of 16 inches.
Update: I snowboarded Sugarloaf this year (2009) under perfect conditions and I highly recommend Narrow Gauge. Quintessential. And to top the day off, dinner at Hug's Italian Cuisine restaurant (207.237.2392) is a must.
Mount Abram, Greenwood ME
Ever have a ski day when all the stars aligned? I did and it was at Mount Abram and the day will be forever etched in my memory as one of my best ski days. Now, Abram on any ordinary day may be just another run of the mill medium size hill, but on February 28, 2008, it was a gem surpassed by no other.
Picture blue skies, no wind, abundant sunshine, birds merrily chirping away, 16 inches of untouched powder and 20 cars in the parking lot.
I skied the run under the lift over and over and over. Never tiring of it and every time finding room to put down tracks as I bounced down the slope and poofed through the snow. Eventually I moved farther mountain left to a trail that required a bit of a trail blaze through some trees. This run had even more snow. I literally threw myself down the hill plowing through tons of powder. Amazing.
By 2:00pm I limped back to the car. I didn't want to stop, but I had been running on empty for the last hour. From my first run until my last run, I put down tracks. These days are rare but when you get them, they are forever cherished.
ps. Mount Abram is open Thursday through Sunday. We lucked out and skied the big powder at Sunday River on Wednesday and then drove over to Mount Abram the next day and skied the 16 inches of untouched powder again.
Picture blue skies, no wind, abundant sunshine, birds merrily chirping away, 16 inches of untouched powder and 20 cars in the parking lot.
I skied the run under the lift over and over and over. Never tiring of it and every time finding room to put down tracks as I bounced down the slope and poofed through the snow. Eventually I moved farther mountain left to a trail that required a bit of a trail blaze through some trees. This run had even more snow. I literally threw myself down the hill plowing through tons of powder. Amazing.
By 2:00pm I limped back to the car. I didn't want to stop, but I had been running on empty for the last hour. From my first run until my last run, I put down tracks. These days are rare but when you get them, they are forever cherished.
ps. Mount Abram is open Thursday through Sunday. We lucked out and skied the big powder at Sunday River on Wednesday and then drove over to Mount Abram the next day and skied the 16 inches of untouched powder again.
Saddleback, Rangeley ME
Ode to the Kennebago T-Bar:
O Kennebago....
I long for your long gentle, quiet whisk up the hill
where only the sound of my skis on the snow is heard
and the only sight is of snow laden evergreens bowing to winter
work in progress ....
With its natural wood, the most beautiful ski lodge in New England resides at Saddleback. But Saddleback's greater claim to fame was home to the once world renowned, Kennebago t-bar. Yes, the highest altitude t-bar in New England.
My first encounter with the Kennebago t-bar was fraught with indecision. Upon reading the 17th warning sign, my friend and I, having spent considerable amount of time working for insurance companies, timidly turned away from the practically vertical venerable t-bar.
While boarding the lower mountain, I kept furtively glancing toward the top of the mountain. Finally I gave in and trekked back to the car and switched snowboard for skis. After a chairlift or two and a couple of runs later, I found myself at the base of the daunting t-bar. This time, chin up, I confidently skied up to the t-bar and was whisked away. Ahhh. The hand of God once again gently guiding me up the hill. With the evergreens drooping with snow and muffling the world except for the swooshing of snow beneath my skies and yes, the occasional clanking of the bar...such paradise... until I spotted my disembarkment destination glittering in solid ice. Egads.
As I let go of the t-bar, it shot away like a human cannonball making a terrifying whizzing sound. After some fancy footwork and ill-performed ski ballet, I found myself safely situated on snow not ice.
I rode the lift a couple times more in pure joy but alas there will be no more encounters with Kennebago for last summer it was dismantled to make way for a fancy quad...
O Kennebago....
I long for your long gentle, quiet whisk up the hill
where only the sound of my skis on the snow is heard
and the only sight is of snow laden evergreens bowing to winter
work in progress ....
With its natural wood, the most beautiful ski lodge in New England resides at Saddleback. But Saddleback's greater claim to fame was home to the once world renowned, Kennebago t-bar. Yes, the highest altitude t-bar in New England.
My first encounter with the Kennebago t-bar was fraught with indecision. Upon reading the 17th warning sign, my friend and I, having spent considerable amount of time working for insurance companies, timidly turned away from the practically vertical venerable t-bar.
While boarding the lower mountain, I kept furtively glancing toward the top of the mountain. Finally I gave in and trekked back to the car and switched snowboard for skis. After a chairlift or two and a couple of runs later, I found myself at the base of the daunting t-bar. This time, chin up, I confidently skied up to the t-bar and was whisked away. Ahhh. The hand of God once again gently guiding me up the hill. With the evergreens drooping with snow and muffling the world except for the swooshing of snow beneath my skies and yes, the occasional clanking of the bar...such paradise... until I spotted my disembarkment destination glittering in solid ice. Egads.
As I let go of the t-bar, it shot away like a human cannonball making a terrifying whizzing sound. After some fancy footwork and ill-performed ski ballet, I found myself safely situated on snow not ice.
I rode the lift a couple times more in pure joy but alas there will be no more encounters with Kennebago for last summer it was dismantled to make way for a fancy quad...
Herman Mountain, Skowhegan ME
I like Herman Mountain. Nothing fancy. Matter of fact lots of people milling around with outfits and skis from the 70's (well, maybe the 80's) - remember straight skis? Very friendly place.
Snowboarding mountain left which had an ungroomed stretch was my favorite. The runs may be short but so were the lift lines except for one hour before lunch when everybody decided to all participate at once. Shared many enjoyable conversations with the younger set on the lift. Did I mention, friendly place?
Snowboarding mountain left which had an ungroomed stretch was my favorite. The runs may be short but so were the lift lines except for one hour before lunch when everybody decided to all participate at once. Shared many enjoyable conversations with the younger set on the lift. Did I mention, friendly place?
Black Mountain, Rumford ME
There are two ski hills in New England with the same name and they are not that far apart: Black Mountain in Rumford, Maine and Black Mountain in Jackson, NH.
I apparently skied Black Mountain on one of their big promotion days - free skiing for all the kids in town or something to that extent. I got there shortly after they opened in the late afternoon and started to put down first tracks through 16 inches of untouched powder on a side trail when I promptly fell and found myself thoroughly stuck. By the time I extricated myself from the snow, 3 kids had whizzed by and put down first, second and third tracks.
I did one run and ran away.
I apparently skied Black Mountain on one of their big promotion days - free skiing for all the kids in town or something to that extent. I got there shortly after they opened in the late afternoon and started to put down first tracks through 16 inches of untouched powder on a side trail when I promptly fell and found myself thoroughly stuck. By the time I extricated myself from the snow, 3 kids had whizzed by and put down first, second and third tracks.
I did one run and ran away.
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