Although we have been skiing since mid-November — and some adventurous souls since October — it seems as if March has come too quickly.
I have mixed feelings. I don’t like the idea that we are in the last half of the season, but March is my favorite month to ski. I like the longer days, the higher sun, the better light, and when we have this much snow I enjoy the warmth of that higher sun.
What could be better? The snow is deep on every trail and we can ski in comfort without fear of our skis finding a rock.
The ski areas like March as well. They must, because they have all kinds of special events.
The biggest party day of the season is St. Patrick’s Day, and it comes on a weekend this year. Not all of the St. Patrick’s Day events are listed, but you can be sure there will be plenty of Irish music and busy decks if the sun shines.
I don’t think any ski areas go as far as Brodie, down in the Berkshires. Jim Kelly, who called his ski area Kelly’s Irish Alps, used to feed food coloring into the snowmaking pipes to produce green snow. That area no longer exists, but the spirit of the day is still a reason to celebrate and it could be considered the official start of the spring skiing season.
March is also the month that most season-long recreational racing series wrap up. At Lost Valley, the Skiers’ Edge Final take place March 10, the day after Mary’s Firemen for a Cure Race. The March 17 will have Shamrock Shootouts, and the 31st is set for the Annual Beach Bash.
At Mount Abram, March 8 is Red Friday Veteran’s Appreciation Day, followed the next day by the Baxter Outdoor Packed Powder Series.
Thursday, March 14, you can race against Maine Ski Hall of Famers in the second annual Ski Museum Legends race. The race, a giant slalom, is open to all skiers 50 and older. This started at Sunday River a year ago and was well-attended, with some great performances by some very senior racers.
I’ll check out the course and if it’s low enough on Boris and short enough you might get to race against me. But you’re more likely to see me alongside the course with my camera. Of course, any race set on Boris can be viewed from base lodge and the Loose Boots Lounge.
March 17 is Winterkids Family Day combined with some St. Patrick’s celebrations and the Bartenders Bash (don’t ask what this one involves) on March 23.
Shawnee Peak continues a busy month with the Jack Valelly Memorial race next Saturday along with the Maine Childrens’ Cancer Family Ski Day. Other events include the Mattress Race (March 16), Slush Cup (March 23) and Maine Maple Syrup Day (March 24).
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sugarloaf, my early fall prediction will come true.
When it was announced that Waterville Valley would host the technical events for the U. S. National Alpine Championships, I speculated that because that resort lacked the vertical and terrain for the speed events we could see them at Sugarloaf, and sure enough, the super-G, downhill and Alpine combined will be at the Loaf from March 18-21.
Unfortunately, Lindsey Vonn has retired, but we could see Mikaela Shiffrin, our country’s winningest ever skier after Vonn, in the super-G.
March 23 is the Sugarloaf ski Club Snow Ball. And one event in April deserves mention: April 3 is the annual Snowmakers Ball, when the snowmakers, attired in tuxedos, sit at a head table to be cheered by the skiers.
A pair of big events highlight the Sunday River schedule. The annual Maine Adaptive Sports Skiathon takes place March 23. This is one you can get involved in either by entering or pledging to support one of the contestants. To learn how you can participate go to www.maineadaptive.org.
This event is the biggest fundraiser for the organization and raises in excess of $300,000 annually. I skied in the inaugural event and was fortunate to be on Les Otten’s team. I’m sure he twisted the arms of all of Sunday River’s suppliers because our team raised the most money by a wide margin and we all won a trip to Vail.
This is an easy one because you don’t have to be a hot ski racer to win. It’s all about raising the most money. Simply ask sponsors to pledge so much per run, but make sure that you get the pledge to match the maximum amount they are willing to give in the number of runs you can do comfortably in a day. I did 22 that first day, but today I pledge for a friend and you can as well.
March 29-30 the World Pro ski Tour returns after a wild start last year. The tall banners laid flat in the wind and it was especially challenging for the racers going off the jumps. The races will take place on Monday Mourning so it can all be seen from the Barker Base Lodge. Let’s hope the temperatures are a bit more friendly for viewing from the deck or in the finish area.
Obviously, there are more events coming up and each area lists a bunch of bands and music groups appearing either in the evening or late afternoon. These are too many to list here, but they can be found on the various ski area websites along with details of the events listed.
SETTING IT STRAIGHT
Finally, I need to make a correction. I told you last week that Bates had the only Division I ski program in Maine. I learned that Colby also competes in Division I in both Alpine and cross country and Bowdoin has a Division I cross country program. All three compete in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association.
See you on the slopes.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
