The number of ski areas operating may have declined, but April always has some special events that make the last days of the ski season more interesting. The fun begins next weekend and continues through the various closing days, some of which will be as late as May. Killington will surely try to have skiing into June.
One of the biggest events will take place at Sunday River when amateur and professional skiers compete for $20,000 in prizes in the annual Bust ‘n’ Burn competition. The bumps have been built up on Tempest which will be a change for spectators. The run isn’t as steep as White Heat so it will be easier to ski down along the side the course. Qualifying gets underway Saturday at 9:30 a.m., with the finals Sunday at 10 a.m.
Saturday at 3 p.m. there will be pond skimming at Barker Base, and bands will be playing starting Thursday night. That should get the month started in good shape.
April 4 is a ski free day at Sunday River for residents of SAD #44, Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock.
Sugarloaf kicks off the month with a Spring Weekend Bash with bands.
Saddleback will have live music in the lounge for apres ski Saturday, April 3.
Mt. Abram has set April 4 as closing day. As this was written no special events had been set, but look for plenty of activity in the base area.
Wildcat’s WCYY Reggae Spring Fling is April 3 with pond skimming one of the attractions.
The following weekend, April 10-11, will be busy. Sunday River will have a sunrise service and Easter egg hunt. Sugarloaf has the McKay-Waddle Open Telemark and Alpine competition Saturday to raise funds for local kids programs with Easter festivities Sunday.
Saddleback’s Easter festivities start Saturday with pond skimming, music and a cookout. Sunday features a special breakfast followed by an egg hunt on the Wheeler Slope. How late the area will operate will be determined by the weather and skier demand.
Wildcat is planning an egg hunt and deck barbeque for Easter and Bretton Woods will have an egg hunt and Easter bonnet contest.
Other events include Sugarloaf’s 16th annual Reggae Weekend April 15-18.
The Loaf will have a season pass holders barbeque on projected closing day April 25. Bretton Woods Family Festival is scheduled for April 16-24 and the Schuss and Putt weekend is set for April 23-24.
Sunday River hopes to celebrate with their annual Ski Mania Ski Free Day on May 1.
Shawnee Peak’s ski season ends today, but one of the biggest events of the season will be next weekend. The Rock Maple Racing Snowmobile Hillcross and Sno-X Series will be held April 3-4. The top three competitors in the Hillcross will be invited to compete in the 2005 X-Games. This is the final qualifier so some of the best snowmobilers in the Eastern United States and Canada will be on hand fighting for those three spots. Saturday’s competition will run all day and into the evening. Tickets are $12 per day or $20 for the weekend with children under 10 admitted free.
The mix of snowmobiles, skiing and other winter sports has brought diverse groups together and this is one of the most spectacular events for an audience.
Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.
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