Unless you’re reading this very early, it’s too late for sunrise services that several mountains host each Easter Sunday. But you can still get in on parades and egg hunts — and enjoy some of the best skiing of the season. A year ago, the first day of spring featured temperatures near 80, and the ski season took a major hit. This year, the last day of winter gave the mountains a foot or more of snow on top of strong accumulations for the season. The result is deep snow on all the ski trails and an outlook for skiing well into April and possibly May.

Obviously, with the sun high and daytime highs above freezing, the snow won’t remain powder, but as long as we get freezing nights we should have fine spring skiing surfaces. As always, the question is how long will ski areas stay open, and the answer has nothing to do with snow cover. Ski areas will stay open as long as enough skiers show up to pay the bills.

This is a time of year when skiers find other options. But this year a lot of those options are not available. Last year, golf courses opened in March, and that included Maine. This year, even Massachusetts courses are still under snow. More importantly, no one can say “it’s time to rake the yard,” not when the yard is under a foot of snow. That means there is no excuse.

Why not ski?

Today Shawnee Peak is wrapping up the season with just about 100 percent cover, and it promises to be a great day on the deck. The Easter bunny will make an appearance and there will be the traditional egg hunt.

Mt. Abram celebrates Easter today and also has plenty of cover. Congratulations are in order for an incredible fund raiser for Winterkids. The weekend of March 9-10, the area hosted the first Down Hill Derby, a 24-hour marathon where 150 skiers skied around the clock to raise money for this program that helps get 20,000 Maine school kids get outdoors in winter. They raised a staggering $43,000, which will go a long way toward keeping this program moving.

Saddleback, Sugarloaf and Sunday River will continue on after this weekend, with Saddleback operating just weekends as weather permits.

There are a few big events still on tap. One of the biggest is Parrot Head Festival at Sunday River next weekend. This event features outdoor concerts, barbecues, parties, pond skimming and non-stop partying from Friday through Sunday. The big beach party is at White Cap base Saturday. For details go to www.sundayriver.com.

Sugarloaf will kick off April on Wednesday evening when everyone dons tuxedos for the annual Snowmakers Ball. Formal attire is recommended when a group of employees and pass holders gather in the Widowmaker Lounge to salute the resort’s snowmakers for their contribution to great skiing at Sugarloaf.

The following Saturday, April 6, Sugarloaf is taking pond skimming to a new level with the East Coast Pond Skimming Championship at Bullwinkles. It’s open to the first 100 skimmers who show up and sign up by 11 a.m. The following weekend is the 25th annual Reggae Fest. How long the season will go at Sugarloaf will be determined by the weather and how many skiers keep showing up, but Ethan Austin told me, “May is the goal.”

Naturally, this is the time of year when deck parties start as early as noon and go on until after the lifts close for the day. At Sugarloaf, the Beach, the area immediately in front of the base lodge is a favorite. At Sunday River, the parties are divided. The patio in front of the South Ridge base lodge is always busy as is the space outside the White Cap base. Old timers can be found at Barker Base, especially if they date back to the early days when that was the only base lodge. Saddleback’s new base lodge has an expansive deck as well and all of these decks face the sun.

Over in New Hampshire, Wildcat, with its high-base elevation is always a great spot for skiing well into late spring, and their deck usually has barbecue-going weekends. Cranmore won’t last as long with the low elevation and south facing slopes, but the deck off the pub is always a favorite spot. As with Maine areas, skiing will continue into April with the usual caveat, “weather permitting.” and as long as skiers keep showing up.

While there are still plenty of lifts turning, most skiers will hold off from heading for Mt. Washington and Tuckerman Ravine, but there is one event worth mentioning, the annual Tuck Inferno and Wildcat Wildfire. The fund raiser to help preserve skiing and other uses of the Ravine takes place April 20. To learn more about this pentathlon competition go to www.friendsoftuckerman.com.

Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that only one word describes spring skiing conditions, “Variable.” A typical day starts with frozen granular, often smoothly groomed, and as the snow softens, it becomes soft and forgiving and later in the day heavy. It also varies from one place on the mountain to another. Sunny spots soften first, especially on the lower mountain. Be aware of these changing conditions and ski accordingly.

Ski prep is also important. If the bases of your skis haven’t been cleaned and re-waxed for a few weeks, now is the time. Any buildup of grime will make the skis grab. Clean them thoroughly and apply a temperature appropriate wax. Carry a rub on wax to add during the day if necessary. This will make spring skiing a lot more enjoyable.And don’t forget the sun screen and shades. See you on the deck.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Maine