Another season melts away

To paraphrase a famous general, ski seasons don’t die, they just melt away.

The late Gen. Douglas MacArthur was talking about old soldiers, but the analogy fits. Now that April is here, we have only the big, higher mountains still operating, but they have enough snow to go for several weeks — if the skiers keep skiing.

There is plenty of cover at Saddleback, Sunday River and Sugarloaf, and barring a heavy warm rain or skyrocketing temperatures, we could have a few more weeks and skiing into May. Saddleback is now weekends only, but the other two are still operating on a daily basis. Check condition reports before heading for the mountain, and fortunately with websites updated daily and often as the day goes on, it’s easy to have an accurate picture of what you’ll find at the mountain, as long as we keep in mind that this time of year conditions change as temperatures rise throughout the day.

While skiing will continue, this column will take a hiatus until another season gets underway, so it’s time to take a look at some at some ideas for the off season, and a few tips on skiing after the lifts finally close.

Is this the year that you finally make the pilgrimage to Mt. Washington to ski Tuckerman Ravine? I have to admit that I am no longer interested in climbing 3,000 vertical feet with my skis lashed to my pack frame, along with boots, lunch and extra clothing. I used to climb it every spring at least once, and sometimes more. When I lived on Paris Hill, I could drive about a quarter mile and see Mt. Washington. If the snowfields were glistening in the sun, I headed out. If not, I found something else to do that day.

Thanks to the Internet, you can get the information in real time. Go to www.friendsoftuckerman.org and click on weather. Clicking on AMC will link you to the Appalachian Mountain Club site for comprehensive reports on Tuckerman and the Sherburne Ski Trail. You can get all the conditions, avalanche danger ratings and everything you need to know to make the decision. Conditions will always vary on Mt. Washington and when you go makes all the difference. The day this was written, the Sherburne trail was reported as having packed powder at the top and a light crust further below. As the season wears on, the snow line will retreat up the mountain. In early to mid April, you can usually ski all the way back to the highway in Pinkham Notch. In May, plan on carrying your skis in and out. Skiing back down is a lot more fun than hiking back down the fire trail. The Friends website also has information on how to dress and needs for the climb.

Most critical is a well-fitted pair of over-the-ankle hiking boots. If you ski with a light ski sock, wear them under a heavier pair of hiking socks. Two pair of socks will be added protection against blisters. A typical hike up the fire trail in May will start on dry ground, change to wet conditions, mud and rocks, and end up walking on snow into the Hermit Lake shelter, about 2½ miles. Another half mile up over the Little Headwall trail will bring you to the floor of the Ravine, and you can choose your runs from there. If possible, make the trip with a Tuckerman veteran.

The end of the season is also the time to begin prepping for next season. Do you want to take your skis to the shop for a preseason tune or simply take them down from storage, run a wax iron over them base, scrape and be ready to go. The latter is recommended because it means properly storing your skis over the summer.

For storing, a full tune isn’t necessary, but it makes things easier in the fall. If you’re not into doing your own tuning, take them to your favorite shop after the final day of the season, have them tuned and waxed, but don’t scrape the wax. Leave a full coat to protect the base. While today’s P-tex base materials are superb for skiing, they are porous and will oxidize and deteriorate over the summer if not sealed. I do my own, but that’s because my basement contains a full tuning set up with a vise for the skis and all the tools necessary to do the work. Because I maintain them throughout the season with light touch-ups, my skis never need a full machine grinding. After the last day, I clean the base of any grime and old wax with a citrus based cleaner which won’t harm the P-tex.

Do not use a petroleum based product. With a tuning guide, I use a diamond stone to smooth the edges removing any burrs. This way I maintain the proper edge geometry. I then iron in a base prep wax (Use an inexpensive hydrocarbon) and store them in a cool dry place, making sure they do not come in contact with a concrete floor. Remove the liners from your boots and dry them thoroughly; reassemble fully buckled and store in a cool dry place out of sunlight which can harm the plastic.

Readers know I frequently mention the Ski Museum of Maine, of which the Maine Ski Hall of Fame is a division. The museum had fundraisers last fall and through the season. Now you skiers who also play golf can get involved. The First Annual Ski Museum of Maine Golf Classic takes place at Nonesuch, Monday June 10. There will be team scramble with a shotgun start, along with a lunch and auction. The No. 1 item will be a pair of Salomon Enduros with bindings. For details and registration forms, go to www.skimuseumofmaine.org. The museum in Kingfield is a repository of vital pieces of Maine’s skiing history and it needs all the support it can get. See you in November.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.