March 23, 2009 E-MAIL PRINT

Around the Region: Sweet treats on the slopes

by Marty Basch/

Spring is loaded with events from bumps to pond skims. Attitash in Bartlett, N.H., hosts its mogul jam March 28. (photo: Attitash)

Spring is loaded with events from bumps to pond skims. Attitash in Bartlett, N.H., hosts its mogul jam March 28. (photo: Attitash)

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The last weekend in March means last hurrahs for many ski areas across New England, but the big kings of spring march into April. Events are filled with pond skimming, barbecues and bumps. Vermont has some sweet treats, too.

With a little planning, skiers and riders can combine some sweet spring snow sliding with a visit to a Vermont sugarhouse for a chance to see how sap from sugar maples gets boiled down to make pure Vermont maple syrup. The eighth annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend will be held at sugarhouses throughout the state March 27-29. Activities during Maple Open House Weekend will include maple sugarhouse tours where visitors can watch maple syrup being made and sample maple products.

Five bands rock the house during the Bud Light ReggaeFest at Mount Snow in West Dover, Vt., March 27-29. The shows inside the Snow Barn come with a cover charge, but the Cuzzins concerts are free. The pond skim is on a 150-foot long pond while the Sunday Duct Tape Derby always has creative entries.

The Joey Jam makes its debut March 28 at Okemo in Ludlow, Vt. On March 29, the Amp Bus Ride features skiers and riders showing their stuff on a tricked-out bus.

Gunstock in Gilford, N.H., is having $25 midweek tickets for the rest of the season.

The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge comes to Loon in Lincoln, N.H., March 28, and at Wildcat it's a Nevado Demo Day. Attitash has the bumpy Grand Stand Mogul Jam, while Sunapee holds its annual T-shirt Race. On March 29, Cranmore hosts its last rail jam of the season — Cranarchy.

Spring Fling. Spring Splash. Slush Cup. Splash Pond. No matter the name, there are a bevy of pond skimming events coming up. On March 28, Sugarbush, Burke Mountain, Granite Gorge, Black Mountain, Ragged, Cranmore and Bretton Woods all have skimming contests. Black Mountain of Maine and King Pine have theirs on March 29. Loon, Mount Sunapee, Cannon, Wildcat, Waterville, Saddleback and Okemo have April 4 for the event, and Gunstock and Wachusett April 5. Stratton has one April 12.

Wachusett has a pro-am competition, The Northeast Meltdown, slated for March 28 and an early Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration March 29 at the Princeton, Mass., mountain.

In Maine, Saddleback is the place for a March 28 cardboard box race, and Shawnee Peak gets the pajama crowd for the annual America's Mattress Race.

Looking ahead, Waterville Valley has dollar lift tickets on April 1 and Mad River Glen has two-for-one that day if you "act a fool at the counter" when buying those passes. Ski free April 1 at Okemo if you donate at least three non-perishable food items that will be given to local food banks. On April 2, Okemo has $29 lift tickets.

At Sunday River, The Dumont Cup makes its inaugural appearance April 11. Hometown hero Simon Dumont will host the pro/am jam competition.

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