Resorts are springing into action for the ski season’s stretch run

Sunday River started laying a deeper foundation for spring by making snow this week. (Sunday River Photo)

It’s the middle of March and some New England ski areas might not be open past this weekend, calling an end to the 2020-21 skiing and riding season. 

Meanwhile, up in Maine, Sunday River made snow. 

It’s not all that usual to see resorts blowing a new surface onto their trails while in the midst of the spring season.

Yet, that was what was happening in Newry, Maine Tuesday with snowmaking on the Right Stuff, Sunday Punch, and Ecstasy trails. 

Piling it up ❄️ pic.twitter.com/pM3zx3hQzs

— Sunday River (@sundayriver) March 15, 2021

It wasn’t the only bright sign that resorts are committing to a full and lengthy spring season, despite COVID-19 limitations that have managed to cancel many annual events.

On Sunday, Killington posted an image of Superstar from February, showing the massive whales of snow piled up on the springtime favorite, ultimately promising that the season still had a lot of life in Vermont. Last week, Vail announced extended seasons for Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, and Wildcat (even if the expected April 18 closing date seems early for a mountain that, before Peak and Vail’s ownerships, used to push its season into May).

In case you missed it, we had ourselves a little snow harvest on Superstar – a few times actually. 💪 Why? Because we love #springskiing at The Beast!

Today's the last day to lock in the NOR'BEASTER Spring Pass for the greatest savings. https://t.co/ow6nsAaVSX #beast365 pic.twitter.com/ivucuPmdbc

— Killington Resort (@KillingtonMtn) March 14, 2021

Seeing the resorts’ commitment to the spring season is a relief. After all, it would have been, perhaps, fitting to see a season filled with pandemic regulations and restrictions end earlier than anybody really wanted. Travel restrictions have really been a deterrence for many crossing state borders. But now that more and more of the public is getting vaccinated, those doors are slowly opening. 

It could mean a lot of pent-up desire to hit the slopes late in a season when many were kept from the activity. 

Personally, I do most of my skiing during the March and April months (and beyond) anyway. For one, it’s when my kids’ extracurricular calendars get less mobbed. But the vibe of spring skiing is something that just energizes my soul. I love soft bumps, stripping down to a single layer, and the smell of sunscreen wafting throughout the trails. Yeah, in New England, the inevitable re-freeze (see last weekend) can put a wrench into planning. But when you hit that perfect spring day on the mountain, it’s an experience worth every other day you run into sub-par conditions. 

After a season like we’ve had, it might have been easy to throw in the towel and wait for next year. The fact that some resorts are intent on lasting as long as they can is more than a satisfactory turn. 

Shiffrin faces final chance for slalom title

Mikaela Shiffrin trails both Katharina Liensberger and Petra Vlhova in the slalom discipline heading into this weekend’s World Cup Finals in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

The product of Burke Mountain Academy still has a chance to win a crystal globe, given to season champions in every discipline. Shiffrin will head into Saturday’s race with 575 total points, trailing Liensberger (590) by 15, and front-runner Vhova (612) by 37. Even with a win though, Shiffrin faces an uphill climb to the title. Vhova only needs to finish first or second to take the crown. 

Only if Shiffrin wins and Vlhova finishes third or lower will the American skier be able to win her seventh World Cup crystal globe.

“The only thing you can really expect is an exciting show,” Shiffrin said. “I have no idea how it’s going to turn out. Kathi [Liensberger] and Petra [Vlhova] are both very strong … anything is possible at Finals, and I’m not totally out of the fight, which after [finishing third in the March 12 slalom] is a little bit of a surprise even, so we’ll see.”

The women’s slalom run can be seen live on Peacock, Saturday morning at 5:30 (first run) and 8:30 (second run). Check NBC Sports for a complete schedule of all the World Cup Finals events the network will be streaming on Peacock and airing on NBC Sports Network. 

Spring edition of New England Ski Journal now live

The spring edition of New England Ski Journal has hit the Internet, with spring features on Tuckerman Ravine, backcountry skiing, and using your car as your ski lodge this season. 

Elsewhere in ski news…

— James Taylor accepted his Grammy for Best Traditional/Pop Vocal Album from a chairlift. Taylor only mentioned that he was “in the mountains.” No word on where the Boston native was skiing. 

🏆 Winner, Best Traditional/Pop Vocal Album! 🎉 #GRAMMYs #AmericanStandard pic.twitter.com/JNlZChWhSh

— James Taylor (@JamesTaylor_com) March 14, 2021

— There has been little word coming from Vail’s camp, but the resort conglomerate is promising something big on March 23. “This changes everything,” reads the tagline for the Epic Pass’ new development. Any theories? 

—I filled one of my bucket list items when I saw Phish play four nights at Red Rocks back in 2009. But now, it seems, I may have to make new plans to visit the Colorado amphitheater after several skiers were caught (illegally) skiing down the stands. Just to watch, obviously. 

New episode of New England Ski Journal TV

https://vimeo.com/524007377

Spring is the theme of the latest episode of New England Ski Journal TV, with visits to Sugarloaf Mountain, Killington Resort, Wachusett Mountain, and Great Glen Trails. Also, get a taste for what’s on tap at Woodstock Inn Brewery with this month’s Brew Minute. Host Steven Rouse presents an annual favorite, Woodstock’s Wassail Ale.

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