Spring skiing: With snow still falling, fun times abound in ski country

The pond skim is an annual tradition at Killington. (John Everett/Killington Mountain Resort)

Springtime is perfect for a family ski getaway. Warm sunshine, longer days and fewer crowds on the slopes are good reasons to get out on the snow this year in March and April.

Plus, resorts go all out with fun family events, from pond skimming to open-air concerts to enticing deals to get you out on the hill one more time or maybe for the first time this season.

Even if it’s been a little warm in your neighborhood lately, winter is still going strong up north. Some areas of northern New England received 14 inches of snow on Sunday and Monday. And thanks to great snowmaking and grooming techniques to keep mountain terrain in tip-top shape.

With one of the higher elevations in the Northeast, Killington has been churning out snow on its famous Superstar trail with depths needed to stretch the season long into spring, targeting a Memorial Day weekend closing. Killington’s The Drift newsletter reported in a late February edition: We’ve already made more snow on our signature spring trail than we did all of last season and plan to keep making snow when temps allow.

Killington’s popular Unlimited Spring Pass is on sale now for $359 until March 15, and then the price increases to $379. It’s valid from mid-March until closing.

TV: How to enjoy spring skiing in New England

Spring snow and parties

Most of all, spring is the time for sliding on softer, slushier snow and fun events, from Waterville’s traditional Easter Egg hunt to Bretton Woods’ Spring Beach Party to Sugarloaf’s Reggae Festival (April 11-14).

Spring bump skiing always has been a big tradition in the East and especially at Killington and Sunday River. The annual Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge at Killington on April 6 pits amateur bumpers on super-steep Outer Limits to battle for a spot in the head-to-head duals final. At Sunday River, Bust ‘N’ Burn returns on White Heat’s bumps, celebrating the original legends of freestyle. Registration for the Junior or Open division is ongoing for the event from March 29-31, culminating with Sunday’s Dual Championship.

Alpine racers get in on the fun at the Stowe Sugar Slalom, a two-day event April 2-3 attracting about 1,000 competitors and 600 spectators. Set in a Mardi Gras atmosphere, it features on-mountain BBQs and the tapping of maple trees with maple syrup treats on snow, doughnuts and pickles at the finish line.

Festive parties are a spring thing, too. At Attitash on March 30, the annual ’70s Spring Sendoff with the Motor Booty Affair band is a 20-year-old tradition celebrating bell bottoms and platform shoes on the dance floor in Ptarmigans all afternoon long. Fans say the show gets better every year and has been called the “Ultimate Disco Party Band” with hits from the Bee Gees, KC & the Sunshine Band, Chic and more.

The 36th annual Sugarloaf Reggae Festival, presented by Baxter Outdoors on April 11-14, is four days of music and non-stop parties at the base of the Maine mountain. John Brown’s Body and Long Beach Dub Allstars are the headliners for music, and there are two days of outside entertainment at The Beach.

Pond skimming fun

Pond skimming is another tradition at ski resorts commemorating the end of the season with parties and prizes. Don’t worry if you miss the skimming part and plunge into the icy cold water: Ski patrol and resort personnel are on hand to pull you out so you can go warm up in the lodge. Pond skim days are super fun whether you decide to participate or just watch.

Gunstock’s event is held on the first Saturday in April and its final day of the season. Prizes will be awarded for best crossing, best splash and best costume. Participation is limited to the first 100 sign-ups. A Biergarten and BBQ outside Gunstock’s Stockade Lodge opens at 11 a.m. to add to the festive spirit of the day.

Sugarbush has a 120-foot-long pond skim at the base of Lincoln Peak on April 6, with prizes for overall style, biggest splash and best costume.

Cardboard box derbies also are getting popular. Crotched’s event is on St. Patrick’s Day, and participants must build their sled using cardboard, tape, zip ties and paint. Mount Sunapee’s Cardboard Sled Race and Mount Snow’s Duct Tape Derby are similar, awarding prizes for best crash, fastest time and best design.

Total eclipse of the sun

Other reasons to get up to ski country: On April 8, day becomes night when the total eclipse of the sun blacks out skies across northern New England. It will be the last total eclipse in the contiguous United States until 2044. Sugarbush, Stowe, Jay Peak, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Bretton Woods and others are offering lodging deals and viewing parties to celebrate.

For example, the Omni Mountain Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods’ “Solarbration” offers an early check-in, late check-out and an eclipse-themed treat. Plus, view the eclipse through “Omni” solar glasses. The deal must be booked by March 28 and is available April 5-9.

Sugarbush invites guests to experience the total eclipse with a party featuring The Grift playing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” specialty cocktails and commemorative totality viewing glasses.