It never fails. I see the white
sandals and flimsy Easter bonnets on display, and I have my annual
chuckle. Sundresses with matching hats are premature, at best, in
New England this time of year. Easter is prime time for spring
skiing, not searching for hidden plastic eggs on your frozen brown
lawn.
Our family has made a tradition of Easter on the slopes. Easter Sunday
is early this year, the last weekend in March, which bodes well for
good spring conditions, since we don’t have the stockpile of snow of
the previous winter.
Instead of outfitting your children in frilly Sunday finery, I suggest
you pack the ski gear and the sunscreen for an on-snow holiday.
Mountain resorts do their part to make Easter a festive event.
Churchgoers need not be concerned with missing Sunday service. Ski
resorts hold sunrise services, often on the top of the mountain. I
can’t think of a more spiritually inspiring setting (though honestly,
I rarely make the 5am chair).
In
addition to kid friendly activities like Easter egg hunts and visits
from the big Bunny himself, resorts are offering some favorable
end-of-season lift and lodging deals.
Okemo in Vermont offers an ecumenical
Easter Sunrise Service, and an “infamous” Easter Bonnet Contest at noon. Make your own
bonnet to parade about and you could win an award. Here are the
categories so that you have a “heads up” for your bonnet: the best ski
related theme, the zaniest bonnet, and the best child’s bonnet.
During the ski day at Okemo, your kids can search for Easter eggs
hidden about the slopes. Kids can then redeem their eggs at the
Learning Center Desk for a special surprise.
Lift and lodging packages for the Easter weekend at Okemo start at $88
per person/per day in a 1 bedroom ski in /ski out condo, based on a
family of four.
Easter
at Stowe is a long-standing tradition with an
Annual Easter Sunrise Service, a non-denominational church service
reached by gondola on Vermont’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield. This is a
fantastic way to greet the sun and start your family ski day ahead of
the pack. The wake up run following sunrise service is a religious
experience in and of itself. Follow this up with a family breakfast at
the base and an Easter Egg Hunt at Spruce Peak.
Bretton Woods expects the Easter Bunny to attend their egg hunt on
Sunday, after his basket delivery is complete. The Easter Bonnet Ski
Hat Promenade is your opportunity to wear your Sunday best while
indulging in your favorite pastime.
Waterville Valley will offer an Easter sunrise service on the
mountain. The subsequent early morning turns are your reward for
getting up before the birds. Kids can take part in the Easter egg hunt
during the day. Packages here start at $105 per person/per night and
include skiing and use of the health club.
Nearby Loon has an egg hunt on the Upper Bear Claw trail for kids
7-12, and at the Octagon for kids 6 and under, followed by “Earn Your
Whiskers” bunny face painting.
Sugarloaf, my usual Easter destination, will be celebrating with their
traditional Easter Parade, a perennial collaboration of the most
unusual costumes created by Carrabassett natives and Loaf lovers from
away. Awards are given for the best costumes (hint: Sugarloaf themed
get-ups are usually the prize-grabbers). Amos the Moose and Blueberry
Bear will be on hand to welcome their special guest, the Easter Bunny.
Sunrise service on the Double Runner lift starts off the special day
at the Loaf.
The
Loaf’s northern location and significant snowfall always assures
great Easter sliding. Sugarloaf ski and stay packages start at $79
per person per night, maximum occupancy (4 people in a one bedroom
condo, with a pull out couch).
Last but not least, a pilgrimage north of the border to Quebec’s
Sainte Anne Basilica would provide an Easter to remember. This is the
Mecca, if you will, for cold weather Christians. Since you have made
the (6+ hour) trip, you can certainly justify skiing at Mont Sainte
Anne for a day or two (or three – the exchange rate is that good).
Families staying slopeside at the Château Mont Sainte Anne can walk to
the gondola, restaurants and the fun kids’ activities planned for
Easter weekend. A two night lift and lodging package is $179 per
person Canadian including a welcome drink and Swiss fondue.
Spending Easter on the slopes will extend your family’s ski season. I
love skiing this time of year. Ticket and lodging prices plummet as
the barometer rises, softening the bill and the snow under your
boards.
My kids love spring skiing, no more cold fingers and toes. Goggles and
neck warmers are replaced with cool shades and SPF30. Say goodbye to
flat light, hand warmers and numerous hot cocoa breaks. Say hello to a
festive, sunny Easter weekend on snow. It may well be the start of a
new family tradition.
If you still insist on buying that fancy hat – you can wear it while
skiing in the Easter parade and reveal your inner ski bunny
tendencies.
