Don’t pack away the snow gear just yet. The most fun family events are still
on tap at ski resort in New England. For our family, the best skiing of the
season often arrives after “winter.” Spring skiing brings the obvious
sunshine and soft snow, with a bonus of the best celebrations on the slopes.
The opportunity to wear wild outfits and play silly on snow games is worth
keeping the boards out into mid-April.
My daughter loves to rummage through our old ski garb to find funny
“vintage” (that means 10-20 years old to her) attire. My son looks forward
to having his cheeseburger in paradise, on the baselodge deck with music
playing.
Spring ski parties aren’t just about babes skiing in bikini tops and tapping
kegs for tailgates. There are some really fun family events you should check
out with your children:
Carboard Box Races and Dummy Downhills are classic ski season ending
traditions to test your family’s creativity. The whole gang can get involved
inventing a snow sliding corrugated contraption. Dad can be design team
engineer, Mom is best as creative material supplier, while the kids can go
crazy with costume detail and crash testing. Look for cardboard box races
and Downhill Dummy races at Okemo,
Saddleback, Mt Abram and Sunapee. Many
resorts incorporate a theme, like Sunapee’s Intragalactic race - now in its
18th year. Resorts typically give prizes for funniest and most festive, not
just fastest sled.
Pond Skimming is a wet and wild spring ski ritual. I recommend this rowdy
activity as a spectator sport event only. Suffice it to say my daughter’s
ski boots took two weeks to dry after last year’s Sunday River splash down.
You and the kids can watch pond skimming at
Wachusett,
Okemo, Killington,
Cannon, Loon, Wildcat, Waterville Valley, Sunapee,
Sunday River and
Saddleback to name a few.
Easter is often a warm sunny weekend, and there is no better place to
rejoice than in the mountains. Killington,
Stowe,
Smugglers, Waterville
Valley, Loon and Sugarloaf deliver early birds up the mountain before dawn
for a non-denominational Easter Sunrise service. As a parent of two sleepy
teenagers, however, I do not recommend waking
their age group for this first
tracks family activity. Sunrise Service is better appreciated by the bright
and early younger set, with a promise of first tracks, a big breakfast and a
treats from the bunny after their morning on the mountain. Ski resorts
Killington,
Okemo,
Jay Peak, Loon,
Saddleback,
Sunday River and
Sugarloaf
all host egg hunts; many also have costume parades on the slopes.
Some of the best deals on lodging and lift tickets are popping up like
crocus in your background this time of year too. Crowds dwindle as the snow
turns to sweet creamed corn. Areas with high elevation can stay open well
into April. Sugarloaf is planning to stay open till May, with ski and stay
packages as low as $49 per person per day.
Lather the kids with sunscreen, dress them in layers, and teach them the
joys of spring skiing. Forget frostbite and face masks, wacky sunglasses and
kooky costumes are the wardrobe of choice. Summer sports will wait.
