Perfect Spring Skiing Weekend in Maine

What a great weekend it was for spring skiing!  With temps in the 40's and bright sunny skies, I was off to Black Mountain and then Sugarloaf.  Black Mountain is a small ski resort in Rumford.  It's ideal for famlies with small children, and the best thing is that it only cost $15 a day to ski there!  You can't beat that.

My friends Henri and his wife Sandrine.

Beautiful blue sky.

Maddy, my new best small people friend...and me, clowning around!  

Henri, ripping it up!

We skied there for most of the day, and then it was time to move on...move on down the road, welll actually up the road to Sugarloaf.  Plans were to stay at the The Herbert Grand Hotel in Kingfield.

This place is unique....it was built in 1918 and as you step into the place, you feel that time just stopped.

How can you not love a place that has a  party with a band called "The Western Mountain Trash Can Band."  I wish I could have stayed up there for this!

 The place has beautifu woodwork....

and those old phones, no, not the rotary dial ones, the ones before that!  They still have them in the rooms....

Once we settled in, we walked across the street to have dinner at Longfellow's....how convenient and good!  Longfellow's has burgers, mexican food, italian food, just about something for everyone.

The next morning, I took a wak around town.  It didn't take too long, "downtown" isnt very big!  but it's a cute little town, the Carrabassett River runs through it.

When I returned to the hotel, the fam was ready to leave for the mountain.  Sugarloaf is about a half and hour or less away.

 It was a beautiful day at the Mountain, it actually felt warmer at the top than at the bottom!
And it was one of the few days I've been there in which I could see for miles from the top.

A typical weekend in wintry Maine....

involves some nordic skiing

in springlike conditions (this is at Harris Farm in Dayton).

The following day, I drove to Saddleback Mountain which is in Rangeley (about 3 - 3/12 hours north of Saco).....to go alpine skiing.  It was Maine Day at Saddleback and ticket prices for Mainers were $29 for the day....well worth the long drive!

A totally different world!  Granted this was at the top of the mountain, surprisingly enough it wasn't as frigid as it appears to be.  That's because there was no wind!  It was actually the first time I've been at Saddleback and it hasn't been painfully cold and windy.  

 This is me with my son, Alex, up above and Alex with my soon-to-be son-in-law Andrew below:

 Fun hats!

 While Alex and Andrew were on Black Diamonds, I much prefer the slower pace of the long meandering trails....

 stopping to peer into the woods.

Quite pretty, isn't it?  The best part is that I was the only one on the trail!

Andrew and I stopped for a midday break at the yurt which is halfway up the mountain.  After getting us some PBRs, we went out on the deck and enjoyed the company of some Canadian jay birds, I believe that's what these are.  They're pretty use to being fed and were actually quite picky, opting for the granola in Andrew's hand as opposed to the white bread that the person next to him had!

I had one of the most embarrasing moments of my life at the yurt.  When I went back in to see whether or not they had a restroom (I doubt that they do)...I stumbled onto the floor as I missed the step with my heavy ski boots.  As if that was not enough in itself (the place was full, mind you, with 30-40 people), all of the shovels that were leaning against the wall, fell on top of me!!!  I had my PBR in m hand when I fell, and amazingly enough it fell w/o toppling over, but started foaming naturally....someone yellled at me, "Save your beer!"   I did, got up, and promptly walked out!!  whereupon, Andrew asked me, "Was that you that made all of that noise in there?!"  

 I love the lodge at Saddleback, just look at this fireplace and the great big windows that look out onto the Mountain, pouring in lots of light...I love the feel of Saddleback, very family oriented, low-key, if you ever get a chance, go!