MaineSkiLady
Angel Diva
DH and I are on a mission to ski a few of the lesser-known, small family ski areas in Maine this winter. One is practically in our backyard, a whole 2 miles from his workplace. We hit it up last night, after a wet, heavy 6" snowfall. Local and regional businesses are sponsoring free skiing nights all over the state to promote the smaller ski areas.
Here's the info, from the SkiMaine website:
"Spruce Mountain Ski Area is a unique mountain in central Maine, located on the banks of the Androscoggin River. It is mostly run by volunteers and is reasonably priced for the family. There are 11 trails and snowmaking covers 50% of them. A Pisten Bully groomer with blade and power tiller attachments keeps the snow surfaces in great shape. It's a blast from the past as you rise 300 vertical feet to the summit of the mountain via three rope tow lifts. Where else can you ski up the mountain as well as down? Enjoy a wonderful night of skiing under the lights, or take a jaunt around the cross-country ski trails. Spruce Mountain opened in 1960 and continues to be a community focal point for outdoor, winter recreation."
Fun time, but oh my, when was the last time I had to do major rope tows???? And we aren't talking the light-duty beginner types here - we're talking faster than HSQ, take-the-palms-off-your-gloves types! Amazing to watch the kids doing this, especially the snowboarders, without missing a beat.
Lovely evening, and the place still uses mercury lighting (white) versus sodium, so there is actually visibility through goggles. Quite a workout, because there is NO sitting down until break with 100% surface lifts! Nice to see these little places having a good winter and some crowds.
Below: rope tow workout!
Here's the info, from the SkiMaine website:
"Spruce Mountain Ski Area is a unique mountain in central Maine, located on the banks of the Androscoggin River. It is mostly run by volunteers and is reasonably priced for the family. There are 11 trails and snowmaking covers 50% of them. A Pisten Bully groomer with blade and power tiller attachments keeps the snow surfaces in great shape. It's a blast from the past as you rise 300 vertical feet to the summit of the mountain via three rope tow lifts. Where else can you ski up the mountain as well as down? Enjoy a wonderful night of skiing under the lights, or take a jaunt around the cross-country ski trails. Spruce Mountain opened in 1960 and continues to be a community focal point for outdoor, winter recreation."
Fun time, but oh my, when was the last time I had to do major rope tows???? And we aren't talking the light-duty beginner types here - we're talking faster than HSQ, take-the-palms-off-your-gloves types! Amazing to watch the kids doing this, especially the snowboarders, without missing a beat.
Lovely evening, and the place still uses mercury lighting (white) versus sodium, so there is actually visibility through goggles. Quite a workout, because there is NO sitting down until break with 100% surface lifts! Nice to see these little places having a good winter and some crowds.
Below: rope tow workout!
Good upper body workout!
