We had gotten a call in the morning inviting us up to a bit of a ski and BBQ and it sounded like a good idea. I had bailed on plans to head up onto Mount Washington with a friend as we weren’t convinced it would soften up early enough in the day, so we had very little planned for the day. We loaded up the car, grabbed our sunglasses and headed up to Lowell Field in Bridgton. We had gotten sunglasses and headed up to Lowell Field in Bridgton.
When we got there about a dozen or so friends were out playing in the snow, some were skiing, some were building a snow fort, and everyone was enjoying the sun and very warm temperatures. The maestro of the event, Roger Lowell, was jumping between the grill and giving the kids rides on a special sled that he would tow behind the snowmobile that serves as the groomer. The kids were having a blast and in between trips on the sled the kids would jump onto their skis and do a loop around the field having a blast.
The adults were enjoying themselves as well, the snow had corned up nicely but still had good glide. Loops around the field or a short loop through the woods enabled people to get out for a quick ski and then come back to socialize or see how the food was doing on the grill. The smell of hamburgers and hotdogs wafting across the trails certainly made it easy to pick up the pace on the way back!
In general it was a great time for everyone to just play in the snow. Some skied, some enjoyed a good snowball fight, everyone got a good laugh when someone would take off their skis and then proceed to posthole up to their hip in the snow.
I took a tour by myself as the corn skiing in the woods was perfect and you could go wherever you wanted. I looked to openings through the trees and stopped for a while near a brook just to listen and enjoy the beauty of nature. The snow banks set against the brook banks just looked perfect, and it was hard to accept that we only get a few days like this each year, and it’s always on the tail end of the season.
When I got back a couple of friends were talking about hoping the tennis courts and golf courses melt out soon so they can get to the court and fairways. I understand that urge to get out and moving with the next season, but the end of ski season is such a special time and should not be rushed. As skiers we can deal with some pretty unruly weather, and we find ways to enjoy it- but when Mother Nature gives us days where the sun is bright, the sky is blue, the air is warm, and the snow is perfect corn- well get out there and enjoy. Before you know it, it will be gone and come next October we’ll be starting to “itch” to ski once again.
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