I know that spring can be the best time to get boards out and spend a day on the slopes. The warmer temperatures, higher sun, gentle spring breezes and tons of snow that is still left at the three resorts in Maine, Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf have all the ingredients that spell fun.

Headed west
So why am I headed to western slopes when I could be enjoying all this fun back east? Well, it's a mixture of business and pleasure. I haven't skied in the Lake Tahoe area for about four years now and I'm sure that a lot has happened around the High Sierra resorts.

The pleasure part is that I'll be meeting up with family and attending a 50th anniversary party for my wife's brother and sister-in-law who reside in Merced, California. The party is scheduled for Harrah's in Lake Tahoe on Wednesday.

In the meantime, the business part is to check out how ski areas are faring around the Tahoe area. I hope to catch up with my photographer friend and get in some skiing at resorts such as Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, Mt. Rose, Heavenly and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Let's see, that's five resorts in five days. I may have to forfeit one of those days to get in a round of golf …. but then again, maybe I'll pass on that one.

I fell in love with the Lake Tahoe area more than a dozen years ago when I made my first trek to the Sierras. There is so much to do, that just skiing all the slopes in the region would take more than a week or two.

Resorts like the ones I mentioned above plus Homeward, Incline Village, Boreal, Sugar Bowl and Kirkwood are all in close proximity to the Lake Tahoe area. Further down the line is one gigantic mountain called Mammoth. It scores among one of my favorites.

My best guess is that it's the quality of snow, 'champagne powda,' where it's not measured in inches, but in feet; the majestic mountains, panoramic views and with exception of a few, many are not too commercialized.

I've taken turns at most of them, including Boreal, one of the smallest in the area, skiing there in late October, one of the earliest days I've ever skied.

With so many trails to ski and so little time, I plan to gather as much information that I can and pass the good news on to you eastern skiers. Who knows, you may want to plan your next winter get-away in the High Sierras.

It's amazing as I flew out of Portland, Maine, over New Hampshire, Vermont, Upstate New York and over the Great Lakes at an altitude of 37,000 feet. As I peered out the tiny window of our jetliner, thoughts ran through my mind about the vast land below. The Great Lakes on the maps look like rivers, but even at this high altitude, the shoreline disappears before your eyes.

Rugged terrain ahead
As we crossed the flatlands of the central plains, my thoughts were of the Donner party as they traveled west and encountered the unforbidden mountain ranges of the High Sierras. It's hard to imagine getting trapped in snow that reached over 20 feet deep.

The plains between Utah and the Sierras are still vast waste lands of nothing but brown barren land stretches for hundreds of miles to this day. Only a single road seems to be leading to nowhere.

How could Lewis and Clark, the Donner party snowbound in the Sierra Nevada range in 1846-47, and countless others who crossed this mighty country ever make it over the rugged terrain? Some made it to the pacific shore, while others with dreams they never realized didn't.

We'll keep you posted on our skiing trek.

Ski and ride safely. Use your head and don't forget to wear a helmet. It may save your life.

WinterKids of Maine received a $1,000 award from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundations recently.

The organization was a write-in winner for the greater Portland/Lewiston/Auburn area in the Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More contest. The award will strengthen the mission to help children develop healthy lifelong habits through fun outdoor winter activities.

"Thanks to the votes of many fans,", said Fran Mullin, WinterKids Executive Director. "WinterKids appreciates the financial support of generous sponsors like Hannaford Supermarkets, TD Banknorth, Time Warner Cable, and Healthy Maine Partnerships and contributions from many people. These donations help more children get outside, get active and have fun in the winter."

*****

WinterKids sees increase in Passports
In a press release from Fran Mullin, Executive Director of WinterKids, Fran is very excited about the news that WinterKids has already reached more children than last year in ALL of the programs, and according to Mullin, last year was a record-breaking winter!

Here is what she has to say about the WinterKids program:

By Fran Mullin, Executive Director

The WinterKids Passport program has been a success for the 2007-2008 season. The program is for 5th, 6th and 7th graders.

We received very positive feedback from parents of the 725 children in preschool through 4th grade who tried cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing with the brand new WinterKids FunPass. The FunPass gives younger children the opportunity to get outside on beautiful groomed trails at over 20 locations # for free! The Passport and FunPass are excellent ways for families to be active, stay healthy and have fun together.

Last summer, we revised and updated our school curriculum and renamed it the WinterKids "Guide to Outdoor Active Learning" (GOAL). This season, we trained 154 teachers and provided 240 teachers with "GOAL" resource guides so that they can meet state academic standards while getting students active and taking the classroom outside.

In our effort to reach children at younger ages, WinterKids also developed a popular new "Guide to Outdoor Active Learning" (GOAL) and training program for Preschool teachers. Like the GOAL for elementary educators, this preschool resource guide provides age-appropriate educational lessons that make learning fun and active for the littlest students.

In 2008-2009, WinterKids Active Academics Workshops reached 1570 students in schools - 13% more children than last year's epic season. Our Active Academics Workshops are hands-on, on-site demonstrations of how educational - and fun - it can be for students when teachers incorporate outdoor physical activity into their regular lessons. Kids LOVE learning about nutrition by matching foods to the proper food groups... while running on snowshoes!

WinterKids also helped 500 children of immigrant and refugee families learn to be safe and healthy, and enjoy cold weather activities like sledding, with the "Welcome to Winter" festival and outreach program. (That's a 54% increase over last season!)

Since WinterKids wants all children to have opportunities to get outside, get active and have fun in the winter, we are recruiting volunteers to help promote these exciting programs to kids, families and schools all over the state of Maine. For more information or if you want to join the fun, call WinterKids at (207) 871-5700, or log onto www.winterkids.org

Ski and ride safely. Use your head and don't forget to wear a helmet. It may save your life.

As the ski season flushes down the river during the past few days, I think I saw remnants of snow from Sugarloaf going over the Waterville/Winslow falls this morning. However, you'll still find some good spring conditions at the three remaining slopes in Maine, and there's plenty of après skiing as well.

Saddleback, Sugarloaf and Sunday River still have some great snow if you want to get some 'last' tracks in … now is the time to do it.

Saddleback Mountain
Plans to reopen on Wednesday, after having to close due to extensive wind damage that toppled tress onto the trails.

They are still reporting great spring conditions for the rest of the week, with a six to 36 inch base.

Saturday, April 11, is Park Shark 2. Come show your stuff in the park. It promises to be a fun time and there will be prizes for all contestants. Registration takes place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Check online for upcoming events: www.saddlebackmaine.com

Sugarloaf Mountain
The mountain is getting ready for their 21st annual Bud Light Reggae Festival, April 16-19.

The mountain plans to be open until May 3rd with lots of ways to save including special reduced daily rates, college deals, Maine Family Days and more.

Easter Sunday at Sugarloaf. Join them for Easter Sunrise services on the 'Hill, then head over to Bullwinkles for a special Easter breakfast. For additional information, log onto: www.sugarloaf.com

Sunday River Ski Resort
The mountain has 118 trails still open with nine lifts operating.

On Saturday, April 11, Simon Dumont hosts the inaugural pro-am Dumont Cup at his home mountain.

Don't forget the Season Passholder's BBQ planned for Sunday, April 19th, at the White Cap Base Lodge.

You'll also find special reduced lift tickets. Kids pay their age on Sundays, $39 college tickets, passholder affairs and much more. For more info, log onto: www.sundayriver.com

Ski and ride safely. Use your head and don't forget to wear a helmet. It may save your life.