Snow Zone

Jiminy Peak in northeastern Massachusetts will end its season Saturday with $25 lift tickets.

Jiminy will be selling the discounted tickets all week, but you have to go to its Web site to print out the discount coupon. Here’s the link.

Jiminy still has 20 trails open.

Look for many areas to be closing this weekend. Temperatures that should peak in the mid-70s in northern New England trails will cause significant melting on lower-elevation trails.

Yet many areas are still hoping to end their season next weekend.

Already there are tell-tale signs that conditions are not very good.

Bretton Woods in New Hampshire didn’t even bother grooming today because it was too warm overnight.

Stratton in southern Vermont reports: Rest up, because we’ll be carving through soft snow and enjoying extra apre time on the deck at Grizzly’s in the glistening sun Thursday – Sunday. In other words, heavy heavy snow that will burn out your legs quickly.

Mount Snow in Vermont plans to close next weekend with $25 lift tickets.

OK, OK, I know it’s raining hard, flooding is some areas, but I’ll still be passing along some special deals as long as ski areas are open.

Most in southern New England have already packed it in for the season, but resorts in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will be hanging on for a few more weeks.

This Thursday at Okemo in Vermont, you can get a lift ticket for just $10 if you donate three, non-persishible food items. I know it’s April Fool’s Day, but this is no joke. And with more than 70 trails still open, it’s a good reason to head north and pay very little.

It should be an incredible day for spring skiing. Sunny skies and temperatures peaking at 65!

Want to get in a few final runs of the ski season and do it for free?

Well then, head up to Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall for a free lift ticket on Sunday - its final day of the 2009-10 ski season.

All you have to do is show up, go to the ticket window where they will hand you a free lift pass. Chick here for the details.

 Keep in mind that only the lift ticket is free; rentals, lessons and food are the regular prices.

The free skiing is part of a Mohawk Mountain tradition that goes back decades.

Despite rain and warm temperatures, Mohawk should have several trails open for skiing and snowboarding. Check Mohawk’s Web site on Saturday for an updated condition report. The area is closed midweek, but will be open on Saturday and Sunday. But on Saturday, you have to pay for a lift ticket.

Other areas in Connecticut including Ski Sundown and Mount Southington are closed for the season. Woodbury is hanging on with only one slope open.

While there’s still plenty of snow at northern ski resorts, time is ticking down on the ski/snowboard season.

So why not head to your favorite area one last time and experience some of the best spring conditions in years? Even ski areas in Connecticut and Massachusetts will have their lifts turning this weekend.

This week at Killington, Vermont there were sunny, bluebird skies with temperatures starting out around freezing and rising into the 50s during the day. The photo below is The Beast’s East Fall trail taken Wednesday.

Expect the same this weekend in what likely could be the last run of the season for skiers and snowboarders.

Here’s what to expect if you plan to ski or ride this weekend.

For the firmer conditions, try to be in the liftline when the chairs start turning. That way you’ll get the best groomed conditions and a surface that is fast. I can’t stress this enough because the best conditions last only a few hours.

Those who only like groomed trails could find it difficult if they start skiing at 11 a.m.; in a couple of hours it may even be too difficult for them.

Conditions start to loosen up around mid-morning, first on the lower elevation trails.

By the end of the day many trails will have “mashed potatoes,” meaning the piled up snow is heavy and looks like mashed potatoes.

If you go to the big ski area ask the ski patrol or the mountain ambassadors which trails soften up first; this is crutial info that can pay big rewards.  At Killington, it’s usually at Bear Mountain and the face of Skye Peak. South Ridge softens up a little slower because of its higher elevation.

The last to soften are trails around 4,241-foot Killington Peak and those below the North Ridge Triple.

One of the most important things to remember is to use sun screen and reapply often. The combination of March’s strong rays and the reflection on the snow can use a wicked sunburn. Make sure to use lotion on any exposed ears and the back of the neck. I can’t believe it; this week I saw one guy skiing with no sunglasses or goggles. How he did it amazes me.

A big part of spring skiing is to relax and celebrate the season. Don’t worry on the number of the runs you make, but the cool part of being out in mild temperatures. Part of the fun is kicking back on the outside deck, drinking a beer and sharing good times with friends, like they did at the K1 lodge this week.

Connecticut’s temperatures  in the seventies will have some people thinking twice about skiing or snowboarding and of the quality of the snow cover. Having spent three days in Vermont, I can tell you bases are deep, most trails still open and it’s well worth the trip.

I don’t know how long it will last, but expect many ski areas to wind down their season around Easter, which is slighty more than two weeks away.

Get out and enjoy it on the slopes … while you can.

It’s time to save a little green, cash that is, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some ticket discounts.

One of the better ones is at Mount Snow in southern Vermont when lift tickets are only $17.

This sounds like the best party day going … here are the details:

CUZZINS will open at 8AM for GREEN EGGS & KEGS. Get your morning started with a green pint, green eggs, and Irish music by local legend – Tom White.

Hit the slopes and search for the POT OF GOLD. Clues will be available on the top of each hour at the electronic message boards. Find the pot of Gold for a prize pack from the resort valued over $500.

1PM – 4PM U2 tribute band – THE JOSHUA TREE – takes the stage on Cuzzin’s Deck for a very special outdoor BUD LIGHT CONCERT. We’ve permitted MAIN STREET and will have a large venue to enjoy some adult beverages while you belt out “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “ONE.”

Willobee and WEQX out of Manchester, VT will be broadcasting live from Cuzzin’s as well.

CORNBEEF & CABBAGE SPECIALS, SHEPHERD’S PIE EATING CONTESTS, GREEN SHAMROCKS ON SNOW, AND SO MUCH MORE!

This party sounds like one from the old days when Brodie in Massachusetts was operating.

Sounds like a big blowout. But remember unless you’re staying over plan for a designated driver if you’re heading home. The cops in Wilmington and West Dover will be out in force looking for DUIs coming off the mountain.

At Mad River Glen, also in Vermont, you can also get a $17 ticket, but you must wear a bit of green clothing.

With all this rain you might ask: how are the conditions? Well, today, kind of sloppy and variable, meaning expect just about anything. But by Tuesday and certainly Wednesday, things will be much improved. Surfaces should harden up overnight and the groomed trails will be nice and fast, at least until things soften up before noon.

Killington has no ticket deals, but if you’re looking for the best St. Patrick’s Day party in those parts head over to McGrath’s Irish Pub on Route 4 when live music starts at 2 p.m.

At Okemo, a St. Patricks Day Party sponsored by Guinness will feature musical guests Gypsy Reel from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Sitting Bull Bar & Restaurant. The party continues at The Killarney with more  Irish music and Guinness Draught.

Saturday’s heavy rain did a number on Connecticut ski areas. Because of that they’re closed. Ski Sundown plans to be open Monday, Southington on Wednesday and Mohawk on Saturday.

Up north they got some rain and snow. Places like Killington and Stratton picked up about 5 inches. Bretton Woods in New Hampshire reports 9 inches.

Conditions are variable, meaning everything. Snow is heavy and the best picks are groomed trails. Conditions should improve midweek.

Good news and bad news. The good: most ski areas still have about 100 percent of the terrain open. In fact, today very well may be the last time it happens this season.

That’s because of the bad news: heavy rain and above freezing temperatures will send conditions (and likely) trail counts downhill.

Looks like a weekend washout with forecasts from Connnecticut to Maine calling for rain through Sunday.

If you can swing it, midweek looks like a prime time to go skiing and snowboarding with sunny skies and temps in the 40s.

And with St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, look for some great ticket deals, which I’ll post in a couple of days.

You know it’s getting near spring with this promotion.

Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire will be giving away a pair of tickets to a Boston Red Sox game Mondays through Fridays through April 2.

To be eligible for the drawing you must make a cash or credit card transaction for a lift ticket at Mount Sunapee on midweek days.

The daily drawing will be held daily at 4:05pm in Goosefeathers Pub. You must be present to win.

A total of 30 tickets will be given out for the May 10 Sox game with the Twins.