Dinner and a Downhill

Whatcha doin’ for dinner Friday night? Sam Hayward, James Beard award-winning chef at Portland’s Fore Street, is taking a road trip to Carrabassett Valley, Maine. Nah, he’s not skiing at the ‘loaf; he’s volunteered to prepare a five-course fund-raising dinner at the newly opened Poplar Stream hut, the first in the new Maine Huts & Trails network.

For $250, you get to work up an appetite by hiking, skiing, or snowshowing about 2.5 uphill miles into the snowy Maine wilds , bed down (don’t forget your sleeping bag) in one of the four- to 12-bunk dorms, and savor both that five-course dinner–with wine pairings–and breakfast prepared by Hayward. Space is limited. More info and the menu is posted online; for reservations, call 877-634-8824.

After returning to civilization on Saturday, mosey over to Sugarloaf to watch the U.S. Nationals, which will feature some of the best Alpine skiers in the country, fresh off the World Cup trail. See you on the Narrow Gauge trail.

Sweet recovery at Sugarloaf

It’s taken a few days, but when King Pine opened just after noon today, the wait was worth it. Lift crews had chiseled inches of ice off the quad, groomers had broken up and tilled the runs, sun was shining, sky deep blue–heaven amidst the ice-castle trees.

Spillway was closed due to ice problems, and the SuperQuad was  only running at half speed, so we spent the first hour or so over on Whiffletree, putting ourselves in line for first tracks when King Pine opened. Smart move. Really, it’s amazing the turnaround in this area. Kudos to the liftees and groomers. With about an inch of fresh snow predicted tonight into tomorrow, it’s only going to get better and better.

Sugarloaf shovel report

The snow gods continued their assault on Sugarloaf. Every time I think the conditions can’t get any better, it snows again. Yesterday they blessed us with at least another 14 inches. This morning’s winds are blowing that about a bit, but the sun and blue sky are poking through the crowds, and early birds should have quite a day. Not me, I’m off to Banff/Lake Louise. More on that, later.