Spring Ski Deals on New England Slopes

By Heather Burke, Boston.com Correspondent

It finally feels like spring after a long, snowy, frozen, winter. As predictable as daylight savings, but far more enjoyable, is the springtime flurry of ski ticket deals as ski resorts rally to retain your interest.

This year, with huge snowbanks remaining, skiing is still at the top of peoples’ minds. Actually, for me that’s perennial too. I believe March is always the best month to ski because it has the best snow, sunshine, fun events, and deals. This year is better because of the serious snow pack, which has been well-preserved by consistent cold since mid-January. Well skiers, the sun is out, the frigid temps are forgotten, the shoveling is done, and the deals are here. It’s time to go ski.

Sunday River in Maine has pledged to stay open for two more months of skiing, with free skiing on May 2 – its Ski Maynia closing day tradition. Look for Sunday River’s Spring Après Ski Concert Series – live bands will play every Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at South Ridge between March 21 and April 1 — and it’s free. Get more details at www.sundayriver.com.

Maine sister resort Sugarloaf is launching a spring pack of three tickets available for use any day from March 13 until the end of the season for $160, which includes Easter at the Loaf and Reggaefest (a celebration of its 27th year from April 9 to 12. Get more details at www.sugarloaf.com.

Saddleback in Maine has a three-pack, which means you can buy tickets for Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday and get the third day for $1. The three day pack costs $129. Chris Farmer, GM at Saddleback says, “Our conditions are prime for some of the best spring skiing in decades. If there was ever a year to ski Saddleback, it’s this spring. Our glades are full of deep powder and our entire mountain has the kind of snowpack that skiers dream about.” Get more info on conditions and deals at www.saddlebackmaine.com.

Bretton Woods in New Hampshire is offering a $99 Spring Fling Quad Pack of four lift tickets good any day March 15 to the end of the season. It is available for purchase from March 12 to March 14. Get more info at www.brettonwoods.com.

At Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire, you can ski the rest of the season free if you purchase your 2015-16 season pass now. If that’s too much future planning (and spending) for you, ski Ragged St Patty’s Day for just $17. Get more info at www.raggedmountainresort.com.

Sugarbush’s Mt Ellen in Vermont has $17 St Patty’s Day ski tickets too. Get more info at www.sugarbush.com.

Bretton Woods, Attitash and Wildcat, all in New Hampshire, are also honoring St Patty’s on Tuesday with $17 lift tickets. Fridays throughout March and April are $40 at The Cat and Attitash – you can ski both the same day on the same ticket (it’s just a 20-minute drive). I’ve done it and it’s wildly fun.

Okemo’s Spring Ski Esta Card lets you ski for $99 March 20 through the end of the season. Just buy it online by March 19. You can even apply that $99 to next year’s Okemo pass purchase. Find more info at www.okemo.com.

Those are just a sprinkling of spring skiing deals offered across New England so far. There will be plenty more savings, and sunshine, and great snow, and goggle tans, and base lodge deck barbeques, and soft bumps, and live bands, and crazy costumes, and spring skiing fun. I wager there will be a return to winter and more fresh snow too.

See you on the slopes.

By Heather Burke, Boston.com Correspondent, Photos by Greg Burke