New England
 It
never fails. I see the white sandals and flimsy Easter bonnets on
display, and I have my annual chuckle. Sundresses with matching hats
are premature, at best, in New England this time of year. Easter is
prime time for spring skiing, not searching for hidden plastic eggs on
your frozen brown lawn. Our family has made a tradition of Easter on the slopes. Easter Sunday is early this year, the last weekend in March, which bodes well for good spring conditions, since we don’t have the stockpile of snow of the previous winter. Instead of outfitting your children in frilly Sunday finery, I suggest you pack the ski gear and the sunscreen for an on-snow holiday. Mountain resorts do their part to make Easter a festive event. Churchgoers need not be concerned with missing Sunday service. Ski resorts hold sunrise services, often on the top of the mountain. I can’t think of a more spiritually inspiring setting (though honestly, I rarely make the 5am chair).  In
addition to kid friendly activities like Easter egg hunts and visits
from the big Bunny himself, resorts are offering some favorable
end-of-season lift and lodging deals. Okemo in Vermont offers an ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service at 6:00am, and an “infamous” Easter Bonnet Contest at noon. Make your own bonnet to parade about and you could win an award. Here are the categories so that you have a “heads up” for your bonnet: the best ski related theme, the zaniest bonnet, and the best child’s bonnet. During the ski day at Okemo, your kids can search for Easter eggs hidden about the slopes. Kids can then redeem their eggs at the Learning Center Desk for a special surprise. Lift and lodging packages for the Easter weekend at Okemo start at $88 per person/per day in a 1 bedroom ski in /ski out condo, based on a family of four.  Easter
at Stowe is a long-standing tradition. This year will mark the 48th
Annual Easter Sunrise Service, a non-denominational church service
reached by gondola on Vermont’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield. This is a
fantastic way to greet the sun and start your family ski day ahead of
the pack. The wake up run following sunrise service is a religious
experience in and of itself. Follow this up with a family breakfast at
the base and an Easter Egg Hunt at Spruce Peak.Bretton Woods expects the Easter Bunny to attend their egg hunt on Sunday, after his basket delivery is complete. The Easter Bonnet Ski Hat Promenade is your opportunity to wear your Sunday best while indulging in your favorite pastime. Waterville Valley will offer an Easter sunrise service on the mountain. The subsequent early morning turns are your reward for getting up before the birds. Kids can take part in the Easter egg hunt during the day. Packages here start at $105 per person/per night and include skiing and use of the health club.  Nearby Loon has an egg hunt on the Upper Bear Claw trail for kids
7-12, and at the Octagon for kids 6 and under, followed by “Earn Your
Whiskers” bunny face painting.Sugarloaf, my usual Easter destination, will be celebrating with their traditional Easter Parade, a perennial collaboration of the most unusual costumes created by Carrabassett natives and Loaf lovers from away. Awards are given for the best costumes (hint: Sugarloaf themed get-ups are usually the prize-grabbers). Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear will be on hand to welcome their special guest, the Easter Bunny. Sunrise service on the Double Runner lift starts off the special day at the Loaf.  The Loaf’s northern location and significant snowfall always assures
great Easter sliding. Sugarloaf ski and stay packages start at $79 per
person per night, maximum occupancy (4 people in a one bedroom condo,
with a pull out couch). You can add an extra night’s lodging and ski
April Fool’s Day for $55 per person.Last but not least, a pilgrimage north of the border to Quebec’s Sainte Anne Basilica would provide an Easter to remember. This is the Mecca, if you will, for cold weather Christians. Since you have made the (6+ hour) trip, you can certainly justify skiing at Mont Sainte Anne for a day or two (or three – the exchange rate is that good). Families staying slopeside at the Château Mont Sainte Anne can walk to the gondola, restaurants and the fun kids’ activities planned for Easter weekend. A two night lift and lodging package is $179 per person Canadian (factor in a 40% exchange – now that is a deal) including a welcome drink and Swiss fondue. Spending Easter on the slopes will extend your family’s ski season. I love skiing this time of year. Ticket and lodging prices plummet as the barometer rises, softening the bill and the snow under your boards. My kids love spring skiing, no more cold fingers and toes. Goggles and neck warmers are replaced with cool shades and SPF30. Say goodbye to flat light, hand warmers and numerous hot cocoa breaks. Say hello to a festive, sunny Easter weekend on snow. It may well be the start of a new family tradition. If you still insist on buying that fancy hat – you can wear it while skiing in the Easter parade and reveal your inner ski bunny tendencies. |