Sunapee Blows...

...the Best Snow in the east, that is. According to a little rag known as Ski Magazine, New Hampshire's Mount Sunapee ranked #1 in grooming in the east and #2 in snow quality in the east for 2008. At least according to what I read on the huge signs posted on every other lift tower at Sunapee.

What's more, for the third year in a row the same 65-trail resort boasts the Best Overall Snow Surfaces in the East in 2008's annual SKI Magazine Reader Survey. That's a pretty good resume.

Perhaps best of all, my friend "Hambone" recently joined the snow-making team at Sunapee. And he comes from upstate New York which

knows a thing or two about snow. So Moguls and I decided to shoot up to Sunapee for an early-season Thursday to put these claims to the test.

Upon arrival to the abode of Sunapee's newest snow-maker, I was immediately taken by how bad-ass these people are. What I had previously assumed to be people that simply enjoyed playing with snow guns (who wouldn't?) by night and spending the days skiing for free, snow-makers are actually hearty, tough creatures. I had last seen Hambone before he joined the elite Sunapee snow-making squad and since then he had acquired a beard befitting of a New England Patriots' O-lineman (Google Logan Mankins for an idea). And, he told me, the heavy-duty reflective jacket wasn't just for show; it gets damn cold out there when you turn in 10 hour shifts and work through ice storms that cancel school for a week.

After detailing the typical pattern of ice formation in his 'stache, the snow-maker explained that we were in for a treat on Thursday. A major ice storm that had ravaged the trees and power lines of VT, NH, and western MA had left Sunapee powerless for days. This meant that everything-including the lifts-were shut down. Except for the hardened snow-making team. So while the mountain was closed to skiers and riders all week, Sunapee continued to make their legendary snow. And it was ours for the taking.

So while Hambone zipped around on snowcats and played with powerful equipment all day, we enjoyed high quality snow and excellent coverage- virtually to ourselves. No ice, no wind, no crowds. It almost wasn't the east. Sunapee had about 27 trails open and all of them were covered with plenty of man-made snow and complimented by a fresh 3 inches or so.

While Sunapee wasn't the big, steep mountain I had remembered from seventh grade, its a pretty good mountain. Especially for being so accessible to us southern New Englanders. In addition to the quality snow, Sunapee boasts a few decently steep runs (not yet open), three solid terrain parks, super clean facilities, and a really nice cashier lady at the main lodge.

This weekend, Sunapee is opening up a few more trails to get to 31-with 8 lifts. And as I look out my window, something like 14 inches is touching down on much of New England with more to come on Sunday. So maybe the snow makers will get a break for the weekend.

-Captain Avalanche, New England