Night Skiing

If you could cram certain skiing pioneers into a time-travel machine to show them how their innovations outlived them, one of the more interesting candidates for such a hypothetical journey would be the Bay State's own Clarence Bousquet. Bousquet converted the sloping hills of his mink farm in Pittsfield into the nation's second rope tow in 1935. A year later, struggling to stay in business and looking for a way to attract attention, he had the brainstorm to string electric lights along a trail so people could ski after dark on Christmas Eve. The publicity from the world's first illuminated ski run transformed...

If you could cram certain skiing pioneers into a time-travel machine to show them how their innovations outlived them, one of the more interesting candidates for such a hypothetical journey would be the Bay State's own Clarence Bousquet. Bousquet converted the sloping hills of his mink farm in Pittsfield into the nation's second rope tow in 1935. A year later, struggling to stay in business and looking for a way to attract attention, he had the brainstorm to string electric lights along a trail so people could ski after dark on Christmas Eve. The publicity from the world's first illuminated ski run transformed...

MASSACHUSETTS BERKSHIRE EAST Where/phone : Charlemont -- 413-339-6617 Vertical drop : 1,180 feet Trails : 45: 16 green; 17 blue; 12 black Lifts : five, with one quad Snowmaking : 100 percent Comment : The northern Berkshires have some steeps, and this area takes advantage with a couple of burners down the face. Good cruising and some bump runs. BLANDFORD Where/phone : Blandford -- 413-848-2860 Vertical drop : 465 feet Trails : 22: 9 green; 11 blue; 2 black Lifts : four, including three double...

Its allure is its location, an easy day trip from Rhode Island and Connecticut. This Central Massachusetts ski area can hold its own against bigger towns, with a variety of attractions and lodging options. SKI AREAS: The 1,000-foot vertical drop at Wachusett Mountain (499 Mountain Road, Princeton, 978-464-2300, www.wachusett.com) won't scare off beginners, nor will it keep experts away. Just an hour's drive from Boston, the mountain can also be reached on the MBTA's "ski train," which will leave from North Station weekends at 8:35 a.m. starting Nov. 29. OTHER SPORTS: Cross-country...

Its allure is its location, an easy day trip from Rhode Island and Connecticut. This Central Massachusetts ski area can hold its own against bigger towns, with a variety of attractions and lodging options. SKI AREAS: The 1,000-foot vertical drop at Wachusett Mountain (499 Mountain Road, Princeton, 978-464-2300, www.wachusett.com) won't scare off beginners, nor will it keep experts away. Just an hour's drive from Boston, the mountain can also be reached on the MBTA's "ski train," which will leave from North Station weekends at 8:35 a.m. starting Nov. 29. OTHER SPORTS: Cross-country...

In winter, some colleagues think Elaine Richard is crazy. Then again, others go along with her after work, on those 10-degree nights when channel surfing from a warm living room sofa loses to the appeal of skiing down lighted trails. At least once a week, Richard, 44, of Standish, Maine, a quality assurance auditor at a Westbrook laboratory outside Portland, makes the one-hour drive to Shawnee Peak. Driving through dark, rural Maine to Bridgton, she knows she's nearly there when the lights of the area illuminate the night.

CARLISLE - You've surrendered. You've decided to quit fighting Bay State winters and succumb to their icy charms. You like the idea of skiing but don't want to take out a second mortgage to purchase a downhill equipment package. You like the idea of that whole après-ski thing but don't fancy the thought of traveling several hours for the privilege and paying exorbitant prices for the bed-and-breakfast experience. The solution: Carlisle. That's right, the rural town a scant 25 miles outside Boston.

Alternating bouts of big snow and heavy rain have done little to snuff out the pre-holiday optimism around the region's slopes and trails. Sundays in December have been snow days, only to be followed too quickly by Mother Nature's wet kisses. When temperatures have allowed, ski areas have turned on the snowmaking systems to put back what she washed away. "Mother Nature is doing a dance with us," said Colin Lawson , executive director at the Grafton Ponds Recreation Center in southern Vermont.

Registration began last week for residents interested in the Recreation Department's winter programs, and registration for nonresidents will begin on Tuesday. New in this winter's lineup are more ski trips for middle school and high school students. Every Friday in January, middle schoolers can kick off their weekends with night skiing at Nashoba Valley. The department is also planning a high school ski trip for March 3. Every Wednesday in January, third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders can head to Nashoba for lessons and slope time.

How to get there For the World Championship races Feb. 13-15: From Boston take Interstate 93 to exit 20. Follow Route 11C east to downtown Laconia, N.H. The races begin at 9 a.m. each day on Main Street and usually run until about 3 p.m. If weather is poor, races may begin at Opechee Park at the northeast end of town. Laconia is given over to dogs, mushers, and winter sports, and you will hear the dogs from blocks away. Bring your skates to skate on the lake and watch the teams pass.

CARLISLE - You've surrendered. You've decided to quit fighting Bay State winters and succumb to their icy charms. You like the idea of skiing but don't want to take out a second mortgage to purchase a downhill equipment package. You like the idea of that whole après-ski thing but don't fancy the thought of traveling several hours for the privilege and paying exorbitant prices for the bed-and-breakfast experience. The solution: Carlisle. That's right, the rural town a scant 25 miles outside Boston.

MASSACHUSETTS BERKSHIRE EAST Where/phone : Charlemont -- 413-339-6617 Vertical drop : 1,180 feet Trails : 45: 16 green; 17 blue; 12 black Lifts : five, with one quad Snowmaking : 100 percent Comment : The northern Berkshires have some steeps, and this area takes advantage with a couple of burners down the face. Good cruising and some bump runs. BLANDFORD Where/phone : Blandford -- 413-848-2860 Vertical drop : 465 feet Trails : 22: 9 green; 11 blue; 2 black Lifts ...

In winter, some colleagues think Elaine Richard is crazy. Then again, others go along with her after work, on those 10-degree nights when channel surfing from a warm living room sofa loses to the appeal of skiing down lighted trails. At least once a week, Richard, 44, of Standish, Maine, a quality assurance auditor at a Westbrook laboratory outside Portland, makes the one-hour drive to Shawnee Peak. Driving through dark, rural Maine to Bridgton, she knows she's nearly there when the lights of the area illuminate the night.

Alternating bouts of big snow and heavy rain have done little to snuff out the pre-holiday optimism around the region's slopes and trails. Sundays in December have been snow days, only to be followed too quickly by Mother Nature's wet kisses. When temperatures have allowed, ski areas have turned on the snowmaking systems to put back what she washed away. "Mother Nature is doing a dance with us," said Colin Lawson , executive director at the Grafton Ponds Recreation Center in southern Vermont.

Jonathan Cheever’s got a crystal globe in his sights. The Saugus snowboarder who moonlights as a plumber in the summer is currently second in the World Cup snowboardcross standings, sandwiched between leader Alex Pullin of Australia and France’s Pierre Vaultier . “This year it’s just a little different for me,’’ he said from his winter base of Park City, Utah. “My head is screwed on tighter, I’ve been riding strong all year, and now I’m on the podium.’’ Cheever (www.teamcheever.net)

Given that she and her family of three ski at least 20 times a year, C.J. Willingham is always looking for lift ticket deals. "We like to ski all over the place and it does get a little pricey," said the New Hampton, N.H., skiing mom. "I don't blame the ski areas, because of the price of gas and operating costs, but that has had an impact on everything. " Don't worry. There are deals for those who read newspapers, scan the Internet, and don't mind skiing midweek or at night.