Somehow it doesn’t seem possible that the Christmas vacation is already here, but with Thanksgiving coming at the latest possible date, here it is. It may have condensed the shopping season and time for ski areas to prepare, but thanks to constant increases in snowmaking capability and great temperatures, the number of trails open rivals even the best years, and we’re in great shape for the holidays in spite of a bit of a hiccup this weekend.

We had eight of Maine’s ski areas either open or slated to be open this weekend, and now it appears all 18 of Maine’s alpine ski areas will be open for the vacation, and with the natural snow, look for cross country centers to open as well. That means plenty of opportunities to try out those new Christmas skis.

Last weekend, I mentioned the Matterhorn ski bar on Sunday River road where Julie Parisien would be inducted into their Ski Hall of Fame. I heard from Roger Beaudoin after the column was written and learned what it’s all about. If you haven’t stopped by this popular après ski spot, it’s worth a visit just to see all the skiing memorabilia that line the walls. There are skis of every vintage with boots and bindings to match along with posters and pictures. Roger got the idea that having a hall of fame and adding the names of well known skiers and items would add to the collection. He started last year by inducting Dan Egan, known for his extreme skiing in films by Warren Miller and others.

One of the scariest moments in ski films came when Dan and his brother John skied over a cornice which broke away just behind them. Thirty seconds earlier and it would have been their last ski film, as the drop below that cornice was hundreds of feet straight down. Dan is still appearing in ski films and on TV and runs great ski camps helping skiers to advance their skills. He is a constant promoter of skiing and one of the most enthusiastic skiers I ever skied with. He donated a jacket which he wore in films to the Matterhorn collection.

Roger told me he wanted someone local this year, especially to promote family skiing.

Julie fit the bill perfectly and last night was inducted into the hall of fame and one of her US Ski Team jackets from the Olympics is now on display.

This is the time of year when we all fill in our calendar for the season. My season will be filled with skiing as many Maine areas as I can get to. I may not make as many as Julie and her family, but I can make most of the areas in the Sun-Journal’s circulation area. I am also planning a trip or two, and if you haven’t made reservations, now is the time.

When we speak of halls of fame and artifacts, the Ski Museum of Maine comes to mind. They had an open house at their Kingfield location last weekend and are looking to have more later this season. One event is a definite on the calendar, Maine Skiing Heritage Classic at Sugarloaf, Feb. 15. This will be the 7th Annual fund raiser to benefit the Museum and the day-long event will have displays from the museum, raffles and a silent and live auction. This is one to mark on your calendar. Details of this and other events can be found at www.skimuseumofmaine.org.

This is also the time of year when we need to remember those who make skiing the sport we enjoy so much. When we go out for that first run in the morning, we take that smooth corduroy surface for granted. But it doesn’t just happen. If you take notice when the lifts close, there are giant snow cats heading up the mountain. At night we can see the headlights on the mountain as they haul those power tillers along the trails. Of course, they are in heated cabs with comfortable seats and radio contact with the base. The snow makers don’t have it so good. They are out there on snowmobiles checking snow guns output, dragging hoses around and getting blasted by the same snow they are making.

It’s easy to take these things for granted, along with ski school and ski patrol, especially at the bigger areas. But at the smaller community areas those snow cats are often ones purchased second hand. Lifts often get a second life at these community areas, and there are more volunteers performing all kinds of duties than there are paid staff.

There are actually more of those small community areas than the big names we all recognize. Those funded and operated mostly by volunteers include Titcomb, Spruce Mountain, Powderhouse Hill, Lonesome Pines, Baker Mountain, Big Squaw, Big Rock, Quoggy Jo, and Black Mountain. We should all take a day sometime this winter and visit one of these areas. And wish all the volunteers who run them a Merry Christmas. Also deserving of recognition are all those ski club members who provide the volunteers to put on so many competitions, from junior to high school and even major races. Ski competition couldn’t happen without them. Let’s not forget all the volunteers at Maine’s Adaptive Ski Programs. We now have several ski areas operating programs and they make skiing available to countless disabled athletes.

Finally, here is one last minute gift. Greg Sweetser told me they still have a few Ski Maine passes available. Call 207-773-7669 to learn about these tickets to Maine’s Ski Areas. To all those we have mentioned and skiers everywhere, Merry Christmas. See you on the slopes.