We had a record breaking February vacation. We literally shattered all previous records. Our lodging revenue was up 30 percent; skier services revenue exceeded our expectations and was up an astounding 46 percent compared to the same period last year. Our aggressive snowmaking and grooming, new lifts, trails, and events are drawing folks from away and we’re more than happy to have them. The new crepe tent we setup for extra seating was a huge hit, too. If you were here, thank you for making it a great week.

On Sunday, Feb. 21, we hosted a USA Snowboard Association Slopestyle event in our Free Rider Terrain Park. It was an exciting event with lots of big air and a wide variety of tricks. The three top winners in the oldest group of boys were all Saddleback boys —Team Saddleback dominated the event. Andrew Bouffard (Bouf) took top honors. His front side rodeo seven, switchback rodeo 9 and the 180 over the barrel convinced the judges that he was #1! Bouf also won “the hottest trick” award. Stockton Archard took second place and his brother, Cooper Archard was third. Stockton’s best trick was a corked 720 and Cooper’s was a 720 on to the double barrel and 720 out. These riders will defend their titles in the Saddleback Park on April 10 during the annual Park Shark Challenge. Make sure you’re there to cheer them on! Also, on March 20, the MARA Cup J1/2/3 Giant Slalom will be held here, too.

Jeff Hawksley is offering a great training deal for the rest of the season: On Saturdays and Sundays until the season ends, you can work on learning new skills and get a great start for next year for only $100 for approximately 12 days of training. Contact Hawk at race@saddlebackmaine. com if you’re interested.

To continue to celebrate the success of our PEAK pass program, we’re holding another PEAK Day on March 27, the same day as our fun Cardboard Box Race. Bob Crowley, PEAK’s celebrity spokesman and Survivor: Gabon winner, will be here, too. We will raffle off three PEAK Passes for the 2010-2011 season. To date, we’ve sold over 2,000 PEAK passes and are very pleased that Saddleback has been a part of encouraging so many Maine kids to do well in school.

We have some great shows coming up this month. The subdudes will be playing at Saddleback on Saturday, March 13. Their music is a blend of blues, gospel, funk and R&B. The subdudes are a lot of fun to see perform live, and our venue is one of the best in Maine. There is room to dance and you can meet and greet the band after the show. Tickets are $28 and the show begins at 8 p.m. This is our St. Patrick’s Family Fun day as well so be sure to come up to the Mountain.

The Canadian band, Pogey, is playing on March 20. They are a Celtic band with an acoustic rock sound. Earlier that day is the Saddleback Telemark Invasion. Then on March 27, we have the Derailers in concert and the annual Cardboard Box Race; this year’s theme is cartoon characters.

On Sunday, April 4th, we’re holding an Easter Service at the Warming Hut at 9:30 in the morning. WCSH Channel 6’s Peter Panagore will give the service and Bob Underwood will pay the bagpipes. It is sure to be a moving and beautiful ceremony. An Easter Egg Hunt and Costume Parade will also be held later that day, so it will be a great day to be at the Mountain.

I hope to see you soon.