If we lived anywhere other than New England where (almost) every area has invested heavily in snowmaking and grooming, we’d probably have called this winter (or lack thereof), an unmitigated disaster. It’s really been “the Winter That Wasn’t.” As it is, though, the resort skiing—even in southern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the Berkshires—has been incredibly good. Snowmaking has covered most trails edge-to-edge and the warmer-than-normal temperatures have meant we’ve enjoyed spring-like conditions a number of times already this season.

Here’s our recommendation for the rest of this weird, weird  winter: get out as soon as you can, ski as often as you can, wherever you can. Go to nearby areas, travel if you can, but get out and ski.  A lot of skiers never even took their gear out of the basement this winter—their loss, but a gain for you and me and everyone who likes uncrowded slopes and wasn’t deterred by the lack of big snow dumps.

We, of course, take our own advice:

It finally at least felt like winter on Sunday, February 12 when four of the EasternSlopes.com regulars, Founder and Executive Editor Tim Jones, Publisher and Senior Editor David Shedd, and contributors Susan Marean Shedd and Marilyn Donnelly gathered at Shawnee Peak (www.shawneepeak.com) in Bridgton, Maine for a much-needed bluebird day of skiing and editorial discussions. The day turned out to be long on skiing fun and short on discussions . . . The temperature hovered in the lower teens—face mask and boot glove weather. What a joy for a change!

Unless you live in Portland, Maine or its suburbs, you probably haven’t skied Shawnee. That’s a shame. Shawnee has some very nice steeps and some lovely cruiser trails winding through the woods. Though it can sometimes get crowded on weekends and school holidays, this day the slopes were nearly empty. Not sure why, perhaps the cold and the mis-perceived lack of snow kept most people away. Or maybe people are just discouraged this year.

Shawnee (which used to be called “Pleasant Mountain,” a name that would still be perfectly appropriate) had plenty of well-groomed snow on it. And they were busily making more in anticipation of the upcoming holiday week. Unless you are a die-hard who only wants to ski in the trees, you’d probably deeply never even notice the lack of natural snow this year at Shawnee. All the trails were covered edge-to edge, the snow was groomed, soft and perfect for carving…

We spent most of our time on the Sunnyside east-facing slopes. No wind there, bright sun, few people. We never waited at all to get on the lift. Our favorite run was upper Appalachian to Tycoon to Lower Appalachian (the middle section of Appalachian, called “the Gut’ was skiable but not in great shape). Over on the main face of the mountain, the edges of every trail had a lovely swatch of untouched corduroy with a dusting of snow on it. Smiles guaranteed.

One of the secrets of Shawnee: They have two yurts and a cabin hidden away in the trees on Sunset Boulevard (a cruiser trail which offers a view of Mount Washington to the northwest). These are heavily booked on weekends and holidays, not so much mid-week. They rent for $165/night. Gather your friends or family and go. Rental includes a night ski pass for the evening you arrive and a healthy discount on lift tickets for the next day (Adults pay Junior price). We’re going to get back as soon as possible to overnight in one. Winter cabin getawaysare one of our favorite things to do. A yurt would be a new experience, a variation on the cabin theme.

But with or without an overnight, Shawnee is one of those comfortable, friendly, unpretentious mid-sized mountains where you can always find good snow and a thoroughly enjoyable day on the slopes, even if Mother Nature isn’t delivering the goods. If you haven’t tried Shawnee, we’d suggest you do.

If You Need Another Reason To Choose Shawnee Peak

Over the years, Shawnee has developed a real reputation as a wallet-friendly ski hill, especially if you can get there mid-week (or at night!)

The daily deals are especially good. These are the 2011/12 deals.

Sunday afternoon  (12:30pm – 4:30pm) lift tickets are $29

Mondays are Carload Days. Everyone legally riding in a vehicle (no busses or high-capacity vans) gets in for $84. Monday nights (4-9pm) are $13.

Tuesdays  are 2 for $59 this season.

Wednesdays offer Night Skiing starting early (3;30pm) for $25. Add Rentals for just $14.

Thursdays, Men ski 9:30am-8pm and get a $7 lunch voucher for $43. Night Skiing for everyone starts at  3.30pm, $25

Friday, Ladies get the same deal men get on Thursday.

Weekends: a family of four (one must be a junior) skis all day for $184.