In New England: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Editor's note: For Nov. 7 publication.

Ride the double chair to the top of Maine's Ragged Mountain this ski season and you'll soon understand the allure of the Camden Snow Bowl. The smell of early morning powder is overpowered by a blast of salty mist from the sea. Yes, this Maine ski area is the only spot in America where you can carve your turn and look at an expanse of ocean.

Below is the rock-strewn harbor of Camden, a favorite anchorage of yachters in summer but in winter only visited by fishermen haling in their catch of shrimp. Beyond the town are the emerald green Penobscot Bay Islands and the mountains fronting the lone National Park in the northeast, Acadia.

The Snow Bowl's proximity to the Atlantic means the weather can be iffy. The fog rolls in and snow turns to mush. A nor'easter whips by and suddenly you're gleefully skiing in a blizzard. When the ski gods are with you, expect to share the mountain with local kids, dropped off by mom and dad; and couples who want a good dose of outdoors before settling back into one of several nearby, historic B&Bs.

With only 40 skiable acres and a vertical of 950 feet, the mountain is one of the smallest in New England - on par with Suicide Six in Vermont or King Pine in New Hampshire. Most of the 11 trails are deemed intermediate, perhaps to give the Mainers a feeling of accomplishment.