December 29, 2008 E-MAIL PRINT

Around the Region: Slopes busy for break

by Marty Basch/

January signals the start of select two-for-one days at Waterville Valley. (photo: Waterville Valley)

January signals the start of select two-for-one days at Waterville Valley. (photo: Waterville Valley)

School is out, and many ski areas will see an influx of college students in the coming days.

Killington's Collegiate Snow Fest features parties, music and movies from Jan. 4-9 and Jan. 11-16. Black Mountain in Jackson, N.H., is going for the college crowd with its Winter Break College Days Jan. 5-8. Ski and Stay packages for college students start at $89 for two.

Both Sugarloaf and Sunday River are gearing the slopes to college students with various activities Jan. 5-9.

The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge arrives at Killington in central Vermont on Jan. 3 and the next day moves to Pico on that area's Lower Pike trail.

Parents love Youth Pay Their Age Day at Mount Snow. The second one is Jan. 4 and it applies to children 6 to 18. So if you have a 12-year-old, their lift ticket costs $12 that day.

Ever wonder who is the fastest skier in the family? Head to Smugglers' Notch to find out. There are Family Fun Races on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lower Madonna Liftline.

Waterville Valley in New Hampshire's White Mountains rolls out the deals in January. Look for two-for-one, non-holiday Monday and Friday ticket deals beginning Jan. 5. Waterville has a Wheel of Deals, which gives skiers and riders a chance to spin and win swag such as ski lessons and lunch. If you're a cross-country skier, Waterville will have two-for-one trail passes on non-holiday Thursdays.

On Jan. 3, the Transworld Snowboarding Magazine TransAm makes a pit stop at Waterville with a mini-slopestyle course. The event is capped at 100.
You can always tell parents of young racers. They're the ones snowshoeing to the finish area of the race course. Look for them Saturday at Mount Sunapee's Macomber Cup, a USSA GS for JI's and JII's. Cranmore turns on the lights for its Saturday Cranapalooza nights. The night features skiing, entertainment and loads of family fun. Slopestyle is on the menu for the Attitash ATP Freeride Series Saturday.

Shawnee Peak is going to keep the lifts moving ... and the lights on ... until 1 a.m. on Jan. 3.

Wachusett begins the new year with some fun events. The Jingle Bell Slalom, a Master’s level dual slalom, rings in Friday on the Challenger trail. Keep an eye out for the strolling magician during Saturday’s Mountain Magic. Sunday in the Main Event, where snowboarders compete for a wild card spot in the U.S. Open.

Up in the Berkshires? Jiminy Peak is hosting a Rail Jam under the lights Friday night.

Skiers and riders who live in Burlington, Conn., can save some cash Jan. 2 at Ski Sundown in New Hartford during Burlington Community Night. Show proof you're a resident and save $5 off a night ticket from 6-10 p.m. and $10 off a first-timer learn to ski or snowboard package during that same time period. Ski Sundown is also having a jam session in the terrain park Jan. 3.

Winter Trails is a big day to get people into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Jan. 10 event features more than 20 touring centers across New England offering free or reduced beginner packages. For a complete list go to www.wintertrails.org.

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