January 5, 2009 E-MAIL PRINT

Around the Region: Big events on tap

by Marty Basch/

Cranmore's Snow Train weekend will host a re-enactment of Hannes Schneider's arrival to North Conway, N.H. (photo: Cranmore)

Cranmore's Snow Train weekend will host a re-enactment of Hannes Schneider's arrival to North Conway, N.H. (photo: Cranmore)

The winter of 1939 comes alive again at Cranmore in North Conway, N.H., this weekend. That winter, skiing legend Hannes Schneider stepped off the train and walked under a welcoming line of outstretched ski poles being held by students. Schneider, who fled Nazi persecution, was a noted European ski instructor in the 1920s and 1930s. He went on to fame at Cranmore.

The 70th anniversary of Schneider's arrival is marked at Cranmore Jan. 9-11 during the Snow Train weekend. Lift tickets will be at their 1930 levels on Jan. 9: $3.30.

On Saturday, the snow train will run by the North Conway station followed by a re-enactment of Schneider's arrival, complete with schoolchildren making that ski pole archway. Schneider's son and family live in the area and are expected to be on hand. Later on, there will be a blessing of the skis and a snow train history lecture.

On Sunday, the train will depart for Glen, N.H.

Fast forward to 2009 for the Winter Dew Tour at Mount Snow in West Dover, Vt., Jan. 8-11 for today's top snowboarders and freeskiers. New England will be well-represented with athletes such as Kelly Clark (second in superpipe during the Tour's Breckenridge stop) and Hannah Teter (fourth at Breck). Also expected are Gretchen Bleiler and Elena Hight. On the men's side, New Hampshire's Scotty Lago and riders with Vermont roots such as Elijah Teter and Louie Vito could show up. Oh, and Shaun White.

The Tour features preliminaries on Thursday, with the men's freeski slopestyle finals on Friday. Saurday is the men's/women's slopestyle finals and men's freeski superpipe final. Sunday is the men's/women's snowboard superpipe final. There are concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The only East Coast stop of the Vans Mini Cup Tour touches down at Loon in Lincoln, N.H., on Saturday, Jan. 10. The best overall rider snags an all-expenses-paid trip to Mammoth to compete in the Vans Cup, so show them what you've got. The Mini Cup also is a Gromfest Qualifier, which takes place later this season at Whistler. Top riders under 16 have a shot at competing in that one.

Thinking of getting new boards? Head to Wachusett in Princeton, Mass., during Ten Dollar Demo Days, Jan. 12-15. The Zimmerman Freeride Series starts up soon at Nashoba Valley. Slopestyle competitions are slated for Jan. 17, Jan. 24 and Jan. 31.

Mad River Glen hosts the Green Mountain Club weekend Jan. 11, when members of the Vermont-based hiking organization ski two-for-one.

Winter Trails Day on Jan. 10 is an excellent opportunity for first-timers to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Many areas across New England are offering free or discounted lessons, rentals and trail passes to first-timers. If you regularly snowboard or downhill ski, it is an excellent opportunity to try the free-heel life. There's a list of places at www.wintertrails.org. Best bet is to call ahead and make a reservation.

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