SKIERS and riders can start off the new year right by improving their skiing and racing skills at one of the many events that are taking place at ski resorts in the Northeast.
Jan. 6 marks the first in a series of women’s ski seminars for all ability levels at Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills. The classes are geared toward women who would like to increase their skills and expand their comfort zone using techniques and methods sensitive to women’s needs.
The cost of the three one-day women’s seminars for beginners is $125. Intermediate dates are Jan. 27 and March 3 and the cost is $100. An advanced two-day seminar is offered Feb.9-10 for $200. The Mogul Clinic will be held March 10 for $100. You must register by calling (845) 254.5600 x 339.
Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont is offering skiers and riders a way to end the year with style and win some great prizes at the same time. On Saturday, the SoBe Superpipe competition, an Okemo Series free-ride event, will be open to skiers and riders of all ages.
Registration for the competition will take place in the Okemo Base Lodge from 8-9 a.m. on Saturday. Entry fee is $20. For more info, call (800) 786-5366 or visit http://www.okemo.com.
Hunter Mountain will host the Chevrolet Alpine Super Series – Men’s Nor-Am Cup USA from Jan. 2-5. This event brings some of the best male racers from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and many other countries to Hunter and all competing for a spot at the World Cup and the 2006 Winter Olympics in both GS and slalom disciplines.
Hunter will also play host to Salomon Oasis and the Ultimate Hook-Up on Jan. 7-8. This 15-stop tour will bring a weekend full of free equipment demos, tons of giveaways and a terrain park jam session.
Pathfinders, a six-week learn to cross-country ski program for kids, will be offered this winter to local children ages 5 and up at the Verizon Sports Complex in Lake Placid.
The six-week program begins on Saturday and ends Feb. 11. The cost of the program is $35 per child. For more information, contact Rebecca Dayton at (518) 523-8824.
The Snowboomer Club, an athletic and social ski club for skiers 50 years and older is being offered at Whiteface and the Verizon Sports Complex. The program includes Alpine as well as Nordic coaching sessions, plus a variety of free events and discounts.
The Snowboomer Club meets on Tuesdays at Whiteface and Thursdays at the Sports Complex from January to March. A membership pass for the Snowboomer Club is $199. For more info, log on to http://www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.
The Next Snow Search, put on by Sports Illustrated for Kids, will be held at Jiminy Peak in the Berkshires on Jan. 7. Skiers and snowboarders ages 9 through 13 are eligible to compete to win a trip to Killington, Vt., for a chance at the finals.
The Next Snow Search, is a national talent hunt to find young athletes who best represent the next generation of extreme skiers and snowboarders. The finals will be held at Killington March 2-5.
Factors such as community involvement and grades will gain bonus points for competitors. Additional points will be earned by finishing a modified GS race and a Slopestyle Challenge.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.jiminypeak.com or call (413) 738-5500 ext. 3060.