I LOVE NEW YORK makes it easy to get up-to-date winter ski, travel and event information.

With temperatures dipping all across New York State, snowmaking at ski areas has begun in earnest and the start of the winter travel season has officially begun. New York State is coming to life with winter adventures for all, and headlining the excitement is the start of another great Empire State ski season. As the temperatures plunge and the snow falls,more and more of the state's 52 downhill and 50 cross-country ski areas are opening.

�New York State is such a great place for wintertime fun and excitement that the colder it gets, the more things heat up,� said Charles A. Gargano, chairman of Empire State Development, which administers the I LOVE NEW YORK campaign. �We're looking forward to another great season on the slopes, in addition to plenty of exciting off-the-slopes events and activities.�

New York State had three of its best ski seasons over the past four years, with more than 4 million skier visits annually.

�We believe our success is based on the emphasis on learn-to-ski programs, and the fact that New York State has some 50 ski centers, many of which are close to cities,� said Dirk Gouwens, executive director of Ski Areas of New York (SANY). �New York State also has a wide variety of ski areas, ranging from family-friendly to those geared toward experts.�

For the sixth year, I LOVE NEW YORK is partnering with SANY for the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, which introduces fourth-grade students to winter mountain recreation in New York State.

With the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, any fourth grade student - from any state - can take advantage of unmatched and unprecedented skiing and snowboarding values from the New York State mountain resort industry for the 2004-05 winter season. Eligible students will receive a �Passport� book containing three coupons for free skiing and/or snowboarding at each of the participating ski areas in New York State. The only cost is a $15 processing fee.

For more information on the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, up-to-the-minute cross-country and downhill ski reports, and New York State events, attractions and lodging information, dial (800) CALL-NYS or visit the I LOVE NEW YORK Web site at iloveny.com.

For More Information: Eric Scheffel (518) 292-5274

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