All of New York's ski areas have now opened and snowmaking is underway at most areas, weather permitting. This weekend and next, you'll find an exciting array of fun outdoor events both on and off the slopes in the Empire State.

Special events at New York's ski areas this weekend include the Great Gore Mountain Raquette Race on Sunday, January 9 at Gore Mountain in North Creek. The 4.5 mile snowshoe race is an Empire State Games qualifier event. Prizes include hydration packs, outdoor gear and clothing, and Adirondack Gold maple syrup. The event takes place at 11 a.m. and admission is $10. To find out more, call (518) 251-2411 or visit www.goremountain.com.

Elsewhere in the region, Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, will hold the 42nd Annual Hovey Memorial Race for kids up to age 14. Also on the same day, Whiteface kicks off its season-long Up & Comers Series in the Whiteface Terrain Park. The series, for skiers and riders up to age 14, is a competition for the all-around title of Up & Coming Champ. Participants earn points toward the championship at season's end. Prizes awarded in ski and snowboard divisions. Entries are limited. For more information on both events contact the Whiteface Customer Service Desk at (518) 946-2223.

January 14-16, the storied Village of Lake Placid welcomes the Nature Valley Freestyle Cup, with breathtaking mogul skiing at Whiteface Mountain and aerial skiing at the Mackenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex. For more information, call (518) 523-1655.

In the Catskills, Belleayre Mountain holds its 2nd annual Alzheimer's Association Race to Remember grand slalom challenge, Saturday, January 8. This fun race for a great cause benefits local families served by the Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester, NY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. The race entry fee is $20 per person, which includes an all day lift ticket for the day of the race. Pre-registration by Friday, January 7 is required for the free lift ticket, however regular priced lift tickets can still be purchased the day of the race, in addition to the $20 entry fee. For a pre-registration application, or for more information, contact (800) 872-0994 or visit www.alzhudsonvalley.org.

Other upcoming fun winter events include the Adirondack International Mountainfest, which takes place in Keene Valley, January 14-16. This celebration of mountaineering includes a variety of ice climbing and mountaineering clinics, slide shows and demos. The charitable event supports the Access Fund, local search and rescue groups, and the New York Ski Educational Foundation. For more information call (518) 576-2281.

You'll find snowmobile racing action at the Rock Maple Snowmobile Races, at the Malone Fairgrounds, January 8th and 9th. This exciting event is part of the prestigious Rock Maple Racing Series.

For more snowmobile fun, check out the Governor's 2005 Snowmobile Ride and Torch Light Parade, January 14. The event, hosted by the South Warren Snowmobile Club, starts with registration at the Holiday Inn in Lake George at 9 a.m.; the ride begins from the bottom of Prospect Mountain to Lake Luzerne, with the torchlight parade at Prospect Mountain at dusk. Call (518) 696-3464 for more information.

Winter revelers will want to join in the fun at Long Lake's 4th Annual Winter Carnival, January 15. This family-friendly day includes games throughout the day at the Mt. Sabattis Recreation Area, with skating races at the Will Geiger Skating Rink. In the evening, enjoy a roaring bonfire and fireworks. For more information call (518) 624-2332.

The Can Am Sled Dog Races are coming to Allegany State Park, in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, January 15 and 16. Come out and enjoy the competition, beautiful trails and more. For additional information call (716) 354-9101. And, in the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, the Tug Hill Try-it Race 25k/12k Classical Race will be held January 15 in Boylston at Winona State Forest. For registration information, call (315) 298-6993 or visit www.tughillskiclub.com.

For the sixth year, Empire State Development's I LOVE NEW YORK campaign is partnering with Ski Areas of New York 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.

This ski season, I LOVE NEW YORK is giving away a free pair of Rossignol skis. To enter for the giveaway, visit iloveny.com.

For more information on the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, up-to-the-minute cross-country and downhill ski reports, a free 2004-05 I LOVE NEW YORK Winter Travel and Ski Guide, 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 further information, Please contact: Eric Scheffel escheffel@empire.state.ny.us Ph: +1 (518) 292-5274

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