The Snow Report: Black Mountain hosts snow sculpture competition

JACKSON — Touring centers and ski areas received four to six inches of snow in Thursday night and Friday's storm before it changed over to what Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce publicist Marti Mayne whimsically called “clear snow” — a.k.a. freezing rain.

“The new snow will groom nicely at ski resorts and cross country centers to add to a strong base,” said Mayne Friday afternoon, noting that partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 30s were forecast for the weekend by the National Weather Service out of Gray, Maine.

UNH Winter Carnival; Snow Sculpture Weekend

Highlights of the weekend include the University of New Hampshire Winter Carnival in Jackson and Attitash, and the the 11th annual New Hampshire Sanctioned/Jackson Invitational Snow Sculpting competition at Black Mountain in Jackson, Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.

Fourteen teams from throughout the Northeast are expected to compete. Sculpting began at noon on Jan. 27, and is to continue through the weekend through noon Jan. 29.  

Activities are to include a bonfire for roasting of marshmallows, a scavenger hunt, and more. Admission for viewing is free; ski tickets are sold separately.

For details, visit www.JacksonNH.com or call the chamber office at 383-9356.

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Alpine

Attitash (374-2368; 54 trails and nine lifts): Attitash and Wildcat marketing director Thomas Prindle said conditions were great after the storm dropped five inches of new snow.

On Saturday, the University of New Hampshire Ski Team's Alpine Racing Carnival will feature men’s and women’s slalom events on the Illusion trail at Bear Peak.
Ptarmigan’s Pub features Full Circle Saturday. The acoustic Den Session at Bear Peak features Al Shafner. The Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster is open for the weekend 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Black Mountain (383-4490) received five inches of new snow in the storm Friday and now has 28 trails ad two lifts operating. Looking ahead, Black hosts its annual Chairlift Speed Dating Feb. 11.

Bretton Woods Ski Area (278-3320) will have 62 trails and six lifts in operation Saturday. Bretton Woods received four inches of fresh snow in the storm. Night skiing is offered Fridays and Saturdays. Its Canopy Tour and indoor climbing wall are also open.

Bretton Woods has its Disabled Veterans Appreciation Day Feb. 4, under which disabled veterans and their immediate families, from the North Country of New Hampshire and Vermont, will receive complimentary ski and winter sport lessons, complimentary use of equipment, including the use of adaptive equipment through the Bretton Woods Adaptive Program, and lunch.

Cranmore Mountain Resort (356-5543; 44 trails and six lifts) received four inches of new snow in the storm. On Saturday, Cabot Cheese will sponsor of a farm-themed Cranapalooza and fireworks display at 6:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Tugg Brothers, with kids entertainment from BoBo-T-Clown.

Cranmore's tubing park, mountain coaster, giant swing and indoor family adventure center are all open this weekend as well. 
For more information, visit www.cranmore.com or call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI.

King Pine (367-8896; all 17 trails and six lifts) received four inches of new snow. King Pine's Mini Hits takes place Saturday beginning with registration and practice runs at noon, with the competition from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Twisted Pine Terrain Park. Night skiing is held at King Pine Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays. Powder Bear's Snowfest Birthday celebration is Feb. 4, and for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, King Pine hosts a fan contest and a season pass drawing.

Shawnee Peak (207-647-8444) will have skiing on 31 trails serviced by four lifts Saturday. Shawnee offers night skiing and entertainment. Shawnee received six inches of new snow in the storm.

Wildcat Mountain (466-3326; 43 trails and three lifts) received six inches of new snow in the storm. Wildcat hosts an apres party every Saturday in the Wildcat Pub. Performer Pat Foley rocks out Jan. 28 and Feb. 5; acoustic wonder Bill Cameron plays Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26.

Cross Country
Among the highlights for cross country enthusiasts are:

* Bear Notch (374-2277) in Bartlett received six to eight inches of snow from Friday's storm — and only a bit of freezing rain at the end, according to Doug Garland, who said the skiing should be great this weekend. “We'll groom it all up and it should be very fine skiing Saturday,” he told the Sun Friday. “It's a very silky snow. It's moist but it's like ball bearings and it grooms very nicely. We'll have 30 kilometers Saturday,” said Garland.

* Bretton Woods Nordic (278-3322): Received four inches of new snow and now has 10k of classic terrain and 10k of skate groomed trails. Feb. 11: Sweetheart's Chocolate Tour via snowshoe or cross country skis; March 10: New England Ski Museum Nordic Marathon.

* Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center 466-2333) received five inches of new snow in the storm and has 45k of trails open, including 18 skate and classic groomed and 45k for snowshoeing. The tubing hill is open. Call for information on the SnowCoach schedule.

* Jackson Ski Touring (383-9355) received five inches of new snow and now has 140 kilometers open.

Jan. 28: UNH Winter Carnival Races: Saturday: women's 15 km Free Technique Mass Start - 9:30 a.m. three laps; men's 20 km Free Technique Mass Start - 11 a.m.;  four laps; with competition taking place at the International Course on the Eagle Fields. Spectators should take one of the frequent shuttle buses. Park downtown and shuttle to the race. No spectator parking at the Eagle Mountain House.
Spectators be advised that lunch is available in the Eagle's Landing Pub in the Eagle Mountain House.

* King Pine Nordic (367-8896): The Purity Spring XC and Snowshoe Reserve received four inches of new snow. The center has 15k of classic terrain and 10k of skate-groomed trails. Guided snowshoe tours begin at The Mill at 2 p.m. every Saturday and some holidays. Rentals are available at the King Pine rental shop.

* MWV Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center (356-9920): Five inches of new snow. 20k skate groomed, 45k snowshoe trails open. Feb. 4: Cross country skiing, mountain biking and snowshoe “Tri-Event” will combine all three events, with each course consisting of 5k each. Choose one of three categories for entry: men's and women's individual, men's and women's team, or co-ed team.

For further information, visit www.skinh.com.