Ski areas get a touch of the white stuff, ready to turn the guns back on

A dusting to three inches of fresh snow greeted skiers and riders Tuesday as they made their way to the slopes.Vacation week is off to a decent start, and, by all accounts, with cooler temperatures in the forecast, snowmakers figure to be busy, and by the end of week a lot more terrain should be open."Over the next 24 to 48 hours temperatures are expected to drop down into the teens," Kathy Bennett, marketing director for Cranmore, said. "Our snowmakers are hopefully going be extremely busy."Bennett said vacation week was off to a solid start. "I skied quite bit here on Christmas Day, and the conditions were surprisingly good," she said. "I think a lot of people have been surprised by what they've found here. We have hundreds of people here with smiles on their faces, enjoying the holiday skiing."Cranmore plans a number of on-snow and off-snow events during vacation week including the return of Cranapaloza on Wednesday where officials are "going to make Cranmore the land of the midnight sun so wear your brightest Day-Glo!" Events, from 2 to 9:30 p.m. include a T-shirt toss out; S'mores on the Eating House deck; Dennis and Davey performing on the Eating House stage; Mike Hathaway entertaining with his hypnotic ability; Dennis and Davey performing into the night; and at 7:30 p.m., fireworks.Bennett said the resort will also offer night skiing and tubing Wednesday with two trails and two lifts planned for skiers and riders. Bretton Woods, located atop Crawford Notch, is also offering night skiing all this week and is offering a special vacation week twilight ticket from 2 to 9 p.m. for $39, or you can night ski from 4 to 9 p.m. for $19.Martha Wilson, public relations director, reports the resort received between two and three inches of snow Tuesday morning. "The forecast is for additional snow (Tuesday night), and conditions look very good for snowmaking through the rest of the week," she said. "We hope to open Range View, located under the high-speed Zephyr chair over the next couple of days."Wilson said Bretton woods currently has 18 trails and six lifts open with terrain for all abilities."It looks like people are headed our way," Wilson said. "We're not quite as busy as last year, but we think the week will pick up with the cooler temperatures."Bretton Woods is also offering a wide range of activities both on and off the snow at the Mount Washington Hotel, including nightly entertainment along with a children's tubing hill and a half kilometer of terrain opened at the Nordic center. The resort also plans to host an on-snow torch light parade followed by fireworks on New Year's Eve.Attitash, located in Bartlett, received two inches of snow at the base and a little over three inches on the summit. "It look beautiful," public relations director Krissy Fraser said. "It didn't open any additional terrain, but it helps it's a start. The nice thing is it looks like we've got some good snowmaking nights ahead. Every minute we can make snow we'll be out there."Fraser said Attitash currently has 11 trails and five lifts in operation featuring two routes from the top to the bottom of the mountain. "We have quite a few people out on the mountain and they're excited," she said.Winter Week kicks off Wednesday at Attitash with the arrival of SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, who will be at the resort through Sunday. Fraser said the Dirty Sock Fun Time Band from Nickelodeon will perform on Wednesday (tickets are on sale by calling 800-223-7669). "The group is very popular like the Wiggles," she said.King Pine in East Madison received a couple inches of the white stuff on Tuesday."Things are looking great around here," Dan Houde, marketing director for Purity Spring and King Pine Resort, said. "Everyone is smiling and happy to finally see some natural snow. It looks like we may get some more (Tuesday night) and we'll start snowmaking again (Wednesday), the conditions look favorable. Hopefully, by the end of the week we'll have more trails open (currently three trails and two lifts). Houde said King Pine will kick off its On Snow Holiday Fiesta Week Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. dedicating an area at the base of the mountain where there is snow to a wide range of activities including games, music and barbecues. There will be an inflated Bouncing House; on-snow volleyball; a hole-in-one competition for adults and children; a mini-golf course on snow for children; a football toss competition for all ages; an archery area will be set up; the popular Man-o-War Tug of War will be set up; and Friday at 7 p.m. there will be a mini big-air competition under the lights. King Pine is offering night skiing all this week from 4 to 7 p.m.Optimism is also high at Black Mountain in Jackson where the resort received three inches of snow Tuesday morning. "We're supposed to have more favorable weather coming in," Heidi Duffy, marketing director for Black Mountain, said. "Looking at (www.weatherunderground.com), which is a very accurate source, it says we could get another three to nine inches (Tuesday night). I'm not holding my breath, but every little bit helps. The prettiest thing is to drive into Jackson and see white on Black (Mountain)."Duffy said Black Mountain has opened all of its programs and is offering skiing and snow-boarding lessons. She also points out the resort is offering a ski deal to children and parents in SAU 9 (covers Albany, Bartlett, Conway, Eaton and Jackson). "The SAU 9 pass is on sale for $499 and that's a season pass for two adults and two children," Duffy said. "We think it's a great deal for families."Black hopes to have 10 trails and two lifts open by Friday.Aside from skiing and riding, Black will offer a number of children's activities such as an on-snow obstacle course. The resort also plans to host an on-snow rugby match between a team from South Africa and the Mount Washington Valley's own Bull Moose on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m., sponsored by Stein Lager.At Wildcat, located in the heart of Pinkham Notch, the resort received three inches of fresh powder on Tuesday. "Wildcat opens today at 8:30 a.m. with a few inches of new snow," is Tuesday's snow report. "Whooohee! Snowmaking continues at every opportunity, and it's great to see some natural and to see the white carpet over the land! We wish everyone a joyous holiday week!"The resort is planning several activities during vacation week including apres-ski parties and on-snow demo days this weekend."It looks like a winter wonderland up here," Irene Donnell, marketing director for Wildcat, said. "It's nice to see the snow. Our snowmakers will be at it again this week with the colder temperatures, plus, hopefully we'll get some more natural snow (Tuesday night) finger's crossed."Sports editor Lloyd Jones can be contacted at lloyd@conwaydailysun.com.