The Snow Report: Sweet skiing for George Washington's birthday and second vacation week

Since this is the end of a very successful first of two February vacation weeks here in the valley of the Original Big George W (Washington), it's only appropriate to wish a happy 277th birthday to our first president as we prepare for the second storm of the week, which is slated to come to the valley on his birthday Sunday, Feb. 22.To make the most of George's b-day, and to satiate your appetite for all things chocolate, head to the Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Association's 20th annual Chocolate Festival Feb. 22.Cross-country ski or snowshoe from inn-to-inn along the trails within a 65-kilometer network, indulging in your favorite chocolate fantasy at several participating inns along the way during the center's most popular event of the season. If you're not up to skiing or snowshoeing, you can also drive in your car along Route 16 and 16A from the inns to participate.Tickets are $20 prior Feb. 21 and $25 the day of the tour. The event begins at 11 a.m.For more information, call 356-9920.Mount Washington Valley's other touring centers include the 65-kilometer Bear Notch Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center (374-2277, skiing with well-trained dogs allowed) in Bartlett; Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (466-2333; 40-kilometer network at base of Mount Washington in Pinkham Notch, with SnowCoach tours, snow tubing and indoor climbing wall also featured); King Pine Nordic Center (367-8896, All-4-1 ticket includes ski touring, ice skating, snowshoeing and alpine skiing, and 15-kilometer network for ski touring; snow tubing also featured); and Jackson Ski Touring (383-9355, 154-kilometer network of inn-to-inn skiing and snowshoeing). WINTER RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC (on the trails): Local runners Paul Kirsch and Kevin Tilton of the White Mountain Milers were out for a trail run on the Corridor 19 snowmobile trail behind Wal-Mart on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, feeling blessed by the abundance of trail running opportunities the snowmobile trails offer everyone all winter. They wanted to pass along the following happening:At one point, we came around a turn and, as we were heading south, three snow machines were heading north while passing a mountain bike rider with studded tires out riding on the same trails. If only we had a camera, we would have titled the picture, Mount Washington Valley Winter Rush Hour. It was a beautiful sight. TONS OF SNOW: This week's nor'easter on Wednesday night and Thursday doctored-up the ski slopes and touring trails nicely and to think another storm is forecast for Sunday the 22nd! That second storm will enhance conditions everywhere. All ski area operators were rejoicing, including Attitash marketing director Frank Guerriero, who noted that Attitash on Thursday surpassed the 10-foot mark for the season with the new 12 inches of snow.The new snow comes on the heels of last years record breaking snowfall. For more information, call 1-800-223-SNOW or visit attitash.com PURITY SPRING SLED DOG CLINIC FOR KIDS: This year, in conjunction with the second annual Purity Spring Sled Dog Race Classic set for March 7-8, Purity Spring Resort and King Pine Ski Area will host "On-Snow Sled Dog Race Clinics just for kids! Due to the popularity of the 1-Dog Junior Amateur event during last years Sled Dog Race Classic, Purity has decided to offer four separate clinics for kids to learn more about the sport of sled dog racing. These one-of-a-kind clinics are being offered to kids 5-15 years old and will be held during King Pines Winter Carnival Week on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 25-26. Registration is currently available at www.kingpine.com/sleddogkids.During Purity Spring Sled Dog Race Classic Weekend March 7 and 8, a total of 20 kids per day (40 total) will have the opportunity to race behind an actual sled dog in the 1-Dog Junior Amateur Division. Registration for the 1-Dog Junior Amateur event will be on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. each day in the staging area across from King Pine. Entry fees for the 1-Dog Junior Amateur will be $15 per child and will include an event T-shirt. WILDCAT 100K DAY MARCH 2; Are you capable of skiing or riding over 100,000 vertical feet in one day? If you are, the bar has been set again at Wildcat Mountain March 2 for a potential 40 participating skiers and riders who are up for the challenge that includes also raising associated pledge donations to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire.The annual 100K event is unique to Wildcat Mountain, coupling the accessibility and speed of the Wildcat Express high-speed, summit lift and the ski areas greater than 2,100 vertical foot drop. Registration for the event is only $65 ($35 for Wildcat Mountain season passholders) and includes lift access for the day, a ticket voucher valid for another day this season, exclusive lift-line privileges while completing the 48 runs (maximum 50 runs), light breakfast/lunch items, snacks, and refreshments during the event, and prizes awarded for the top fund-raisers and participants during an awards pasta dinner held following the event. All ages and disciplines are welcome to participate, but a limit of 40 participants and a minimum $250 in pledge donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire must be acquired and provided the morning of the event, Monday, March 2. For more information and to register, visit skiwildcat.com/100Kday.html. For more information, call 466-3326. ALPINE CALENDAR:Local alpine areas include Attitash (374-2368), Black (383-4490), Cranmore (356-5543), King Pine (367-8896), Shawnee Peak (207-647-8444) and Wildcat Mountain (466-3326).This week's alpine highlights include: Feb. 21-27: King Pine Winter Carnival, featuring the Overnight Junior Ski Camp, the longest running ski camp in the country, through Feb. 22, the Family Challenge Feb. 25; King Pine Mini Hits Feb. 21; and the Silly Slalom and Belly Bag Races Feb. 24, and Gold Rush Feb. 26. Feb. 21: U Go Girl Giant Slalom at Attitash: Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation.Go to www.skinh.com for further calendar information. Pink Ribbin' Jibbin at Cranmore during the day, followed by Cranapalooza with fireworks at 7:30 p.m. Also, indoor Family Fun Zone. Feb. 22: Black Mountain Apres Ski with Nick Lebel. Feb. 22: Wildcat Mountain Chilly Apres Ski with pianist and singer Cheryl B. Engelhardt. Feb. 22: Russ Haggett Memorial Race at Shawnee Peak. Registration: 8 to 10:30 a.m. in the Base Lodge $10/racer. Race time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cranmore: Mountain Meisters resumes for Week 7. Feb. 25: Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Attitash: Come race with the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge team. The top skiers and riders in each age group will qualify for the finals on March 28. It is open to all ages and abilities. Feb. 26: Tubin for a Cause at Cranmore Arctic Blast Tubing Park. Portion of ticket sales to benefit Jen's Friends. Feb. 27: Cranmore Comedy Night with comedians Tammy Pooler and Mike Coleman. March 1: Ridercross Event No. 4 in Freeride Series at Attitash: Final event. March 1: Break the Sound Barrier Race for Hear ME Now at Shawnee Peak. March 7: Nevado Adventures Demo Day at Wildcat. Also, March 28. March 2: Wildcat Mountain 100K Day for Make-A-Wish: Can you ski and ride 100 kilometers in a single day? March 7: Cabin Fever Party at Wildcat Mountain. March 7: Attitash Freeride competition. March 7 and 8: Purity Spring Sled Dog Classic at King Pine. March 8: Mary's Firemen For A Cure Race at Shawnee Peak. March 8: Ninth annual Marky B Boardfest at King Pine: The most unique snowboard-only event in the region a slalom race through a course with hits, rolls and jumps! SKI TOURING EVENTS:Ongoing: Tuesdays and Fridays through March 13 10:30 a.m. Jackson Ski Touring Foundation: Easy Sliders is a gentle introduction to cross country skiing and winter fitness for people who want to exercise but dont quite know how to begin. Be ready to ski at 10:30. If you need rentals, come 20 minutes early. Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m.: Bear Notch Ski Touring runs guided snowshoe tours. Call for reservations. Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center: Guided snowshoe tours Saturdays at 1 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon Jackson Ski Touring Foundation: The very popular Snowshoe Instructional Nature Tour; guides lead a group on a snowshoe outing and gives snowshoe technique tips along the way. Guided Snowshoe Tours, King Pine Nordic Center (367-8896): Every Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Additional tour dates are set for Tuesday, Feb. 17, and Thursday, Feb. 19, all at 2 p.m. Tuesday Trekkers through March 24 1 p.m. Jackson Ski Touring: Like Friday Gliders but for snowshoers. Fridays through March 27 1 p.m. Jackson Ski Touring Foundation: Friday Gliders Classic Social Ski with Ski School Director Marianne Borowski and a host of other skiers. Feb 28 Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has partnered with Northeast Passage to offer Learn To Ski opportunities for individuals with disabilities living in the New England region. This partnership supports a spectrum of cross country skiing opportunities from recreational skiing to athlete development. If you are interested in learning more about this program or becoming involved, contact Northeast Passage at northeast.passage@unh.edu, www.nepassage.org, or 862-0070. March 8: Great Glen Trails Ski to the Clouds: Beginning on the trail system at Great Glen Trails, Ski to the Clouds finishes with a 6-kilometer climb up the Mount Washington Auto Road a climb of more than 2200 vertical feet. Ski to the Clouds will offer prize money for the fastest male and female competitors and for the fastest male and female over the age of 40. For more information and to register, visit www.SkitotheClouds.com. March 8: Great Glen Trails hosts Carl Johnson Memorial 5km race. March 8: Intervale After Dark Full Moon Tour at Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center. Take a guided tour along the gentle terrain of the Intervale Trail. See Feb. 20 description.For further event listings, go to www.skinh.com.Get outside!