ICE AND SNOW SCULPTING COME TO JACKSON The 13th Annual Great Ice Carvers of NE Invitational Competition is scheduled for January 14 at the Wentworth Inn. Twelve competitors will be given three hours to transform and carve a three hundred pound block of ice using the tools of their choice. The ice carving competition begins at 10 a.m. and is followed by a lunch and an awards ceremony. First prize is $500 cash to the winner, with other prizes for second and third place. To learn more, call 603-383-9700 or The Wentworth. The seventh annual New Hampshire Snow Sculpting Competition will be held in Jackson on January 25, 26 and 27, 2008. The three day Winter Fest event will bring breathtaking snow sculptures to the Jackson Town Park in the center of Jackson Village, a location with lots of visibility, free parking and close proximity to lodging and restaurants. Three-member teams made up of amateurs and professionals will begin sculpting columns of snow ten feet high and four feet in diameter. This event is sanctioned by the Association International de Sculpture sure Neige et Glace and WinterFun, the only sanctioning organization for state, national and international snow sculpting competitions in the United States. The winning team from the state event will go on to compete in the annual National competition. National winners are then eligible to compete in competitions offered by sanctioned member countries at the international level which include Switzerland, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, China, Norway and Russia. I Both competitions make fun spectator events. Come watch expert carvers make mountains out of snow and ice hills.

ALL TIME FAVORITE, SHOVEL HANDLE PUB TO REOPEN AT WHITNEY'S Whitney's Inn in Jackson has new owners and has just received some much needed attention with a $250,000 renovation. The property encompasses twelve acres with a pond and includes the Main Inn, the Liftline Lodge, two cottages, an 1842 farmhouse and the Shovel Handle Pub. With the help of some of the valley's best tradespeople, a December 26 reopening date was set. Each of the 26 guestrooms will now feature new pine log and Adirondack style furniture and décor, all with private baths, some with fireplaces. All of the rooms have cable television, DVD players, CD alarm clocks, and wireless Internet. Located next to Black Mountain Ski Area, Whitney's Inn is also home to the Shovel Handle Pub, named for the innovative rope tow utilizing shovel handles to attach to the overhead cable. "Our plans are to return the Shovel Handle back to its longstanding tradition of being a favorite gathering place for new and old friends with former Wildcat Tavern chef Marty Sweeny as our head chef" said Don Bilger, new owner and also co-owner of the Inn at Jackson. The pub will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm. For more information on Whitney's Inn at Jackson or the Shovel Handle Pub, call 800-677-5737 or 603-383-8916 or go to Whitney s Inn.

GREAT GLEN TRAILS TOTAL TICKET IS THE ULTIMATE ON-SNOW VALUE Great Glen Trails has just unveiled the Trails Total Ticket or T3. The Trails Total Ticket provides them complete access to everything available at Great Glen Trails for one discounted price. The T3 includes a trail pass for cross country skiing and snowshoeing; cross country ski and snowshoe rentals; all-day access to the snow tubing hill and SnowPark, a session on the climbing wall and one tour on the one-of-a-kind SnowCoach up Mt. Washington. "Never tried snowshoeing? This is the answer," said Ryan Triffitt, Great Glen Trails Director of Marketing. "Often we see families reluctant to try new things because they need to pay for them separately or are uncertain at the beginning of the day. With the T3, they have access to everything. It makes it easy."
The Adult T3, a $96 value, will be available for $59. The Junior T3, ages 5-12, a $68 value, will be available for $40. A la carte pricing will still be available. For more information visit Great Glen Trails.

DO YOU DRIVE A MEAN GREEN MACHINE? Cranmore Mountain Resort made headlines in 2003 when it became the first ski area east of the Mississippi to run its grooming equipment and other diesel vehicles on the biodiesel. Cranmore switched to biodiesel (B20) to operate their four groomers in 2003. The resort uses more than 20,000 gallons of 20% biodiesel fuel each year, which results in a 4,000-gallon reduction in conventional fossil fuel diesel used. Additionally, Cranmore instituted an anti-idling program for both staff and guests, creating "Clean Air Zones" around the resort. Motor vehicles are the leading source of air pollution in New Hampshire and one of the primary contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to preserve the natural environment and protect the well being of all, Cranmore has adopted an Engine Idling Reduction program.

On January 12, to celebrate their commitment to environmental stewardship, Cranmore will host one of two Biodiesel Days. Come to Cranmore on January 12th, present a valid registration from your hybrid vehicle, and you will receive a free lift ticket along with free VIP Parking in the premier lot. For more information, visit Cranmore.

EASY SLIDERS AT JSTF Were you one of the millions of Americans vowing to get in better shape for your New Year's resolution? Jackson Ski Touring will help you glide gracefully into a fitness program this season. This program is a gentle introduction to cross country skiing and winter fitness for people who want to exercise but don't quite know how to begin. Open to absolute beginners on Tuesdays and Thursdays running January 4 through March 13. Each one hour instruction and gentle practice session starts at 10:30 followed by refreshments by the fire in the base lodge. Rate is $10 for each session including rentals (for the session period only). This program will introduce new skiers to basic XC technique and give participants a chance to experience the fun and fitness benefit of cross country skiing. For more information, 603-383-9355 or Jackson XC.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A SNOW PRINCESS FANTASY, FEB 24TH We don't usually promote an event two months in advance in the E-Traveler, but this one is worth making plans around. If you are the parent of a little girl aged four to ten, you won't want to miss this chance to make her dream come true. The Second Annual Snow Princess Night will be held at the North Conway Grand Hotel from 2 - 8 p.m. for children 4 to 12 on February 24th. Don't miss this whimsical evening of fun and fantasy. Make your child's dream come true - a chance to twirl and show off her beautiful dress. Each child will be presented to the Snow Queen Sedna and her two Princess daughters Aurora from the North Pole and Stella from the South Pole and a story telling through interpretive dance will make the evening an enchanting and magical experience! Each child will be presented with a special gift bag too. Tickets are $20 for two adults and a child, and pre-registration is required, so plan your February fun family getaway around this event and don't forget the tierra! Info: 603-356-5701 or MWVCC.

MOONLIGHT NORDIC SKI AND SNOWSHOE TOUR AT BRETTON WOODS MEANS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Snow and a full moon accentuate the breathtaking beauty of Mount Washington Resort's Nordic and snowshoe terrain for adults, the kids are in it for the evening fun and hot chocolate. On January 19, from 7-9pm, the whole family is invited to join the Nordic Center staff on this hour-long excursion along the cross-country moonlit trails of the Mount Washington Resort. For those wishing to rent equipment, it's best to arrive by 6:30pm. If the views and experience are not hot enough, hot chocolate and a roaring fire will warm participants following the adventure. Tickets for non-guests are $10 and advanced reservations requested. To register or for more information, call 603-278-3322. Visit Bretton Woods for additional events at Bretton Woods.

FREE LIFT TICKET BY BIKING DOWN THE SLOPES AT SHAWNEE PEAK On January 27th, the 7th Annual Shawnee Peak/Ernie's Cycle Shop Snow Mountain Bike Race at Shawnee Peak challenges skiers and boarders to find a new way to get down the mountain, on bikes. The challenging course comes complete with twists, turns, banks and jumps. Practice runs start at 11:30 am and the competition starts at 1 pm. A $25 registration fee includes a free lift ticket. What a fun way to enjoy a day on your boards and bikes at Shawnee Peak! For info call 207-892-9228 or Shawnee Peak.

AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY We like to think that the tax free shopping and the 200+ national brand-name outlets, boutiques, apparel shops, antique and craft shops are reason enough to come shopping in Mt. Washington Valley. Add to that, tax-free shopping, and it's no wonder Mt. Washington Valley is considered one of the best places for shopping in New England. When you throw in all the after-Christmas sales, you've got one hum-dinger of a reason to plan your next shopping trip to Mt. Washington Valley. Plenty of people start their holiday shopping for next year each January right in Mt. Washington Valley. For a complete list of shops and stores in Mt. Washington Valley, visit MWVCC and click on SHOPPING.

Once again, Mt. Washington Valley ski resorts and XC Centers will offer a midweek ticket honored at 12 of the 13 ski resorts and XC Centers in Mt. Washington Valley (not including Attitash) Monday through Friday (non-holiday) from opening day, 2007 to closing day, 2008 at each resort (not valid Not Valid Christmas week, 12/25/07 to 1/1/08 or February Vacation Week 2/18/08 - 2/22/08). The ticket will entitle the bearer to a midweek all-day lift ticket at six of the seven Mt. Washington Valley ski resorts (Black Mountain, Bretton Woods, Cranmore, King Pine, Shawnee Peak or Wildcat) or a trail pass, equipment rental and group lesson at six Cross Country Centers (Bear Notch Ski Touring, Bretton Woods XC Center, Great Glen Trails, Jackson Ski Touring, King Pine XC and MWV XC Ski & Snowshoe Center).

Important! You won't find this ticket available for sale at any ticket window. The Midweek Ski Pass is available only through lodging properties in Mt. Washington Valley. More than 35 properties from B&Bs to condo rentals have signed on to package the midweek ski pass, giving overnight guests the option to stay and ski at any 12 ski resorts and XC Centers in Mt Washington Valley. For more information and a complete list of participating properties, visit SKIMWV.