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BY BOB WILLIAMS
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
WILMINGTON, N.Y. – If you ski or ride Whiteface Mt. next week, keep an eye out for Whiteface Willy, the wily, lovable white-tailed deer. In fact, he may join you for a run, or even for a picture!
Whiteface Willy, you see, is the mascot of mammoth Whiteface Mt. here in the Adirondacks. And he's out and about this Saturday through Jan. 23 to help the ski area promote National Safety Awareness Week (whitefacelakeplacid.com). Willy's an ambassador, of sorts, who will be working with the Whiteface ski patrol, mountain hosts, snow sports instructors and the safety awareness team to make sure that every skier and snowboarder has a safe and fun time on the Olympic mountain.
Similar programs will take place at ski resorts across the country.
"We think it's a nice way to remind our guests not only about their own safety but about the safety of others, too," says Jon Lundin, spokesman for the Olympic Regional Development Authority which runs Whiteface Mt., located about seven miles from Lake Placid. "Willy's job is remind skiers of the Responsibility Code."
According to Lundin, safety week activities are centered on the seven points of the "Your Responsibility Code," which are key elements of safe skiing and riding. The tenants are:- Stay in control.
- People ahead have the right of way.
- Stop in a safe place for you and others.
- When starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
- Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
- Observe signs and warnings and keep off closed trails.
- Know how to use the lifts safely.
Whiteface Willy will also encourage pre-teen and teen groups to wear a helmet while on the slopes. What's more, Lundin adds, a "Know the Code" DVD will be playing at guest services and Kids Kampus throughout the week.
During safety awareness week, skiers and riders, ages four to 18, can participate in a poster contest. Winners will be chosen for most creative, best safety message and overall poster, and they can win pairs of lift tickets.
Finally, says Lundin, throughout the week the ski area will host a scavenger hunt with "prize tags" placed at each of the Whiteface Willy safety messages. When a skier or rider brings the tag to the mountain's guest services desk, he or she will win either a helmet or a local ski shop gift certificate.
Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, which includes the bobsled run; the Olympic speedskating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena.
FAMILY FUN – With holiday weekends and winter breaks approaching, the Vermont Ski Areas Association says its member ski areas each have specially-designed programs catering to families planning to spend some time on the slopes together. Family-oriented programs, including lean to ski and ride packages, are available at Okemo, Bolton Valley, Smugglers' Notch Resort, Mountain Top Inn & Resort, Pico Mt., Stratton Mountain Resort and Stowe. More information at skivermont.com.
SHORT SCHUSSES – Hunter Mt. in the nearby Catskills hosts its second annual "I Have a Dream" party Saturday to mark Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend festivities. ... New Jersey's Mountain Creek ski area celebrates Learn-to-Ski-or-Snowboard Month by offering buy-one-get-one-free on all midweek Learn to Ski or Snowboard packages that include lift tickets, rentals and lessons. ... Camelback Mountain Resort in the Poconos is offering a super special – lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson for a mere $29. Can't beat that with a stick! (skicamelback.com). ... Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H., hosts its annual Droppin' In Camp for women March 5-6. It's designed for intermediate women skiers and snowboarders, age 13 and up, who want to build their skills in the park, pipe and on groomed trails. The $229 cost includes a two-day lift ticket, 12 hours of on-hill coaching, two hours of video review, lunch, snacks, a women's tote bag filled with gift items and gear, and a Saturday night dance party. Space is limited to 50 participants; registration opens this Saturday, Jan. 15. Call 800-229-LOON or click on loonmtn.com.
