With the Presidents’ Week vacation coming up, and hopefully with it many enthusiastic skiers and riders heading north, New Hampshire and Vermont resorts are gearing up for a busy and action packed nine days with events and activities. 

Many of the areas have been firing up the snowmaking guns this past week and hope to continue as temperatures permit. By augmenting the existing base, areas will have quality surfaces on their slopes and trails to provide good skiing and riding through the vacation period. 

Since the vacation week is generally family-oriented, many resorts are serving up all manner of activities to amuse and entertain everyone from youngest to the eldest. Here is a sampling of what’s on tap at resorts around Northern New England.

In New Hampshire, Wildcat hosts the Cardboard Kitty Litter Box race for kids on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Kids build their own box and bomb the hill. The next day the Nine Lives Lunch Tray Luge lets you do what’s usually forbidden – slide down the hill on a tray – while competing for bragging rights. On other days pub parties and entertainment round out the festivities.

Down in the Lakes Region, Radio Disney makes an appearance at Gunstock on Saturday, Feb. 18. Their Get Out & Play Family Ski Promo includes games and contests for kids, giveaways and music, treasure hunts and trivia. All takes place in the Bowl Area. Also, a USASA Snowboard Race, an open event with both GS and Slalom runs, takes pace on Feb. 18. Every Saturday evening the Snowshoe Ridge Tour continues. Participants ride up the lift at 6:30pm, snowshoe across the Gunstock’s ridge and finish up at the main lodge around 9:30pm.  Throughout the vacation week, there will be promos in the bar, juggling entertainment and music. On Saturday, Feb. 25^, the Great Snowshoe Race will take place following a challenging route up Mt. Rowe with steeps and views galore. The basic course is 5K, but heroes or wannabes can opt for an 8K trail. 

At Mount Sunapee young skiers and riders can have fun and hone their skills on small to medium features in the Grom-A-Thom, a jam in the Bob Skinner’s Six O’Three terrain park. On Monday, Feb. 20, a goggle demo by Spy Optics – see what seeing clearly can do – will be offered. The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a dual GS for the whole family, will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 with prizes, giveaways and a party.

Vermont will have plenty of action during vacation week as well. At Burke Mountain the fun begins on Saturday, Feb. 18 with a family fun race. Sunday brings Winter Crew Kids – outdoor activities including snowball throwing, tug of war and chateau building with snow blocks. Nighttime activities throughout the week include movies, cup cake decorating, crafts and a family game night for kids while adults can enjoy a Comedy Night.

Mount Snow also will be providing plenty of entertainment with scavenger hunts, snowflake making (you have to be there to see how this works), s’mores at the bonfire, snowman building contests, a torch light parade and fireworks. A newer offering, the Roller Coaster Event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 23. Named for the trail hosting it, the Roller Coaster, this unique race is for both families and individuals. It starts off at the top of the Roller Coaster trail with gates. In the middle section competitors must negotiate moguls and then finish up with some freestyle at the bottom.

Okemo celebrates PHAT Tuesday, Feb. 21, with the appearance of the PHAT (Protect Your Head At All Times) team with giveaways, raffles and an on-mountain scavenger hunt. Apres specials continue throughout the week with Snowcat Adventuresweekends and Tuesday and Snowcat Dining on weekends.