NORTH CONWAY, NH – Cranmore Mountain is kicking off the New Year with an array of fun family events all month long. Cranmore’s infamous Ticket Roll Back Day is back on Friday, January 6th. Guests can ski and ride all day for only $9, and then relax in Zip’s Pub & Grill for apres and enjoy live music from 3-6pm. Saturday January 7th, is Cranmore’s Saturday night Cranapalooza “Safari” themed celebration, with a family magic show with “Magic of the Steelgraves ” at 3:30, and live music from Red Gallagher in Zips Pub at 3pm.

Saturday night Jan. 7th is also the start to Cranmore’s Darkside Terrain Park signature event; the Darkside Night Series. It’s the first of a three part series under the lights in at 4pm, where skiers and riders earn points towards the final event held in March. Registration is from 1-3pm and requires a $10 registration fee plus a lift ticket or season pass.

The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge returns on the 7th as well. The Vertical Challenge is a free family-friendly competition series featuring the fun and exhilaration of skiing and snowboarding, plus lots of Mountain Dew! There is no charge for the race but a lift ticket or season pass is required to participate. Lots of fun and prizes for all!

Sunday January 8th is the Annual Great Penguin Race, where all proceeds benefit the Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum . Penguins are raced down the slope and can be purchased for $5 at Cranmore Guest Services or at the Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum, located in North Conway.

Tuckerman Ale is the headlining sponsor for Martin Luther King Weekend at Cranmore, and it starts off with Tuckerman Ale Presents Cranmore Comedy Night, Friday January 13, 2012. The evening includes some of New England’s best comedians including Ryan Gartley, Erik Levi, Christine Hurley and host Mike Viselli. Tickets are $12 when purchased in advance or $15 at the door. Doors open at 7pm and the laughter starts at 8pm- 21+ only. The fun continues Saturday, January 15th with a pirate themed Cranapalooza and includes Kuddles the Clown and music from Jeff Conley – the night is topped with a firework display at 6:30pm.

January 15th Cranmore will host a new terrain park event, Hits for Helmets. It’s a slopestyle event promoting helmet awareness and avoiding TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries). Registration is from 8-10am with the competition starting at noon in the Darkside Terrain Park. The fee to participate is $20 plus a lift ticket or season pass. Proceeds to benefit TBI associated organizations.

Cranmore has partnered with Eastern Mountain Sports located at Settler’s Crossing on Route 16, North Conway to offer telemark instruction on select dates throughout the winter, starting Saturday January 4. The package includes three hours of instruction and equipment, beginning at the EMS store. A Cranmore ski ticket or season pass is required. Call 800-310 4504 for more information and to make reservations.

This winter, Cranmore will again host Biodiesel Day presented by Stonyfield Yogurt. Drivers of hybrid vehicles will receive a free lift ticket for the day as well as free VIP parking in the premiere lot. This event takes place January 21, 2012. Cranmore 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 alternative fuel source.

Cabot Cheese will help close the month of January, where they become the official sponsor of a farm themed Cranapalooza and firework display at 6:30pm Saturday the 28th. Cabot will also be on property sampling their most popular cheeses. Live music will be provided by the Tugg Brothers and kids entertainment from BoBo-T-Clown.

All these family events make Cranmore the perfect place for kids to learn to ski. This year Cranmore launched its new KidsRule Mountain Camps , lesson programs for ages 3-14 that focuses on safety, teacher training, dedicated learning centers and communication. Special discounts are offered for online reservations made in advance through Feb. 17th. More information can be found at www.kidsrulecamps.com .

January is certainly a busy month for the popular North Conway ski resort. Visit Cranmore’s on-line calendar of events for a full schedule of what’s happening all season long. For more information on Cranmore Mountain, visit www.cranmore.com or call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI.