ALBANY, New York ??” The brief taste of spring New York State experienced last week is now history, and a blast of cold, dry arctic air is providing the perfect conditions for snowmaking, promising great skiing and snowboarding across the state this weekend.

In the Adirondacks, Gore Mountain, in North Creek, holds a Master the Mountain Ski Clinic, Jan. 22-23 (and on Feb. 26-27). The clinic is designed for intermediate and advanced skiers to build confidence on more difficult terrain including steeps, bumps, ice and more. For more information, call (518) 251-2411. Visitors to Titus Mountain, in Malone, will be treated to a torchlight parade and fireworks on Jan. 28, and a free style ski and board competition on Jan. 30. Call (518) 483-3740 for more information. At Whiteface Mountain, Jan. 22 and 23 brings the USSA JIII Series, the best 13 and 14 year-olds competing in a Giant Slalom and slalom. For more information, call (518) 946-7001 or visit www.nyssra.org.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Peek ‘n Peak in Findley Lake is holding half-pipe contests for snowboarders on Jan. 23 and Feb. 27. The contests, at 1 p.m. each day, are open to all ages. Registration, which is free, will be at the resort’s Retreat Lodge from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Prizes include Mountain Dew and Rossignol snowboards. For more information call (716) 355-4141 or visit www.pknpk.com. Also in the region on Jan. 23, Holiday Valley, in Ellicottville, features the Mogul X Series, a series of three fun mogul competitions for younger kids at 10 a.m. There is a $5 entry fee per race. Also on Jan. 23, at 10 a.m., Holiday Valley presents the USASA Boardercross. Participate or watch the action as four riders go head to head over the jumps and around gates to be the first across the finish line. For more information on each of these exciting events, call (800) 323-0020 or (716) 699-2345, or visit www.holidayvalley.com.

In the Catskills, Belleayre Mountain, in Highmount, is having a Winter Festival Week, Jan. 22-30. During the festival, Monday thru Friday (Jan. 24-28) lift tickets are only $10 per day. During festival week, the mountain will be partnering up with surrounding communities such as Pine Hill, Phoenicia, Margaretville, Andes and Fleischmanns for special events in each town. For more information, call (845) 254-5600 or visit www.belleayre.com.

Next week is Women Week at Windham Mountain in Windham. The week offers great skiing and snowboarding opportunities for women, with great deals including instruction by women for women, and discounted tickets and demos. The mountain will also be holding events geared toward women in the winter sports world, such as “The Fear Workshop for Women,” Jan. 26-28. This three-day intensive program explores the mind-body connection in skiing. For more information, contact the Windham Mountain Ski School at (518) 734-4300, ext. 1230.

In the Finger Lakes region, the Greater Rochester area is celebrating winter with Coldrush 2005, a wide variety of hundreds of great indoor and outdoor events. For more information, call (585) 546-3070 or (800) 677-7282, or visit www.goforthecold.com.

For the sixth year, Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK campaign is partnering with Ski Areas of New York for the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, which introduces fourth-grade students to winter mountain recreation in New York State.

With the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, any fourth grade student ??“ from any state ??“ can take advantage of unmatched and unprecedented skiing and snowboarding values from the New York State mountain resort industry for the 2004-05 winter season. Eligible students will receive a “Passport” book containing three coupons for free skiing and/or snowboarding at each of the participating ski areas in New York State. The only cost is a $15 processing fee.

This ski season, I LOVE NEW YORK is giving away a free pair of Rossignol skis. To enter for the giveaway, visit www.iloveny.com.

For more information on the 4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport program, up-to-the-minute cross-country and downhill ski reports, a free 2004-05 I LOVE NEW YORK Winter Travel and Ski Guide, and New York State events, attractions and lodging information, dial (800) CALL-NYS or visit the I LOVE NEW YORK website at www.iloveny.com.