NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH ??” The Friends of New Hampshire Skiing grant program helps New Hampshire’s young competitive skiers and snowboarders become Olympians and international champions. Operated by Ski NH member resorts, the program offers financial assistance to individual skiers and snowboarders to help offset the costs of race training and traveling. College athletes, and post-graduate athletes training for international competition are eligible. Interested athletes must have a New Hampshire affiliation either through residence, college or ski club. The deadline for submitting a grant application to Ski NH is November 30, 2004. The grants are awarded based on need and an athlete’s past performance and his or her ability to be in serious contention for a national team or the equivalent.

Last season’s recipients included Caitlin Ciccone of Littleton and Nick Baker of Gilford, who are alpine racers. Kris and Justin Freeman of Andover compete in cross country events. In Nordic Combined, Jedediah Hinkley of Andover and Carl VanLoan of Webster are currently competing on the U.S. Ski Team. Tyler Walker of Franconia is a current member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team. Ryan Paris of Bradford is a freestyle snowboard competitor. Sean and Kaitlyn Smarse of Lincoln compete in alpine snowboard racing. Friends of NH Skiing also contributed funds to support the UNH and PSU ski teams.

Friends of New Hampshire Skiing is the only program of its kind in the United States. Since its inception as Friends of UNH Skiing in 1978, the program has raised more than $500,000. This past season, more than $40,000 was raised through ticket sales. The tickets, donated by Ski NH member resorts, are packaged and sold to the public with all funds raised dedicated to supporting the training of athletes.

To receive a grant application, contact Ski NH at (800) 887-5464 or email Ski NH at [email]media@skinh.com[/email]. The grant application can also be downloaded from Ski NH’s website, www.SkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties throughout New Hampshire. For daily snow reports or information on winter activities and events at Ski NH resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism’s media room at www.visitnh.gov under Travel Industry.