ALBANY, New York ??” After a spate of warmer weather, seasonal conditions are expected to return to New York State, with significant snow forecast for most of the state over the next couple of days. As a result, look for continued great skiing in the state, combined with a host of fun and exciting events both on and off the slopes ??“ including a very special anniversary celebration in the storied Village of Lake Placid.

Friday, Feb. 11 marks the kickoff of a two-week celebration in Lake Placid commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Village’s hosting of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Running through Feb. 27, the celebration ??“ presented by I LOVE NEW YORK and sponsored by Citizens Bank ??“ features athletes such as 1980 Olympic Silver Medalist Linda Fratianne, former U.S. Men’s Hockey Team members Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig, and alpine skiers and twin brothers Phil and Steve Mahre. On Saturday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. the cauldron in the original 1980 Opening Ceremonies stadium will be re-lit, and the celebration will culminate on Feb. 23 with a gala reception and ice show at the Olympic Center, featuring world champion figure skaters and other former Olympic athletes.

Earlier this week, Governor George E. Pataki joined Fratianne and officials from the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and Citizens Bank at the Empire State Plaza in Albany to highlight plans for the anniversary celebration. For a complete schedule of celebration events, please visit www.orda.org.

Also in the Adirondacks, Gore Mountain, in North Creek, is having a Telemark Day, Feb. 13, featuring telemark skis from Atomic, K2, Rossignol and Karhu; telemark clinics and races, prizes and entertainment. For more information, call (518) 251-2411 or visit www.goremountain.com. McCauley Mountain Ski Area in Old Forge holds its 2005 Winter Carnival Feb. 11, 12 and 13. A weekend of fun for the entire family, the carnival features hockey and broomball, a snowshoe walk, cardboard sled race, coronation of the king and queen and fireworks. For more information call the Old Forge Visitor Center at (315) 369-6983 or visit www.oldforgeny.com. Titus Mountain, in Malone, will have a challenge race Feb. 12. Call (518) 483-3740 or visit www.titusmountain.com for more information.

At Whiteface Mountain, join the fun at the Whiteface Railmaster, at 10 a.m. on Feb. 12. Compete on a brand new mystery rail and show that you have what it takes to earn the title, “The Rail Master.” The top 10 snowboard competitors from this competition will earn spots on the Night Time Rail Jam during the Snowboard World Cup. For Valentine’s Day, why not take your sweetheart to the mountain and compete in the Whiteface Sweetheart Slalom on the NASTAR course? For more information on these events, call (800) 462-6236 or (518) 946-2223, or visit www.whiteface.com.

In the Catskills, Friday, Feb. 11 is Skier Appreciation Day at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, with $15 lift tickets. Belleayre will also be hosting a weekend-long Women’s Seminar, Feb. 12 and 13, designed specifically for women who are beginner to advanced skiers or riders. Outstanding guest speakers highlight a full day of group clinics. Lift ticket, breakfast and lunch are included in the registration price of $200. Free nursery service is also available by reservation. For more information on these events, call (845) 254-5600 or visit www.belleayre.com.

This week at Windham Mountain in Windham, events include the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s (ASF) Annual Auction and Gala, its major fundraiser of the season. The night begins at 7:30 and includes dinner and entrance into the silent auction. Tickets are $150 a person; for reservations contact ASF at (518) 734-5070. On Saturday, Feb. 12, the mountain is hosting the Jeremy Glick Memorial Sweetheart Race, in memory of Jeremy Glick, one of America’s heroes from flight 93 on September 11. Glick, an instructor for Windham, won the sweetheart race in 1999 with his wife Elizabeth. Bring your sweetheart to the slopes for this memorable couples team race in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The best of two runs by each partner are combined to determine overall winners. For more Windham Mountain events and event information, call (800) 754-9463 or (518) 734-4300, or visit www.windhammountain.com.

At Ski Plattekill in Roxbury, Feb. 12 is the 2nd Annual Kids Race, for children 10 and under. This Saturday and Sunday is also the Annual Scouts Weekend, featuring half-price lift tickets with scout i.d.’s. For more information on these and other events at Ski Plattekill, visit www.plattekill.com and sign up for snow alerts by email, or call (607) 326-3500 or the Snow Phone at (800) NEED-2-SKI. Also in the region, at Hunter Mountain, will be holding another in its series of Masters Monday Workshops on Feb. 14. Skiers age 19 and over are invited to this one day Alpine race training workshop, featuring coaching with former US Ski Team member Josh Transue. The workshop will focus on gate-running abilities, race tactics and body posture. The $129 fee (which includes a lift ticket; $79 without ticket) also includes entry into the LocalMotion race. For more information, call (888) 486-8376 or (518) 263-4223, or visit www.huntermtn.com.

In the Hudson Valley, Catamount Ski Area, in Hillsdale, is holding a USASA Slopestyle Event on Feb. 13. For more information, call (800) 342-1840 or (518) 325-3200 or visit www.catamountski.com. Mt. Peter, in Warwick, hosts a Valentine Teen Party on Feb. 12. Admission is $10 at the door. Feb. 13 is Mt. Peter’s Annual Firefighter’s Day, a full day of music, fun and games for all ages, with proceeds going to the John Ginley Scholarship fund. For more information, call (845) 986-4992 or visit www.mtpeter.com.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Holiday Valley in Ellicottville presents the Racer X Series on Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. A series of three modified GS races for younger kids, there is a $5 entry fee per race. (A Mogul X Series for kids will be held on Feb. 20) Also that day, the resort is also holding the Mt. Dew Vertical Challenge at 10:30 a.m. This free GS Race event is open to all and features great prizes and plenty of fun. Registration is from 8-10:30 a.m. at Clubhouse Chalet. For more information on any of the resort’s events and programs, call (800) 323-0020 or (716) 699-2345, or visit www.holidayvalley.com.

Peek ???n Peak in Findley Lake presents the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge on Feb. 12. The day features free ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities, and also live music, games, contests and more. The ski area is also holding a half-pipe contest for snowboarders on Feb. 27. The contest, at 1 p.m., is 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.

At Cockaigne Ski Area in Cherry Creek on Feb. 13, join the fun at the Pepsi Olympic Downhill Race, a timed medal event open to all ages ??“ with no charge for race spectators ??“ at 11 a.m. Call (716) 287-3223 for more information.

In the Finger Lakes region, Labrador Mountain in Truxton has College Nights on Monday and Tuesday. Ski and ride for only $12 after 4:30 p.m. with a valid college I.D. For more information, call (800) 446-9559 or (607) 835-6111, or visit www.labradormtn.com for more information. Also in the 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.

A number of winter celebrations are taking place across the state this week and next, in communities including Saranac Lake (through Feb. 13), Brantingham (Feb. 11-13), Lake George (through Feb. 27), Cooperstown (Feb. 11-13), Homer (Feb. 11-12) and Canton (Feb. 10-17). For more information on these, call (800) CALL-NYS or visit www.iloveny.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.