CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine — What better vacation than the family hitting the slopes at Sugarloaf, especially when the kids get to ski for free. This year’s Children’s Festival Week will be Jan. 14-18, 2008, with activities planned for the whole family to enjoy.

When you stay at Sugarloaf for three or more nights (arriving Jan. 13-15), your children age 4-12 ski free, can participate in Perfect Turn kids programs for free, and get free rental equipment Monday-Friday. Children 12 and younger can even eat free at the Shipyard Brew Haus those days when accompanied by their parent or guardian.

The week’s festivities kick off with a fireworks display at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14. On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Children’s Carnival is 4:30-6 p.m. in the King Pine Room with carnival games, inflatable bounce houses, a Chinese auction, prizes and fun for all ages. Admission is $5. And Game Night is 6-8 p.m. (a free event for ages 5-10 in the Mountain Magic Room of the Base Lodge).

Mad Science will entertain while educating at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the King Pine Room. Children can conjure foggy dry ice storms, float on a Mad Science hovercraft, watch a foam factory at work, create super bouncy balls, make magic mud, alter sound waves, and much more. This is another free event.

A free Movie Night for children age 5-10 will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the Mountain Magic Room.

If you stay for the weekend, another fantastic family outing is a Snowshoe Safari at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Outdoor Center. A Kids’ Night Out will be hosted 6-9 p.m. Saturday in the Mountain Magic Room with games, pizza and a movie. Reservations are required by calling 237-6804, and cost is $15 per child.

Another fantastic time for families is during Kids & Teens Ski Free Week, Feb. 4-8, 2008. Stay 3-5 midweek nights (Feb. 3-7) and ages 6-18 SKI FREE. Great skiing at a great deal by day and nightly activities including movie night, turbo tubing, and kids’ night out.

Ski and Stay Packages start at $80 per person per night for both events. For more information about family Ski and Stay packages, visit www.sugarloaf.com/packages.html or call 1.800.THE LOAF.

About the Sugarloaf Resort – Located in Carrabassett Valley, ME, Sugarloaf is recognized as one of the top winter and golf resorts in the world and is home to the only lift-serviced above treeline skiing and riding in the East and one of Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Sugarloaf is a member of the Boyne USA Resorts family of resorts and attractions.