NORTH CONWAY, NH – Cranmore Mountain is kicking off the New Year with an array of fun family events all month long. Every weekend, families can find lots to do in addition to skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing plus all of Cranmore’s rides and attractions, including its new Soaring Eagle Zipline ride, now open in winter!

Cranmore’s infamous Ticket Roll Back Day is back on Friday, January 4th. Guests can ski and ride all day for only $9, and then relax in Zip’s Pub & Grill for après. Saturday January 5th, is Cranmore’s Saturday night Cranapalooza “Pirate” themed celebration, with a family balloon animal show with BoBo T Clown entertaining, and live music from Scott Baer in Zips Pub at 3pm.

The Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge returns on Jan. 5th. 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 6th 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 the Mount Washington Valley Children’s Museum, located in North Conway, NH. They may also be purchased at Cranmore the day of the event. Event registration takes place from 9am – 1:30pm.

Sat. January 12, 2013 is the pinnacle of Cranmore’s 75th year celebration with its 75th Gala at the Red Jacket Resort. Tickets are $99 per person and include cocktail reception, 3 course Austrian themed dinner, dancing to a swing band and more. Tickets can be purchased online in advance and reservations are required.

Cranmore will again host Biodiesel Day on Sat. January 12, 2013. Drivers of hybrid vehicles will receive a free lift ticket for the day as well as free VIP parking in the premiere lot. 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. The 12th features a “Go Green” themed Cranapalooza and a 75th anniversary scavenger hunt for kids.

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 18, 2013. The evening includes some of New England’s best comedians including Tom Clark, Brian Brinegar, and Christine Hurley with host Mike Viselli. Tickets are $12 when purchased in advance or $15 at the door. Doors open at 7:30pm and the laughter starts at 8pm- 21+ only. The fun continues Saturday, January 19th with a Safari themed Cranapalooza and includes a live animal show from New Hampshire Wildlife. The night is topped with a fireworks display at 6:30pm.

The last weekend of January features the resort’s first terrain park event on Sat. Jan. 26, with the Double Feature Skier/Boarder Cross Competition sponsored by RAMP Skis and Arbor Snowboard. The 26th also offers a Luau themed Cranapalooza with fireworks, live music from Red Gallagher and children’s performer Marcus Gale.

All these family events make Cranmore the perfect place for kids to learn to ski. In fact Cranmore was recently named #1 in New Hampshire and #2 in the East for Kids Programs by Ski Magazine! Last year Cranmore launched its 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. 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.