BRETTON WOODS, New Hampshire ??” Hanover, Massachusetts resident Patrick Donahue took first place honors at Bretton Woods Mountain Resort’s Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search two-day qualifying event, held on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22, 2006. Patrick will represent Bretton Woods at the national Next Snow finals to be held March 3-5, 2006 at Killington Resort in Vermont. Trevor Wood of Twin Mountain, NH came in second overall, and third place went to twelve-year-old Jeff Auger of Hampstead, NH.

Bretton Woods Mountain Resort was host to one of the qualifying events for the 2006 Sports Illustrated For Kids’ Next Snow SEARCH Presented by Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, a national talent search to find young athletes who best represent the next generation of extreme skiers and snowboarders. The season-long search is made up of more than 70 qualifying events held at resorts across the United States and Canada from December 2005 ??“ February 2006. The series will culminate in the championships at Killington Resort, VT, from March 3-5, 2006. For the Finals, Killington will host more than 150 athletes who have been selected from the qualifying events to compete in everything from park and pipe, to bumps, racing, and big mountain skiing ??“ a three-day test of all-around skill on snow.

Boys and girls ages 9-13, both skiers and snowboarders, all competed in the one class. Events included moguls, carving, big mountain riding, slope style, rails, racing, and big air jump. Athletes had to compete in all events. Style, attitude and sportsmanship were considered, in addition to athletic skill. Personality, style, and attitude are important as being a good athlete. The program could be described as a cross between the “X Games” for kids and “American Idol on Snow.

Eleven skiers and riders competed in a vast range of conditions, from 60-degree sunshine on Saturday morning to showers and thunderstorms that afternoon, to a clear, crisp and more seasonable day on Sunday. Three of the eleven competitors haled from the local area, with eight traveling from southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts to take part in the multi-faceted event.

Eileen Savoy, Bretton Woods Mountain Resort events director, commented on the success of all the competitors. “The kids that participated in our second annual Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search at Bretton Woods showed not only their skill but let their true personalities shine through. These kids have positive attitudes, willingness to help others, and great sportsmanship. Bretton Woods is proud to be able to encourage these all-around athletes, as it shows the true meaning of our sport. Congratulations to all that participated in this year’s competition, and we hope to see many return next year.”

Saturday morning began with a free ski with the judges. Judging the event were Brad Blais and Devin Littlefield from Bretton Woods’ Hobbits ski/ride school, Brandon Garneau, last year’s Next Snow winner, and Kalen Whitney from Drummond’s Mountain Shop.

The second event was a slopestyle exposition in the Lumberyard terrain park. The skill and tenacity of the participants, some of who were new to the terrain park, impressed judges and spectators. On Sunday competitors took part in a rail jam, modified giant slalom race and a big air contest. Judges took into consideration personal style and skill. Creativity and confidence helped the participants excel the big air event.

Judges took their observations into consideration as well as competition scores, personal essays, and teacher recommendations.

In addition to the top three overall competitors who were recognized with prizes from Bretton Woods’ TreeTop Sports, judges also added honorable mentions for thirteen-year-old Robbie Lanier of Derry, NH, for an outstanding personal essay, and to Jeff Auger of Hampstead, NH for the best fall of the weekend.

For more information about Bretton Woods, please call 877-873-0626 toll-free, or visit www.brettonwoods.com.