WARREN, VT ??” So what’s the New Year’s resolution going to be for 2005? Loose weight? Laugh more? Spend more time in the Great Outdoors? Why wait to J1? Sugarbush is closing out ???04 with an event lineup for any annual decree.

The Resort is offering Outback Tours everyday from now through January 2. The two and half hour snowshoe and ski/ride excursions into the Slide Brook Basin offer an incredible opportunity not only to burn a few thousand calories, but also to see an array of wildlife. The 2000-acre wilderness that separates Lincoln Peak from Mount Ellen is home to moose, bear, deer, and coyote. Anyone not into group activities can take a self-guided tour of Sugarbush’s designated snowshoe trails around both Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen. Rentals and reservations are available through Guest Services at 583-6537.

If your New Year’s promise is to get in touch with the artist inside of you, the folks from U Paint It Pottery will be at the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club on New Year’s Day from 4 – 7pm. All ages are welcome to come paint a piece of ceramic pottery (prices start at $10 per piece.) The UPIP crew will then take it back to their studio, fire it and then ship it to you.

And what would a New Year’s Eve be without a Torchlight Parade and Fireworks display. Starting at 6 p.m. this Friday evening at Lincoln Peak, intrepid Resort employees will ski down the mountain while holding blazing road flares, creating an ethereal visual spectacle. A fireworks show will follow.

For details on all of Sugarbush’s holiday events, visit sugarbush.com.