ALBANY, New York ??” This past weekend’s winter storm has given New York State ski areas some of the season’s best skiing. The awesome skiing conditions are made even better by a host of fun and exciting upcoming activities at ski areas across the state.

In the Adirondacks, “Take Your Daughter to Gore” week continues at Gore Mountain in North Creek through Jan. 30. Daughters 19 and under ski free with full paying parent (no coupons or discount promotions accepted in combination). Season pass holders are welcome to participate in this promotion. Also at Gore, on Jan. 30, there’s Family Fun Dual Slalom in which parent/daughter teams will race for great prizes. Admission is $5 per team (lift ticket required). For more information, call (518) 251-2411, or visit www.goremountain.com. Titus Mountain, in Malone, features fireworks and a torchlight parade on Jan. 28, and a free style ski and board competition on Jan. 30. Call (518) 483-3740 or visit www.titusmountain.com for more information. At Whiteface Mountain, meet U.S. Ski Team athlete Kristina Koznick on Saturday Jan. 29 at mid station for a ski down to the base lodge, to be immediately followed by an autograph session in the food court. The mountain is also hosting a Freestyle Mogul A Meet, Jan. 29 and 30, as well as an Up & Comers Superpipe Competition on Feb. 6, with $25.00 lift tickets. For more information on these events, call (800) 462-6236 or (518) 946-2223, or visit www.whiteface.com.

In the Catskills, Belleayre Mountain, in Highmount, holds a Commissioner’s Cup Race Race for Kids on Jan. 29. This special fun NASTAR-type race is for children ages 17 and under and is free with the purchase of a lift ticket. Registration from 8- 9 a.m., with the race starting at 10 a.m. Categories include 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15 -17. The race is limited to the first 120 registrants, with trophies awarded at a free pizza party for contestants. Also at Belleayre, Winter Festival Week continues through Jan. 30. All this week, the mountain is partnering up with surrounding communities such as Pine Hill, Phoenicia, Margaretville, Andes and Fleischmanns for special events in each town. Belleayre is also offering special $25 lift tickets for police and firefighters on Jan. 30 and teachers on Feb. 6. For more information, call (845) 254-5600 or visit www.belleayre.com.

This week is Women Week at Windham Mountain in Windham, with great skiing and snowboarding opportunities, including instruction by women for women, and discounted tickets and demos. The mountain is also holding events geared toward women in the winter sports world, such as “The Fear Workshop for Women,” Jan. 26-28. This three-day intensive program explores the mind-body connection in skiing. For more information, contact the Windham Mountain Ski School at (518) 734-4300, ext. 1230. On Jan. 28 and Feb. 2, the first 100 skiers to enter Ski Plattekill in Roxbury get $10 all day lift tickets. On Jan. 29, Ski Plattekill will have a wine and cheese party for season pass holders, as well as the Annual Plattekill Cup Giant Slalom Race. February 6th at Ski Plattekill is the USASA Catskill Mountain Snowboard Series slalom races ??“ two slalom events open to all snowboarders. For more information and additional special deals, 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, in Hunter, is hosting the East Coast Police Winter Games, Jan. 26-28. For more information, call (888) 486-8376 or (518) 263-4223, or visit www.huntermtn.com.

In the Hudson Valley, Catamount Ski Area is holding a rail jam on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Prizes include snowboards, skis and other great equipment. For more information, call (800) 342-1840 or (518) 325-3200 or visit www.catamountski.com.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, 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. On Jan. 30, Holiday Valley, in Ellicottville, features the Racer X Series, a series of three modified GS races for younger kids, at 10 a.m. There is a $5 entry fee per race. For more information, call (800) 323-0020 or (716) 699-2345, or visit www.holidayvalley.com.

In the Finger Lakes region, Brantling Sli Slopes in Sodus presents a Family Ski Night, Jan. 29, from 5-10 p.m. The evening features $16 lift tickets, a $22 Ski and Snowboard Special, and a Family Ski Special for $60. Call (315)331-2365 for more information and reservations. 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.

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 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 iloveny.com.