There seems to be a few crazy rumors flying around that some resorts in the northeast and midwest are closing because of the deep cold. That's not true at all, Eastern skiers thrive on cold sharp snow. Edges carving across those sparkling crystals make a wonderful wintry sound - music to the earmuffs.

Okemo is offering this deal to to warm your pockets - I survived the Arctic Blast of 2009! All guests purchasing tickets on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will receive "BELOW ZEROKEMO" coupons good for a return visit for $39 - valid Sunday through Friday beginning 1/20/09 (excluding the February holiday period).

And to warm your insides - hot chocolate galore! The Okemo Cold Patrol will be on alert with coupons for free hot chocolate - look for them in the base lodge. (Hint: take lots of breaks!)

Okemo's information on the cold snap:

• Thursday and Friday will be the coldest.
• Saturday's temps will begin to moderate (10-15 degrees at the base).
• Sunday temps should range from 15-20 degrees.
• Strong winds are not forecasted.
• Okemo will also be extending a first hour of free skiing to 90 minutes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday -just so you can test it out and make your own call.

Also, not only is Okemo 100% open all weekend, but this coming Tuesday, Inaugeration Day has officially been declared OkemOBAMA Day. Lift tickets will be priced at $44 for a full-day ticket and every television set within public view will be tuned to Inauguration Day festivities.

Stay Warm. Snuggle by the fire. Ski safe.

More: Vermont Ski Resorts

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Cross country skiing is the oldest type of skiing, having evolved out of a need to travel over snow-covered terrain. Along the way, about a century or so ago, some of these travelers realized that skiing could also be fun. Since then, cross-country skiing has evolved so that it can now be enjoyed in a wide variety of forms - and it is great exercise.

Guest Author Tony Goodwin, Executive Director of the Adirondack Trail Improvement Society and the Adirondack Ski Touring Council, shares his expertise in cross country skiing, skis equipment, and outings in Cross Country Skiing 101 - a cross country skiing primer.

Cross Country Skiing

• Cross Country Ski Areas
• Cross Country Skiing Attire
• Cross Country Ski Lessons
• Cross Country Skiing

_{Image Copyright David Madison / Getty Images}

When you stay in South Lake Tahoe for your family ski vacation, you are within an easy walk to the world class skiing at Heavenly and an easy ride to seven great ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe region. At one time or another, and many times all together, the Lake Tahoe ski resorts - Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley USA, Mt. Rose, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Alpine Meadows appear on most of the top rated resort lists of respected purveyors in the ski scene.

I know most of us are used to loading the skis on the family car and heading out for a drive to a favorite resort. While there are times I'm content with a whole week ski-in, ski-out, I really do like to explore regions where I can find a good family oriented hub and be able to ski multiple areas.

My family nested at the Marriott Timber Lodge in South Lake Tahoe and we skied around the Lake. During this stay we managed to ski at Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley USA and Northstar-at-Tahoe. Here are some tips to make your skiing day trips from South Lake Tahoe easier and enjoyable.

More: Lake Tahoe Family Ski Vacations

_{Image Lake Tahoe Copyright Mike Doyle}

Lookout Mountain, Whiteface’s third peak, had its Grand Opening on Friday. Lookout Mountain is located northeast of the Whiteface Summit. It actually reclaims the old Cloudsplitter Trail that was part of Marble Mountain in the 1950s.

Lookout Mountain boasts three new trails for skiers and riders. The new ski and ride area will open with The Wilmington Trail. This run is a 2.5-mile long intermediate cruiser overlooking the Wilmington Wild Forest. It's a classic meandering, wilderness trail offering gorgeous views of the town of Wilmington and the Wilmington Wild Forest.

Lookout Mountain’s other two trails, which will be opened later this winter, are called Lookout Below and Hoyt’s High. Lookout Below, about 1/5 of a mile long, is an expert trail with snowmaking off of The Wilmington Trail that will bring skiers to the base of the Lookout Mountain Triple.

Hoyt’s High, also an expert run, is named in honor of Whiteface veteran ski patroller Jim Hoyt, Sr., who has been employed at Whiteface for over 50 years. This trail has a long and consistent expert pitch over its 4,182-feet length.

The new Lookout Mountain Triple Chair base elevation is 2,400' and has a vertical rise of 1,560' with an uphill capacity of 1,700 skiers per hour - total ride.

Also on the schedule to open this season are the expert rated 63.5 acre Sugar Valley Glades. Down the road intentions are to add one more expert trail and refurbish the historic Porcupine Lodge warming hut. The Lodge, built in 1949, is a short traverse from the top of the new chair.

Be sure to head to Whiteface this season to try the new terrain and if you hit it right maybe the Slides will be open too! Oh, and if you make on a Wednesday - "Why Not Wednesdays" and bring a Coca-Cola product you will get that day's lift ticket for $38.

More: New York Ski Resorts

_{Whiteface Welcome Sign Copyright Mike Doyle}