With the vacation half over, it’s time to look forward to the New Year.

The only resolution this year is a repeat. It worked only partially last year and total days skied were down a bit, but this year there is a new determination. By cramming more writing into evenings and early mornings I should be able to free up at least one midweek day to ski and get my total up to three days a week as a minimum. Add a trip or two that will include skiing every day and the year’s total should jump from last year. That’s my only resolution. Now how can you resolve to ski more and make it happen?

One way is to ski New Year’s Day. Between late risers (Those who party too late never arrive early) and those who leave early for football games, this is probably the least busy of all winter holidays. And those first runs are almost always on empty trails. I’m not sure where I’ll be, but it will be on the slopes. Will I see you there?

My only hope for the New Year is that it will be a turning point in the weather. Please, no more rain, only snow, and plenty of it. In spite of the up-and-down weather, some areas have reported good starts to the season. Opening weekend at Shawnee Peak was better than expected and the Bridgton Food Bank was the beneficiary of 2,300 cans of food. Melissa Rock told me that in addition to day skiers bringing the food for the discounted tickets, many season-pass holders brought in donations as well. She also said the first Monday Night Madness three days before Christmas brought a bigger than expected turnout. If the experience at Shawnee Peak is any indication, when the weather does cooperate, the skiers are ready.

The ski areas are ready with a full slate of events for the month of January.

At Shawnee, the big event is the annual Ullr Fest. This celebration of winter is in its 10th year and will feature fireworks, torchlight parade and other family activities with tons of prizes. Corporate racing also gets underway in January.

Lost Valley will close at 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve, but will be open the next day and they have a busy schedule for the month. The various programs will get under way including the Julie Parisien junior skiing Monday and Wednesday.

The J.P. Parisien Memorial race is set for Jan. 19. The Snowboard Series Tour comes to the valley with a chance for winners to qualify for national competition on Jan. 31.

Mt. Abram will start the eight and twelve week ski adventure programs Jan. 3. Other events include their family supper club nights with national themes, and various specials and races. The area will have the Tin Mountain Roundup Jan. 24-25.

The one everyone looks for at Sugarloaf is White White World Week slated for Jan. 26-30. This is a full week of special happenings with deals on lift tickets and lodging. College snowfest and learn-to-ski free week are set for Jan. 5-9.

Sunday River has some big races with Chevy Truck Super Series Nor-Am races Jan. 2-5. College week is Jan. 4-9, children’s festival Jan. 12-16 and seniors week for those 50-plus Jan. 26-30.

Saddleback is planning an active season with weekly bands, theme dinners and some family Sundays. The 15-year-old Tuesday Tuneups begin Jan. 6.

These adult sessions start with coffee and donuts, continue through group lessons and lunch, after which the skiers help out with the Tuesday school program.

Sounds like fun.

These are only some of the highlights of a long list of events at the state’s various ski areas. In addition racing will be getting under way at all levels. High schools have meets in all divisions. The Maine Alpine Racing Association (MARA) has races scheduled throughout the season for all age groups and a number of high level competitions such as Nor-ams will take place. A careful check of ski area calendars will turn up events featuring traditional racing, freestyle and snowboarding. To find the events of interest check the web sites of the ski areas or link to them through www.skimaine.com.

And don’t forget Nordic competition. The Chevy Truck U.S. Cross Country Championships that get under way next Sunday in Rumford may be the high point of the season, but it’s only the beginning. Between Jan. 4 and 12, Chisolm Winter Park at Black Mountain will see the nation’s best and many from Canada compete in men’s 50K Classic, 30K Classic, 10K Classic, 10K Freestyle and Sprint.

The women will race 30K, 15K and 5K Classic, 5K Freestyle and Sprint.

To learn about other nordic events around the state click on to www.mnsc.com. The Maine Nordic Ski Council has complete listings of conditions and calendars of events at the state’s cross country ski centers. For competition the best source is the New England Nordic ski Association (NENSA). You can find this by linking through the MNSC site of going directly to www.nensa.net.

There are cross country competitions for all levels scattered around the state and a number of family events. There will be some demo opportunities and the new skis are definitely worth trying.

Sitting around Christmas Day with temperatures near 50 and fog outside was a bit disheartening, but Friday we had snow squalls and Tom McAllister told me Saddleback had received six to eight inches of snow, so we have high hopes. It may be on a mountain or a cross country trail, but we’ll see you in the snow in the new year.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.