RUMFORD — Hundreds of people of all ages arrived at Black Mountain of Maine on Saturday to enjoy the slopes and sleigh rides during the second day of Winterfest.

Temperatures varied from the mid- to low 30s and precipitation was mixed, fluctuating between snow and drizzle. Much of the mountain was hidden by low clouds and fog.

While challenging to Nordic ski competitors and coaches trying to find the right wax to maximize glide on melting snow crystals, those taking in alpine skiing and snowboarding didn’t appear to mind the conditions.

“We’ve got a very good crowd today,” Black Mountain Director and Chisholm Ski Club volunteer Jolene Lovejoy of Rumford said just after noon inside the packed lodge.

“It’s so nice,” she said. “There are a lot of families here, hundreds of people. It’s like coming home for a lot of people.”

Much of the crowd consisted of high school students and coaches from all over western and southern Maine who were participating in the Maine Nordic Team Selection Race.

The purpose of the race is to pick the top 24 male and 24 female athletes, who will represent Maine in the 2011 New England Nordic Ski Association’s Eastern High School Championships on March 18-21 at the Rumford ski resort.

Lovejoy said the crowd came early, many arriving by 8:30 a.m. to see the classic ski races, which began at 10 and 11:30 a.m. After lunch, families continued to arrive, while skiers waited for other races to begin later in the afternoon.

“We’re very pleased with the turnout,” Lovejoy said. “This is better than last year. There are a lot of old-timers here.”

More crowds were expected for the evening’s prime rib dinner and live music at the lodge, a big-air jump competition, torch light parade and fireworks.

About two dozen volunteers were helping inside the lodge and on the slopes.

“Everybody is pitching in and enjoying the camaraderie,” Lovejoy said.

People didn’t have to ski, snowboard or tube to enjoy Winterfest.

Butch and Becky Durgin, owners of Meadow Creek Farm of Sumner, brought half-brothers Bill and Ben, 7-year-old Belgian horses weighing a ton each, and a large red sleigh for 15- to 20-minute rides through the woods on a Nordic loop trail.

“The temperatures are nice today compared to what it was during the week,” Becky Durgin said. “It’s a little bit of a mess, but it’s not hurting the trails any.”

By about 1 p.m., the drizzle changed back to snow as Butch headed into the woods with two families. They quickly vanished from view, but the jingle of about 200 bells some three generations marked their presence for a long while.

“That was a great ride,” Lance Guliani of West Bath said afterward, exiting the sleigh with his wife, Joy, and their 2-year-old daughter, Acadia. “We learned a lot about horses, and Acadia liked the jingle bells.”

He said they came to watch the high school ski races, although Acadia was more enamored with the horses.

Races continue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday with the Maine Ski Challenge Series Final.

It features the top four racers from each of 18 divisions. Competitions were held from Dec. 26 through Feb. 27 at Black Mountain, Lost Valley and Spruce Mountain. The race is a qualifier for the New England Ski Challenge Final on April 2 at Mount Snow in Vermont.

Winterfest will continue Sunday, weather permitting, with sled dog rides offered for a fee from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other highlights include an Eat the Heat Chili and Chowder Cook Off in the lodge at noon for $5 per person, a free alpine ski clinic from 1 to 3 p.m., a music jam from 2 to 5 p.m. and a bonfire with s’mores at 3 p.m.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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