Now that the holidays are behind us and the new year is here, we can start planning our ski days for the month.

Years ago, ski areas figured that February and March could be counted on to produce plenty of skier visits, but January was always thought to be the month of deep cold, and it would take something more than skiing to draw the skiers.

The solution was to think up special events. We now have 20-30 special events at Maine ski areas as incentives for us to ski. Most of the skiers I know are planning on skiing plenty this month for another reason. We have had plenty of snow, and the skiing figures to be great as long as the weather cooperates.

That means we can count on good skiing as we take advantage of some of the happenings. In some cases, we will be skiing for good causes, which is a good excuse to take an extra ski day. One example is the Tin Mountain Roundup, which takes place today at Black Mountain in Rumford. A number of areas have already had this promotion, which offers discount lift tickets for donating canned food products.

If you’re reading this early enough, you can still make it to Saddleback for Maine Resident’s Day, where with proof of residency, you can ski for $25. If it’s too late, there will be another one in early February.

Various ski areas make different offers, some offering discounts for residents of nearby towns and even counties. Checking the Web sites of the different areas is the best way to find these. You can also find a lot of other deals and even download coupons and buy lift tickets at discounts.

Also today, the Mountain Dew Series which moves from area to area through the season, starts at Lost Valley. Cross country skiers can benefit today from a Swix ski pole and wax demo at Carter’s XC in Bethel.

A bunch of programs get under way this week. Monday junior and adult programs start at Lost Valley, and the mountain’s corporate racing starts Thursday. Wednesday Racing with the Moon starts at Shawnee Peak. You can call ahead to see if there are still openings in these race series, and remember that signing up for a race series obligates you to ski certain nights of the week. These racers have a lot of fun and running gates is good for your skiing.

Lost Valley’s Tin Mountain Roundup is Friday.

Shawnee Peak will hold its annual Elvis on the Mountain on Jan. 10. For cross country skiers, it’s National Trails Day with a number of centers offering specials.

From Jan. 12-16, Sugarloaf and Sunday River hold Children’s Fest. Lost Valley hosts the Special Olympics Jan. 15-16.

The busiest weekend of the month is expected to be Martin Luther King weekend on Jan. 17-19. Saturday is Family Fun Day at Saddleback. The J.P. Parisien Memorial Race at Lost Valley is slated for Martin Luther King Day.

The Special Olympics will be held Jan. 25-27 at Sugarloaf.

This is only a portion of the special events. In addition, a number of bands will play at various ski areas.

I also want to mention one event scheduled for February.

The Second Annual Maine Ski Heritage Classic is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15 at Sugarloaf. This is a major fund raiser for the Ski Museum of Maine and the Maine Ski Hall of Fame. There will be a parade of vintage ski wear and equipment. In addition, there will be a silent and live auction, with everything from ski equipment, lift tickets, overnight stays and golf trips. The organizers are looking for items for both auctions. For details, check the Web site www.skimuseumofmaine.org.

Finally, have you noticed how the weather forecasters are now hyping the wind chill? Have you ever skied 20 mph when the temperature was at zero? If you listen to the weather guys and gals, that would put you in danger of frostbite, but you and I both know it didn’t happen. As long as you are properly dressed (not difficult with today’s skiwear), there is little or no danger unless actual temperatures are below zero and you are exposed for long periods of time. Except for novice skiers higher on the mountain than they should be, skiers in the East are almost never more than 15-20 minutes from getting out of the cold. Ignore the weather weenies and enjoy the skiing.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook