This week’s snow doesn’t do much for our ability (or desire) to get around in northwestern Pennsylvania, but it has created lots of reasons you should consider getting out when it’s safe to do so.

Peek’n Peak has 27 trails and five lifts open as of this morning.

Mount Pleasant of Edinboro has a 6-inch to 16-inch base and is getting snow and making snow.

Wilderness Lodge is gearing up for a great weekend of cross country skiing.

Snowshoe hikes are on for Saturday at Erie Bluffs State Park and Pymatuning State Park and weekdays and snowy Saturdays at Jennings Environmental Education Center in Slippery Rock.

Snowmobile club members from the the McKean Snowriders and Presque Isle Snowmobile Club among others will be looking to get out on the trails.

Ice isn’t safe enough yet for ice fishing, but it won’t be long at this temperature. Here’s a look at some essential ice-fishing gear for the season ahead:

The Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association makes it a point to assist needy families through its Snow Angel Fund, which specifically benefits children with medical or physical challenges.

PSSA board president Elizabeth Krug was in Erie recently to present a check for $500 to Aza Burgos at the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club clubhouse.

The fund is maintained by year-round donations from many of PSSA’s more than 2,500 members.

The Snow Angel Charity was put to use to help Pennsylvania charities and children at the holidays. Twenty executive and regional directors of the PSSA distributed $200 each, or a total of $4,000.

Applications for assistance up to $500 for children under the age of 18 can be submitted to the regional director in the area of the child’s residence or to PSSA at 908 North Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17102. Eligible families may apply for Snow Angel donations through a letter of application including the child’s name and a description of the special needs, circumstances or conditions that prevent the parents or guardians from satisfying these needs. Requests are then forwarded to the Snow Angels Charity Committee for consideration.

The director for Region 1, which includes Erie, Crawford and Warren counties, is Lisa Vallimont, who can be reached at lv0510@aol.com or (814) 825-8112.

For information, or to contact regional directors, visit www.pasnow.org or call 1-888-411-PSSA.