A last blast of winter 2012-13 from Peek’n Peak’s terrain park:

Until next year… from Peek’n Peak on Vimeo.

Peek’n Peak got 16 inches of fresh snow over a 24-hour period late this week and has 27 trails, five lifts and the terrain parks open for business.

In fact, it’s good news from the Skiing Weatherman for all of New York’s ski resorts.

Think the winter ski season is over? Think again, says Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman. Peek’n Peak and the other western New York resorts are at or near full operation.

Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, advises that conditions at Peek’n Peak and Swain should be “fantastic” this weekend, and that Holiday Valley conditions will be “superb.” Saturday is the Boarding for Breast Cancer Board-a-thon at Holiday Valley as well.

Feb. 9 is Snowman in the Forest Day at Cook Forest State Park.

Join in the snowman-building contest if you like, but plan for a day of other winter activities at the Sawmill Center for the Arts complex on Forest Road:

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Horse-drawn carriage rides, sledding, snowman-building contest, K-9 rescue demos, face painting, box hockey.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Snowshoe interpretive hike in the old-growth forest along Black Bear Trail; meet at the firepit.

1 p.m.: Happy dog contest.

1-2 p.m.: Wildlife presentation by park ranger Steve Mazik in Sawmill Classroom.

1-2 p.m.: Snowshoe interpretive hike within the old-growth forest along Black Bear Trail; meet at the firepit.

2 p.m.: Door prize awards.

Try samples during the Free Chili Cook-Off. Hot chocolate, coffee, fire, and heated Sawmill Classroom will help take the chill off. The event is sponsored by Cook Forest Vacation Bureau.

Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, filed his weekend forecast for the New York resorts ahead of a forecast storm that could make conditions optimal for the state’s slopes. Peek’n Peak is likely to get moderate fresh snowfall and Holiday Valley and HoliMont will get boosts in an already snowy week.

Peek’n Peak is just one of the western New York resorts rich with packed powder after this week’s snowfall. Holiday Valley, Kissing Bridge, Swain and Holimont also offer sweet conditions for the weekend, according to Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman:

The Skiing Weatherman – Western New York – 01/24 from Jux House Media on Vimeo.

The weather hasn’t been cooperative around Erie this week, but over the New York border Peek’n Peak is operating 27 trails and five lifts. Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, touches on manmade snow, the Peek, Holiday Valley and other resorts and topics close to every skier’s heart in this week’s conditions report for western New York.

The Skiing Weatherman- Western New York – 01/17 from Jux House Media on Vimeo.

Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, says all that snow that western New York resorts made recently will pay off this weekend as the weather heats up. The Acrobag is in place at Peek’n Peak, and 98 percent of Holiday Valley’s trails are open.

The Skiing Weatherman – Western New York – 01/10/13 from Jux House Media on Vimeo.

If you’re planning to head out on the ice around Erie for some fishing, you clearly haven’t looked outside this week, or at the weather forecast.

Anglers were on Presque Isle Bay and Misery Bay in small numbers this past weekend, but conditions have deteriorated badly. Even on thick ice you’d be hard-pressed to find a body to tell you conditions are safe; right now, no one will.

If you’re the adventurous or foolhardy sort, at least follow some general rules, courtesy of author Ben Moyer and Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine:

• Never fish alone.
• Test the ice.
• Wear a life jacket.
• Wear ice picks.
• Carry rope.
• Make an emergency plan.
• Be aware of changing conditions.
• Stay away from structure.
• Carry a change of dry clothes.
• Dress right.

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