By Cornelia Fortier, Contributing Editor

In Fairfield County, we have an edge when it comes to fighting the winter doldrums: on the spur of the moment, we can indulge ourselves in a day or a weekend - or longer - of the best antidote around: skiing. With several stellar slopes practically right in our back yard, we can suit up, load up, head out, and be on the slopes for a full day of ski runs, with very little time taken up in the getting there. In Connecticut, and just over the state line, there are wonderful, family-friendly ski resorts with the state-of-the-art equipment and technology to keep conditions ready for skiing at a moment's notice. This means you'll easily make it to the slopes for a day of skiing, even if the idea only hatched that morning with your first cup of coffee. And a quick check of a ski resort's website gives a real time update on conditions and temperatures, as well as special events of the day. These easy-to-get-to resorts also offer hills for skiers at all levels, from easy to electrifying. And there are classes, private lessons, equipment to rent or buy, child care, good food and lots of friendly assistance to make sure your day, weekend, or week of snow, speed and motion combine for a real mountain high.

Connecticut Skiing

Mohawk Mountain, from Route 4, Cornwall, CT, 800/895-5222
www.mohawkmtn.com

Mohawk has a lot to offer with 107 skiable acres on 350 scenic acres of state forest. 24 trails, 5 lifts, instructors and classes, slope side dining at the Pine Lodge Restaurant with indoor and outdoor eating (weather permitting) and cafeteria style meals at the main lodge, as well as a well stocked ski shop, mean you can't go wrong at this ultra family oriented resort. Check their website, http://www.mohawkmtn.com, for conditions, trail maps, lodging info and even purchase your passes online. For children five to twelve, there is Mohawk's Snow Hawks program with lessons in skiing and snowboarding. Available holiday weeks as well as weekends through March, its instructors are specially trained to accommodate children's needs, interests and abilities. Pre-register online for busy holiday weeks and skip the crush. And, if your family includes a fourth grader, register online for 3 free passes.

Mount Southington, Exit 30 off of I-84, Southington, CT 800/628-SNOW
www.mountsouthington.com

Only 20 minutes from Hartford, Mount Southington, has 50 skiable acres, 7 lifts and 14 trails, equally divided among beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Its longest trail, Dom's Way, is 7/8s of a mile. From January through March, the Connecticut InterScholastic Ski League, high school students with a passion for ski racing, also runs its races here as do several other teams, offering exciting viewing. There is even a weekend only race team for the 6 to 8 year old set. Best of all for families is Mount Southington's The Glacier learning zone, an entire area with its own lift reserved solely for children's programs, which run on weekends and holidays. Parents have easy access to the area which is conveniently located next to the rental shop and the Alpine Eatery. Specially trained, child-dedicated instructors give lessons centered on exercises and games that teach skills. At the end of the day, parents receive a progress card, which outlines accomplishments and a program to follow. The children's program also includes an all day lift ticket.

Powder Ridge Ski Area, 99 Powder Hill Road, Middlefield 860-349-3454
www.powderridgect.com

Open since 1959, Powder Ridge has 75 skiable acres, 18 trails, 7 lifts, a complete cafeteria in the ski lodge as well as a pub with scenic slopes' views for day or night apres ski socializing. With about 300 staff members who give lessons, serve food or operate snow guns, people at Powder Ridge work hard to make things as easy as possible for its customers. For the 2006 ski season, snow tubing has been added and throughout February, frequent adult recreational races are planned, for those interested in testing their speed. The Snowsports School offers a variety of lessons and classes to upgrade skiing, snowboarding and snowblading skills, including the Repeat for Success, a two day package with lift tickets, lessons and rentals for just $99. For aspiring snowboarders (at least 9 years old), there are also freestyle coaching sessions on rails, boxes, jumps, spins and riding.

Sundown, 126 Ratlum Road, New Hartford CT 860-379-7669
www.skisundown.com

Only an hour and a half from Stamford, Sundown has 65 skiable acres, half of which are considered easy and the balance divided between more and most difficult. Tom's Treat, its longest trail of one mile, is one of its easiest. There are four lifts, a spacious lodge with two eateries and even banquet facilities able to accommodate 350 people. Sundown also has many family events scheduled for the season, for participating in or only viewing, they'll amp up the fun. January 22nd is its Winter Carnival, with a variety of family games and giveaways. January 29th is Wild West Day when family games are paired with a barbecue, accompanied by music and more. February 19th is Snow Sculpture Day and March Madness, with entertainment and events, is scheduled for March 12th. For children age 4 and up, Sundown offers daily group lessons during vacation weeks and on weekends. There are also plenty of adult snowboarding and skiing programs for beginners as well as those hoping to fine tune their technique. There are even evening programs and ones for women only, taught exclusively by women.

Woodbury Ski Area, 785 Washington Road, Woodbury 203-263-2203
www.woodburyskiarea.com

Easily accessible from everywhere in Fairfield County, (only 25 minutes from Danbury) the family oriented Woodbury Ski Area, though smaller, has its own array of unique features as well as the complete snow making facilities of the bigger resorts and an easy-going feel. Woodbury not only features downhill skiing and snow boarding but sledding, tubing and cross country skiing and snow biking (which it claims to have introduced) are available here as well. For those intent on downhill, Woodbury's trails cover all levels, and their names like Beginner Hill, for instance, and Jaws of Death, make it pretty clear where you will - and won't - want to ski. Offering plenty of classes, lessons and packages, Woodbury's ski school is headed by former Olympic skier Rod Taylor, a National Downhill Champion, National Slalom Champion, and Silver Medalist in Slalom among other designations. A $45 weekend package for children includes all day skiing from 9AM to 5 PM, a one hour lesson and rentals. Mark your calendar because March 26th is Woodbury's End of Season blow-out party with a battle of the bands, competitions and a cook-out on the porch. A web cam on their site lets you view conditions or just watch passing skiers.

Nearby in Massachusetts

Butternut Mountain, 380 State Road, Route 23, Great Barrington, 413/528-2000
www.skibutternut.com

Butternut with its 22 ski trails, 110 skiable acres and as of this year, 10 lifts, including the new Cruiser Quad Chairlift (their third Quad) has a history as a terrific spot for families. This year, with the addition of 22 snowguns and a slew of new, top notch equipment at its ski shop and demo center, skiiers have even more ways to enjoy their snow time. Butternut also features a 5 lane tubing center, with 500 foot long lanes and its own lift. Teaching programs for kids ages 4 to 12 include the Skiwee program, available on weekends and holidays and for snowboarder-wannabes, the miniRiders program teaches 7 to 12 year olds. Day care at the Children's Center, $8 per hour, can also be arranged. Butternut keeps families entertained with a series of special events, including frequent races, even one for the 70+ set on February 1st. February 25th is The Get Up Ice Coast Open Slopestyle Event, an opportunity for those who want to "show us your best jumps." A March 4th fundraiser for foster children, (a $10 donation is requested) will offer a variety of events for kids, including a cookie race on the beginner hill, a funny hat contest, and more. On March 11th, it's the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a fun family day with music, races and games open to all who've purchased a lift ticket.

Nearby in New York

Catamount, 3200 State Highway 23, Hillsdale, 518/325-3200
www.catamountski.com

Though across the border into New York, Catamount is only 79 miles from Bridgeport, and, like Butternut, mixes the beauty of the Berkshires with accessibility. Catamount has 23 trails and terrain park areas with its trails divided into four levels of difficulty. Ali's Alley and Cat's Meow are the easy end of the scale; Catapult, as you might expect, is the most challenging. Catamount is first and foremost about families with many resources dedicated to bringing snow sports to everyone. To that end, specially trained instructors teach a wide variety of different classes, including some for first timers, extensive children's programs, private and group lessons, and junior racing programs. Notably, Catamount has partnered with STRIDE, a volunteer group dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through sports and recreation, to train and certify its ski instructors. As a result, Catamount instructors provide individualized lessons in skiing and snowboarding, using adaptive equipment, for people with disabilities.