The recent cold snap to hit the Heartland brought with it some great snow conditions for Midwest ski areas. The coldest weather that forced many to suspend operations for two or three days fortunately came midweek. The bookend weekends brought out good crowds with great slope conditions.

Call it Epic-Lite or Ikon 2.0, but the southern Colorado-based Power Pass has taken off around the country, into Canada and across the seas.

The Midwest Ski Areas Association was a forerunner in the January National Ski & Snowboard Month before it became national. Our region of the country is ideal for learning to ski and snowboard. Here are some samples.

Ohio’s Mad River Mountain, home hill to Olympian Louie Vito, will be hosting the Heartland’s first rail jam Nov. 4. Last year’s event was a huge hit, and over 400 people have already confirmed on MRM’s Facebook page they will be there for the “throw down.” The ski area’s annual Ski Patrol Ski Swap will be taking place inside the lodge.