Adventure is the focus of Mystic Mountain's annual WinterFest celebration today through Sunday at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.

And part of the adventure might be in getting there.

After more than two months of intemperate weather, snow began falling this week in the Laurel Highlands and more is forecast for the weekend. Despite the best efforts of PennDOT and local road crews, it might be slow-going on some of the country roads leading to Hidden Valley, Mystic Mountain and Seven Springs.

Once you get there, you'll find the best snow conditions of the season. The combination of natural and machine-made snow has enabled the resorts to open most or all of their slopes and trails.

Although Mystic Mountain's WinterFest will offer the usual variety of on- and off-slope activities, including a ski dummy race, torchlight parade, ice-carving, a chili cook-off and live entertainment in the ski lodge, it also invites guests to participate in a Two Below Duo Adventure Race and winter golf -- the Polar Bear Classic with a scramble format.

"We really wanted to offer something different with our WinterFest this year," said activities director Jon Pitcavage.

He said the Two Below Duo event is a four-stage outdoor adventure competition for teams of two that can be completed in all four stages or in individual stages. Details for each stage aren't released until one hour before each event to give each team equal time to plan their strategy.

Pitcavage said the Two Below Duo event is in conjunction with Grassroots Racing of Pittsburgh, an organizer of extreme adventure races.

So what should participants expect?

The first stage event is a rock wall climbing prologue scheduled to start at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Harnesses and belayers will be provided. This event will determine the starting order for the next event -- a run and paintball target shoot event at 11 a.m.

Pitcavage said this "biathlon" will be a three-lap race consisting of a one-mile lap, a three-mile lap and a one-mile lap. Each lap will include target shooting at the end.

A night navigation stage starts at 8:15 p.m. The course, approximately two miles, is billed as being more of a brain teaser than a physical test. It will include a "twist" at the end that will be completed indoors. A navigation clinic will be from 4-6 p.m. for anyone who might need help using a compass and/or finding their bearings.

A mountain bike leg will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday. It will be 10-12 miles long and will include road, cart path and trails. The resort has several bikes it will loan to those who don't bring their own.

Mandatory gear for all events other than the prologue is one cell phone per team and a minimum of 12 ounces of fluid per teammate. Individual mandatory gear for the Nighttime Navigation event includes flashlight/headlamp with spare batteries, compass, emergency space blanket and an emergency whistle. A second light source per team is recommended.

The awards ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Sunday. Prizes will be awarded to the top three overall finishers. Individual stage awards will be presented at the end of each stage and will be limited to first place overall.

The entry fee is $90 per person and $180 per team to participate in all four stages. A single event costs $30 per person and $60 per team. And a prologue event scheduled for this evening is $15 per person and $30 per team.

To register, call Grassroots at 412-759-5333. Co-owner Bethann Scott of Friendship said the resort is offering prizes valued at more than $2,300. For more information, go to www.rootsrace.com. For more information on WinterFest, call 1-866-399-6957.

Ohiopyle State Park

Ohiopyle State Park and the Friends of Ohiopyle will have a "First Annual Winter Fest" from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Sugarloaf sledding area. For more information on cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow shelters, dog-sleds and ice-skating events, go to www.friendsofohiopyle.org or call 724-329-8591.