The weather wasn't the best and neither were the conditions, but the determined members of the Pennsylvania Cross Country Skiers' Association (PACCSA) were able to have their annual Nordic championships Sunday at Laurel Ridge State Park.

After several weeks of colder than usual temperatures in the teens and single digits, the thermometer climbed into the high 40s the day before and the day of the race and generated soft snow conditions.

"Considering the warm temperatures and rain Saturday night, the trails were OK on most of the course," said association president Rick Garstka. "We were able to [set] tracks for the classical race, groom the skate lane some and just skied around the few slushy areas." The freestyle races were shortened to 6 and 12 kilometers.

The snow conditions didn't seem to bother Jeff Samuels who won the 5K classic race in 20 minutes, 8 seconds and then won the 12K freestyle in 43:33.

Emery Wager won the 6K freestyle race (24:24). There was a double tie in the boys' and girls' divisions in the 2.3K race. Sameer Apte and Chad Kozan tied for first (10:52) in the boys' race; Olivia Cook and Jen Clarkcrossed the finish line in 11 minutes flat in the girls' event.Yamuna Satsangi won the children's 1.5K race (12:08) in the girls' division; William Turner (13:35) won the boys' race.

For more information on PACCSA, go to www.paccsa.org, e-mail garxcski@verizon.net or call 412-462-7493.

Park & Pipe 101, a how-to class in the ways, whys and wherefores of sliding and gliding in a terrain park, will be taught by Hidden Valley's Wintersports U beginning at 10 a.m. next Saturday and Sunday.

The class is designed for skiers and snowboarders who can link their turns. The $100 per person cost includes four hours of instruction and lunch. Helmets are required and can be rented for $5. Reservations are recommended. The class also will be taught March 7- 8.

For more information, go to www.hiddenvalleyresort.com or call 1-814-443,8000, Ext. 308.

The benefits of weekday skiing and snowboarding -- minimum to nonexistent lift lines, group lessons that enable instructors to have more one-on-one time with their students, and more room on the slopes -- are being promoted by the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association.

When you buy a lift ticket Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, you get the next day at half-price -- provided you stay overnight at or near the resort.

For a list of the participating ski areas and a half-price skiing/riding certificate, go to www.visitPA.com. The certificate and proof of overnight stay must be presented to qualify for the half-price lift ticket the following day.

The Seven Springs Activities Team helped to raise $1,098 for the Sam Hicks Memorial Fund at the Pittsburgh Pirates annual PirateFest last month at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

The team collected $2 from each person who climbed the resort's 50 foot wall to honor FBI special agent Sam Hicks who was killed while serving an arrest warrant Nov. 19.

Hicks had been an instructor in the resort's Tiny Tots Ski School and a member of its ski patrol before beginning his career in law enforcement.

Donations can be sent to the fund, c/o St. Margaret Foundation, 815 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215.

Gifts can be made online at http://www.stmargaretfoundation.org/donate.jsp and designate it in memory of Hicks.

Hidden Valley will have tryouts March 1 for skiers and snowboarders 15 and older with advanced skills who are interested in joining its ski patrol for the 2009-10 season.

For more information, call 1-814-443-8000, Ext. 303.

Blue Knob officials wisely closed their slopes and trails Wednesday and Thursday because of wet weather and high-speed winds. The resort re-opened yesterday for the three-day Presidents' Weekend.