Upcoming events at the Paul Smith's College VIC

PAUL SMITHS, NY (01/30/2015)(readMedia)-- Sunday, Feb. 1 – Sunday Ski and Music Series

Join Jamie Savage from 1-3 p.m. for some music and outdoor fun. During the ski season, we will have a variety of talented local musicians playing in our great room each Sunday. Stop in to enjoy the music before or after your snowshoe or ski. Free with any ski pass.

Thursday, Feb. 5 – Full Moon Ski Pot Luck and Music

Join us as we bust out the tiki lights and headlamps for some night skiing, a bonfire and music by the Ceilidhl Band. Bring a dish to pass and a place setting and join the VIC staff, our musical guests and other pass holders for good food, music and skiing under the moonlight. We'll meet at 5:30 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres. Dinner's at 6 p.m. Free for Friends of the VIC and season-pass holders, $10 for all others. Preregister by 5 p.m. the day before.

Saturday, Feb. 7 – U.S. Biathlon

Come watch hometown competitors Lowell Bailey and Tim Burke from across the globe as they race in Oslo, Norway. We're showing the World Cup Biathlon race on the big screen from 8-9:30 a.m. in the VIC auditorium.

Saturday, Feb. 7 – Wildlife Signs and Tracks

Bring the kids to the VIC from 1-3 p.m. and go on a family snowshoe walk to look for signs and tracks of our local wildlife. Snowshoes will be required and are available to rent at the VIC. Dress appropriately for outdoor activity. $20/person, $40/family (25 percent discount for Friends of the VIC and season-pass holders). Preregister by 5 p.m. the day before.

Sunday, Feb. 8 – Sunday Ski and Music Series

Join George Bailey from 1-3 p.m. for some music and outdoor fun. During the ski season, we will have a variety of talented local musicians playing in our great room each Sunday. Stop in to enjoy the music before or after your snowshoe or ski. Free with any ski pass.

Saturday, Feb. 14 – Empire State Games Snowshoe

Paul Smith's College will host the snowshoe sprint races at the soccer field in the morning. The 5K race will take place at the VIC at 2 p.m. To register, visit www.empirestatewintergames.com.

Saturday, Feb. 14 – Snowshoe with a Naturalist

Learn about the natural wonders of winter with VIC naturalist Brian McAllister from 10 a.m.-noon. Topics include animal tracking, winter birding and winter survival. Meet in the visitor center. Snowshoes are required, and rentals are available. $10 for Friends of the VIC or season-pass holders (includes a day pass). $20 for all others. Preregister by 5 p.m. the day before.

Sunday, Feb. 15 – Snowshoe Stampede: 1K Kids Run, 5 & 15K Adult Races

The Adventure starts at 10 a.m. The 15K course leads to the top of Jenkins Mountain. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC or season-pass holders. Preregistration for all races is appreciated.

Sunday, Feb. 15 – Sunday Ski and Music Series

Join Curt Stager, Kary Johnson and Tyler Dezago from 1-3 p.m. for some music and outdoor fun. During the ski season, we will have a variety of talented local musicians playing in our great room each Sunday. Stop in to enjoy the music before or after your snowshoe or ski. Free with any ski pass.

Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 16 & 17 – No-School Days at the VIC

Join Deb Paradis from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and learn about nature's winter preparation and survival. This program is geared toward third- to fifth-graders. Please dress for a two- to three-hour outdoor session and pack a lunch. Preregister by 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, by calling 518-327-6241. $35/person, $25 for Friends of the VIC.

Thursday, Feb. 19 – Local Foods Pot luck and Armchair Lecture Series Discussion

Join us from 5-7 p.m. for a local-foods pot luck with area farmers and sample some of the products they grow. Learn how you can participate in the local food movement and have an informative conversation with the people who are helping to make it part of our community. The program is hosted by The Adirondack Center for Working Landscapes in collaboration with Franklin County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Please RSVP by calling 518-327-6241.

Saturday, Feb. 21 – Chili Ski Fest

Come sample and vote for some of the best chili in the North Country with chefs vying for the "Golden Chili Pot" award. Check out ski and snowshoe demonstrations, ski with a naturalist, join our waxing clinic and our "Find the Pavilions" poker run. $10/person, free with a ski pass.

Saturday, Feb. 21 – Kids Snowshoe Walk and Games

Make Chili Ski Fest a family outing. From 10 a.m.-noon, before we award the "Golden Chili Pot," kids in grades 3-5 are invited to go on a snowshoe walk and play some outdoor games. Snowshoe rentals available. $20/person, $40/family, 25 percent discount for Friends of the VIC and season-pass holders.

Sunday, Feb. 22 –VIC Volunteer Training: Winter Botany

Join VIC naturalist Brian McAllister on a snowshoe walk from 1-3 p.m. We'll explore the forest and wetland plants and learn to identify last summer's wildflowers, ferns and other plant life. We'll also learn to identify some trees by their bud formations and leaf scars.

Friday, Feb. 27 – NOLS Presentation

National Outdoor Leadership School Northeast Branch director Lindsay Yost will give a talk at 6:30 p.m. on the NOLS network and expansion of programs here in the Adirondacks. She'll also provide information on courses offered all over the world. NOLS Northeast has been based at the Paul Smith's College VIC for the past four summers. $5/person, free for NOLS alumni, Friends of the VIC and VIC season-pass holders.

Friday, Feb. 27 – Owl Prowl

Join us at 7:30 p.m. for an owl prowl on snowshoes. Participants will learn owl natural history and listen for calling owls. Bring a flashlight or headlamp to help guide your way. $10/person, $5 for Friends of the VIC. Snowshoes available to rent. Preregistration required by 5 p.m. the day before.

Saturday, Feb. 28 – Intro to Maple Sugaring & Community Maple Training

Join us from 9-11 a.m. and learn modern methods of designing, installing and maintaining a sugar bush. Backyard tapping and the VIC's community-based maple program will also be addressed. $20/person.

Saturday, Feb. 28 – Paddle Sport Event Management Workshop

The Adirondack Watershed Alliance will host a seminar from noon-4 p.m. on assisting communities and organizations who coordinate paddle sport events. Topics include the basics of event administration, event management, sponsors and racer amenities advertising and promotion, and an introduction to the New York State Canoe Race Association. The workshop is part of a larger paddle-sport promotion supported by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. Preregister by calling the VIC at 518-327-6241.

ABOUT PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. Paul Smith's, which was founded in 1946, is the only bachelor's degree-granting institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information: www.paulsmiths.edu.