With the vacation at the midpoint, it’s time to take a look at the calendar. January is well-filled with special events. Of course, it’s also time for some resolutions for the new year. Mine haven’t changed.

As usual, I’m resolving to ski more. Some years that was tough. Due to a bunch of circumstances, last season was a bit short on ski days. Although this season is off to a slow start, I plan on skiing at least two days mid week every week and a weekend day. That should put me well past 30 days by the end of March, which is the minimum goal. In my patrol days, 50 plus was normal, and the three winters I skied fulltime, I skied doe more than 100 days. That’s my main resolution, but I’ll add skiing at a few of the smaller areas I haven’t been to yet.

That’s it, nothing about conditioning or weight loss. If I ski enough days, those things will take care of themselves. So much for me, do you resolve to ski more?

While the skiing by itself is enough, here are some events that will make it even better. There are a few during the week after Christmas and, of course, celebrations for New Year’s Eve.

To wrap up the vacation, Sugarloaf has events starting today and running through the end of the week — Maine Mountain Series, Meathead Films Movie tour, Bill Bousum Memorial GS, Family Entertainment Series Maine Hysterical Society, Moonlight Climb, and Ski Museum of Maine Fireside Chat, along with a few others.

Shawnee Peak’s Ullr Fest on Tuesday night is a welcome-to-winter ceremony that starts with a beating of the drums and a torch-light parade at 7 p.m. There will also be fireworks and dancing in Blizzard’s Pub. Lift tickets from 4-9 p.m. are $15, so if you’re up for some night skiing and ready to welcome winter, try Ullr Fest.

There will be various New Year’s Eve celebrations. We can expect everything from torch-light parades on skis to fireworks, dinners and dancing. Mt Abram lists a New Year’s bash, while Sugarloaf features a widowmaker party and a family party. Some of these are by reservation, so be sure to call or check Web sites for details.

Things calm down a bit New Year’s Day as those who party hard the night before will be late getting to the slopes. Look for the on-mountain pubs and lounges to have plenty of football on big-screen TVs for après ski. Saturday’s ski parties will take place with more football. Apres ski will be in full swing next weekend and throughout the season. I may be showing my age, but my preference is a piano bar or single quiet folk singer at the end of a ski day. With New Year’s Day usually quiet on the mountain, it’s a good three-day weekend.

On Sunday, Jan. 3, Black Mountain in Rumford has its Tin Mountain Roundup (Bring cans of food and receive a discount lift ticket) and the first event in the Maine Ski Challenge Alpine Race Series. The MountainDew Series begins at Lost Valley. Also, it’s Maine Day at Saddleback and College Snowfest Week gets under way at Sugarloaf.

Junior and adult programs begin at Lost Valley on Monday, Jan. 4, so if you’re interested in signing up, there isn’t much time left to call. These programs have brought a lot of people into skiing over the years. Taking a lesson or two a week with practice in between is an effective way to learn the sport.

Saddleback’s Tuesday Tuneups will start Jan. 5. This is a program for skiers of all levels to get together once a week, ski with an instructor and get tips. I tried this one a couple of years ago, and it’s not only good for tuning up your technique, it’s a lot of fun skiing with the same group and enjoying everything from coffee breaks to lunch with the same skiers.

Lost Valley’s Corporate Race Series cranks up Jan. 7, and its Tin Can Round Up is set for Jan. 8. Shawnee Peak’s fourth annual Elvis Comedy Revue will take place Jan. 9.

Children’s Festival Week at Sugarloaf and Sunday River will run Jan. 10-14.

On the competition side, Sugarloaf has the Greg Fancoeur Memorial Mogul Meet on Jan. 2-3, Sunday River has the Men’s Nor-Am Super Series on Jan. 4-7, and the USSA Eastern Freestyle A Meet is Jan. 9-10. The MARA Cup Series is at Sugarloaf on Jan 10, and a FIS SuperG is Jan. 11-13. This is a partial schedule. Some, such as freestyle make great spectator events.

Other highlights through the month include Family Fun Day at Saddleback, on Jan. 16, the J.P. Parisien race at Lost Valley, on Jan. 18, and Sugarloaf’s White White World Week beginning Jan 24.

Check the area Web sites, most of which can be accessed through www.skimaine.com for a more complete list and details on individual events. One on my list is Saddleback’s Veteran’s Day. Any veteran or current member of the Armed Forces is invited to ski free on Sunday Jan. 10. Major General John Libby has promised to lead members of the Maine National Guard down the mountain.